Chapter 1

It had been more than half a month since I gave birth to my daughter after a difficult labor.

The soup my mother-in-law brought me had only a few vegetable leaves floating in it.

But my sister-in-law, Christine, got bird's nest tonic and fish maw tonic.

I was so hungry my head was spinning. "Mom, if this keeps up, I won't have any milk."

My mother-in-law curled her lip.

"If your milk's low, that's because you're useless. Don't blame the food."

There was nothing else to do, so I asked Dirk to boil an egg for me.

He was just getting up.

My mother-in-law sniped from the side, "Can't she go do it herself?"

"Let it go on long enough and you'll spoil her rotten."

I looked at Dirk, and he chimed in quietly.

"Letty, you've got two hands and two feet. It's not like you can't get out of bed and walk."

I dragged my heavy body toward the kitchen.

My mother-in-law said I was faking it. "All this fuss over having one baby."

In the kitchen, I sent my brother a text message.

Eddie, I'm starving to death during my confinement. They're stewing tonics for Christine and giving me dishwater to drink.

My brother replied right away.

Hold on, I'll be there any minute.

Then he came storming in through the door with a high-end nutritionist and a top-rated postpartum nurse.

1. I took two eggs, rinsed them off, and put them in a pot to boil.

I leaned against the stove, my legs shaking.

The wound from the difficult birth throbbed in waves.

My vision was going dark. I hadn't eaten a full meal in days, and the hunger left me panicked.

My mother-in-law's voice carried in from the living room.

"This bird's nest is stewed just right, Christine. Eat it quick."

"The nutrients will be gone once it goes cold."

I gripped the spatula tighter.

That bird's nest was sent by my parents. So was the fish maw.

All of it went straight into Christine's stomach.

When I got back to the room, my mother-in-law was still complaining.

"When I had my kids, I never made half the fuss you do."

"You won't starve to death, so what more do you want?"

"Who are you giving that sour face to, day in and day out!"

I paid her no mind.

She trailed after me, running her mouth nonstop.

"Young people these days can't take the least bit of hardship."

"Back when I gave birth, I was up and working the very next day."

"Not like you, lying in bed like some pampered little mistress."

"The whole family waits on you, and you're still not happy?"

I couldn't help speaking up.

"Mom, I'd like a little peace and quiet by myself."

My mother-in-law's voice shot up sharply.

"Who do you think you're talking to?"

"I'm your mother-in-law. I came to take care of you, and this is the attitude I get?"

"Did your mother never teach you how to speak to your elders?"

I stopped and slowly turned around.

"Take care of me how, exactly?"

"The tonics my parents sent, you all ate every last bit of them."

"You call that taking care of me?"

My mother-in-law froze for a second.

Then she flew into a rage.

"You ungrateful wretch!"

"I'm up before dawn and out late buying groceries and cooking, and isn't it all for you?"

"Waiting on you hand and foot to eat and drink."

"And you think you're in the right?!"

I was so angry I laughed.

"Wasn't that all for your daughter's sake?"

"This whole time, have I eaten a single meal you cooked?"

"What you bring me is either leftovers or vegetable scraps."

"Not even a bowl of hot soup."

My mother-in-law's face went livid.

"Weren't you the one who said postpartum women need a balanced diet and shouldn't eat too rich?"

"Of everything I made, which of it were you even allowed to eat?"

"You said you wanted more soup, so I made you soup."

"And now you're complaining?"

I pointed at the kitchen stove. "Mom, you mean that greasy dishwater?"

My mother-in-law gave a cold laugh.

"Fine, I won't wait on you anymore."

"From now on, whatever you want to eat, cook it yourself."

Dirk hurried out of the bedroom.

"What are you two fighting about now?"

My mother-in-law shot him a glare, and Dirk quickly changed his tune.

"Letty, hurry up and apologize to Mom."

I stared at him in disbelief.

"I apologize? What did I do wrong?"

Dirk said, "Mom came all this way to take care of you. Can't you cut her some slack?"

I clutched my chest, choked with anger.

"Dirk, are you blind?"

"Your mom stews bird's nest and fish maw for your sister, and what she brings me is greasy dishwater."

"And you want me to cut her some slack?"

He opened his mouth.

"Well... Mom means well too. Eat lighter, it helps with milk."

"That's a load of crap!"

I was shaking all over.

"I'm so hungry I'm dizzy. Where's the milk supposed to come from?"

Dirk went quiet.

Christine poked her head out of the guest bedroom.

"Could you keep it down? I'm right in the middle of a show, and it's driving me crazy."

I warned her, my face cold.

"You eat the things my parents bought, and then call me hard to please?"

"Christine, have you no shame?"

Christine's expression changed. "You actually dare curse at me?!"

Dirk grabbed my arm and forced it back.

"Letty, that's enough!"

"Hurry up and apologize to Mom and Christine!"

I shook his hand off.

"Dirk, are you even a man?"

His eyes darted away.

I laughed and laughed, and then tears started welling up in my eyes.

I got up and silently walked toward the kitchen.

I poured out a bowl of cool water and scooped the eggs into it.

Then carefully carried it back to the bedroom.

I was just about to peel one.

My sister-in-law's voice came from the guest bedroom.

"Mom, I want a boiled egg."

Without a word, my mother-in-law lifted the bowl right out from in front of me.

"Weren't you nice and quick on your feet just now?"

"If you want some, go boil two more."