As graduation neared, I got a job offer from a big company in Akso City. The salary was $70,000 a year and my parents were thrilled.

I knew how my relatives were, so I kept telling them not to tell anyone. They agreed right away. But at a dinner party, my aunt, who always looked down on my family, purposely asked about my plans after graduation.

My father couldn’t hold back and told her. Right away, the relatives started criticizing me, their faces filled with disdain.

“Why didn’t you take the civil service exam or go for a master’s degree?”

“Exactly! What’s the point of a high salary? A stable job is better!”

“You worked so hard to support your son through college and he still went to work in another city! What a failure!”

“All those years of study were wasted! He’s not even as good as my daughter. She went to vocational school right after junior high!”

I sighed to myself. I knew this would happen. I finished my beer in one gulp and stood up.

“Aunt Virginia, if I’m not wrong, my cousin graduated over five years ago. He should’ve passed the civil service exam by now, right?”

“Aunt Madison, my cousin finished vocational school and now makes at least $1,400 a month, right?”

The table went quiet as soon as I finished.

——

Seeing my aunts’ unhappy faces, I lifted an eyebrow. They had mocked my family plenty over the years.

Seven years ago, my family bought a local car. My parents had saved for a long time before deciding. They were really happy when they picked it up and even posted a photo on WhatsApp.

My aunt quickly commented: [Oh no, I’ve heard of that cheap brand. It gets rusty in two years, uses too much fuel and breaks easily. My family bought a Toyota last year. It was pricey but classy. I don’t know why you would buy a local car.]

My dad looked at his phone, wanting to type something, but in the end, he didn’t reply. Five years ago, on my mom’s birthday, my dad used his savings to buy her a coat that cost over $112.

When Madison came over and saw it, she picked up the hem, touched it and sneered, “Sister-in-law, this fabric is so plain. I’ve never even heard of the brand. My daughter bought me a cashmere coat last month and even with a discount, it still cost $394.”

My mom quickly put the coat away in the closet and never wore it again. Last year, when we renovated the house, my parents chose good-quality, affordable local tiles.

When Virginia heard about it, she came over and tapped the floor with her heel. “These tiles crack easily. We use imported ones; one tile from ours could cover several square meters of your house.”

As she turned to leave, her handbag “accidentally” hit a metal bucket in the corner, spilling white paint all over the floor.

She just said, “Why leave things lying around like this? It looks like a dump.” Then she wiped her shoe with a tissue and left.

My father quietly crouched down and slowly cleaned it up with a small shovel. I once confronted them about it.

Why did they say such hurtful things? Why did we always have to endure it? My parents immediately started lecturing me.

“They’re family. We see them all the time.”

“That’s just how they are. Their words are harsh, but they don’t mean any harm.”

“What do you know, kid? Don’t meddle in adults’ business!”

I used to put up with it, too. But today, I couldn’t hold it in anymore. The frustration I’d bottled up for years was finally boiling over.

Just then, Virginia finally spoke. “Actually, my son passed the exam this year and got a job at the city’s finance bureau; it’s a top place!” She lifted her chin, looking very proud.

Madison quickly jumped in, talking fast as if she didn’t want anyone to cut her off.

“What a joke! My daughter makes over $1,400 a month. She even bought a white Mercedes this month. For her, that’s just half a year’s salary; no big deal.”

I laughed and said, “Aunt Virginia, the interview list for this year’s provincial civil service exam came out two days ago. I checked it; there’s no one with a surname Gildon listed for any job in the city’s Finance Bureau. My cousin’s name isn’t there at all… unless he changed his last name.”

The table went silent. Virginia’s face turned red, then pale.

I looked at Madison and said, “Aunt Madison, that white Mercedes my cousin showed on WhatsApp; was it an A180? Last month, my classmate and I saw the same model at a used car market. It was nine years old with 170,000 kilometers, priced at $2,500 and still negotiable. So that’s what counts as half a year’s salary for my cousin. That’s quite high.”

Madison’s teacup clattered onto the saucer, splashing tea all over the table. A few seconds later, Virginia jumped up and pointed a finger close to my face. “What nonsense are you talking about? My son passed the written exam, but the interview list isn’t out yet. What do you know?”

Madison slapped the table, spilling even more tea. “Exactly! What my daughter buys is none of your business! It’s a Mercedes-Benz, a luxury car! How could it cost only $2,500? That’s cheaper than a minivan! You’re just a college student who hasn’t even graduated. What do you know about cars? You’re just jealous!”

The other relatives started talking loudly all at once, like a buzzing hive.

“How can he talk like that…”

“College has made him arrogant. He even dares to talk back to elders now.”

“He’s got such a sharp tongue.”

“Yeah, Virginia and Madison used to spoil him.”

“Young people these days have no respect for elders…”

I waited for them to quiet down, then said, “Aunt Virginia, the civil service interview list is public. The Finance Bureau section shows all the names and exam numbers. If you don’t believe me, I can send the official link to the group. We can all check whether my cousin’s name is there.”

Virginia’s face went from red to pale and she said nothing. I then turned to Madison.

“Aunt Madison, the sale record for that Mercedes A180 is on several sites. The latest transfer was on the 15th and it sold for $2,300. I even have the dealer’s number. We can call and ask if my cousin was the buyer.”

Madison’s chest rose and fell quickly as she pointed at me, stuttering “You… you…” but couldn’t finish a sentence.

A usually quiet uncle frowned and said, “Tristan, even if you’re right, you shouldn’t talk to your elders that way. Your parents are here. It’s disrespectful.”

I looked at him calmly and said, “Uncle, respect goes both ways. When they mocked my parents and me in front of everyone, were they being respectful?”

The table went silent again. My dad, who had been quiet, suddenly shouted, “Enough! Just because you got a job doesn’t mean you can talk to your aunts like that! Show some respect for your elders!”

My mom tugged my sleeve, pleading, “Tristan, say less. Apologize quickly and it’ll be over.”

In the past, I’d usually stay quiet in situations like this. But this time, I didn’t. I turned to my parents, speaking clearly but calmly.

“Mom, I’ve respected them for years, but respect isn’t one-sided. They’ve humiliated our family repeatedly and every time you told me to endure it for harmony, does that mean they can trample on us and we have to smile? Seven years ago, when we bought a car, you were happy, but one comment from Aunt Virginia made you sulk for days. Five years ago, Dad gave you a coat and after Aunt Madison’s sarcastic remarks, you never wore it. Last year, during renovations, Aunt Virginia spilled paint and didn’t apologize, leaving Dad cleaning for ages, almost unable to stand straight. Have you forgotten all this?”

My dad started to speak. My mom’s eyes turned a little red and she looked away.

Virginia sneered sharply, “Fine! Everything we say is wrong. Now that your son is successful, we’re not even allowed to speak?”

Madison said sarcastically while packing, “Yes, we’re poor relatives and can’t keep up with you. If your standards are too high, we won’t come again!”

They both stood up, chairs scraping loudly. Virginia went to the door, then forced a smile at my parents. “Brother, sister-in-law, you’ve raised a great son. So capable. Our useless son can’t compare at all.”

Madison snorted, “We’ll rely on your son to bring honor to the family. We’ll just stay out of the way.”

No one stopped them. They slammed the door and left. The others in the room looked at each other in silence.

The happy gathering ended in chaos. After the relatives left, my dad closed the door, turned to me with a pale face and said, “You brat, you think you’re grown up? You embarrassed Virginia and Madison in front of everyone! How are we supposed to face our relatives now?”

My mom sat on the sofa, eyes red and voice shaking with tears. “Tristan, what have we taught you? No matter how harsh elders are, you can’t talk back! Now look, this could ruin our family ties!”

I stood straight and said, “Dad, Mom, you know how Aunt Virginia and Aunt Madison have treated us. They mocked us when we bought a car, complained about Mom’s birthday coat and even interfered during renovations. When have they ever respected us?”

“That doesn’t give you the right to be so disrespectful!” My dad slammed the table. “No matter what, they’re still your elders! Has all your education gone to waste?”

“Books didn’t teach me to just endure humiliation,” I said calmly. “Real relatives don’t constantly mock you; they only wish you well. Aunts like Virginia and Madison only humiliate us. Cutting ties isn’t a loss.”

“You… you’re talking nonsense!” my dad shouted, shaking with anger as he yanked off his belt. “I’ll beat you today, you unfilial son!”