Chapter 8

Chapter 8

You have to learn to say no, Li Linlin.

I took a deep breath. “It would be more appropriate if you gave it to him yourself.”

Li Lang’s best friend couldn’t take it anymore. “We’re all classmates. Why are you so unwilling to help with such a small favor?”

“Since it’s such a small favor, you can do it too!”

With that, I ignored their sour expressions and walked into the examination hall.

I poured everything I had into every single exam. By the end of the three days, I felt like I had been flayed alive.

When the final exam ended, a crowd swarmed Shen Dongye to check their answers against his.

The air was filled with the constant sound of arguments and sighs.

I quietly packed my stationery, watching the winter sun as it began to set, casting its last bit of soft light onto the boy’s face.

It made him look radiant and full of life.

I was staring so intently that when he suddenly turned his head, I didn’t have time to look away.

Caught in the act, I felt a surge of panic.

He, however, gave me a brilliant smile. “Li Linlin, let’s head out together in a bit.”

On the way back, he did most of the talking while I only gave brief responses.

In truth, there were countless times I wanted to ask him: “Shen Dongye, we probably won’t be desk mates next term. Will you still remember me?”

But in the end, I lacked the courage.

When I got home, my grandmother was there.

I didn’t like her, mainly because she didn’t like me either.

When my mother was pregnant with me, my parents had consulted a fortune teller who told them I was a boy.

Because of that, my parents and grandmother were filled with anticipation.

They never expected I would be a girl.

Initially, they wanted to give me away, but it was my grandfather who insisted on keeping me.

Grandfather was a good man, but unfortunately, he didn’t live a long life.

Grandmother had said many times, “If you were a son, your parents wouldn’t have had to pay so many fines just to have your younger brother.”

Perhaps my parents felt the same way.

Our current hardships were all because I wasn’t the son they wanted.

At the dinner table, Grandmother began her lecture as expected. “Linlin, why don’t you stop attending high school?”

“Your parents work from dawn till dusk and their bodies are covered in old injuries. You’re not cut out for academics anyway, so stop wasting time.”

“From now on, just follow your parents and learn how to make steamed buns. You can lighten their load and learn a trade at the same time. That way, you won’t have to worry about being unmarriageable.”

My younger brother shoveled food into his mouth, while my older sister frowned. “Linlin is only sixteen.”

Grandmother’s eyes widened. “So what? I was already married at sixteen.”

My parents remained silent the entire time.

Silence was their way of giving consent.

It had been this way countless times since I was a child; they used silence to force me into giving in over and over again.

I tried to defend myself. “I’ve been studying hard.”

Grandmother raised her voice. “What’s the use of hard work? You’re just not the academic type. How can you be so unfilial? You don’t show any consideration for your parents at all.”

My mother also spoke up softly. “With all three of you in school, the burden on your father and me is quite heavy. With your current grades, there really isn’t much hope of you getting into a good university…”