Redemption

My father lost at cards and sold me to human traffickers.

I jumped off the train and found a sliver of hope in the face of death.

I first met Jiang Beichuan in a damp, freezing cave.

He was bare-chested, his face frighteningly grim, but I still followed him home.

I washed Jiang Beichuan's clothes and brought him meals.

When I was thirteen, I asked him, "Jiang Beichuan, if I become your wife, will you send me to school?"

That day, his face, usually cold as ice, broke into an unexpected smile.

"I'll pay for your schooling."

He ruffled my hair, then pinched my cheek. "But you can forget about being my wife. You're too ugly..."