Even after his mother's death, when he and his father were the only ones left to rely on each other, his father's alcoholic and violent temper didn't change a bit. Actually, his father had a pretty good job, working with the city government on construction and demolition. They resided in a spacious three-bedroom house, and his father would readily give money to Chen Zhaoci. Yet, the little boy became increasingly silent, often keeping to himself, buying his own meals and notebooks, and learning at a young age to buy clothes from street vendors.
At home, Chen Zhaoci was like an invisible person. Especially when his father returned drunk, he would close his door tightly, retreating to a corner to read his books. Even then, his father would sometimes barge in, beating him mercilessly.
