Chapter 1

My parents raised me with extreme "tough love" since I was a kid.

They always said that only in desperate situations can one learn to survive, and only through adversity can one make a comeback.

So, in the freezing winters, I scavenged for recyclable cans to pay my rent, getting severe frostbite on my hands.

In the summers, I walked miles to save a few dollars on bus fare, ending up with heatstroke. During school, I skipped meals to save money and ruined my stomach.

But later, I saw my parents celebrating the birthday of the poor kid who bullied me at school.

They held it at a five-star luxury hotel, gifting him a million-dollar luxury watch and a limited-edition supercar.

My mother had a look of proud adoration on her face as she spoiled him:

"Robert is the most brilliant boy in the world, unlike my own son, who is just fat and stupid."

"Robert, I wish you were my real son!"

And on that very same day, which was also my birthday, my parents arrived home late.

They brought me cold, ruined leftovers from the banquet and handed me a handwritten card as my birthday present.