Zhang Laiti

Zhang Laiti grows up in a respectable family in a small county town.

She never goes without food, clothes, or other necessities. Her parents do everything they can to support her education. To outsiders, they seem loving and well-off, and she appears to be a daughter raised in comfort.

Her mother, Liu Pei, is the gentle, well-mannered second daughter in her family. She devotes herself to her parents and siblings, earning everyone's praise. They all say she's the Liu family's good second daughter, the pillar of her parents' household.

They never lack a meal, a piece of clothing, or a stable life.

Only later does she understand that respectability is for show, while favoritism is etched into the bones.

The family property, houses, connections, and savings, all the most valuable resources, naturally belong to the son.

The daughters are expected to be sensible, yield to others, and step aside when interests are at stake, so their brother can get ahead.

Their parents speak gently and behave with impeccable courtesy. They never say anything cruel or let things come to blows, yet in the most unhurried way, they make their meaning clear:

You're a daughter. Be sensible. Help your brother. Don't compete.

They give you food and clothing, but not necessarily dignity.

They give you a life, but not necessarily resources.

They raise you, but not necessarily fairly.

This is the gentle grind of a respectable family in a small county town, and the half-life of frustration hidden beneath respectability, endured by two generations of daughters.

This time, can I fight back a little and stop being the supporting character who's always the most sensible?