Why didn’t I write my debut novel in Chinese?

Mum and I were in the kitchen making dumplings. After she heard I wanted to write a novel, she stared at me and asked, “What’s it about?”
“Spy. Anti-Chinese Communist Party.”
“What language?”
“English,” I replied. I knew she was worrying about if she could finally rest next to Dad’s tomb in China, so I added, “I won’t publish it for at least ten years. I only write whenever I have time.”
She thought for a few seconds, nodded and continued making the dumpling in her hand. Mum was never a talker, but her nod and smile were encouragement for me.
Hope Mum has found peace next to Dad now.