1. The Warmth After Hardship
When Bang was fifteen, the arguments and turmoil at home finally seemed to subside. His parents' relationship improved, his brother Sheng's rebellious streak gradually faded, and the atmosphere at home was more stable than ever before. Bang had thought that perhaps this was the turning point for his family. He cherished every peaceful dinner, the occasional laughter shared among family members, and began to hold a glimmer of hope for the future.
His older sister Qin started to care about his studies, and his mother wasn't as anxious as before. She even occasionally sat with his father on the balcony during their free time, reminiscing about their youth. Bang found that the pressure in his heart had eased a little. Although he didn't dare to fully trust this newfound peace, he was willing to immerse himself in it, even if just for a moment.
2. The Unpredictable Family
However, fate always seemed to push Bang back into the abyss when he was most relaxed. As time passed, the conflicts among his family members resurfaced once again. Sheng's temper remained uncontrollable, and his disagreements with their father frequently erupted. His mother's anxiety also worsened, and her dissatisfaction with their father accumulated, gradually shrouding the entire home in an oppressive atmosphere.
Bang gradually realized that his family was like a powder keg, ready to explode at any moment. The peace was merely a fleeting illusion, and each argument only intensified the flames within the keg. He tried to mediate, to maintain the family's relationships, but this time, his efforts seemed increasingly futile.
One night, his parents' argument escalated once more. His mother couldn't help but shatter a glass in her hand, and his father stormed out in a fit of rage. Bang looked at his mother's tears, feeling utterly helpless. "When will this conflict truly end?" he asked himself countless times, but he could never find an answer.
3. Shattered Trust
As Bang grew into adulthood, the family's situation became even more complicated. He began to work, trying to earn his own living expenses while also hoping to do something for his family. However, every time he returned home, he still faced the irreconcilable conflicts between his parents, Sheng's indifference, Qin's exhaustion, and his two younger sisters' confusion.
He realized that everything he had done over the past decade was in vain. His family members never seemed to truly appreciate his efforts; they continued to live, argue, and hurt each other in their own ways. And he was just the "peacemaker" desperately trying to salvage everything.
One night, he sat alone at the doorstep, watching the dim streetlights, and a strange feeling began to surface in his heart—apathy. He began to doubt whether everything he had been holding onto truly had any meaning.
(End of Chapter Two)
Preview of the Next Chapter: The Fuse of Discord
Against the backdrop of family turmoil, Sheng's romantic entanglements become the catalyst for everything, and Bang will witness his family descend into the abyss step by step...