That was the year before the global outbreak of strangeness; the girl was 16 years old.
Li Lanlan, his wife, delivered meals on time every day, placing the dishes full of food outside the small door of the detached building. Sometimes the Ugly Girl had a poor appetite, ate very little, or didn't eat at all, but Li Lanlan still took back the food and replaced it with fresh ones.
When delivering the food, Li Lanlan would occasionally stand outside the door and talk to the Ugly Daughter inside, who would respond from within and also inquire about her parents' health and whether her genetically healthy brother was well.
The girl never mentioned wanting to go out because she knew from a young age that she was ugly, and going out would frighten people, bring shame to the family, and perhaps make her parents never able to lift their heads in pride again.
Days went by one after another.