In the morning, I had just finalized my divorce with Ethan. By the afternoon, he was on a plane back to River City with our daughter. Looking at the divorce certificate in my hand, I realized this was all that remained of our five-year marriage. I sold my house in Clear River and quit my job. With that, my last traces in Clear River vanished. On the high-speed train back to my hometown, I received a call from my daughter. She asked why I didn't go back to River City with them. I smiled and answered: "Didn't you cry and scream that you didn't want me as your mother anymore?" "Don't worry, you'll have a new mom soon." 1 Returning to my hometown, I saw Grandma leaning on her cane, looking out from the doorway. Beside her stood a cute little girl, looking at me curiously. In the past, I would have happily hugged any child I saw. But now, I didn't like children anymore. Grandma told me this was the granddaughter of our neighbor, Grandma Ge. Her son and daughter-in-law had died in an accident, leaving only this child, so she was sent to the countryside. I nodded, feeling a flicker of sympathy, but I still didn't like children. The little girl looked at me with big, round eyes: "Auntie, you're really pretty." I twitched the corner of my mouth, ignored her, and helped Grandma into the house. Grandma Ge came over a while later and took the little girl home. In the middle of the night, the sound of an ambulance siren pierced the silence. I opened the door to see Grandma Ge being carried into the ambulance, with the little girl standing behind, snot and tears streaming down her face. Later, the police took the little girl away. Two days later, Grandma sighed and told me that Grandma Ge had a heart attack and didn't make it. I suddenly thought of that pitiful child and felt a pang of regret. I asked Grandma: "What about the little girl? Does she have any other relatives besides Grandma Ge?" Grandma thought for a moment and told me she seemed to have a distant uncle in the neighboring county. I felt relieved, at least the little girl would have a place to stay. The next morning, I opened the door and saw the little girl sitting shivering at the neighbor's door. Obviously, the little girl's relatives were unwilling to take her in and sent her back. Grandma looked at my face and told me she wanted to adopt the girl. I didn't speak, but took the little girl to the police station to ask about the situation. In the end, I went through the procedures for her, and from then on, a girl named Nina was added to my household register. 2 After a month of settling in, I established my life back in my hometown. Nina was originally a cheerful girl, but the loss of her family members one by one had a significant impact on her. She changed from a girl who loved to laugh into a silent and solemn person. Although young, she became increasingly mature. She would watch my expressions, help me with housework, and go to the fields with Grandma to pick vegetables, helping her carry the basket. Every time I saw Nina being so sensible, I would think of my child far away in River City. The little princess held in the palm of the He family's hand, Icey. If Icey wanted meat, someone would send her a ranch. If Icey wanted to swim, someone would send her a hotel. Nina often cried in the middle of the night, asking me if I would abandon her in the future. I held her in my arms, stroked her head, and answered: "No, Mom wants to live a happy life and doesn't want to hurt the people around her." "So, Nina, Mom will always make you happy. Do you believe Mom?" She was silent for a long time, then hugged me tightly. "Mom, Nina will always be with you. Nina also wants Mom to be happy." Time passed bit by bit. Nina grew up day by day. When she was seven, Nina started elementary school. For years, I picked up and dropped off Nina every day, rain or shine. I held Nina's hand walking home; Nina was very quiet along the way. Sometimes seeing other little girls crying to their parents, Nina would just glance lightly, telling me to be calm. I laughed; Nina was becoming more and more mature. Just walking into the small courtyard, a little girl in a fluffy dress ran towards me. "Mom!" I stepped back, and Nina caught the little girl who almost fell. "Little kid, you've got the wrong person." I looked up at the man sitting opposite Grandma. "Sir, you must have the wrong place." Icey immediately wailed. I looked at Grandma, who helplessly pulled Nina into the house. The year I returned to my hometown, I told Grandma that I would not contact the He family again. Grandma knew my past and didn't ask much. Later, with Nina, Grandma hardly ever thought about that great-granddaughter with a bit of a temper. Ethan walked up to me, staring at me without saying a word. I stepped aside, leaving the door open for them, meaning for them to leave quickly. Icey saw Nina walk into the house, wiped her tears, and hugged my leg. "Mom, I miss you so much. Come back to River City with us, okay?" I smiled and patted her head, took her hand and walked outside. Turning to Ethan: "Mr. He, let's talk outside." 3 I looked at Ethan's familiar face and remembered our past. Everything before seemed like a story in a novel, interesting yet boring. My grandfather and Ethan's grandfather were comrades when they were young. It was said that my grandfather retired early due to injury because he saved Ethan's grandfather. So before my grandfather passed away, our family had very close contact with the He family. The year I graduated from college, it was said that Ethan beat up a young master from a certain family in River City. The He family was afraid that family would cause trouble, so they arranged for Ethan to stay in Clear River for a while. That day, I received a call from my grandfather asking me to pick someone up at the airport. Just graduated, I was busy looking for a job everywhere. After a day of interviews, I had lost all my energy. Without time to freshen up, I casually tidied up and rushed to the airport. When I arrived, Ethan had been waiting impatiently at the exit for a long time. He sat on the steps, looking at his phone nonchalantly, sometimes smiling, sometimes frowning. The moment I saw him, I felt the fatigue of the day disappear. A boy as radiant as the scorching sun is the easiest to fall for. Crushing on someone, for me, was just chasing the possibility of getting closer to him each time, but never reaching the dream's end. I knew the gap between our two families was like a chasm, but I couldn't stop my heart from beating fast. After living with his grandparents in the countryside for half a month, Ethan felt too bored. Not long after, Grandpa called me and told me Ethan wanted to come to the city and asked me to help him find a place. I knew grandparents were old and had different living habits from Ethan. However, I was too busy during that time, until I saw Ethan at my door, I remembered this matter. Ethan didn't say anything. After knowing I lived alone, he carelessly dragged his suitcase and moved into the apartment I rented. During the time living with Ethan, I learned he had a childhood sweetheart. Coming to Clear River this time was also because his childhood sweetheart was teased by a drunk friend. He was furious and beat the guy up, but that family had strong connections. Helpless, the He family could only arrange for him to come to Clear River first, and then use connections to make peace with that family later. Childhood sweethearts' love is very enviable. And as a bystander, I often heard their affection, cold wars, and quarrels. During the three months Ethan was in Clear River, traces of his life were left everywhere in my apartment. That day, I knew Ethan had a fight with his childhood sweetheart again, thinking he would sleep early. Just opened the door, I saw Ethan lying on the floor. I quickly helped him to the sofa and went to the kitchen to pour him water. Ethan dazedly circled me in his arms, questioning why I brought him home. In the confusion, I didn't know how the mistake was made. 4 I still remember the look in his eyes when he woke up. Cold, even ruthless. As if I had done something to wrong him. Although I had been in relationships, I had only done this kind of thing with him. That day, under his cold gaze, ignoring the soreness of my body, I fled in panic. That night, he called out someone else's name. So lingering and touching, even during the years we were married, he never called me like that. Truly. The falling flower yearns for the flowing water, but the flowing water has no feeling for the falling flower. 5 There is a big tree at the entrance of Grandma's house. In summer, many people enjoy the shade under the tree. But now it was late autumn. Apart from the falling leaves, there was only cold silence in the air. Ethan and I stood under the tree, behind us a withered scene. "What do you want to say?" Ethan looked straight at me. "Have you forgotten the content of the divorce agreement?" "What do you mean?" "Our marriage ended four years ago. "Over these years, I have followed the content of the divorce agreement and never looked for you. "Moreover, judging by Icey's attitude, someone must frequently mention me in front of her. "When we separated, she was only three years old. It's impossible for her to recognize me at first sight." Ethan took a step forward and turned to look at Icey playing on the side. "It was Grandpa who often reminded her and showed her your photos." "In that case, why appear at my house?" Ethan smiled slightly. "We went to the apartment in the city, only to find out you sold it. "So I brought her to find you in the countryside." I closed my eyes and said: "You know this place doesn't welcome you. "Forget it this time, take her away quickly." I was a strict mother. Over these years, Icey had long been spoiled by the He family. If we spent more time together, she would like me even less. Better to let her leave now. Ethan didn't speak, took Icey and left. I thought this matter ended here. Two days later, Nina told me Icey had transferred to her school and was in the same class. After knowing this, I sat in front of the door and thought for an afternoon. It doesn't matter; my life still has to go on. I can't let the two of them disrupt my pace.
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