Mei woke before dawn in the small house in Jiancheng City, Country G. The darkness outside pressed against windows. Her stepmom, Fang, and Fang's two daughters, Ling and Jia, slept in their rooms. Mei began chores quietly – preparing breakfast, tidying up. Fang expected perfection in everything. Mei moved fast, afraid of criticism that would sting. Ling and Jia would sometimes mock her efforts, laughing quietly in their rooms before emerging for breakfast.
The kitchen was Mei's domain mostly. She cooked simple meals, hoping to please Fang. Porridge with bits of scallion and yesterday's vegetables – that was typical. Fang would check if everything was to her liking. Mei watched Fang's face for signs of displeasure. Ling and Jia talked about school friends and clothes; Mei listened silently, clearing plates.
"I'll need lunch made," Fang would say leaving for work. Mei nodded, knowing she'd manage with little time. After Fang left, Mei did more chores. Dusting, laundry hanging – all before heading to school. Sometimes Mei wondered what "normal" felt like.
Living with Fang and her daughters was like walking on thin ice. Mei wasn't treated like family. Chores piled on her; privileges were few. Fang favored Ling and Jia – they'd get new clothes for festivals, better food portions. Mei made do with hand-me-downs and less. In rare moments when Fang spoke of Mei's grandfather, Mei listened hard. Shen Yu Company – a name connected to power and respect in Jiancheng City.
Fang's words about Mei's grandfather were mixed. "He was a good man," Fang might say, then add, "but he left things complicated." Mei wondered about this grandfather she'd never met. Did he know about her life here? Ling and Jia didn't care about Mei's thoughts. "You're just a step-sister," they'd say coldly when Mei tried joining conversations.
Mei kept her thoughts locked. Outside school, no friends came home with her. "My house isn't like others," she'd say vaguely to curious classmates. Fang warned Mei about telling "outsiders" about their family.
Mei's room was a tiny refuge with a thin mattress and old bookshelves. Books filled her thoughts – escapes to other lives, other struggles. She wrote in a notebook about dreams, fears. Being introverted helped her survive – she spoke little, observed much. At school, she blended in, telling no one about home troubles. She feared if teachers knew, they'd pity her, and that would be worse.
In night thoughts, Mei imagined different lives. What if her grandfather had lived? What if she wasn't living with Fang? Mei wrote poetry in her notebook about freedom and shadows. She hid the notebook under her mattress. No one asked about her writings.
One day, tensions flared over breakfast. Mei dropped a dish clattering. Fang scolded loudly. Ling and Jia joined in, laughing. Mei fought tears, face hot. "Useless girl," Fang snapped. Mei cleaned up fast, hands shaking. Afterward, in her room, she wondered – was this life forever?
Mei recalled bits about her grandfather from Fang's rare mentions. A founder of Shen Yu Company. Fang said he was "a good man" but left things complicated. Mei wondered about his life, his choices.
Ling and Jia teased Mei often about being "the step-sister". Mei didn't fight back. She retreated to her room, reading or writing. They'd mock her "quiet ways".
ays blended into a week of rising tensions. Fang pushed Mei harder over small mistakes. Ling and Jia laughed at Mei's efforts. Mei felt like a cog in a cold machine – unnoticed unless failing.
Books were Mei's escape. Old novels, stories of brave characters, transported her. In her room, she'd lose hours reading. Fang disapproved of "too much dreaming". Mei hid her favorite books under the bed.
At school, Mei kept quiet about home. Classmates didn't ask much – she was "the quiet girl". Teachers didn't push her. Mei did enough to stay unnoticed. Thoughts of Shen Yu Company lingered – what if she had a connection there?
Fang said Mei wasn't "like family". Words cut. Mei wondered – was she just a burden? Ling and Jia heard it too. They'd repeat it sometimes. Mei locked feelings tight
Nights, Mei thought of leaving. Where would she go? Jiancheng City was big. Fear of streets mixed with wanting freedom. Mei wrote in her notebook – dreams versus fears.
Mei started hiding small things – a piece of candy, a note she'd written. In her notebook, she'd jot down tiny acts of defiance. Fang wouldn't find them. Mei felt a flicker of control in her tiny space.
Ling and Jia talked about their futures – college, careers. Mei listened from a distance. Fang pushed them to excel. Mei wondered if she'd have a future like theirs. Shen Yu Company lingered in her thoughts.
In night quiet, Mei wished for change. Not just escape but a place where she'd belong. Maybe Shen Yu Company – a connection to her grandfather. Mei wrote in her notebook about "what ifs".
Fang enforced rules strictly. Mei followed them tightly. One slip could mean shouting, punishment. Mei learned to anticipate. Ling and Jia didn't face the same strictness.
Evenings ended with exhaustion. Mei curled in bed thinking of tomorrow. Would it be different? Shen Yu Company – a thread of hope maybe. Mei closed her eyes hearing city sounds outside.
That night, Mei heard Fang talking low to Ling and Jia. "She's not one of us." Mei lay still, eyes open in the dark. Shadows on walls seemed to move. She thought of Shen Yu Company again – a connection to a past beyond this house.
Mei sometimes saw Jiancheng City's life outside – people hurrying, shops open late. From her window, the city looked busy, free. Mei wondered about lives beyond her small house. Did others struggle like her?
Fang tightened rules sometimes without reason. Mei adapted quickly. Ling and Jia complained less – they had more freedom. Mei didn't argue. Following rules meant less trouble.
Mei's notebook held thoughts she'd never say. Dreams, angers, wishes for change. Mei hid it well. If Fang found it... Mei didn't think about that. Writing was hers alone.
Morning shadows fell differently in Mei's room. She woke to Fang's voice sometimes, calling her for chores. Mei moved fast. Shadows on walls seemed to watch. Mei thought of her grandfather again – Shen Yu Company.
Mei used silence like a shield at home. Fang and Ling and Jia spoke over her sometimes. Mei didn't react. Silence kept her safe mostly. In her room, she'd break silence – writing, thinking.
Days ended quietly for Mei. In bed, she'd think of tomorrow. Same routine? Would something change? Mei closed her eyes hearing city sounds. Shen Yu Company lingered in thougths.