To ensure fairness, my daughter said that she would draw lots to choose whose family to spend the New Year’s with every year.

However, for the past nine years, she had spent the New Year’s with her in-laws.

The latest draw was no different.

On New Year’s Eve, my daughter gave me specific instructions.

“Mom, we’re spending the New Year’s with my in-laws. We’ve made a reservation at the most expensive restaurant in town. Please help me save some money. You can just make some food at home for your dinner.”

Hence, on New Year’s Eve, I ate alone while watching TV at home.

When I stood up, I accidentally knocked over the raffle box.

All the lots inside the box had my daughter’s handwriting. The words ‘in-laws’ were clearly written on every single one of them.

For the past ten years, the lots had been fake.

My daughter was willingly spending the New Year’s celebration with her in-laws, and she had never once thought of spending it with me, her biological mother, who had spent so much money on her.

At the same time, I got a notification on my phone. Her mother-in-law posted something on social media.

[My daughter-in-law is so lovely. She bought me so many gifts and chose to spend the New Year’s with us. It’s as if she’s our own daughter!]

They smiled brightly in the video. On the table were gifts that she bought using my retirement fund.

I did not sleep for the whole night. The next morning, I called the bank.

“Please remove all the auto-debit accounts from my retirement account.”

From then on, I would only spend my money on myself.

On New Year’s Eve morning, I brought all the gifts that I had prepared earlier to my daughter’s place.

My daughter, Lydia Smith, pinched my grandson, Charlie Smith’s cheeks.

“Charlie, we’re going to your grandparents’ place for the New Year’s. Aren’t you happy?”

Charlie jumped in excitement.

“I’m happy! I love spending the New Year’s with Grandpa and Grandma!”

I stood aside and felt a little upset as I looked at their happy faces.

Lydia and her husband, Ben Smith, were both the only children of their families.

Lydia had said that to be fair, they would draw lots to decide who to spend the New Year’s with.

However, she had been going to her in-laws’ place for the past nine years.

It was the same for this year, too.

I hesitated long before I asked.

“Lydia, you’ve spent the New Year’s with your in-laws for the past nine years. Can you spend it with me this year?

“Ever since your dad passed away, I’ve spent the New Year’s alone. It’s really too quiet at home.”

Lydia’s smile froze. She immediately shook her head.

“Mom, we’ve agreed to decide by drawing lots.”

I looked down and said timidly, “How about this? I can go over to your in-laws’ place for the New Year’s. Both of our families can spend it together…”

Before I could finish talking, Lydia interrupted me.

“I’ve told you no!”

When she saw my tears, she softened her tone.

“Mom, this year, we’re going to a really expensive restaurant for the New Year’s. If you join us, they’ll feel uncomfortable.

“It’s the New Year after all. You should save some money and just make dinner at home.

“Oh, don’t forget to feed the cat, too.”

After she said that, she left with her husband and son with my gifts.

I stood at the entrance for a very long time.

When I felt my tears turn cold from the wind, I finally turned around and went in.

That night, I ate some leftovers and watched TV alone.

When I stood up to take something, I accidentally knocked over the raffle box.

Every year, my daughter would draw lots before her mother-in-law, Audrey Smith, and myself.

The folded papers were scattered on the floor. I bent down to pick them up.

At that moment, I realized that all one hundred of the folded papers had the words “in-laws” clearly written on them.

I easily recognized Lydia’s neat handwriting.

My heart throbbed in pain.

I looked at the floor of folded papers, and every single piece of paper felt like a slap in my face.

It turned out that she had not been drawing lots for the past ten years.

She had purposely suggested this seemingly fair method to shun me, her mother, who paid for everything.

At the same time, I got a notification on my phone. It was a social media post by Audrey.

I clicked on the video. Audrey was smiling happily.

“Lydia is such a lovely girl. She bought us gifts and spent the New Year’s with us. It’s as if she’s our own daughter!”

Lydia smiled shyly at the camera.

“It’s nothing much, Audrey.

“You like to dance, and your limbs get sore easily, so I applied for a membership card at a massage center for you. Remember to use it!

“I’ve also bought some caviar for you. I’ll get my mom to buy more later so you can snack on it!”

Ben agreed eagerly.

“That’s right. Mom and Dad, you’ve worked so hard for your entire lives. It’s time to enjoy your retirement!”

Even Charlie was trying his best to serve Audrey some food.

“This is my favorite chicken drumstick. It’s for you, Grandma!”

I scrolled down to read the hurtful comments.

[You have such a great daughter-in-law. I bet she doesn’t even treat her own mother this well!]

[This is why your son needs to marry a traditional woman who prioritizes her husband’s family. I heard her mother is spending the New Year’s alone. What a poor thing.]

I laughed out of anger as hot tears streamed down my cheeks.

I tried to wipe them, but the tears kept coming.

I had spent so much money and effort, but they chose to turn a blind eye and used my money to pamper his parents instead.

I felt a sudden pain shoot through my heart.

After a while, Audrey gave me a video call.

She was smiling as she bragged, “Happy New Year! It’s New Year’s Eve today. What good food are you having?

“Thank you for helping Lydia prepare so many gifts for us. We’re having such a great dinner over here!”

After she said that, she turned the camera around and pointed at the gifts that I had prepared.

I almost burst into tears. Before I could speak, I heard Charlie saying, “Mommy said that it’s a waste if we don’t use her money. After all, she’s staying alone in the countryside. She won’t be using that much money!”

I felt blood drain from my face.

I stared at my phone screen. “Charlie, can you say that again?”

Charlie was about to speak when Lydia covered his mouth with her hand. She grumbled, “Mom! He’s just talking nonsense! It’s the New Year’s! Why are you making everyone unhappy?”

She was blaming me for spoiling the mood.

I stared at her and said, “Why didn’t you think I’d be upset when you secretly switched all the papers in the box to your in-laws?”

A hint of guilt flashed across Lydia’s eyes.

“So what if I choose to spend time with my in-laws? Why are you making a big fuss over it? If you want, I can head home earlier this year.”

After she said that, she ended the call.

She did not even greet me with a “Happy New Year” throughout the entire call.

After the New Year’s break, they came back home.

I was trimming the cat’s nails on the couch. When Ben saw me, he snorted.

“You pretended to be so pissed over the call, but you’re still here waiting for us to return.”

Lydia tossed a plastic bag filled with items to me.

“Audrey is very kind to even prepare some gifts for you!”

I looked at the items on the floor. They were some leftovers of the gifts that I had bought for them.

There were a few boxes of milk, half a bag of nuts, and a half-eaten pack of snacks.

I was extremely angry. I remained quiet on the couch.

Lydia frowned unhappily.

“We purposely came back earlier to spend some time with you. What’s with the attitude?

“If you continue to sulk, we’ll just head back first. You can spend the rest of the time alone!”

I laughed in anger. I could not hold myself back from questioning her.

“Come back earlier? The New Year’s break is almost over!”

Lydia’s expression froze.

Upon seeing that, Ben immediately supported Lydia.

“If you hadn’t thrown a tantrum, we could have spent more time at my parents’ place!

“You just bought some gifts and spent some money. Are you that upset about it? Tell me how much these cost, and I’ll pay you back!”

I sneered when I looked at his confident expression.

“Do you truly intend to pay me back? Your mortgage, car loan, Charlie’s school fees, and household expenses all came from my retirement fund. Can you afford to pay me that?

“I gave my all to you, and what did I get in return? The fairness that you claimed was all fake!”

Lydia’s face was flushed in anger.

“You gave birth to me. Of course, you’re responsible for me! I’m your only child. Who are you going to give your money to, if not me?

“If you want to be so calculative, sure, be my guest!

“If you continue to act like this, don’t expect me to pay you a visit in the future, even if you’re paralyzed or dead!”

After she said that, she took Charlie back to his bedroom.

I stood in the dark living room.

I took my time hatching a plan in my mind.

I needed to get these leeches to pay for what they owed me!

I sat alone in the living room and stared at those so-called gifts. I started to tear up.

I doted on my daughter for half of my life.

Since the day she was born, people around me have tried to persuade me.

“Have another child now while you’re still young, so you’ll have more company when you’re older.”

I was holding her in my arms, and I decided to give all of my love to her.

My husband and I were frugal, and we always prioritized her in everything.

When she got married and wanted to buy a house, we did not hesitate to give her all of our money.

Then, they said they could not afford a car loan. I silently gave her a supplementary card and helped her with their car loan.

Even when she said she wanted to celebrate the New Year’s with her in-laws, I volunteered to prepare gifts on her behalf.

I was the walking source of a hefty retirement fund, and she eyed it for a long time.

From paying her car loan to her daily expenses, she had been using the money from my account.

I never made a sound. She was my only child, so it only made sense for my money to go to her.

However, I did not expect to be taken for granted.

In the past, I tried my best to tolerate it.

However, they finally broke the camel’s back!

She said she would draw lots for fairness, but I would make it fair for her!

As her mother, I had spent every single cent on her, and in return, she had treated me like I was nothing!

It was upsetting.

That night, I looked at my bank transaction notifications for the past month.

[Car loan - 600 dollars]

[Meal at an expensive restaurant - 1500 dollars]

[Caviar - 300 dollars]

[Massage parlor membership card - 1500 dollars]

All her expenses were for her husband or for her mother-in-law.

All these years, she had already grown used to treating me like an ATM to buy gifts for her in-laws.

I turned around and gave the bank a call.

“Please cancel all the auto-debit payments from my retirement account.”

“Madam, we’d need you to come to our branch with your ID.”

“Alright.”

The next morning, I put on my shoes and got ready to head out.

Lydia rubbed her eyes and walked to the living room. She looked sleepy.

“Mom, what’s for breakfast?”

I did not turn around and continued tying my shoelaces.

She seemed to recall the fight we had the day before. She then softened her tone as she used to.

“Alright, Mom. I’ve discussed it with Ben. We’ll bring you along to my in-laws for the next New Year’s celebration.

“Are you happy now? Go, make breakfast for us.”

I sneered and walked out the door.

When the door was shut, I heard her mumbling.

“Isn’t it just a small matter of spending New Year’s? Why is she being so calculative…”

She still felt like it was not a big deal.

She had not realized that it was because of my money that she was cherished by her in-laws.

Very soon, I reached the end of the queue.

After I was done with the procedure, I immediately headed back to the countryside.

The next morning, my phone rang.

Lydia sounded anxious.

“Mom, the gifts that you’re supposed to buy before the New Year’s haven’t arrived yet!

“I need to bring them to my boss!”

I answered her calmly.

“That’s your responsibility. Figure it out yourself.”

After I said that, I immediately ended the call. I blocked and deleted their contacts without any hesitation.

It was like clockwork.

I sat next to the window and let the sun shine on my face. It was beautifully warm.

From my peripheral vision, I saw a pamphlet for a group tour. I immediately signed up.

I had worked so hard all of my life. It was time for me to see the country and its beauty.