Chapter 3

Hearing that, my parents and I softened our expressions. But before we could say a word, my oldest aunt cut in again:

“Cute indeed. The big one is ready for the stew pot, and the little one could use some fattening up.”

My smile remained picture-perfect as I nodded:

“You’re so right.”

The big one is ready for the pot, and the little one needs some fattening up.

Thinking this, my gaze slowly drifted back and forth between my aunt and her granddaughter.

Catching my dead-eyed stare combined with an uncanny grin that looked worse than crying, the little niece burst into tears of terror.

My oldest aunt’s face warped with outrage as she pointed at my parents:

“Is this how you raised your daughter?!”

My parents nodded matter-of-factly:

“Chloe didn't say a single word. What’s gotten into you, Karen? Why are you suddenly attacking her?”

“You! You people... Fine! Just fine!”

Fuming, my aunt dragged her sobbing granddaughter into the back room. I happily carried my cats into my bedroom.

My parents exchanged a look with me, whispering a reminder:

“Keep it in check.”

Their voices, however, were brimming with suppressed laughter.

I blinked: Don't worry.

Still, since it was a holiday family gathering, the awkward moment was quickly swept under the rug.

Except at the dinner table, the little niece kept staring at me with sheer terror.

She genuinely looked terrified that I was going to eat her.

Swallowing a piece of cola chicken wing, I thought quietly:

Cola chicken wings taste way better anyway. Guess the kid gets to live today.

The moment that thought crossed my mind, I caught out of the corner of my eye the little girl breathing a sigh of relief and digging into her food with wild abandon.

I couldn’t help but find it hilarious.

I thought we could finish the meal peacefully, but I underestimated the firepower of nosey relatives.

Sure enough, halfway through dinner, my second aunt began unloading her unsolicited wisdom:

“If you ask me, what’s the point of a woman getting so much education?”

“It’s far better to marry a rich husband and live a life of leisure.”

“Don’t you agree, Chloe?”

Ignoring the subtle look from my parents telling me to hold back, I chimed in brightly:

“Absolutely, Aunt Susan. Of course marrying a great husband is the way to go.”

Marrying someone like Uncle Mark, who gets drunk every single night and comes home to beat his wife. Aunt Susan really is living the absolute dream.

“Aunt Susan is so right. What’s the point of a woman reading all those books?”

Women should just be completely illiterate. Just like Aunt Susan, who got scammed out of her entire life insurance payout.

Oh, right! Doesn't Aunt Susan still owe our family thirty thousand dollars? Maybe I should bring it up right now.

After all, she married such a wonderful husband and lives such a luxurious life. Thirty grand should be pocket change for her, right?

As I chewed on these thoughts, my eyes darted inquisitively between Aunt Susan and Uncle Mark.

Susan turned beet red, burying her face in her rice bowl without daring to utter another syllable. Mark looked like he had swallowed a lemon, sweating with pure embarrassment.

Dead silence fell over the table. Nobody dared to pick up the conversation.

Under the table, my parents secretly gave me two thumbs up.

Seeing her sisters completely crushed and silenced by my mere presence, my third aunt, Brenda, couldn't take it anymore. A little buzzed from the wine, her face flushed as she pointed a finger at me:

“Chloe, your elders can’t even give you a little advice anymore? We’ve eaten more salt than you’ve walked miles!”

I feigned shock. “Really?! Aunt Brenda, you guys are incredible!”

Eating that much sodium, how have you not dropped dead from high blood pressure yet?

Brenda choked on her words. She shook her head to clear her mind, softening her tone slightly:

“Chloe, I’m saying this for your own good. How old are you now? Back in our day, women your age already had three kids! Aren't you worried at all? A woman who doesn't have children is defying her very nature!”

I nodded along like an obedient disciple. “You’re so right, Aunt Brenda.”

How did the prehistoric cavemen survive the meteor strike? Should I call a museum tomorrow? Pretty sure they missed cataloging Aunt Brenda.

Brenda’s expression curdled, her lips trembling with rage:

“Can’t you take good advice?! Think about it! When you grow old, everyone else’s house will be glowing with warm lights, full of family!”

“But if you don't get married and don't have kids, like you young folks say, not a single light will shine for you. Who’s going to take care of you in your final days?!”