At that thought, Christine wade rare reflection on her life crept in.
Spoiled from childhood, doted on by her parents, even her second brother, Bruce wade, had always cherished her.
When he married, her sister-in-law treated her like a real sister too.
Back then, though headstrong, Christine wade was sweet and sensible around them, never stepping out of line.
Deep down, she idolised Bruce wade and An Chengqi, relying on them heavily. She’d even thought that with such a stellar pair watching over her, she’d be set for life. Who’d have guessed they’d both die in their prime?
After that, the Wade family fell apart. The old man had little energy to fuss over her, her eldest brother was never close, and for a long stretch, Christine wade found herself sidelined in the family.
Her husband, once mentored by Bruce wade and fairly successful, lost his upward trajectory after her brother’s death. Over the years, he’d shown no remarkable talent, and Christine wade’s patience with him had worn thin.
Looking at herself now, Christine wade suddenly felt her life was rather tragic. Her other brothers still didn’t take her seriously, always on guard around her. The old man, though well-meaning, was too old and had handed over the family headship. Now, all the Wade family’s resources were in her nephew Charlie wade’s hands.
But this nephew didn’t get along with her either.
She couldn’t help thinking of Bruce wade and An Chengqi, lamenting inwardly, “If my second brother and sister-in-law were still alive, Charlie wouldn’t treat me like this. If they were here, they’d still dote on me and look after me like before. I wouldn’t be this unwanted…”
The more she thought, the sadder Christine wade grew. Sitting alone to the side, she began to sob silently.
Lord wade finished his tea and, noticing his daughter hadn’t refilled it, tapped the table lightly, “Christine, top up my tea.”
Christine wade, lost in her tears, jolted at her father’s voice. Snapping back, she didn’t even wipe her eyes, hurriedly saying, “Right, Dad.”
She grabbed the teapot and went to pour for him.
Only then did Lord wade see his daughter’s tear-streaked face and red eyes.
He asked with concern, “Christine, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
At that, everyone turned to look at Christine wade.
Charlie wade noticed her red eyes too, the thick foundation on her face streaked by two tear tracks, her expression tinged with sadness and loneliness.
Caught under everyone’s gaze, Christine wade hastily wiped her tears with both hands, stammering, “Oh? It’s nothing, I was just thinking about something…”
Lord wade, feeling for her, asked, “What were you thinking about, crying at your age?”
Christine wade didn’t know how to explain, so she just sighed softly, “Oh, it’s nothing really, just missing my second brother and sister-in-law.”
With that, her grievances swelled, tears bursting forth uncontrollably, streaming down like rain.
The sight startled everyone. Christine wade, realising her makeup was on and crying would ruin it, felt even worse. Already inferior next to Angie, a tear-smeared face would make her a clown.
She stood abruptly, flustered, “You all carry on, I’m popping to the loo.”
“Go on then,” the old man nodded, waving her off.
Christine wade fled the scene in a panic. Charlie wade watched her retreating figure and shook his head lightly.
Lord wade, empathising with her, looked at Charlie wade and sighed, “Charlie, your aunt’s had it rough these years, you know.”
He quickly added, “Mentally, I mean, not materially.”
Charlie wade nodded slightly. Having drifted outside, living under others’ roofs for years, he’d seen plenty of human joys and sorrows—how could he not understand?
