Annabelle Winters watched as her grandpa and an old lady emerged from the room, chatting and laughing.

She hadn’t even known her grandpa was home since last night.

Ever since Grandma died, the old man had taken to dancing in the town square, always grabbing someone else’s wife as his dance partner!

A guy pushing seventy, acting so shameless! Disgusting.

"Sis."

"Dad never wanted me to tell you, but Grandfather’s remarried."

What??? He actually got married again?

"Did they register it legally?"

Annie Winters nodded.

Annabelle Winters felt her whole worldview shatter.

As children, there was no way they could stop Grandfather from chasing romance in his twilight years.

But taking financial responsibility for them? No way—not happening.

"So Dad arranged it?"

Annie Winters nodded again.

Took the money, didn’t spend it on treating his own wife’s illness, but used it to get his dad a new wife. Filial, isn’t he?

The number one filial son of our times.

Annabelle Winters and her brother stood under the eaves, watching the people bustling around the courtyard.

Just a while ago, their father was putting on a show, crying and playing the grieving husband; the next moment, he’s laughing and handing out cigarettes to people, even talking about matchmaking.

Who was he trying to set up?

Definitely not Annie Winters—he’s way too young. Grandfather already found his second spring.

Which only left herself and her father.

A chill ran down Annabelle Winters’s spine.

Mom hadn’t even been buried yet. Men—nothing good ever comes from them!

The next day, one of the village aunties dragged Annabelle Winters over to sit with her. A young man soon arrived, saying he wanted to introduce her to someone.

"He’s got great prospects! His family owns several factories in the city, he’s only ever loved highly educated women like you who’ve worked in the big city! Now that you’re back, just get married and settle down—life will be wonderful!"

The man sat down beside Annabelle Winters. "Hi, I’m Hugh Hart. You’re really beautiful, I like educated women like you. Will you marry me?"

Meeting for the very first time and already so forward! Didn’t even bother to check the occasion.

"I don’t want to. Today is my mother’s funeral. I’ll be in mourning for three years—no dating, no marriage!" Annabelle Winters stood up and walked straight out.

The auntie caught up and grabbed her arm, "Wanwan, Wanwan, your dad asked me to set this up, don’t leave!"

Annabelle Winters jerked her arm free and walked off without looking back. "Whoever asked you to marry, let them marry! I definitely won’t!"

"What’s that supposed to mean? How can a man marry a man?"

Why couldn’t they? There were plenty of same-sex couples these days.

Hugh Hart rushed after her again. "It’s fine, we can just get engaged first!"

"Are you nuts? Talking marriage at a funeral, right in front of my mother! Who do you think you are? With your square face and talk of settling down and having kids—who knows if you can even have kids? Please leave. You weren’t invited!" Annabelle Winters turned, "Annie Winters!"

"Sis! I’m here!"

One thing Annabelle Winters was grateful for: her little brother hadn’t turned out like their father and grandfather. He hadn’t caught their bad habits.

She hurried back to her room.

Annie Winters might have been thinner than Hugh Hart, but he was also taller and nimbler—if it came down to a fight, you wouldn’t know who’d win.

"I’m your future brother-in-law. Move aside and let me talk to your sister!"

"You’re not my brother-in-law unless my sister says so! Only the one she chooses is my brother-in-law!" Annie Winters clenched his fists. "I’m warning you, don’t make a scene today."

"Fine, fine, I’m not starting trouble. You’re just a kid, I don’t argue with children."

Hugh Hart slunk off, but it wasn’t because he was afraid of Annie Winters’s fists.

There were just too many people around.

It was only a matter of time—she wouldn’t be able to escape. Marriage always comes down to parental orders and arranged matches, right?

Annabelle Winters wouldn’t be able to run for long.

Hiding out in her room, Annabelle Winters watched Hugh Hart leave, then messaged her brother.

Before long, Annie Winters slipped in.

"Sis, are you okay?"

"No, not okay at all! Go to your room and pack up tonight—we’re leaving as soon as Mom’s burial is over."

If she stayed, she’d be picked clean—bones and all.

"Take your ID, your bank card, and anything else important. Leave the rest; once we get to Kingston, I’ll buy whatever you need." Annabelle Winters patted his arm. "Of course, I won’t force you. Dad treats you pretty well. If you want to stay, just pretend you don’t know anything about me leaving tonight."

"Sis, I don’t want to stay."

Annie Winters hung his head. "I want to go with you. Please don’t leave me behind. Mom is already gone."

He couldn’t bear the thought of what kind of life he’d face if he stayed. Their dad and grandpa might be good to him, might even have high hopes, but he didn’t like them. He’d been to school—he knew right from wrong. He didn’t agree with a lot of what Dad did.

But he didn’t have a choice.

"Okay. I’ll take you tonight." Annabelle Winters’s voice grew gentle. "Quietly, so no one notices."

Annie Winters nodded. He’d be careful.

As soon as Annie Winters left the room, their father grabbed him to meet some friends.

Annabelle Winters hadn’t brought much with her anyway, so there wasn’t much to pack.

When night fell, a big group of people made their way down the mountain for the burial.

What was once a warm embrace had become a cold grave.

Annabelle Winters’s eyes glistened with tears as she watched the coffin lowered into the freshly dug pit, heavy stones piled on one after another.

It should have been a freezing night, but she didn’t feel cold at all. Maybe it was because Mom was still watching over her from above.

After the burial, Annabelle Winters and Annie Winters walked at the head of the group.

Neither said a word—just exchanged tearful glances.

They understood each other’s silent plea.

Hold on, just a little longer, and they could leave.

Once everyone got home, their father had the cook send snacks and drinks over to the neighbors.

Annabelle Winters sat on her bed, gently caressing her mother’s photo. Tonight, she would leave for good.

If nothing got in her way, she’d never be back.

The commotion outside hadn’t stopped. In villages like this, people could play cards all night long.

"Sis."

Annabelle Winters opened the door to find Annie Winters standing there with a backpack.

Plenty of neighbor’s lights were still on. If they left now, it’d be too easy to get caught.

"We wait a bit longer."

Annie Winters nodded obediently.

They sat another hour in silence. Then Annabelle Winters crept to the door.

"Sis, what are you doing?"

"I want to see where everyone is."

"Let me go—there are no streetlights at night, and I don’t want you to trip."

"I’m not that fragile. I grew up here—I could find my way with my eyes closed." Annabelle Winters slipped out and gently pulled the door closed behind her.

Out on the village road, her figure seemed extra small and light in the darkness.

She paused outside a neighbor’s lit window and peeked inside. There were playing cards and a big pile of red bills on the table. The room was rowdy with shouting and laughter.

Before leaving, she decided to deliver them a parting gift.

Annabelle Winters quietly took some photos, then contacted the cyber police. Gambling, huh? Let them have a taste of jail.

With the police contacted, she hurried home, hopped on her electric scooter, and with her brother on the back, they sped off, vanishing into the night’s countryside roads.

From today onward, she would take charge of her own life!

Once they reached Kingston, they’d change all their contact info. The city was so huge—their father wouldn’t be able to find them!

"But, little brother, you won’t be able to take the civil service exam now."

"It’s fine! I can survive without being a civil servant!"