The older brother is fourteen years old.

He's been raised at home, with a snow-white face and a snow-white body, but with dark red lips that stand out, and his chest has only a thin layer of flesh.

Mom says he's perfect to be a "brick man."

With him alone, we can ensure the prosperity and wealth of our Shen family for generations.

I don't understand.

All I know is that I'm twelve years old, but I can already carry firewood taller than me and feed the pigs in the fields every day. I also gather medicinal herbs from the mountains for my older brother's daily baths.

But I'm a girl!

Clearly, it's not like this in other villages.

Their girls have fair skin and don't have to do heavy work.

But at such a young age, I already have muscles.

My face always looks fierce.

Fortunately, all the girls in the village are like this.

Without exception.

I'm drooling over the braised pork in Dad's hands as he spoon-feeds it to my brother.

The crystal-clear soup emanates a fragrance I've never tasted.

"Dad, let me have a taste of it!"

I lean closer, but Dad gives me a cold look.

"Taste what? This is for your brother! Which girl from any family would be so extravagant as to eat meat?"

Mom's palm lands on my head.

"Enough! Stop acting like this and get lost!"

Then she looks at my brother, and her eyes reveal an intense fervor.

I follow her instructions and leave, but my stomach remains empty.

In the middle of the night, I feel like sneaking into the kitchen to find something to eat.

As I pass by my parents' room, I see that the candlelight is still on, and their shadows reflect on the window.

I'm startled and cautiously crouch down, walking along the window ledge, trying to pass by.

But I hear my parents whispering, their voices filled with excitement, as if they'll never have to worry about wealth and prosperity in the future.

Mom says, "He's already fourteen, old enough. Let's start tomorrow. Every day counts."

Dad's voice carries hesitation.

"But he's too young. What if he can't handle it..."

Mom's tone sounds crazy, "So what? You made it through, didn't you? Shen Laoda won't turn out to be useless, right?"

Dad comforts Mom, his tone gentle.

"Alright, alright, we'll start tomorrow. Our eldest son has been spoiled and pampered in bed for over ten years. It's time for him to get up! It's time..."

Mom's shadow starts swaying on the window.

It resembles the mythical Yellow Deity, waving its hands menacingly, and her voice is just like that, tempting.

She says, "In our village, which family isn't like this? You forget about the Death Burial River behind the village?"

"With him alone, we can ensure the prosperity and wealth of our Shen family for several generations!"