When Liuu Yuming arrived at Liuu Changzhen’s house with bags of all sizes, her eldest aunt’s eyes crinkled into a smile.

"It’s not easy for you, having to work all the time. Why did you buy so many things?" Seeing the bag of apples, her eldest aunt’s mood improved even more.

Liuu Yuming now knew how to say the right things. "I was so thoughtless before, always letting Little Min come over and freeload. I’ll make up for it from now on. Auntie, please don’t treat me like a stranger. I’m raising a child on my own, and I’m sure I’ll need to trouble you and Uncle plenty in the future."

Her eldest uncle, Liuu Changzhen, said, "How much can a little kid eat? You’re being too formal. Your aunt said you had something to discuss with me. What is it?"

Liuu Yuming grew serious. "I wrote a letter to Chen Wei telling him to come back next month. I want to divorce him. Dragging this on and on is just holding me back."

Liuu Changzhen clearly understood what she meant. He was silent for a moment. "Are you sure about this? Life will be even harder for you after a divorce."

Liuu Yuming smiled. "What’s the difference between my life now and being divorced? He doesn’t bring any money home all year. I’m supporting the family all by myself. I’d be better off divorced."

She clenched her fist as she spoke. "I’m going to make a lot of money in the future. I can’t let him leech off me once I’m successful."

Liuu Changzhen chuckled. "Alright. When he gets back, he’ll grant this divorce whether he wants to or not. Your second uncle, me, and the boys in the family aren’t pushovers. We won’t let you get bullied."

Liuu Yuming blinked back tears. "Okay. I’ll be counting on you then, Eldest Uncle."

Her eldest aunt patted Liuu Yuming’s hand. "You’ve had it rough. If your mother could see you now, how heartbroken would she be?"

Liuu Yuming subconsciously glanced in Tan You’s direction. Tan You was sitting on an empty chair nearby, looking perfectly at ease. Liuu Yuming had to wonder, ’Would Mom really be heartbroken to see me like this?’

It seemed that ever since her mom had appeared, she had been constantly pushing her to study and make money, rarely showing any sadness or sorrow. But then again, her mom really was rarely sad; she was very optimistic.

As the sun climbed higher in the morning sky, Liuu Yuming went to the kitchen on her own accord to help her aunt with lunch. As her aunt stoked the fire, she watched Liuu Yuming work skillfully at the stove and couldn’t help but smile. "Yuming knows how to cook now, too. It seems you’ve taught her well."

Liuu Yuming smiled. "It’s all because my mom taught me well."

Her eldest aunt didn’t think much of it. "That’s true. Your mother was always a deft person."

She added another handful of firewood to the stove. "You’re working hard and earning a steady income now. If you really do divorce Chen Wei, you should find a good man in the future and live a peaceful life."

Liuu Yuming shook her head instinctively. "I’ve had enough of the suffering men cause. I don’t want to suffer because of a man ever again in this life. I’m listening to my mom. I’d rather suffer for my work than ever suffer for a man again."

Her eldest aunt shook her head. "Your mother told you all this before?"

Liuu Yuming felt a little guilty. "Yes, my mom always told me to focus on my work and not to pin my hopes on a man."

Her eldest aunt sighed. "Your mother was always so strong-willed. It’s just that her fate was cruel. It’s a pity for you and Little Min."

Liuu Yuming smiled. "Don’t feel sorry for us. Little Min and I are doing fine now. My mom is watching over us." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

And wasn’t she watching over them? She’d passed away, yet here she was, appearing every day to lecture her and push her to work hard. But Liuu Yuming had to admit, perhaps it was precisely because her own mother was behind her, urging her on, that she felt so secure in her life now.

Chen Min was sitting to the side, holding a small sand tray and doodling numbers and words in it. When she was done, she would use a small wooden board to smooth the sand flat and then start writing again.

Her eldest aunt said, "Let’s see, kindergarten starts in about a month. Little Min has to go to school."

Liuu Yuming wasn’t worried in the slightest. Her own mother was here, after all. She just had to follow her mom’s instructions.

"I know. I’ve saved all of this month’s salary. It should be enough for Little Min’s school fees." Liuu Yuming brandished the spatula. "I’ll keep working hard in the future. I’ll have no problem raising Little Min."

Thinking about how Liuu Yuming had gone to work for the past month without missing a single day, rain or shine, her eldest aunt felt mostly relieved. "If you run into any difficulties, just let me know."

Liuu Yuming thought for a moment. "Let’s wait until after Little Min starts school. If I really need help, I won’t be a stranger, Auntie."

Liuu Yuming was actually quite doted on. Her father, Liuu Changsheng, was the youngest brother. By the time he was born, her eldest uncle, Liuu Changzhen, and her second uncle, Liuu Changliang, were already married with children, creating a large age gap.

Then, when Liuu Yuming was born, she was, unsurprisingly, the youngest of her generation. And later, when Chen Min was born, you could say that within the entire Liuu family, both Liuu Yuming and Chen Min were the youngest of the young.

Her eldest aunt’s son, Liuu Jun, was already twenty, a full fifteen years older than Chen Min. So, Liuu Yuming and Chen Min were indeed quite doted on in the Liuu family, and everyone looked out for them.

Her eldest aunt brought up another topic. "Jun is twenty now, too. He’s not cut out for studying, so I was thinking he should get a job. But where can you find a good job these days? I’m worried sick about it every day."

Tan You’s gaze fell on Liuu Jun, who was outside. In Tan You’s opinion, Liuu Jun was quite handsome—he had thick brows, large eyes, broad shoulders, and long legs. If he dressed up a bit, he’d be an absolute heartthrob.

She lowered her gaze and smiled. Suddenly, she felt even more confident about Liuu Yuming’s future. ’If I can set Liuu Jun on the right path,’ she thought, ’Liuu Yuming will have an ally. And would I still have to worry about Liuu Changzhen and his wife not helping to look after Chen Min?’

After a lively lunch at her eldest aunt’s house, Liuu Yuming walked back home, holding Chen Min’s hand. Once they were home, Liuu Yuming dutifully sat down at the sewing machine. She had bought a lot of fabric that day and planned to make a couple of outfits for Chen Min.

But Tan You wasn’t in a hurry to let Liuu Yuming do that. Instead, she brought up a new topic. "I’ve noticed you enjoy doing makeup and dressing up, and you have some talent for it. Do you want to be a makeup artist?"

"The kind that does makeup for brides."

Liuu Yuming’s interest was piqued at once. "I do! I love doing makeup for other people. Mom, do you think I can do it?"

"Not the way you are now, that’s for sure," Tan You said bluntly. "Have you forgotten how you used to cake on makeup until your face looked like a monkey’s butt?"

Chen Min let out a snort of laughter, clearly recalling the two big splotches of blush on Liuu Yuming’s face back then.

Liuu Yuming wasn’t the least bit embarrassed. "Isn’t that what’s trendy right now?"

"Trendy doesn’t mean it looks good," Tan You said, exasperated. "You need to develop your own sense of aesthetics. Just tell me, when you looked at yourself in the mirror, did you really think that makeup looked good?"

Liuu Yuming pouted. "I guess I look better without makeup."

Tan You said, "Exactly. So this is a skill you have to learn. If you master makeup, and then learn pattern-making and dressmaking, you could become a bridal makeup artist and create wedding dresses. You’d be rolling in money."