Chapter 2: The Family That Feeds on Me

After dinner, my sister-in-law gave my mom a knowing look and went back to her room to lie down. My mom pulled me to the sofa and sighed deeply.

"Ryann, you're the sensible one. Look at your brother; he barely makes any money in a month! You're a graduate student, and the school even pays you. Your sister-in-law is pregnant with your nephew! You should cover the nutrition expenses."

It felt like she was making it my responsibility ...

In my previous life, my mom had said the same thing to me. Back then, I sent all my project stipends home every month and worked as a tutor in my spare time to cover my living expenses. Sometimes, when I couldn't send enough money, I wanted to give less, but they would say, "It wasn't easy to support you through school, and now you're so stingy when it's time to give back to the family. You've really grown up and started looking down on your own family."

Every time I heard those words, I felt a lump in my throat, unable to cry. In the end, I could only silently hand over the money. But this time, I wouldn't let them drain me of everything.

Thinking of this, I pressed my lips together slightly.

"Mom, graduate students only get paid if they work on projects for their advisors. I'm not qualified yet ..."

"I'm attending classes during the day and working at night. I can barely afford my dorm fees and living expenses ..."

"If it weren't for my sister-in-law's pregnancy, I would have asked to borrow some money from you this time ..."

My mom panicked when she heard this.

"The family has no money, Ryann! You've always been a sensible child. How can you say something that would burden the family?"

I sneered inwardly but pretended to be downcast on the outside.

"I understand, Mom. I'll head back now. I need to find another part-time job to save up for tuition."

My mom seemed torn, probably worried about explaining things to my sister-in-law but also afraid I would ask for money. She hesitated but didn't stop me.

So, I returned to school. Less than a week later, I received a call from my mom.

"Ryann, your sister-in-law said you're studying in a big city and have connections. She wants you to get some exotic foods. She heard that eating them during pregnancy would bring good luck to the baby."

I almost laughed out loud when I heard that.

"Mom, hunting and consuming exotic animals is against the law. The whole family could get arrested. How would I even have access to something like that?"

Eating exotic animals raw, no less. Who knows how many harmful germs it has? I don't know about good luck, but it certainly sounds like a recipe for a serious illness.

My brother grabbed the phone from my mom.

"Ryann, have you grown wings? Are you defying the family now? Crime? I feel like supporting your education was a huge mistake!"

"No wonder your sister-in-law says you look down on the family now. Get us the exotic foods, and stop talking nonsense ..."

In my previous life, after my sister-in-law had the baby, my brother would call me every few days, pressuring me to buy things and pay for the child's medical expenses. He said the child was weak because of me and that if the baby had been born full-term, he wouldn't be so frail. I was responsible.

My mom also cried to me every day, leaving me no choice but to give money and effort. But now, I tossed the phone aside, changed out of my work clothes, and shouted.

"Hello?! Brother? What did you say? I'm doing tasks for my professor. The signal is bad. Hello?!"

"Ryann, don't pretend! Do you think I can't deal with you just because you're out of town? Don't make me come after you!"

I massaged my aching neck and hung up, blocking the number. Later, they still listened to my sister-in-law and somehow got hold of some raw exotic foods for her to eat.