Zhao Yao silently scrubbed the shoes, her heart full of grievance and confusion at this moment. She didn't understand why Mom had never liked her since she was little. Was it because Mom suffered too much when giving birth to her? Or was it because she was a girl?
From as far back as she could remember, her life had been filled with endless housework and never‑ending scolding. She even had to do her homework in secret, and Mom didn't like it when her grades were too good.
But she still didn't dare relax, because the teachers said that studying was the best way to get ahead in life. Sometimes she thought, if she made something of herself in the future, maybe Mom wouldn't have to work so hard to make money, and then she might treat her a little better? Or maybe once she had the ability, she could get away from this family?
Since she had almost no time to study at home, she studied like mad at school. Only when she saw her grades did she feel a faint hope of continuing to live.
