The corner of my mouth lifted in mockery.
Even though I'd expected it, there was still a faint sting deep down.
Kneeling in front of Mom's grave, I thought again about how, after Jasmine's parents died in an accident, Mom took her in. She didn't just give her food—she treated her the same as me, her biological son.
When I grew up, I still remember the day Mom died. The girl's eyes were clear; blushing, she swore to me:
"Alex, I will always remember my Adoptive Mother's kindness, and cherish and protect you for the rest of your life."
But now, in just a few years, she'd forgotten it all.
The cold wind blew past, and I hurriedly wiped away my tears.
The brick phone I carried with me rang. I heard Jasmine's hesitant voice.
"Come back. I have something to tell you."
Could there be news about our son's bone marrow donor?
Thinking of that possibility, I couldn't hide the joy in my heart.
I rushed back, only to find that Jasmine's eyes were evasive.
"Alex, I have some news to tell you."
Under my expectant gaze, she clenched her teeth and said,
"There's a company-funded trip at the plant—a business trip to Capital City with accompanying family members. I've already decided to take Derek and Tommy."
My heart slowly cooled, carrying a trace of bitterness that was hard to detect.
Derek curled his lips smugly beside her, acting like the man of the house.
"Brother-in-law, don't worry. When we come back from Capital City, we'll bring gifts for you and Ethan."
Jasmine looked at me in a panic.
"You know Derek and Tommy used to have it so hard…"
That line again.
Just because they had it hard, did I have to give up the opportunity that should have belonged to me and my son?
Fortunately, I no longer cared. As long as she could do her duty as a mother and find a suitable bone marrow donor for our son, that was enough.
I still said yes, understanding as always.
It was just that my mind again recalled how, when the plant was just getting started, Jasmine had been worried about how to go to Capital City to learn the technology. It was me who scraped together money and borrowed travel expenses, giving her the chance to go to Capital City to investigate and study.
Back then, with red eyes, she'd said, "To have a husband like this—what more could I ask for in this life?"
"When the plant gets big, I'll definitely take you to the bustling Capital City to have a look."
But later, as the plant grew bigger and bigger, she never mentioned this again.
It no longer mattered anyway.
Seven days passed quickly. When I went to pick up my son from school, from far away I saw two people standing out from the crowd at the school gate.
Derek was wearing a fashionable suit bought in Capital City, standing together with Jasmine.
When my son and I walked past, an auntie I knew pulled me aside to gossip.
"Look, that's the legendary low-key husband of the plant director. Isn't he handsome? Such a great match with the director."
People around all looked over. If I didn't answer, I would seem out of place.
I smiled and casually echoed, "Yeah, they're quite a match."
But Jasmine suddenly darkened her face and grabbed my wrist. "What did you say?"
I calmly broke free from her grip.
"Wasn't it you who said not to expose our relationship outside?"
She froze in place, and there was actually a hint of grievance in her voice.
"Alex, these seven days you didn't send a single letter. Before, if I went out for half a day, you couldn't wait to send three…"
I pretended not to hear. Just then, someone from the post station told me that an uncle and aunt far away had mailed me half a bag of brown sugar.
My heart tightened, not knowing how long they had gone without food and without spending to save it up.
I took it carefully, then looked at Jasmine warily.
"Brown sugar is precious, but for you it definitely doesn't count as anything. Don't you dare set your sights on my brown sugar!"
Pain flashed in her eyes. In disbelief, she said, "In your eyes, am I that kind of person?"
