I Love You

Zhang Mei Xing only cried and did not speak. Earlier, the girl put up a mature stance, as if accepting death was that easy.

But deep in her heart, she felt unwilling. The unwillingness surfaced at full force upon coming to this place.

Why? Why her?

Zhang Mei Xing's sorrowful heart was plagued with questions.

As a person, she never did anything against her conscience. Or if she did, it was a long time ago and they were only small things like bickering with her classmates or cheating sometimes on small quizzes.

When she turned into an adult and learned to be responsible for her decisions, in her opinion, she did quite a wonderful job. She did not cause trouble to anyone. At least, not one which caused serious damage. She was an exemplary employee, sister, and daughter.

And she was still too young.

So why did she die? Who wanted to leave the world at twenty-four?

To whom could she tell all her grievances?

"Mei Xing. Hey… What's wrong? Did somebody bully you at school?"

Could she tell them?

Zhang Mei Xing tightened the hug and shook her head. Mr. Zhang made a worried expression and patted his daughter on the shoulder before pulling her inside the house and giving her a glass of water to calm her down. The thing in his hand long dropped on the ground when the girl began to wail.

"Drink this before crying again." The awkward father scratched his head, not knowing what else to do for his daughter who was acting weird today.

Zhang Mei Xing heard the ever so familiar voice and saw the ever so familiar face of her dad and stilled a little. She sniffed and said at least one of the things she very rarely or perhaps, had never told them before.

"Mom and dad," she called out in a breaking voice.

"I love you."

Her parents looked surprised. They froze. 'What exactly happened at school?' Their eyes said so as their mouths fell open.

Zhang Mei Xing pulled out her handkerchief from her pocket and then looked at the ceiling after. The emotions already burst and even propelled her to do what she had been meaning to do but just never found the courage to do in fear of getting shamed.

She remembered a professor in college who loved to remind students to tell their parents that they loved them.

Zhang Mei Xing never forgot those words. She then always tried to do so, but because she felt embarrassed, she always ended up failing. The next moment, she would encourage herself that there were many days ahead to do this since her parents still could live long.

Like the other normal youths, she always thoughts he had many times in her hands so there was no need to rush.

But who would have thought she would actually be the one to depart first?

'It's already good that I can say it this time.'

The Zhang couple was still looking blankly at her.

In her subconscious, it was but a dream or illusion, but since she still felt embarrassed, after downing the glass of water, she immediately tried to compose herself.

The adult inside her immediately recovered and then forced a smile and told them, "I'm sorry. I just got very emotional because one of my teachers showed me a video about parents."

"Ah..."

Hearing that, the two people before her finally showed a look of comprehension. 'So that was it'. They thought, feeling a bit helpless and funny as they stared at their eldest daughter's teary face.

"… While we're quite happy that you suddenly said some magical words to us… But are you sure you're okay now?" Mrs. Zhang asked.

Mr. Zhang watched for a moment on the sideline. Afterward, he grimaced and scratched the back of his head. "I don't know what gets into you since I didn't get to watch that whatever video. But you suddenly talk so maturely. Go back to being a brat."

His remark got a smack from his wife. "Your mouth is still so annoying. Go, you said the shop owner is waiting for you."

The awkward father looked at Zhang Mei Xing first and made face before fetching the spare tire. "Alright. I'm really going now. Wife, you talk to this kid. Then, have her help you around."

Zhang Mei Xing watched her father left with an embarrassed smile and then turned to her mother who was still looking at her warmly. She felt ashamed once again. Thankfully, there was an amazingly effective method to dispel it, something she reminded herself frequently today to do some awkward things to her friends and now, to her parents.

'Take this opportunity and make use of it to the fullest.'

'Seven more hours.' Her eyes were at the wall clock hanging on the left side of the small kitchen room.