Xiran Jay Zhao

But I don’t care how indebted I am to the elders or the gods. If they don’t respect me just because I’m from the “wrong” half of the population, I’m not respecting them back.

I wouldn’t live and suffer for anyone else, but I would die to avenge my sister.

But a mother who has failed me so thoroughly is no mother of mine.

Too bad. I am exactly the kind of ice-blooded, rotten-hearted girl he fears I am. And I am fine with that.

May he stay unsettled.

Too bad. I am exactly the kind of ice-blooded, rotten-hearted girl he fears I am. And I am fine with that.

May he stay unsettled.

“Sweetie, you are in no position to make demands. You should be thanking your ancestors that we’re keeping you alive at all.”

And I’m next. I’m about to pay for all the things I’ve—

“We were doomed from the beginning. The world will never forgive us for what we’ve each done, and there will always be those who will love to make us suffer. Not like we would’ve gained any respect by lying down and letting them do it.”

How much of this was connected? Deliberate?