Chapter 10 Building the Wall
After that, the house felt gloomy for a long time.
Aunt no longer bragged loudly about my certificates. She just quietly taped them to the wall, then left for the market earlier and came back later.
Uncle started taking night shifts no one else wanted—harder, but with extra pay.
Gu Feng stopped going to arcades with classmates. After school he came straight home—either helping Aunt pick vegetables or supervising my homework.
He said he wanted to study hard, find a good job later, make big money.
No one said why, but I understood.
They were using their own ways to build a stronger wall around this home.
And all I could do was study even more frantically.
I got into the city's best key high school with the top score in the whole district, and because of excellent grades, my three years of miscellaneous fees were waived.
The day I received the admission letter, Aunt hugged me and cried like a child.
"My brother... my brother in heaven sees it... I didn't let his daughter suffer!"
Uncle stood to the side, eyes red. He squeezed out through clenched teeth: "Why cry? It's a happy day."
Then he turned and walked to the balcony, lifting a hand to wipe his eyes.
That night Uncle bought another roast chicken and, for the first time, a bottle of Wuliangye.
At the table he personally poured me and Gu Feng half a small cup each.
He raised his glass, looked at me, and said solemnly:
"Qiaoqiao, remember—knowledge is something no one can take from you. Study well. No matter where you go later, you can stand straight."
I held the glass. The burning liquid slid down my throat, scorching my eyes.
Looking at Aunt, Uncle, and Gu Feng's smiling faces, for the first time I truly realized—my home is here.