It was Chinese New Year's Eve, and we traveled back to our parents' hometown to celebrate.

The house was lively—kids running around, food everywhere, adults shouting like they were in a karaoke battle.

During the reunion dinner, all our relatives gathered around the big round table.

And of course… there was that aunty.

The one who always starts the night with bragging rights.

Aunty: You know ah~ My daughter just got her exam results!

Other relatives: Wah, really? How many A's?

Aunty (beaming): Ten A's.

Other relatives: Wah! So smart ah. How she do it?

Then Aunty turned to Ma—smirk loaded and ready.

Aunty: What about your kids, hmm?

Ma rolled her eyes like she'd already fought this battle a thousand times.

Ma: Results don't mean anything if you can't survive in the real world.

The other relatives nodded wisely.

Aunty's smile froze. Her face twitched.

Meanwhile, Ma glanced at us—

Sis, the sloth who wakes up at noon.

Me, the idiot who once almost exploded the microwave while trying to cook food.

Ma (deep sigh): Their future is so bleak...

We just kept eating our dumplings, pretending not to hear.