When ire learned that her father wanted her to join him in meeting his first love, she immediately refused, saying, “I am not going!”


    Jacob raised his hands in a gesture of surrender before responding, “Then, don’t stop Charlie froming with me. One of you has to apany me today, no matter what.”


    “You…” ire eximed, her anger rising. “Is having a meal with an old ssmate more important than finding Mom? Dad, can’t you see which is the priority right now?”


    Jacob shot back, “Of course I can! It’s far more important for me to have a meal with my old ssmate!”


    “You…”<h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    While ire typically had a calm demeanor, she felt her temper ring and was on the brink of losing control.


    Jacob continued, “ire, you need to understand something. The world doesn’t revolve around your mother alone. There are four of us in this family. Your mother and I have our own individual lives. You can choose to make your life all about your mother, but you can’t impose that on Charlie or me! Don’t you think we deserve our own lives too? Don’t we have our own needs?”


    As he spoke, Jacob’s agitation grew. “Should I just abandon everything else in my life to search for your mother forever? Am I expected to stop living, just because we can’t find her? If that’s the case, I’d rather leave! Why should I dedicate my entire life to something like that?”


    ire was left speechless.


    Despite realizing that her father was twisting logic to justify his behavior, she couldn’t deny there was a grain of truth in his words. For years, he had been under her mother’s control, and now that she was gone, it was a relief for him; he finally felt free.


    In a moment of desperation, ire conceded, “I won’t stand in your way if you want to have a meal with your old ssmate. But you have to promise that you’ll help me look for Mom afterward!”


    “Yes, yes,” Jacob agreed quickly, then added with a smile, “Don’t worry. I’ll do my best to help you find your mother after the meeting.”


    Just then, Charlie emerged from the kitchen, carrying fried eggs and bacon. He was surprised to see Jacob dressed so nicely today. “Wow, Dad! You look really handsome!”


    Jacob beamed and asked, “What do you think? Do I still have it?”


    Charlie nodded, grinning, “Absolutely! You definitely do!”


    With a sigh, ire said, “Charlie, you can go with Dad to meet his old ssmate for lunch. Afterward, I want both of you to check ces like the mahjong halls to look for Mom.”


    Charlie quickly agreed, “Sure thing, dear wife! I’ll help Dad look for Mom after lunch.”<fnee1c> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on find[?]ovel</fnee1c>


    …


    Meanwhile, it was breakfast time at the detention center.


    ine had spent the entire night shivering in the toilet, feeling cold and hungry. Starving, she longed for breakfast to fill her empty stomach; otherwise, she feared she might faint from hunger.


    Two people returned from breakfast duty, carrying baskets brimming with food. Everyone quickly grabbed a lunch box, but ine hesitated to take any for herself. Instead, she approached Gena with a pleading look. “Sister Gena, could I have some food today? I haven’t eaten anything for a whole day and night…”


    Gena, busy eating her porridge and steamed buns, frowned and replied, “Do you think I care whether you eat or not? Did I stop you from eating?”


    ine responded with a bitter tone, “I’m just worried you’ll hit me again if I eat something…”


    Gena scoffed, “I’m pleased you understand the situation. Go ahead and eat as much as you want. It’s better to endure a beating when you’re full.”