1 01. Crossing over

Liu Mei was hardworking since she was a child. When she was younger she would help her parents with everything and even got multiple jobs to help her siblings finish school but tho she couldn't.

She knew that her ability to learn was just average. She was not smart from the beginning, so her grades were not horribly bad only because she put a bunch of time into it. But with time she found out that the pressure on her got greater. Her parents got used to her working and therefore adding money, so they made her get out of school and go work full time.

So with her help, her siblings grew up and were schooled. She never complained as she could see the difference between their grades and her grades. Even tho she was the youngest in the family she took over a whole lot of responsibilities.

With only 16 her parents made her get married to an older man as he would support their family financially. She could only sigh and accept. It was their wish, she couldn't say anything.

Years passed and she grew up working more like a slave in his household than his wife. She was not very educated so he didn't take her anywhere. She got twins, that at first were close to her, but when the time came that they started going to kindergarten they stopped getting close to her.

Later on, they went to school and no one ever met her, as their father went to school and spoke to the teachers. One day she found out that they had a soccer game and prepared food for the whole team. When she arrived she was shocked to find her husband with a beautiful woman that was introduced as the children's mother and saw her boys holding her hands.

''Husband, who is this? What is going on?'' Her mind was blank as she stared at the disgusted expression they send towards her.

''It seems we need to talk. My love, you and our children should stay away from her. This might get ugly.'' She stood there frozen with all the stuff in her hands.

He pushed her into one of the side rooms and then turned the video call on. ''Father in law, mother in law I can't live like this anymore. She just doesn't change. You have no idea how she appeared today. Like some lowly woman form the market. Look at this...'' He turned the camera towards her and showed his parents in law her appearance.

She speechlessly looked at her body and found nothing wrong. White blouse, black pants, black shoes and her hair was clean and made into a ponytail.

''She didn't even wear any makeup. I mean. The boys are complaining about her for years, you know it yourselves. Please forgive this son in law, but I need to break up with her. I will still support the boys until they finish college. But I really can't handle this anymore. How can I show her on my side looking like some commoner? Please understand me.'' He looked like he suffered some great injustice.

''We understand. Just make her sign the divorce papers and kick her out. She can live on her own. We will break our contacts with her as well. Her countenance is harming our children as well. You will always be a part of our family. So when you bring the boys to visit us, don't be shy and stay for dinner. You are always welcome.'' They completely disregarded her and threw her aside.

He just nodded and after chatting a bit more he finished their conversation promising them to come with his new wife and show their respects. She stared at him with an open mouth as she couldn't believe. Is she dead? What new wife? What is actually going on?

He sighed at her expression and sat her down on the empty bench. ''Liu Mei, we have been married now for this long, but you never changed. I send you to the cooking classes, you choose Chinese cuisine instead of western cuisine. I send you to learn more, you choose sewing, calligraphy and painting. I send you to get educated you got yourself diplomas of household and care. I need a wife I can show to my friends. You somehow are stuck in some of the past centuries where females were asked to be virtuous wives. But my dear, I need this century wife. The one that is stunningly beautiful, jealous, able to fight for me. You are... not. At first, I married you for your natural beauty, but if you would apply at least some makeup... Even that you hate. You hate wearing sexy clothes and meeting my friends, hate travelling to far lands... How can someone like you even survive in my world? Please let me go. Our children can't even hold their heads high as they feel ashamed to have you as their mother.''

Everything he said was true, she knew. But she tried to learn other things but her head would start hurting as she couldn't understand them. Neither business nor psychology, she tried many different kinds and only household matters and care were the only ones she was brilliant in.

But she still had most of the degrees. Flower arrangement, Chinese literature and writing, painting, household arrangments, cooking and bookkeeping. She even started making seminars and giving classes. What is wrong with that? She maybe was not proficient in some westerner stuff, but she knew a lot about eastern culture and traditions. Is that not sufficient?

Her house was even in some magazines as one of the most beautiful arranged homes. Why are they not happy with her then? What are they ashamed of?

She stared at the divorce papers, the full custody of the children to him and the permission for the adoption. She suddenly laughed. ''Fine. I shall do that. Can I at least talk to the boys?''

He nodded as he saw her cheerless smile. She stomped her seal and put her signature with a heavy heart. Her eyes glanced at the food she prepared and pushed it to him.

''This is for the boys and their friends. If they like it, of course.'' She stood up and was about to go when he stopped her.

''I made an appointment at the divorce court. It's tomorrow, please come so we can handle everything fast.'' He saw her empty eyes and somehow felt guilty. ''You will get alimony from me. I am not that...'' But stopped when he felt her icy stare.

''No need for your money. I am just fine the way I am. When I get back home I will take what I think I need and will leave the house. Tomorrow, what time do I have to be at the divorce court?'' Her voice was devoid of any emotion as she calmly looked at him.

''We should be there 9.00 in the morning. Should I send someone to pick you up?'' He was worried she would change her mind.

''No need. I will be there. Could you at least bring the boys?'' She loved her children, but she realized that their indifference was not from a few moments ago, then for a long time before.

''They will be there, I promise.'' He ensured her and saw her turning her tiny back and leaving in a daze.

While the boys, his new wife and he were happily looking at her papers, she walked in a daze through the streets. From one moment to another her young years were gone. She is already almost 30 and now single again.

She got used to caring about other people's needs. First her parents and siblings, then her husband and children. Now she was free, but her heart was like an empty shell.