Volume 1 Chapter 3: Seafood Noodles
“Did you adopt me just to become a legal madam?” That was the first day of Ruan Yu’s imprisonment. Clutching the door, she asked in utter despair, never imagining that the mastermind behind it all would be the mother she trusted most.
All her past confusions were now resolved in an instant.
Why she wasn’t allowed to leave home to attend school, why Lu Yuan only cared about her looks and figure, why the servants in the house looked at her with such strange eyes…
Lu Yuan and Ruan Zhen had built their fortune on such transactions, dealing with both the underworld and legitimate circles, and who knew how many innocent girls they had ruined.
Ruan Yu was their most prized possession. Even at a young age, her stunning beauty was evident, promising rich returns once she grew up.
They weren’t wrong. President An took a liking to Ruan Yu and offered Ruan’s parents four times the original price for a single night with her. President An was that greasy pighead who took a bath that day.
But unfortunately…
As expected, Ruan Yu was slapped right after asking that question.
Lu Yuan, enraged and losing all composure, struck Ruan Yu with all her might.
Half of Ruan Yu’s face was knocked aside, a clear handprint appearing on her cheek, and a thin trickle of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth.
“An orphan like you getting to meet someone like President An is already reaching for the heavens! Because of you, this deal has fallen through!”
Lu Yuan’s face turned cold, the viciousness in her eyes no longer concealed. “If you hadn’t been used by someone else, President An might have shown mercy, and the deal would have gone smoothly.”
Ruan Yu curled her lips and wiped away the blood. “Didn’t you get exactly what you wanted? Congratulations, Mom.” The word “Mom” was dripping with sarcasm, making Lu Yuan look as if she had swallowed a fly.
Suddenly remembering something, Lu Yuan also smiled. “The man who had you that night was quite handsome. He even asked if I needed a lawyer to help resolve things, as if he still had feelings for you. Seems like you two had a good time that night.”
Her light, casual tone instantly darkened Ruan Yu’s expression. Though some time had passed since that night, she couldn’t help but lose herself in the memory of its tenderness.
That man had cared only for her feelings from start to finish. Every move he made was to ease her discomfort, while he himself endured his own unease—she could sense it.
In the end, she never learned who he was. In the dim light, she hadn’t been able to see his face clearly.
Lu Yuan stood up, straightening Ruan Yu’s collar. “Seems like there’s affection on both sides. What a pity—I scolded him and told him not to approach you again.”
“He actually thought I was your real mother. Judging by his reaction, he probably won’t dare to seek you out on his own.” The door was tightly shut, sealing away the flicker of emotion Ruan Yu had just felt, for three long years.
During those three years, Lu Yuan claimed publicly that she had sent her daughter abroad for medical treatment, maintaining her dignity at home. She only ordered the servants to starve Ruan Yu and forbade anyone from speaking to her.
Sometimes, Ruan Yu went two whole days without a single meal. When hunger struck, she would go to the bathroom and drink some hot water, barely managing to survive.
Lu Yuan was determined to abuse her and had given up on the idea of trading her away, perhaps because no greater profit had presented itself.
For three whole years, Ruan Yu survived on the memory of that one night.
When she was hungry, she thought of him. When she was afraid, she thought of him. When she was cold, she thought of him…
Ruan Yu had been crushed by countless acts of indifference and deceit, nearly devoured until not even her bones remained. Yet she stubbornly pieced herself back together, protected herself, and fought to survive in such circumstances.
Her thoughts returned to the present. Ruan Yu silently watched Lu Yuan.
Lu Yuan didn’t care about her reaction and continued, “I found out that Ruo Yan’s parents have lost their ability to work. Both are disabled, receiving a monthly subsistence allowance of 400 yuan. They also have a four-year-old brother at home.” Lu Yuan raised her eyes. “You should already know about this.”
Ruan Yu clenched her teeth. Of course she knew.
Ruo Yan was a maid who had come to work here three years ago, and she was the only person who had ever been kind to her.
Feeling sorry for Ruan Yu, Ruo Yan often saved food to sneak to her. The villa strictly controlled food supplies, and whenever she gave food to Ruan Yu, she would go hungry herself that day.
But she didn’t mind, often saying she had a strong constitution and could endure it.
She would also sneak over to chat with Ruan Yu when no one was looking, sometimes talking about her own family. Yet she never spoke of how miserable things were, only firmly looking forward to the future. Her warm words helped Ruan Yu survive countless lonely and terrifying nights.
Ruan Yu turned to look at the bed. The few clothes at the bedside had all been quietly slipped to her by Ruo Yan. Ruo Yan didn’t have much money and could only find some of her own old clothes, smiling as she said not to mind them.
How could she mind? They were incredibly warm.
Lu Yuan walked to the bedside, bypassed Ruan Yu, and picked up the pile of faded clothes. She lifted a corner disdainfully. “It seems you two have been quite close behind the scenes. If I hadn’t kept a close watch, perhaps Ruo Yan could have even rescued you.” She even had the mood to joke.
“But where could she go if she left? Her parents need medication, and her brother has to go to school. Besides this job, would anyone dare hire her elsewhere?” Lu Yuan’s tone was a blatant threat, her expression feigning pity.
“Ruan Yu, you have no choice. From the moment we chose you, you were meant to sacrifice yourself for the Ruan family.”
“Have you made up your mind?”
Ruan Yu closed her eyes, broken words squeezing through her clenched teeth. “I’ll go, and I’ll… seduce Li Xuzhou.”
It didn’t matter. As long as she was alive, there was still a chance. As long as she was alive.
“In two days, I’ll have someone take you to the Li family. The clothes are already prepared. Get ready.”
Two days later, late at night.
Li Xuzhou returned to the Li Residence. The steward took his overcoat and said softly, “Young Master, the young ladies invited by Madam have all arrived.”
Li Xuzhou’s expression was indifferent, unconcerned. He merely nodded to indicate he understood.
“Uncle Zhou, is there any dinner left in the kitchen?”
Steward Zhou was visibly taken aback, recalling the dinner scene. He replied helplessly, “Lin Shen didn’t know you were coming back, so she didn’t prepare extra. I’ll have her make something for you now…”
“No need.” Li Xuzhou interrupted him, loosening his tie as he headed upstairs.
The steward followed respectfully behind him, unable to resist adding, “The young lady from the Ruan family, invited by Madam, ate a dinner portion meant for four people. She finished four whole bowls of seafood noodles, not even leaving the broth. Lin Shen was afraid she might have problems from overeating, so she didn’t give her any more.” Steward Zhou was used to muttering to himself and didn’t expect Li Xuzhou to respond.
Unexpectedly, he suddenly heard Li Xuzhou’s cold voice.
“A young girl… ate all of it?”
Upon closer listening, there was even a hint of laughter in his voice. It was the first time Steward Zhou had seen him show curiosity about someone, so he promptly replied, “Yes, all four portions of the meal were finished. She alone ate four bowls of seafood noodles.”
“While eating, there were still tears in her eyes. Perhaps the dinner suited her taste.”
Back in his room, Li Xuzhou kept thinking about Steward Zhou’s words. He casually draped his tie over a chair and was about to unbutton his shirt when he keenly detected a faint breathing sound in the room. On the bed, there was a slight, small lump under the covers.
His sharp brows furrowed as he strode over and pulled back the blanket.
The girl on the bed had her eyes tightly shut, positioned in a humiliating kneeling posture. Her thin spaghetti straps failed to cover her snow-white skin. Unaware of everything happening around her, her breathing was long and steady, occasionally emitting unconscious sighs.
“Ruan Yu?”