Misplaced Family Ties

On the day of the college entrance exam, my cousin, who was five years younger than me, locked me in the house.

In a sugary, coaxing voice, she said, “Sis, I can’t bear to be apart from you. Could you stay with me for one more year?”

Beside her, my mom was as indulgent as ever. “If Linlin can’t bear to be apart from you, then stay with her a little longer. You’re such a good student, so taking the exam a year later won’t matter.”

I sneered and swung a stool at the door.

“If you can’t bear to part with me, then I’ll show you what it means to sacrifice your child to catch the wolf.”

Later, my mother came to me, looking haggard and desperate to escape my cousin’s endless demands.

I turned and walked away. “Since my sister can’t bear to be apart from you, you can spend the rest of your life with her.”