My name is Zhang Yufang and I am 66 years old this year. I am an ordinary aunt, ordinary and inconspicuous. I have a son who is married and has children, lives his own life and rarely comes back to see me. I live alone in a small apartment in the city, living a peaceful and lonely life.
It's been more than a decade since I lost my husband, and I was in my forties when he died. At that time, I felt that my life was over and that everything had lost its meaning. I thought about remarrying, but I didn't find the right person and didn't have the courage to try again.
Until one day, I met a man named Li Ming. He was a few years older than me and a widow whom we met at a community event. He was gentle and caring, and I was impressed by his attentiveness, so we started living together.
At first, I felt blessed because I had a partner I could rely on. However, over time, I noticed something was wrong. Li Ming began to point fingers at me, and the things that I was not satisfied with were always counted, and I felt as if I was back in the cage of marriage.
I felt frustrated, not knowing what I had done wrong and why I couldn't get his approval and respect no matter how hard I tried. It wasn't until one day, when I stumbled upon his secret conversation with a young woman, that I understood his true purpose in finding a wife.
It turned out that he just needed someone to take care of his life, cook and do laundry for him, and I was just a handy tool. He didn't care how I felt or what I gave him. I felt cheated and filled with anger and disappointment.
I decided to move out and no longer live with him. I don't want to let myself be hurt anymore, I want to take good care of myself and live the life I want. Although loneliness is unavoidable, I believe that as long as I persevere, I will one day find my own happiness.