Her father was sitting on the sofa in the living room, quietly watching TV. The room was calm, except for the low sound of the news playing in the background.
"Child, you still haven't slept?" he asked, noticing her standing near the door.
Li hesitated for a moment, twisting her fingers nervously.
"Dad… I wanted to tell you something," she said softly.
He turned toward her with concern.
"Yes, go ahead. Come, sit here," he replied.
She slowly walked over and sat beside her father on the sofa. For a few seconds, she stayed silent, trying to gather the courage to speak.
"Dad… I wanted to tell you that sister lied to us," she finally said.
Her father frowned slightly.
"Lied? What kind of lie? Tell me clearly," he asked.
Li took a deep breath.
"Dad, sister's vacations are going on, but she keeps telling us that she doesn't have any vacations."
He looked at her with surprise.
"How can you say that so confidently?"
"I have a friend who studies in the same school as her," Li explained. "He has already come home for vacations. That's how I know."
Her father became quiet, thinking for a moment.
"Alright," he said at last. "I'll call her and ask directly."
Li quickly spoke again, a little worried.
"But Dad, please don't tell her that I told you."
He nodded gently.
"Okay, child. I won't mention your name."
Feeling a little relieved, Li went back to her room. Meanwhile, her father picked up his phone and called his elder daughter.
"Li Hong," he said firmly when she answered, "I know everything now. I know your vacations are going on."
There was silence on the other side of the phone.
"Come home on tomorrow afternoon's flight," he continued. "Otherwise, I will tell your mother."
"But Dad—" Li Hong tried to speak.
"That's enough," he interrupted. "I want you at home tomorrow. I've said it."
And with that, he hung up the phone.
---
The next morning, Li Ting came downstairs to get ready for school. She was still upset from everything that had happened the night before.
"Wait!" her mother called out from the kitchen.
"Yes?" Li replied.
"Breakfast is ready. Eat before you go."
"I'm getting late for school," Li said and started walking toward the door.
"I said wait!" her mother shouted sharply. Li stopped in her tracks.
"I go without breakfast every day anyway," Li said in frustration. "If I go today too, what difference will it make? My friend is waiting for me. I'm leaving."
She turned to go, but her mother quickly came toward her, grabbed her hand tightly and said in a strict voice,
"I said you will eat first—and only then you will go."
"Let go of my hand, you're hurting me," Li Ting said, trying to pull her hand free.
Her emotions suddenly burst out.
"Do you think I'm some kind of toy?" she cried. "That you can throw me away whenever you want and pick me up whenever you feel like it? I'm a human being. You can't treat me like this!"
Her mother, already angry, raised her hand and slapped Li across the face.
The room went completely silent.
Li Ting froze. Tears instantly filled her eyes.
"You… you slapped me?" she whispered in disbelief.
Without saying another word, she turned around and ran out of the house, crying.
Outside, Zhao Ming was standing near the gate, waiting for his friend. He saw Li rushing out, her face covered in tears, but she didn't even notice him.
"Li Ting?" he called out, confused.
But she kept walking, almost running, without looking back.
Zhao watched her go, worried, but didn't understand what had happened.
Li walked along the road with her head down. The sky above was covered with dark, heavy clouds, as if they reflected the storm inside her heart.
Suddenly, a loud thunderclap echoed through the sky.
She didn't care. Tears kept falling from her eyes as she walked aimlessly. Her mind was filled with pain, anger, and sadness.
A few moments later, large drops of rain began to fall.
Within seconds, the rain became heavy.
People on the street hurried to find shelter. Some opened umbrellas, others ran into shops. But Li kept walking, letting the rain soak her completely.
---
Zhao Ming, who had followed her from a distance, noticed the sudden rain.
"Oh no," he muttered to himself. "She'll get sick like this."
He looked around quickly.
"Do you have an extra umbrella?" Zhao asked a man standing nearby.
"No, I don't," the man replied apologetically.
Zhao didn't give up. He kept searching and then saw a woman standing under a small shop roof. She had two umbrellas in her hand.
Without wasting time, he ran toward her.
"Excuse me," he said politely, a little out of breath. "Could you please lend me one umbrella? My friend is out in the rain."
The woman looked at him for a moment and then nodded kindly.
"Of course," she said, handing him one of the umbrellas.
"Thank you so much!" Zhao said gratefully.
He quickly opened the umbrella and rushed after Li.