Book Synopsis
Ahua is Old Zhang's daughter. Old Zhang is a local from Twenty Li Pile, registered in the town, but he has no proper job. He only runs a shoe repair stall on the street, making a living by fixing shoes.
Their home is at the end of an old alley, a dilapidated tile-roofed house with a small shed. When Ahua was born, she was thin and frail, like a little kitten. Old Zhang took one look at her and sighed, "This girl is so tiny."
Ahua's grandfather has never looked at her properly since she was born; the house is always filled with the smell of his smoke and his constant sighs. Whenever Ahua cried, her grandfather would glare at her.
"Old Zhang, why can't you produce a son?" Ahua's mother sometimes couldn't help but complain.
Her grandfather would respond harshly, "A son? Do you have that kind of luck? Just look at your belly; you're not fit to bear a son!"
When Old Zhang was in a good mood, he would remain silent. When he was in a bad mood, he would scold Ahua's mother. If she retorted, Old Zhang would resort to violence. While Ahua lay in her cradle, after each beating, Ahua's mother would pick her up and show her the bruises.
"Look at what your father has done to me! What's the point of me living? Why are you crying? You're just a burden!"
Ahua could only wail, her eyes wide with fear and confusion.
Growing up in such an environment, she was both small and thin, but her eyes were bright. Whenever she saw others eating, she would watch eagerly. If someone asked her what she was doing, she would smile shyly, a bit of drool at the corner of her mouth.
"Is it delicious?" she would ask softly.
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