Isla was escaping from any potential of being contacted by Jazzlyn’s family, that she had been staying over with Ellie. As they both finished a gaming session while resting, Ellie was a little lost in her thoughts as Isla snapped her fingers at her.

  “Ellie?” Isla snapped her finger again. “Hey!” Isla shook her. “Yes?” Ellie finally regained her composure.

  “What’s wrong? Is it your mother?” Isla asked as Ellie shook her head.

  “Just some work stuff…” Ellie shrugged it off, but Isla turned her chair to face her.

  “Come on, spill it… Doesn’t mean Jazzlyn is in a crisis, you have no one.” Isla coaxed her as Ellie sighed.

  “Sometimes I just feel like I wanna quit…” Ellie’s first statement brought her gaze to Isla’s non-surprised look as Isla nodded to encourage her to continue.

  “To drop everything and run away to a place where no one knows me… To restart and see where life can change… I wish I didn’t have to take this accounts job for the sake of stability and just indulge in my gaming hobby, but…” Ellie sighed as Isla knew something must be wrong somewhere.

  “What happened in the office? Back to the bullying again?” Isla questioned.

  “No… Just sick of the capitalism toxicity we live in, where things just get so expensive. Our salary is never enough to chase after the comforts of life…” Ellie was beating around the bush while Isla was trying hard to understand where her perspective was coming from.

  “Ellie, you know I can always help financially. If you’re not happy with the current job, just start finding another.” Isla tried to comfort.

  “Not that easy to find a job now, you see, Isla… Everything is so expensive. Everywhere is competitive. I don’t know, maybe I should have an alternative income.” Ellie shrugged.

  “Why don’t you rent this house out? Move in with me? You know it’s so big there and I’m all alone?” Isla offered, but Ellie laughed it off.

  “I might as well shift home, isn’t it?” Ellie said. “I’m not joking, Ellie! Look, it may be my marital home, but there are so many other rooms. I know the distance is one thing, but it is a feasible way to save costs. You can take your time and consider this. Not asking you to move instantly. After all, with your profession, you’re always needed everywhere.” Isla said as Ellie sighed.

  “Thanks… I will think about it.” Ellie said while Isla still felt weird about her sudden laments, but there was nothing much Isla could do for her except to keep her accompanied. Life is full of difficulties for everyone every day, after all.

  A phone call came for Ellie as Isla continued to sip her tea. “Hello Luna!” Ellie greeted as Isla rolled her eyes, knowing trouble was brewing.

  “What’s up? How have you been?” Ellie asked curiously, which annoyed Isla, who wanted to step out of the room but was being stopped by Ellie.

  “Wait, what? Could you repeat that?” Ellie asked before putting Luna on the loudspeaker.

  “I said, if you would like to come to our secondary school gathering in Lahad Datu? Apparently, the ticket is sold to raise funds to rebuild the burnt-down part of our school.” Luna explained while Isla was squinting her eyes at Ellie.

  “Uhm… how many tickets do you have?” Ellie asked as Isla took a deep, sharp breath, nearly reprimanding Ellie, only for Ellie to gently pat Isla’s hand to calm her down.

  “I mean, if you want to, of course, the three of you, why not?” Luna offered. Isla had a feeling Ellie would say yes, as she looked away agitatedly.

  “Alright, I will send you the money later. Let me know the payment details…” Ellie wanted to hang up, only for Isla to interrupt.

  “Luna, why don’t you send me the details instead?” Isla said angrily.

  “Alright, will do!” Luna quickly said before hanging up, while Isla raised her eyebrow, knowing it was an obvious scam by Luna again.

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  “So you’re still in contact with her?” Isla asked sarcastically. “Come on, Isla… It’s very normal for friends to keep in touch. So, we are going to fly to that charity event in two weeks. You better tell Jazzlyn yourself.” Ellie reminded Isla as Isla snarled at Ellie.

  “Where on earth were you going to get the money to pay?” Isla reprimanded. “Have you forgotten? I got a raise…” Ellie reminded. Isla sighed, wanting to lecture her about money. “Before you continue nagging, do check in on Jazz…” Ellie purposely tried to interrupt Isla, who ended up defeated.

  “Well, it’s a good break. That woman definitely needs some time away to escape from the chaos, too. Alright, let me browse some hotels first!” Isla quickly browsed as Ellie wanted to escape the room.

  “Don’t think I didn’t know you would fork out the amount earlier, and whether we go or not, you will still pay just to help her. How’s her divorce going?” Isla stopped browsing as Ellie sat back down.

  “I’m not ready for a lecture,” Ellie said. “I asked a question. I’m not lecturing.” Isla folded her arms.

  “He refused to divorce. He’s keeping silent and kinda down while she is very determined about the divorce cause…” Ellie wanted to continue, but Isla stopped her.

  “Alright enough. Good to know she isn’t scheming money out of you to help pay her legal fees.” Isla finally admitted she was deviously checking on Ellie’s motives before stepping out of the room to the kitchen to refill more water.

  “Isla!” Ellie wanted to scold her, but ended up laughing.

  “Don’t worry! No one dares to scam you, Isla!” Ellie called out in disbelief at Isla’s way of getting her way as the girls ended up laughing.

  Meanwhile, in Malacca, as the heat from the sun rose, Su Qing quickly invited Jazzlyn to the new part of the house’s kitchen, where Su Huang was checking the refrigerator.

  “What are you looking for? Always giving snacks to Dad on weekends… Tsk tsk tsk…” Su Qing reprimanded before walking to the corner of the house to clean the herbs she had harvested, leaving Su Huang giggling with Jazzlyn while closing the refrigerator door.

  “Come, help me pluck this kailan* for lunch. Then we will head out to buy lunch!” Su Huang guided Jazzlyn to the kitchen’s island as they both began to cut the ends of the kailan with a knife.

  “It’s so good to have you here now…” Su Huang said. “Hmm… It’s good to be here, too.” Jazzlyn replied politely.

  “You have no idea how much of a gem you are to us just yet. Else you would not reply to me this politely.” Su Huang teased Jazzlyn. “I… er…” Jazzlyn was stuttering, at a loss for words.

  “Just kidding. Relax. I’m not that mean… We are all very, very thankful to you for saving Su Lan. And we are grateful that you saved Ethan, too.” Su Huang looked away with a sad smile.

  “What do you mean?” Jazzlyn was a little confused.

  “My little brother was depressed before Su Lan’s accident. If it weren’t for you saving Su Lan, we might have lost them both. We nearly lost Dad when Mum passed…” Su Huang’s revelation shocked Jazzlyn as she dropped the knife on the countertop.

  But why… Jazzlyn could not bring herself to ask this question about Ethan just yet, as she was distracted by Mdm. Wong’s death had been a question in her mind since young.

  “I’m sorry… How did she pass? I was too young to remember…” Jazzlyn questioned as Su Huang passed Jazzlyn back the knife.

  “She passed away due to a weak body, and that's why Dad continued TCM practices. After delivering Su Hong, she was diagnosed with postpartum depression. We tried to alleviate her mood by helping around the house, but it’s just fate.” Su Huang explained sadly before keeping the ready-plucked kailan* aside.

  “I’m sorry…” Jazzlyn apologised as Su Huang shook her head.

  “Don’t be. Come, let’s head out now or Dad will be nagging for his fried chicken!” Su Huang led Jazzlyn to the living room, and that was her first time seeing Mdm. Wang’s picture again. She quickly bowed respectfully at her altar while Su Huang went to grab the car keys and return.

  “Mum, this is your daughter-in-law, Su Wei Wei! Pretty right? Your useless son is finally making progress. So, don’t worry too much, alright?” Su Huang spoke to her mother’s portrait before leading Jazzlyn to the car porch.

  Jazzlyn could not shake the pretty face of Mdm. Wang away. Su Lan was a spitting image of her. She sighed in relief and gratitude for all that had happened when Su Huang started driving.

  “Don’t worry so much… Relax and enjoy yourself.” Su Huang comforted Jazzlyn, who smiled, with thousands of questions. Su Huang knew, as it was written all over Jazzlyn’s face. So she decided to do the couple a favour.

  “Su Hong’s late girlfriend, Mandy, passed on five years ago shortly before Su Lan’s accident. Back then, Mandy was a kindergarten teacher. They both met via a voluntary workshop at an orphanage.” Su Huang began her story.

  Jazzlyn hummed in acknowledgement. “Don’t be too shy. I know you have questions, but even if you don’t ask, I’m going to tell you. My slowpoke brother will take forever to tell you.” Su Huang said before looking out for traffic at a turn.

  Jazzlyn could only keep her smile.

  Glossary:

  *Kailan - leafy vegetables commonly known as Chinese broccoli or Chinese kale