The city rolled passed the bus window, gray buildings stacked against a cloudy sky, people crossing streets like shadows. Lixian sat still, motionless, the sour stench of spoiled milk clinging to his skin. His shirt stuck to the dried blood on his side. No one looked his way. They never did.
Three stops later, he got off and walked the cracked pavement toward home.
As he stepped inside the small apartment, yelling erupted from the kitchen.
"You never listen!" his father's voice was sharp, slicing through the stale air.
"I told you not to bring this up again!" his mother snapped back.
He placed his bag down silently, trying to slip past without notice. But luck never stayed with him long.
"LIXIAN" his father's voice boomed. "Get over here!"
"Your teacher called me today," his father growled, stepping into the hall with his sleeves rolled up and veins bulging at his temple. " You got D? What the hell do you do all day?"
"I...I tried ", Lixian mumbled.
"You tried? You think this world runs on trying? My colleague's son got full marks. Full marks, Lixian. What hat do I get? A disgrace for a son. "
His voice was a hammer. Lixian flinched with each word.
"Useless," his father spat. "Absolutely useless."
From behind, his mother's voice joined in sharp, impatient. "You came home looking like that again? What did you do this time,huh! Stand still while they beat you?"
She stormed into the hallway, eyes narrowing at the bruises on his neck. "Why are you so weak? Such a disgrace to us! Do you want people to think we raised a coward?"
Lixian said nothing.
She pointed at his shirt. " You're uniform is filthy again. Wash it yourself. Who do you think I am? your servant huh!
Lixian turned and went to his room without a word.
He closed the door gently.
Silence.
He stepped into the bathroom. Cold water poured down his skin, washing off blood, dried milk and dust. It didn't wash off ache in his ribs or the hollow sting in his chest.
He stood there for a long time. Head bowed. Hands trembling.
Then he dried off, changed into a fresh uniform, and stood Infront of the mirror. They boy who looked back had dark circles under his eyes, red marks along his jaw, and a faint bruise blooming near his temple.
His mouth was a line.
His eyes? Empty.