Chapter 2The Rebellious Canary

My grandmother's family lived in a dilapidated apartment complex built in the 1990s. The doors were flimsy and covered in flyers. If someone inside spoke a bit loudly, people outside could hear them clearly.

Standing at the door, I heard my aunt trying to persuade my mom: "Sis, no matter what, she's your own flesh and blood. Kicking her out this early, how is she supposed to survive?"

"I don't care how she survives." My mom couldn't care less. "As long as she doesn't spend my money, she can survive however she wants."

My aunt's voice rose a little: "Don't be stupid. Raise her until she's eighteen and then kick her out. When you're old, she'll be able to take care of you."

I clearly heard my mom let out a sneer, her tone full of disdain: "You don't understand. Chloe doesn't have that kind of vindictive personality. Even if I kick her out now, when I'm old and call for her, she'll still come and serve me hand and foot."

My aunt sounded a bit surprised: "Really?"

"Of course it's true. Anyway, I'm getting married soon." My mom said, "My husband said he'll take care of me, and the child we have together. He doesn't want a burden like Chloe. If you try to stop me again, you go raise her."

Hearing that, my aunt immediately fell silent.

Carrying my two bags of clothes, I quietly went downstairs. Alone, braving the wind, I walked two and a half miles to my dad's house.

My dad lived in an urban village, squeezed into a tiny courtyard house with my grandparents.

I knocked hard on the courtyard gate for a long time before I heard my dad cursing as he slowly walked out of the house and opened the gate.

But as soon as he opened it and saw clearly that it was me standing outside, holding two bulging plastic bags, the expression on his face instantly collapsed, as if he had just seen a debt collector.

"Why are you here?" He blocked the doorway, refusing to let me in, not even willing to let me take a peek into the courtyard.

I hadn't seen my dad since my parents divorced. Seeing him again today, I realized he was even fatter than before.

Standing outside the gate, I briefly explained my situation and begged him to raise me for a few years so I could continue my studies.

Hearing this, my dad's face instantly turned black: "Don't come here and ruin my life! Your dad is getting married soon, the date is set. If I take you in, let alone get married, your grandparents will beat me to death."

As soon as he finished speaking, my grandmother's voice suddenly exploded from the courtyard. Just like in my memory, she opened her mouth to curse, and whenever she cursed, she would scream at the top of her lungs.

"Jinx! You're a jinx just like your mother! Seeing my son doing well, you ran over to mess things up for him! Give up on that idea! As long as I'm alive, I will absolutely not let you in this house!"

My grandfather chimed in with a few words: "Although her last name is Vance, at the end of the day, we never did a paternity test. Who knows, she might be a bastard."

Baskets and baskets of ugly words were thrown out. I stood outside the gate, listening expressionlessly. No sadness, no anger, no argument. Only the force gripping the plastic bags tightened a bit.

My dad said earnestly: "Chloe, why don't you go to an orphanage? Anyway, it's impossible for me to raise you."

Orphanages absolutely don't accept children with both parents still living. If I could get into an orphanage, I wouldn't be here wasting my breath with him.

After confirming that he couldn't possibly raise me, I took a step back, ready to leave.

Just as I turned around, he suddenly spoke again: "No matter what, we are biological father and daughter. The civil code clearly states that when you grow up, you must pay me alimony!"

I sneered internally. He refuses to pay a single cent of child support, but he's already scheming for alimony.

After dropping that line, my dad closed the gate. I was once again left alone in the world outside.

I looked down at the two bags of old clothes, sighed silently, and said flatly: "I have to survive."