Chapter 1 Father’s Slap
That year when I was five, my parents' relationship was bad and my father drank heavily.
I went over quietly and said, "Dad, stop drinking."
"Slap."
"It's all your fault, you burden. Every cent I earn is spent raising you."
My father slapped my small face hard.
I fell to the ground.
My face burned.
My head hurt inside too.
Something flowed out of my ear.
I touched it and froze.
"You heartless man, how could you hit the child..."
My mom rushed in and held me.
She checked my face.
"Why is it bleeding?"
"Mom, my ear is bleeding. I think I can't hear anymore..."
"Can't hear? Xiaoning, don't scare Mom."
Mom took me to the hospital in a hurry.
After the examination, she held my hand tightly.
"Doctor, is my child okay?"
"The left eardrum is damaged. This child will need to wear a Hearing Aid from now on."
Mom gripped my hand until it hurt. "Hearing Aid... does that mean she's deaf?"
"How could anyone slap such a small child? Is the father crazy?"