Chapter 1

I'm the ugly kid in a family of beauties.

My whole family treats me like a joke.

Mom calls me "ugly child," and my sister makes me livestream as a clown.

Even relatives tease me:

"You can't be their biological kid, right? How can you look nothing like them?"

For over twenty years, I've had enough of being the family clown.

I finally saved enough money for braces before New Year's.

I happily went to book the surgery, only to be told:

"Your mother came and made a scene. We had no choice."

"We had to refund the twenty thousand dollars in your account back to her."

I called home in disbelief.

Mom said dismissively:

"With that face of yours, even plastic surgery can't save you."

"Better to spend the money where it matters. Your sister needs a nice bag for work, or it won't match her pretty face."

The dark phone screen reflected my face.

I finally understood—being ugly means I don't deserve to be their daughter...

"Miss Gwen, your mother made such a terrible scene, we really couldn't handle it."

The receptionist looked at me with undisguised wariness, as if afraid I'd make trouble for her.

I was still reeling from what my mom had just said.

When I turned around, tears started falling.

"Don't come crying to us. Your mother ruined several of our appointments."

"She was shouting at our clients that they were 'ugly people making a fuss over nothing,' so who are we supposed to cry to?"

She stepped back two paces and rolled her eyes in contempt.

I wanted to argue back.

But my parents' words from childhood wrapped around me:

"You look ugliest when you're crying and screaming."

My natural insecurity left me speechless. I could only slink away in shame.

On the way home, my sister posted on Snapchat.

Heart-shaped face, big eyes, skin as fair and translucent as fresh lychee.

Her beauty was so striking that even the exquisite Chanel bag could only serve as an accessory.

In the photo, she squeezed between Mom and Dad, smiling happily.

She playfully asked in the caption:

"Guess who's the mom and who's the daughter?"

[So the gorgeous girl takes after her parents—the whole family is beautiful.]

Among the flood of compliments, my sister precisely selected this reply:

[You wouldn't say that if you met my sister.

[We have a genetically mutated little clown in our family~]

She thoughtfully attached a photo of us together.

In the picture, my sister had her arm around my neck while I looked awkward and uncomfortable.

Dull skin, flat nose, puffy eyes, and a slight underbite.

Standing next to my sister, I looked like cow dung next to a flower.

In our family's genetic heritage of high nose bridges and big eyes.

I was truly an anomaly.

Every time we went out, my sister would get praised over and over by strangers:

"This child perfectly inherited all your good features. She's so beautiful, like a doll."

Meanwhile, I would only hear a slightly surprised question:

"Is this your younger one?"

Mom and Dad's smiles always fell at that moment.

They'd glance back at my face and laugh dryly:

"Yeah, we don't know who she takes after."

"If I hadn't watched her being born, I'd think she was switched at the hospital."

"We all call her 'ugly child.'"

When I was little, I didn't yet understand the concept of beauty and ugliness.

But I already vaguely felt that I was the only one excluded from this family.

"Ugly child, eat less meat. You're already ugly—getting fat will make you even uglier."

"You want to learn ballet with your sister? You jump around like a toad. It's hilarious."

"Ugly child, you look tacky and awful in pink dresses. Wear them at home if you want, but don't embarrass me outside."

Mom and Dad were always like this, casually pointing out my flaws.

With teasing, mocking laughter.

During puberty, I once secretly bought makeup and got caught.

My sister rushed over and took photos of me, laughing hysterically:

"You're wearing makeup with that ugly face? You look like a ghost. Even uglier."

Mom smashed my makeup:

"You're young and already up to no good. No allowance for you next month."

"Your ugly face is beyond saving no matter what you do to it."

Criticism, insults, mockery...

After twenty years, I'd had enough. I worked desperately to earn money.

I thought I could finally restart my life, but I never expected...

The taxi stopped at our front door.

My tears still hadn't stopped.

Anger and grievance surged together.

I quickened my pace, wanting to rush in and demand an explanation.

But laughter came from the half-open front door:

"Isn't it hilarious? Ugly child actually saved up money secretly to get plastic surgery."