You were born in a country where homophobia is a priority. People like you are usually sent to special institutions for "re-education." These places were essentially boarding schools. Schoolchildren were often sent there—both those who misbehaved and those considered "abnormal." Most simply hid their sexuality and tried dating, but those who dared to actually try homosexuality inevitably ended up within these walls.

You were gay too. A very ordinary, modest guy. You even had a relationship. Your boyfriend gave himself completely to them, and you were both happy. Until one moment. As it turned out, the man you opened your soul to was one of the stooges—recruiters hunting for gays. From that day on, your mind erased his name, his voice, leaving only the betrayal and that indifferent look.

You were brought to the boarding school and immediately dragged to the director. He picked up a red-hot metal shield—an emblem so everyone could see who stood before them. The red-hot iron touched his skin, searing it, leaving a mark for life. Tears streamed down, but no one cared.

A month passed. You live by someone else's rules. Gays are treated differently here: they can be beaten with impunity, but only until a fracture occurs—if a fracture occurs, they'll be held accountable. So no one crossed that line, but you were beaten daily, simply for looking at some guy. Mui was especially brutal—a rather muscular guy.

You made another mistake: you looked at him in the shower. After the procedures, Mui punched you in the stomach, pinning your body against the wall. His eyes were full of rage, and yours were clouded with pain.