His mother, Zhao Xiuqin, had depression. How was that possible?
How had that fast-talking, confident middle-aged woman become depressed?
How could that competitive woman who always wanted to come out on top have depression?
After hanging up, Wang Xiaoliang stood in the kitchen, tipping the leftovers into a garbage bag one dish at a time.
His phone rang again.
Two large characters filled the screen: Mom.
"Xiaoliang." Zhao Xiuqin sounded very different from usual.
"Mom, have you eaten?" That was how Zhao Xiuqin opened every call, but now their roles had reversed.
"I have." Zhao Xiuqin paused. "Um, um, did your dad tell you?"
His father had clearly told her. It was something she knew for certain had happened, yet she asked it as a timid question.
How much must she be hurting? Was this still his plainspoken, quick-talking mother?
Right then, he wanted all the more to hear his mother chatter and fuss endlessly.
Even if it was just, "You haven't taken off your long johns, have you?"
Wang Xiaoliang gripped his phone and leaned against the kitchen sink.
"Mom, Uncle cheated you. It wasn't your fault..." Enough beating around the bush. Get straight to the point!
"How was it not my fault!" Zhao Xiuqin cut him off, her voice returning to its usual volume. "You and your dad both told me not to invest, several times. Zijin was sitting right there. I didn't know what was good for me. I insisted on investing."
Her voice began to tremble.
"It's so humiliating."
"Mom..."
"Don't try to talk me around. I was stupid. I lost my mind." Zhao Xiuqin drew a breath, trying hard to keep the tears out of her voice. "Son, I'm begging you for one thing. Don't tell Zijin."
Wang Xiaoliang said nothing.
"She's such a good