Guan Xiaoxuan carried the groceries she had just bought home and pushed open the door. The house was filled with a strong smell of alcohol.
Her half-brother, who had the same mother but different father, was sprawled on the sofa playing with his phone. When he saw her come in, he didn't even bother to greet her. She changed into her slippers and asked,
"Where's Mom?"
"In the room." Wu Lecheng, engrossed in an intense game of *Honor of Kings*, replied without looking up.
Guan Xiaoxuan frowned. "Uncle Wu has been drinking again?"
Wu Lecheng shrugged. "That's just how my dad is. He drinks whether there's a reason or not."
Guan Xiaoxuan looked at the empty white wine bottle on the table, her brows furrowing even deeper. It wasn't even noon yet, and Uncle Wu had already drunk at least a pound and a half. When he drank too much, he liked to act drunk and cause trouble, and in the end, it was her mother who suffered.
She put down the vegetable basket and walked towards her parents' room. Before she could knock, she heard suppressed, intense arguing coming from inside.
"Guan Ling, I've raised Xiaoxuan for eighteen years on your behalf. What else are you dissatisfied with? Is there any stepfather in the world who could do as much as I have? She's grown up now; it's time for her to move out and live on her own!"
"Where do you want her to move to? She's a girl; it's not safe for her to live alone outside! You know Xiao Xuan appreciates your kindness. After she started working, she used her first paycheque to buy you alcohol—not even her own mother got a share!"
Mother Guan Ling said with a trembling voice, "This child has suffered a lot with me since she was little. She's sensible and obedient. After she turned eighteen, she never asked us for a single penny. Even her university tuition was earned through part-time work. As her mother, I feel guilty towards her. How can I ask her to leave? She's my biological daughter!"
Guan Xiaoxuan listened outside the door, a pang of sadness welling up in her nose.
She grew up in a blended family. After her parents divorced, relatives took turns caring for Guan Xiaoxuan. The experience of living under someone else's roof taught her to read people's expressions at a young age. At seven years old, her mother remarried Wu Jianhai, who was then a worker at a state-owned factory.
Fearing that Wu Jianhai would resent her as a burden, Guan Xiaoxuan eagerly took on household chores and studied diligently, all to earn a few words of praise from the adults. At first, Wu Jianhai was fairly kind to her, but after Wu Licheng was born, Wu Jianhai lost his stable job due to certain circumstances, and his attitude toward Guan Xiaoxuan grew increasingly indifferent.
When Guan Xiaoxuan was preparing for the college entrance exam, Wu Jianhai even considered not letting her go to university and instead sending her out to work early to support the family.
Fortunately, Guan Xiaoxuan proved herself capable. During university, she held multiple part-time jobs to support herself through her studies. After graduation, she opened her own Taobao store, selling jewellery she designed and crafted herself, achieving a stable monthly income.
As Wu Lecheng was about to take the college entrance exam, and university tuition was another significant expense, Wu Jianhai once again considered having Guan Xiaoxuan move out, as the vacant room could be rented out to earn living expenses.
She had already wanted to move out and rent a place on her own to avoid burdening her mother; however, Guan Ling was concerned about her safety living alone and firmly refused to agree, insisting she wait until after marriage to live independently.
Wu Jianhai had lost his temper over this matter on numerous occasions, and such arguments had played out in the Wu household more than once.
"She's your daughter, not mine! I've done everything I can for her!"
Wu Jianhai's furious voice echoed through the room, followed by the sound of objects shattering, accompanied by Guan Ling's faint sobs.
Wu Lecheng immediately jumped up from the sofa, ready to rush into the room, but was stopped by Guan Xiaoxuan.
"Don't interfere. Pretend you didn't hear anything. I'll handle this."
"Sis…"
Wu Lecheng seemed about to say something, but Guan Xiaoxuan remained silent, carrying the vegetables into the kitchen to start cooking.
A thought that had lingered in her mind for a long time gradually became clear.
Guan Xiaoxuan made up her mind as she cooked.
She would marry herself off as soon as possible and leave the Wu family.