"What's the use of a girl having good grades?"
"All the money left in the house is for your brother's education! He is the only boy in this family, and as his sister, what's the big deal about sacrificing a little for him?!"
In the shabby rental house, a middle-aged woman wearing a washed-out gray shirt was yelling at a pale-faced girl, with her saliva flying everywhere.
In the sweltering summer day, the only thing in the room was an old rusty fan, making a creaking sound and spreading the smell of decay.
Chu Xiaokui's face was pale, and she stood helplessly in the living room, staring at the woman in front of her, who now looked like a stranger, with an ugly expression on her face.
This is her mother, who gave birth to her and raised her.
"I'll find you a good family to marry into, and the bride price will be just enough for your brother's college tuition."
Although she knew from a young age that her parents favored her brother a little more, she never thought they would be so biased!
Would they sacrifice her life just for her brother's education?
What for?!
"Mom, my college entrance examination score is estimated to be above the competitive line this time, I..."
Chu Xiaokui tried desperately to defend herself, only to be met with her father's sarcasm, "What's the point of being first? What's the use of a girl reading so many books, can't even get more bride price!"
Chu Xiaokui stood there dumbfounded, as if struck by lightning.
After a while, she said tremblingly, "Dad, but I'm only eighteen, and you want me to get married?"
"What do you mean by eighteen? Isn't it almost 20 on your ID card?" Chu's mother said irritably.
"But that was when we initially lied about my age to get the household registration!" Chu Xiaokui's eyes filled with tears as she looked at her cold-hearted parents in disbelief.
Back then, in order to have a boy and avoid fines, her parents lied about her age, making her appear two years older than she actually was.
Throughout her life, she had experienced countless instances of being mistreated and treated unfairly.
However, none of those times had left her feeling as despairing as she did now.
Her family was in a difficult financial situation. Her father did odd jobs at construction sites, constantly unsure of when his next meal would be.
Her mother worked at a hot pot restaurant, only earning around two or three thousand yuan a month.
The family of four lived in extreme poverty. They had only managed to save ten thousand yuan, enough to send just one person to college.
Without a doubt, Chu Xiaokui was the one being sacrificed.
However, her younger brother, Chu Zhaodong, had no interest in studying. Instead, he spent his days engrossed in e-sports, aspiring to become a professional player.
He had once secretly told Chu Xiaokui that he would give her the chance to go to college.
But now, their parents were forcing her to give up on her education and marry someone else!
Chu Xiaokui could no longer hold back her tears, which fell silently.
"Dad, Mom, what am I to you? Just a tool for making money? If you disliked me so much, why did you even bother raising me?" she cried.
Chu's father impatiently looked at her, "Stop crying! We shouldn't have been soft-hearted and kept you in the first place! Providing for your high school education is us doing right by you. You don't know how good you have it!"
Good fortune?
They really thought that forcing her to give up on her education and marry someone was her enjoying good fortune?
Chu Xiaokui laughed bitterly, tears streaming down her face as she backed away two steps.
Chu's mother glared at her unhappily, "We are your parents, would we ever harm you? I've already arranged a good marriage for you. The other family is wealthy, owning two houses. If you marry into that family, you'll enjoy a lifetime of comfort, and you'll come to be grateful to us!"
