Chapter 5

When I got home, I developed a high fever.

In my feverish sleep, I had many dreams.

I dreamt of my three sisters, whom I had never met.

They smiled and invited me to come play with them.

I hesitated for a moment, then refused.

Even though my parents were so cruel to me, I still didn't want to leave them.

I lay in bed for three days. When I finally opened my eyes again, Mom was lying beside me, looking utterly exhausted.

Seeing me awake, she reached out and touched my forehead.

The warmth of her palm seeped through my skin, reaching deep into my chest.

At that moment, I thought, my mother must still love me. She just wanted a good life so badly that she hit me.

Dad also reverted to his usual self. He would buy me chocolates, the kind only city kids could afford.

Although I didn't like them; they were too bitter.

Still, I happily threw myself into Dad's arms.

It was from that moment on that I decided I had to properly memorize the lottery numbers. I didn't want Dad and Mom to turn into those other versions of themselves again.

And of course, I didn't want to be sent back to that old man for another ritual.

I don't know how it happened, but ever since I made up my mind to memorize the lottery numbers well, my brain seemed to improve.

From barely memorizing one set of numbers a day, I could now memorize three sets daily.

Every time I exceeded my quota, Dad would gently stroke my head and praise me for being so good.

Mom never hit me again. The tongs, the embroidery needle, and all those other things were put away.

I was truly happy then.

Time flew by, and I slowly grew older. I had firmly ingrained all the lottery numbers up to my sixth birthday in my mind.

The day before I turned six, Dad gently ruffled my hair.

"Maya, tomorrow is your birthday. What kind of present do you want?"

My eyes lit up as I looked at him. "Ice cream, Dad! I want ice cream."

Dad chuckled, a simple, good-natured laugh, and nodded. "Alright."