You are the second child in the family. The year your mother was pregnant, the family planned to give you away because they already had a daughter and wanted another boy. They asked around for a long time. One day another couple came to adopt you.

They have three boys and still wanted a girl. They also have secured jobs which make them seem like a good family. But your father suddenly changed his mind, because you were born at midnight.

You nodded and ran out the door to the field and jumped across the ditches.

The potato seedlings in the field are all blooming with white flowers. You secretly picked a handful, hid under the banyan tree on the side of the mountain, and made a wreath. The sky gradually darkened. Occasionally the dog barked, bugs chirped and bullfrogs croaked on the mountain. You were still hiding under the banyan tree when night fell.

“Why don’t you come home yet?” your mom shouted across the potato field. “I dared not……” and yet you run home quickly.

Would you wish to have a younger sibling?

Will you follow your mom’s suggestion?

After graduating from university, you found a secure, well–paid job.

Fell in love.
Broke up.
Fell in love again.
Got married.

From the age of 26, people around you started to urge you to have children, intentionally or unintentionally, directly or indirectly. In a call with your mom, she urged you to have a baby. she said,

“I went to the market to get groceries today and I passed by a children’s clothing store on my way home. The clothes inside are so cute.”

“Mom. You don’t need to urge me to have a baby like this.”

“They are really cute! It’s a pity that I haven’t had a chance to buy them yet.”

At the age of 28, you were trying to settle down. Your husband and you have been saving money for the down payment on the house.

“Let’s talk about the baby after I get the house.” You replied evasively.

Four years later, you got your wish, paid the down payment, and borrowed the loan, and the pressure to have a child intensified.

“You said before, after you bought the condo, you will have a baby. No backing out.” Your mother said.

In summer, your cousin came to take you to the city to work. She introduced you to work in the same factory which produces electronic components.

On the bus to the city, you felt excited and nervous. That is the world you were always looking forwards. You were going to be those stylish grown-ups who will came back to home town every years with gifts for everyone.

Fortunately, you got good grades in school, and you insisted that you must go to college.

You also worked part–time while you were in college. You started to earn and save money. At the end of the year, you sent some money to your family. Even though it’s not a large amount, it proves that you can support yourself while studying and also improve your family’s financial situation a bit.

Later you find out that all the money you sent to your parents became pocket money for your brother.

Before, you always thought that they are individual behaviours instead of the preference of a son. Now, you realized that.

Soon you realized living in the city is not as good as you thought. Everything is expensive.

You have tried different jobs and still looking for some good paid ones. Your educational background became an impediment.

“Sorry. We are looking for someone who graduated from college or better.” said the manager.

After graduating from university, you found a secure, well–paid job.

Fell in love. Broke up. Fell in love again. Got married.

From the age of 26, people around you started to urge you to have children, intentionally or unintentionally, directly or indirectly. In a call with your mom, she urged you to have a baby. she said, “I went to the market to get groceries today and I passed by a children’s clothing store on my way home. The clothes inside are so cute.” “Mom. You don’t need to urge me to have a baby like this.” “They are really cute! It’s a pity that I haven’t had a chance to buy them yet.”

The story ends here but still continues somewhere in the world.

“Don’t worried. If you couldn’t find a good job, then just come home. Find a good man and get married. You don’t need to worry about anything.”



Mom’s voice passed through the handset.

At the age of 28, you were trying to settle down. Your husband and you have been saving money for the down payment on the house.

“Let’s talk about the baby after I get the house.” You replied evasively.

Four years later, you got your wish, paid the down payment, and borrowed the loan, and the pressure to have a child intensified.

“You said before, after you bought the condo, you will have a baby. No backing out.” Your mother said.

The story ends here but still continues somewhere in the world.