After My Cousin Introduced Me To His Cellmate For A Date

After graduating from a top high school, I went on to attend a prestigious university.

My parents' standing in the village gradually improved.

No one dared to deliberately mistreat them anymore.

Once I started earning money during college and bought a house in the city within three years of graduation, Jack's family couldn't hide their envy and jealousy.

They would regularly make passive-aggressive comments in front of my parents.

"No matter how much money she makes, she's still just a girl! Once she's married, her earnings will be for her husband's family, and it won't have anything to do with you two."

Emma would also casually mention to my mom, Alice Stone, how our family had no sons and how we were considered outcasts in the village.

This made Alice so upset that she cried.

After hearing this, I decided it was time to move my parents into my new house.

Initially, I hadn't insisted on it because they preferred rural life, were accustomed to the village community, and were intimidated by city life.

But after Jack's family's nasty comments, I made up my mind.

Since I got into that top high school, I'd been the one calling the shots in our family. Once I made a decision, my parents wouldn't oppose it.

Even though I found them both low-stress, low-wage jobs just to keep them occupied, they still wanted to return to the village during holidays to chat with the locals.

For instance, with Amanda's big birthday coming up, I felt it was unnecessary for us to go back, given that Amanda had never had a kind word for us.

But my parents were concerned that not attending might lead to gossip.

I let them have this small victory, knowing I'd always have their backs.

During the drive back to the village, we all agreed that I would rein in my temper.

Seeing me confront Jack's family in front of everyone, my parents, anxious and flustered, said nothing.

Alice whispered, "Why do you have to provoke her like this…"

Once I bought the house in the city, everyone in the village realized I was doing well financially.

Though they claimed that no matter how successful I became, I'd still be considered part of my husband's family once married, which was useless.

In reality, many were eager to take advantage. Jack's family even tried setting me up with several suitors, all of whom I turned down without hesitation.

As long as I wasn't interested, no one was going to get anything from me.

That was partly why I agreed to bring my parents back to the village.

I was ready for whatever came.

David clenched his fists, glaring at me. "What a thankless child! If you weren't my cousin, I wouldn't have introduced Vincent to you!"

Emma pretended to wipe away nonexistent tears and told my mother, Alice, "Alice, look at Anna. How can she talk like this? We're only trying to help her with her life!"

Jack addressed the villagers with a pained expression, "Look at how this girl, now that she's made some money, has become so disdainful of us poor country relatives. She's forgotten all about family ties!"

My parents were sweating bullets, unable to articulate their frustration.

As relatives began to look at me with disapproval and whisper about how I had become distant and money-focused, I knew I had to stay strong.

I saw it was almost time.

Stepping to the center of the stage, I pulled out a wireless microphone from my bag and grinned. "Well, folks, I may not have many merits, but I do know how to show gratitude! David introduced me to his friend from prison, and I've got to thank him properly! Today, we're celebrating my Grandma's 70th birthday. I've even brought in a band from the city to liven things up for everyone!"