Purple Summers entered the house when the mother and son had already finished talking.
Alexander Summers sat in the living room watching TV, still with his casual, carefree appearance.
Atra Blanc was bustling about in the kitchen, her mood inscrutable.
Purple didnât have the courage to ask and, hugging her book, went upstairs to her room alone.
She sat restlessly in her room for a while, but soon it was time for dinner.
As usual, at the dinner table, Alexander occasionally picked some food for Purple or served her soup.
This gesture had been common before, and Atra never took it to heart, seeing it as a sign of harmonious sibling affection, and she even felt reassured by it.
But now, when Atra saw Alexander picking food for Purple, she felt a twitch in her eyelid and was filled with trepidation.
âAlexander,â Atraâs grip tightened around her chopsticks, and the smile on her face began to falter, ââ¦that girl you brought home last time, why havenât you been in contact with her recently?â
Alexander racked his brain for a while but couldnât remember who she was.
Purple whispered a reminder to him, âMay Francis.â
With a realization, Alexander told Atra, âWe broke up.â
A man who needs his current girlfriend to remind him of his ex-girlfriends is quite a character, indeed.
Atra looked at her children with complex emotions in her eyesâ¦
Other parents might be furious at such a moment, ready to burst into flames, but Atraâs gentle nature left her hesitant and unsure of how to handle the situation.
She couldnât simply turn a blind eye to her son harming her daughter; nor could she create a scene that might embarrass her daughter.
What should she do?
Atra was nearly worried to death.
They say thereâs a generational gap between parents and children, but which parent hasnât watched their child grow up from a tiny thing?
Atra remembered her own school days when her homeroom teacher had spoken some very âwiseâ words.
The homeroom teacher had said, regarding kids dating too young, you canât stop them because the more you try, the more they cling to romantic ideals and tragic love, wishing to sacrifice themselves for their love at any moment, whether through wrist-cutting, suicide, or running away from home; they have endless methods. But if you let go and stop bothering them, just wait until they quarrel and argue, they will naturally break up.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
With these thoughts and seeing her son picking food for her daughter, Atra remained silent, saying nothing more.
But Purple always felt guilty, eating her dinner as though it lacked all flavor, and had no idea where Alexander got the confidence to act as if nothing had happened while he continued to serve her food!
If Alexander was optimistic, then Purple was pessimistic.
After all, she wasnât Atraâs biological daughter; would Atra resent her for this? Would she blame Purple, or even despise her?
Purple valued this hard-earned maternal affection greatly, weighed down with heavy thoughts, she lost her appetite, set down her bowl gently, and whispered, âIâm full.â
Atra was pondering how to gently prevent excessive intimacy between the siblings; hearing Purpleâs voice, she paused, then asked, âDid you eat too much fruit in the afternoon, so youâre not hungry?â
Purple nodded in agreement.
Atra said, âItâs alright, Iâll make you a midnight snack later tonight. With all the big and small exams you have every day, you must pay attention to your nutrition.â
It seemed that Atraâs care for Purple had not diminished.
Purple returned to her room, feeling somewhat desolate. Atra was so good to her, yet she kept deceiving Atraâ¦
â¦
At night, Purple was distractedly reviewing her lessons when there was a gentle knock at the door.
Atra came in with a warm smile, carrying a bowl of red bean soup with little rice balls, âHave something to eat before you continue studying.â
Purpleâs heart warmed; she loved red bean soup with little rice ballsâ¦
âThank you, Mom,â said Purple with a beaming smile.
Atra returned the smile, set down the bowl, then casually pulled out a book from Purpleâs shelf and began flipping through it as she sat next to her.
Purple was surprised.
Atra smiled, âYou study, I wonât disturb you. Iâll just sit here and read for a bit.â