Chapter Sixty-One: Schemes and Malice

“Your father and I are both fine. What about you? Are you really working overtime? Is everything all right? Are you sure you're okay?” Her mother’s face was etched with worry, as if she wished she could reach through the screen, take hold of Yan Xue, and inspect her from head to toe.

Yan Xue found the questions odd. Her line of work was unusual, and her parents always worried more than most about her safety. Yet now, even though mother and daughter could see each other clearly through the video call, her mother’s unease hadn’t abated; she still seemed so tense.

“Mom, I’m really fine—not even a single strand of hair missing.” Yan Xue frowned. “Why are you so anxious all of a sudden? What’s going on?”

Seeing her daughter answer so seriously, her mother finally relaxed a little. She exhaled, then said, “As long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters! Did your cousin contact you recently? She came to our house today, terribly worried about you. She said she’s been trying to reach you for days, but though your phone rings, you never answer, and you don’t reply to her messages either. She was afraid something had happened and that no one else could get in touch with you...

She also spoke about some news stories of police officers getting hurt in the line of duty, and the more I listened, the more anxious I felt. Then I realized it’s been three or four days since we last messaged each other, and the more I thought about it, the more frightened I became. I wanted to call, but I worried that if something really had happened, a phone call wouldn’t show me anything. So I decided to video chat, just to make sure you’re all right.

Your father didn’t want me to call you. He said if you were busy with work and couldn’t answer, my call might only make things harder for you. But I just couldn’t help it; the more I thought about what your cousin said, the more unsettled I felt.”

Yan Xue’s frown deepened. That cousin, Song Chen, was the daughter of her troublesome aunt—two years older than Yan Xue. The two had never gotten along since childhood, and as adults, they had grown no closer. In temperament, character, and outlook, Song Chen was the very sort of person Yan Xue preferred to avoid altogether.

“Song Chen is gossiping to you again! She did call me, but I was busy with work and didn’t answer. That gives her no right to come to you and say such things!” Yan Xue said, her displeasure clear.

Seeing her daughter upset, her mother hurried to smooth things over. “Let’s not dwell on it. You’re safe and sound, and that’s all I care about! Everything else is secondary. Your cousin probably didn’t mean any harm. She’s never done work like yours, and she’s always been a bit jumpy. It’s fine, as long as you’re all right.

Besides, your cousin has been having a tough time lately—work troubles, I hear, and she’s thinking of quitting. On top of that, her boyfriend just broke up with her, so she’s in a terrible mood. She was talking about taking a trip to W City to clear her head, and she thought she could check in on you while she was there.

But since you’re so busy right now, I’ll let her know not to come to W City for the time being. There’s no point in her making trouble for you now. When you’re less busy and she wants to visit, you can arrange something then.”

“Please, don’t tell her that!” Yan Xue’s head ached at the thought. “You know exactly what my relationship with Song Chen is like. Whether she’s unemployed or unlucky in love, it has nothing to do with me—I’m neither curious nor concerned! She can go wherever she likes to recover; even if she comes to W City, it has nothing to do with me. I don’t have time to bother with her.”

“You shouldn’t say that—others might think you’re too heartless,” her mother objected gently. Though she clearly disapproved, her tone was soft, almost as if she were coaxing a child. “I know you’re busy and exhausted, and I feel for you. But you can’t just ignore everyone.”

“Why not? Will ignoring Song Chen cost me a pound of flesh?” Yan Xue retorted with a cold laugh.

“No, you won’t lose anything by ignoring her. But she’s still your cousin! You’re an only child, and Song Chen is your aunt’s only daughter. You’re the closest of cousins—your father and your aunt are real siblings, after all. You and Song Chen are as close as cousins can be! It’s rare for people your age to have siblings; most only children’s closest relatives are cousins.

Your father and I aren’t that old yet, and you haven’t started a family of your own. For now, all you need to do is look after yourself and your work. But you can’t stay like this forever!

One day, you’ll meet someone, start a family, and have children of your own. When your father and I are old and frail, and your child is still young, what then? Won’t you need family to help you? You and Song Chen are closest in age. The squabbles of childhood were just that—childish. Now you’re both grown, you can’t possibly carry on as before.

All I hope is that when your father and I are gone, you won’t be left all alone in the world. I want you to have someone to rely on, family to help and support you. With your current attitude, I really can’t help but worry.”

Yan Xue could be fiery, but she never responded well to force—she would stand her ground and argue back if someone was being unreasonable or aggressive. But when faced with her mother’s gentle concern, she always felt powerless.

“Mom, don’t be so pessimistic—it won’t be like that.” Yan Xue turned her head, sighed, and tried to adjust her expression, making her tone softer and more sincere. “I have friends! You’ve met them: Xia Qing, Yaya, and Ningning. We all help and look out for each other. Even real sisters aren’t always as close as the four of us. With them around, your worries are unnecessary!

Besides, you and Dad aren’t even that old! According to the World Health Organization, people between thirty-six and sixty are considered middle-aged. You and Dad are just in your prime—no need to fret about those things yet!”

Her mother sighed at the camera. “Yes, Xia, Yaya, and Ningning are all good kids. I like them, and honestly, knowing you all work together helps put your father and me at ease. But... no matter how good they are, they’re still just friends. You’re not related by blood; in the end, you can’t truly rely on them.

Someday, each of you will have your own family, and with work being so demanding, you’ll hardly have the energy to spare. Even if you don’t want to keep up with your own relatives, they have their own families—when something happens, who will help you? Their first loyalty will always be to their own.

Xiaoxue, I know you don’t like hearing this, but blood is thicker than water—family is family, even if the bone is broken, the sinew ties it together. No other bond can compare to family. Don’t be so ruthless as to wound your relatives; who will you rely on in the future?”

As soon as her mother embarked on this familiar persuasion, Yan Xue’s temper flared uncontrollably. She never understood why her parents clung so stubbornly to the idea of family ties, and why no matter how clearly she explained her own views, they refused to let it go.

“Mom, don’t you think your argument is a little shaky?” Yan Xue pressed a hand to her chest, trying to calm the ache that came from holding back. “You say blood ties are unbreakable, that even if the bone is broken, the sinew holds it together. But isn’t it better for people to stay out of each other’s way? If not speaking is enough to break family bonds, then it’s not much of a tie, is it?

Let me ask you: if you want to convince me, shouldn’t you give me some solid examples? Like you always told me when I was young—convince with reason! All these years, you and Dad have helped so many relatives; you’ve given so much. But whenever we’ve needed help, who has ever returned the favor?

I think my friends are far more reliable than those so-called relatives. And even if I had no one, I’d rather shoulder everything alone than be plagued by a swarm of greedy leeches!”

Though Yan Xue didn’t raise her voice, her words tumbled out faster and faster, a sure sign that her self-restraint was reaching its limit—that the volcano was about to erupt.

Her mother, knowing her daughter inside out, could see she was at her breaking point and swiftly changed tactics.

“All right, all right—you work so hard, I won’t argue with you or add to your troubles. I’ll tell Song Chen you’re busy and can’t host her. She can go to W City or not, it’s up to her!” Her mother’s tone shifted, gentle and conciliatory, as if soothing a child mid-tantrum. “You must take care of yourself, get some rest, and try to eat on time!”

Yan Xue was still simmering, but she couldn’t bear to stay angry with her mother. As a police officer, she knew she was the anchor of her parents’ hearts, and even when her mood was in disarray, she managed a smile and promised to take care of herself before ending the call.

Once her mother’s face vanished from the screen and the phone fell silent, Yan Xue’s smile faded. She let her head fall back against the chair, her hand with the phone dropping limply to her side. She couldn’t say if she was more angry or simply exhausted.

Kang Ge sat beside her, observing quietly. Ever since they’d met, Yan Xue had always been energetic, full of life. This was the first time he’d seen her so quiet, as if her batteries were running low.

He waited a moment, then said, “If I said I didn’t hear a thing just now, would you believe me?”

Yan Xue hadn’t yet shaken off her mood completely. Caught off guard by his question, she turned to see his innocent expression and couldn’t help but laugh. “What are you talking about? This car isn’t exactly spacious, and my mom and I weren’t discussing any earth-shattering secrets. Why pretend you heard nothing?”

“Just thinking about the old saying, ‘family scandals should not be aired in public,’ that sort of thing,” Kang Ge replied, grinning as she smiled.

Yan Xue waved a hand. “You’re overthinking it. She’s just my aunt’s daughter. Her messes are her own and have nothing to do with our family. My dad and my aunt have each had their own families for years—why should I be close with my cousin?”

“So when you came to work in W City, was it like a bird released from its cage? Did you stick your head out the window, take a deep breath, and shout ‘freedom’ to set the mood?”

“I wish I’d been that carefree!” Yan Xue gave a wry smile. “You might not believe it, since I don’t really seem like that type. But in fact, when I first came to W City, my feelings were all tangled up. Half of it was the thrill of escape, but only half.

When I started my internship after graduation, I considered staying close to home, so I could be there for my parents. They’re such gentle souls—if I’m not there, how could I ever rest easy?

But I soon realized that if I wanted to work well, to focus on my job, I couldn’t stay in my hometown. Staying would only invite trouble from certain people.

When I interned at a police station, a distant relative heard about it and asked me to use the internal system to check someone’s personal information. I explained I was only an intern, had no such access, and besides, it wasn’t allowed. He scolded me for being inflexible and told me to ask my supervisor to check for him.

That was nothing compared to what came next. Another distant relative’s son got into a fight and was brought in by the very police station where I was interning. That relative, having heard I was there, came to our door and wouldn’t leave, insisting I help get his son out, since the boy was only seventeen and had his whole life ahead of him.

My parents tried to explain I wasn’t a formal officer, just an intern, and couldn’t help. The relative was still upset, and in the end, it was my grandfather who had to smooth things over, saying that when I was officially employed and had more experience, of course I wouldn’t ignore family in need.”