Freedom?

"Ge!" Xiang Wai called out to her brother who had been gazing out the window in a daze since he got in the car. She could tell something was on his mind but he wasn't saying it.

"Ge!" she called again.

She slapped his shoulder, "Would you listen please?"

Xiang Weimin finally looked at her and asked, "What? What happened?"

"I'm calling you," she said.

"Oh? I didn't hear you," he replied nonchalantly.

"Is something on your mind? Why are you so lost?" she finally chose to ask outright instead of guessing. "Are you that unwilling to go to mom's birthday party?"

"As if you're willing," retorted Xiang Weimin and turned his head on the other side. "And if it's a party, why are you dressed in that casual jeans and shirt?"