My older brother got into the best junior high school in the county. Three years later, he got into the top high school in the city.

During the first monthly exam in high school, he ranked first in the whole school.

When the news spread, the entire street was shocked.

I told Mom that as a poor student like me, I should go to a good school to broaden my horizons.

She finally agreed to take me to the parent-teacher meeting.

In the auditorium, the principal announced from the stage, "First place in the first year of high school, Class 17, Lin Sizhe."

My mom was so surprised that she almost jumped up like a spring.

Fortunately, I quickly grabbed her to stop her.

Auntie Zhu, from a distance, gave my mom a thumbs up and said, "First place! Suxin, you're so lucky!"

After the meeting, a stranger approached us at the auditorium entrance.

She smiled and asked, "Is Lin Sizhe, who ranked first in the whole school, your son?"

My mom nodded shyly, "Yes."

The woman continued, "Oh? Really, is he your biological son?"

Her face darkened, not like she was making small talk, but more like she was interrogating.

My mom, feeling guilty, stammered, "No, he's not my biological son..."

The woman laughed, raised her voice, and said to the people around her, "You all heard it, she said it herself, little Zhe is not her son, hmph, stepmothers are stepmothers..."

I glared at her fiercely, imprinting that yellowish pumpkin face deeply in my mind.