The Meadow 191 and sound trailed off. It was nearly seven when Ye reached home. Chou took her in his arms. “Are you hungry?” He asked while reaching for her hand. “Just a little,” she smiled. “Your hands are so cold. Have some porridge. It can warm you up.” Chou put the porridge into bowls and placed them onto the table. They sat down to eat. Ye took a spoonful, blowing to cool it. “I am sorry for what I said this morning,” she started. He patted her hand. “I was just mad at the male-dominated culture. Nowadays people are cremated after death. I don’t think the Hakkas can keep the secondary burial culture anymore. Yet my parents will always prefer males,” she said calmly. She wanted to explain to Chou why she remained resolutely opposed to this culture, but the woman with red lips and red heels surfaced in her mind. “But…” Chou hesitated. “I know. They are my parents.” He would never understand. She was already an ungrateful daughter. It would always be her fault. She had better keep that opinion to herself. “I will wash the dishes. I know you have homework,” she said. After they finished dinner, Ye took both bowls and spoons to the sink. She rolled up the sleeves, turned on the tap, picked up a bowl and put it under the water. She rubbed a rag over the bowl. The woman with red lips grinned at her from the bottom of the sink. She lost her grip and the bowl split open. “You okay?” Chou rushed over. “Mother said I always broke things. It’s my fault. Why is it always my fault?” she choked out. “No one blames you.” Chou put her arms around her. “Could you please let me alone?” she pushed him away. Then she remembered Chou once told her that when she was angry,
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