In the dim room, the long-unwashed bulb above barely cast its light around.
The fifteen-year-old child sat at the table, dull-eyed watching the heavy snow outside the window.
Her father sat on the sofa, watching the TV report about this year's snowstorm, while her mother sat opposite her.
The family maintained silence, with only the TV reporter continuously speaking.
The sound was a bit harsh, the old TV speaker should have been retired long ago, sometimes emitting sharp noises, yet no one here has considered buying a new one, not even a second-hand one.
Because... poor.
Being poor is not something shameful, because many people in this world are poor.
But being poor is something hurtful, as many things that seem trivial to others become major issues, like changing to a new TV.
Like... paying for the children's school fees.
The toilet made a flushing sound, and then the door opened, a slightly older boy than the girl walked out somewhat bewildered.
