Her departure at once turned my world upside-down with the growing sorrow of the grievous secret. All the past delights began to fall apart. All of the surprises became vertigo. And night after night, the dread of the killing void started to scream. However, our parents were still fantasizing about long-term happiness, about hope, especially father.
It was father who caused unparalleled poverty in the family when he’d gambled and lost, beat mother almost to death and made her constantly ill. Then, it was Mei who had been willing to support the family unconditionally and help him redeem his sins. In his conscience, he regarded her as his heroine, his savior.