"Cassie, as the older sister, you need to pamper your sister. Hurry up and go pick some cherries. Your sister is eager to eat them!"
Once I was outside, they locked the door tightly behind me, turned, and went back inside, as if I were a stranger.
I was still wearing the sweater and coat I had on when I arrived, and with the extra jacket, I couldn't handle the cold after just ten minutes outside.
An hour later, I slowly collapsed in the snow.
...
"Cassie, Cassie! Are you still listening? Why aren't you saying anything?"
My mother's urgent voice pulled me back to reality. As I came to my senses, I couldn't help but feel the chill from my previous life again and instinctively wrapped the blanket around myself.
"Are you even listening to what I'm saying?" my mother snapped.
I thought for a moment and decided to test the waters.
"Mom, I think preparing the gifts is your and Dad's responsibility. I haven't been married, so I wouldn't know what to buy. Besides, I have a business trip in a few days."
My mother must have turned on the speakerphone, because my father, who had been listening on the side, spoke up.
"Cassie, what are you talking about? Preparing gifts is a family affair. Aren't you part of this family?"
My mother immediately added, "Exactly. As the older sister, shouldn't you be more considerate of your younger sister?
"She is pregnant now, and your dad and I have to take care of her. All I'm asking is for you to buy some gifts. Is that really so difficult?
"And about your business trip, you should cancel it right away. We're counting on you to do what's needed when we arrive."
With that, she hung up the phone abruptly. So I was their servant for this trip.
I suppressed my anger and thought, Fine, if you all want to go and die there, go ahead. This time, I won't go with you.
On the day of departure, I packed two large suitcases and headed to the airport.
My parents, my sister, and her boyfriend were already inside waiting for me. When my mother saw me rushing over, her previously cheerful expression instantly turned to one of impatience.
She scolded, "Why can't you ever be on time? The whole family is waiting for you. Your sister is pregnant. Can't you be more considerate?"
My father also looked displeased. Seeing this, my sister immediately clung to them, acting cute.