Chapter 3

"...Huh? What?"

My daughter was skeptical, unable to believe I could say something like that.

I repeated my words clearly, "I said, I won't force you to practice piano anymore."

"Not only that, I won't make you do anything you don't like."

"I won't check if you've finished your homework, and I won't nag you to go to bed when you're playing games."

"If you want to date, whoever you want to date, however you want to date, I won't interfere."

"I won't control you anymore. Do whatever you want."

"From now on, I'll give you the freedom you've always wanted."

I made it very clear to her.

She could tell that I wasn't speaking out of spite, nor was I using reverse psychology. I was sincere.

Her lips curled up uncontrollably.

She asked, "Can I quit piano lessons too?"

I smiled and replied, "Of course, I didn't plan to pay for them anymore anyway."

Her expression changed slightly, as if something felt off, but she didn't dwell on it.

Right now, gaining benefits was her top priority.

"I have a boyfriend in the game, he really loves me. I'm planning to meet him this weekend. You won't stop me, right?" she asked again.

I nodded, "Of course not. I support your pursuit of true love."

She listed a few more things, and I agreed to each one, promising not to interfere.

Only then did she return to her room, satisfied, tossing her backpack to the floor and sprawling on her bed to play games on her phone.

"I'm so hungry. I want a Chinese dish for dinner. Make it quick!" she shouted.

I ignored her, reclining on the sofa as I contacted a lawyer friend to draft a divorce agreement, printing it out with the home printer.

Tonight, my husband would return from a business trip, just in time to sign it.

As for dinner, whoever wants to cook can cook. I was planning to order takeout to celebrate my new beginning.

After finishing two rounds of her game, she came out, hungrier than before, only to find the dining table bare. She immediately lashed out at me, "I said I wanted a Chinese dish tonight. Didn't you hear me? Are you deaf as well as forgetful?"

I continued scrolling through videos, not even bothering to look up, "I told you, I won't take care of you anymore. Whether you're hungry or not is none of my concern."

She shrieked, "Have you lost your mind, you crazy lady? If you don't cook, who will?"

I shrugged, "Whoever wants to cook can cook. I'm not doing it."

Cooking for myself is fine. Cooking for an ungrateful person? Sorry, I refuse.

Just then, the doorbell rang. The delivery of Hong Kong-style dim sum had arrived.

In her shock and confusion, I retrieved the takeout and began unpacking the containers.

Pork congee, shrimp dumplings, crab roe shumai, crispy pan-fried dumplings... These were all dishes I usually refrained from ordering to save money.

She sat across the table, bluntly asking, "Which one is mine?"

I replied, "I ordered these for myself. None of it is for you."

Her eyes widened in anger, "Then what am I supposed to eat? You crazy lady!"

"I knew there was a catch to your sudden change. You're just using reverse psychology to force me to practice piano. I'm done with this!"

"No wonder Dad doesn't like coming home. Nobody can stand you!"

"Give me some cash. I want to go out for a seafood buffet dinner!"

I picked up a shrimp dumpling, savoring it, "Your dad has money. Ask him for it."