Nowhere to Belong

The Story

A forgotten WeChat session exposes a secret family dinner. While preparing to sign out, a notification reveals a celebration for Haohao’s improved exam grades. Curiosity drives the protagonist to open the group chat, which contains only four members: their father, mother, younger brother, and cousin. The brother’s message immediately shifts the tone, instructing everyone not to invite Song Ximeng. He dismisses her as petty, citing a trivial fight over a single apple. The protagonist freezes, struck by the realization that they have long been treated as an outsider. The casual exclusion in the private message confirms their status within the household. The simple act of checking a notification unravels a deep sense of alienation. The family gathers for their own celebration, leaving the protagonist with the harsh truth of their isolation. The digital window offers no comfort, only the cold reality of being overlooked by the very people who are supposed to care.