The kindergarten was holding a parent-child event, and I rushed over, only to see my son holding the hand of my husband's secretary, saying, "Mommy, I wish our family could always be together like this." Seeing the three of them in a warm, familial embrace, I suddenly felt exhausted. Later, I filed for divorce and decided to volunteer for fifteen years of rural teaching. If I couldn't light up my own home, I might as well illuminate the path for others. When I was filling out the volunteer forms for teaching in rural areas, the director anxiously stopped me. "Yu Shi, this rural teaching assignment lasts at least fifteen years. You've always been devoted to your husband and child. Perhaps you shouldn't go this time." "You know what teaching means to those children; it's not something to be taken lightly, " the director advised earnestly. I nodded with deep respect. "Director, please trust me. After all these years, teaching in rural areas has always been my dream. As for my husband and child, they will be in good hands." I bowed deeply, stubbornly refusing to leave. The director finally patted my shoulder in resignation. "Yu Shi, I understand your intentions, but teaching in rural areas isn't just tough; it comes with various dangers. Poverty can lead to misunderstandings and mistrust. I hope you understand." When I made the decision, I had already researched thoroughly. Poverty and backwardness indeed foster outdated and rigid beliefs, but I'm not afraid of hardship or danger. "The children from the mountains need to step out. Only then can that land bloom. Director, as a teacher yourself, you should understand. If we always fear, they'll never leave the mountains.That's not what I want to see." I chose this path because I came from the mountains too. One should return to where they came from. This was what my teacher taught me. "Excellent, excellent, you're truly an outstanding teacher. I'm proud of you. Don't worry, we will remember your contributions. Go prepare; you leave in a day." The director repeated his praise, no longer trying to persuade me. He knew my teacher and had watched me grow, understanding my every thought. On the way back, I looked up at the sunlight. It was warm, just like the road ahead, wide and open. "Miss Mi, hurry and catch me." As I stepped in the door, my son giggled, tumbling over my legs, startling me into looking down. Just as I was about to comfort him, I saw Zhao An'an turning back, complaining to Mi Ni with a pout. "Miss Mi, you didn't tell me the door was open. I'm mad; I won't play with you anymore." "Zhao An'an... " My throat felt a bit hoarse, a sourness welling up in my chest. "Why are you yelling? If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have fallen. You're not a good mom, please step away." Zhao An'an pushed me with all his might, but his strength was so small it didn't matter to me. Yet his actions hurt, making me feel like I couldn't stand. "Yu Shi, you're back. Zhao Kai is tidying up the room, make yourself at home." Mi Ni saw me without a hint of guilt. She picked up Zhao An'an with one hand and poured me a cup of warm water with the other. "Have some water. I'll play with An'an for a while. Don't be shy." Her perfectly timed words only highlighted her composure, leaving me feeling out of place, as if I were returning not to my home, but to a waiting punishment. "Miss Mi, why are you even talking to her? Dad said she's just an outsider. We're the ones who belong together." My fingertips turned pale as I clenched the cup. I bit my lip, forcing a smile. "An'an, how about Mommy plays with you for a while?" They say a mother and son are connected at heart. I love my son deeply. From the moment he was born, I wanted to give him the world. But now, our relationship is becoming so strained it's frightening. "Go away, who wants to play with you? I have too much homework."

It seemed like he was afraid I would press him further, so Zhao An'an struggled to pull out a stack of books from his backpack. "Aunt Mi, come quickly." With his little face all serious, I found him especially adorable and couldn't resist the urge to tease him. "An'an, Mommy can help you with your homework." I said, plopping down beside Zhao An'an. He jumped in fright and hid behind Aunt Mi as if I had the cooties. "Mom, I don't have time to play with you. Can you stop being so unreasonable? I need to do my homework." "Dad was right. You're always lounging around." Aunt Mi gave me an apologetic smile, then crouched down to soothe Zhao An'an. "Sweetheart, you shouldn't be so rude to your mom. It's rare that she has time to spend with you. Besides, she's a teacher. She'll definitely help you better than I can. Go on." As she spoke, she gently nudged Zhao An'an towards me. The little boy in a suit instantly exploded, grabbing a piece of fruit from the table and hurling it at me with a thud. "Go away! I don't want you. I only want Aunt Mi. Why can't you understand? Why did you come back to ruin my happiness?" I froze, my foot lifted but rooted to the spot, as Zhao An'an cried even harder. "Dad, I don't want Mom. I want Aunt Mi. Dad." His tears fell to the ground in large drops. I quickly stepped back, forcing a smile despite the sting in my heart. "Alright, Mommy won't come over. Let Aunt Mi stay with you." In the end, I didn't want to upset my son any further. No matter how much he disliked me, he was still my child. "I'm sorry, Yushi. The child is very attached to me." Aunt Mi stepped forward, guilt-ridden. I shook my head, forcing a smile. "It's alright. You're doing it for the child." I had no reason to blame her if the child didn't want to be close to me. Besides, if I said even one more word, he would start crying again. "Huang Yushi, if you really have nothing to do, you can go for a walk. Stop coming back just to upset the child. I really don't understand how you think you're being a parent." Zhao Kai walked out, giving me a look of disdain. "Usually, Aunt Mi takes care of the child. No wonder he's not close to you." He deliberately walked past me, giving my shoulder a hard shove. "Ouch." I winced instinctively, a thin layer of sweat forming on my forehead. My shoulder had been injured the day before, pushed by Zhao An'an. Because of his school event, I had gone uninvited. He was furious that I embarrassed him and pushed me hard when I wasn't expecting it, causing me to hit a piece of equipment and bruise badly. Zhao Kai knew about this but still chose to bump into me. It was clear that no one in this house welcomed me. I buried my head and gave a bitter smile, retreating into my room. "Yay! The bad person was chased away by Dad. I don't like her at all. She's so annoying, and my classmates laugh at me because of her." Zhao An'an cheered victoriously, and Zhao Kai chuckled. "Alright, alright, if you don't like Mom, we'll let Aunt Mi stay with you from now on, okay?" "Even for the school events?" Zhao An'an's innocent voice pierced my heart like a knife, but I felt a sense of relief. Relief that my son wasn't attached to me, relief that he found a new source of comfort, so my departure wouldn't hurt him. That afternoon, I dozed off in a haze, only to be woken by Zhao An'an. He slapped my face, his voice was full of irritation. "Mom, wake up." I rubbed my blurry eyes, feeling the sting on my face. "Zhao An'an." As a teacher, I should have scolded him for his rudeness, but knowing I would soon be leaving, my words changed to a question. "Sweetheart, what do you need?"

An An Zhao changed into a set of pajamas, looking adorable and serene. I reached out, wanting to caress his cheek, but a cold splash of reality snapped me back from my moment of maternal tenderness. "Your dad's calling you to go out for dinner. Today is Ms. Mi's birthday." Mimi's birthday. I pulled out my phone, letting out a sarcastic chuckle. Today was also my wedding anniversary with Kai Zhao. Every year, I would prepare a gift for him, but now, I no longer had the heart for it. He probably didn't want anything from me either. "I understand, Mom. You can go now." For the last time, I didn't argue with Kai Zhao. I changed clothes and followed them out. An An Zhao seemed genuinely happy, holding Kai Zhao with one hand and Mimi with the other, bouncing towards the door. "What a picture-perfect family. They look so loving." "Yeah, look at that little boy, so cute and delicate. He must have inherited great looks from his parents." Faced with the strangers' compliments, An An Zhao ran over, pointing at me and then at Mimi. "Uncle, Auntie, who do you think I look more like?" He made a cute gesture, causing everyone to burst into laughter. "Of course, you look like the mom you're holding hands with. How would a child even think of such a thing?" Upon hearing this, Kai Zhao's face stiffened, and he gave me an apologetic smile. "He's just a kid. Don't take it to heart." "Yes, Yushi, An An Zhao actually looks most like you." Mimi's voice was neither loud nor soft, just enough for everyone to hear. In that moment, I felt the gaze of those around us shift. They certainly wouldn't blame such a small child; in their eyes, it must be me, the unworthy mother, who had driven him to prefer an outsider. "It's alright." Even though I had long been accustomed to such scenes and intended to leave, my son's attitude still deeply hurt me. He was my child, yet in front of strangers, he completely denied me. Due to this small incident, I was absent-minded throughout the meal. Kai Zhao grew more irritated, glaring at me. "If you're not happy, you don't have to come. Who are you acting for the sake of appearances?" An An Zhao also frowned at me. "It's Ms. Mi's birthday today. Mom, don't be a party pooper with that sour face. My classmates say you look too serious." His last words were barely audible, but I heard them. I had only visited An An Zhao's kindergarten once, for a parent-child event. He didn't tell me, but I saw it in the parent group chat and rushed over. By the time I arrived, Mimi was already there, being introduced by An An Zhao as his mother, leaving me embarrassed. When I was about to leave, Mimi saw me and deliberately called out loudly, causing An An Zhao to lose face. Now, somehow, it had become my fault for not smiling. "An An Zhao, Mom was wrong." I apologized to An An Zhao with a heavy heart, without making a scene. Kai Zhao was surprised; in the past, I would have certainly scolded An An Zhao for being inconsiderate. He was annoyed with my lectures, thinking I couldn't help but bring my work demeanor home. Now that I remained silent, Kai Zhao sneered, "Acting for the sake of appearances." After he spoke, he turned his head to chat with An An Zhao and Mimi, ignoring me. Laughter soon filled the table, echoing back and forth. Only I, like an outsider, watched this celebration that no longer belonged to me. "Ms. Mi, when did you meet Dad?" In my daze, An An Zhao clung to Mimi, acting all cute and charming. He wanted to know about Dad's past, eager to learn about their romantic encounter.