"My dear, come and sit with me." Your mother, Liu, had urged with her signature soft yet warm smile she would have when she was in a good mood.

It was not only unusual for her to smile due to your abusive father, but now that he died of sickness, now that she was a widow, she seemed rather too joyful for that to happen.

"Let's have a toast to our bright future, okay?" She asked, raising a glass that was filled with wine, but making sure to give you a glass that was filled with juice.