That feeling came again—
Someone was watching her.
Ever since the day she was brought back to the Lin family from the countryside, she had felt it.
It was like a cold gust slipping down the back of her neck, raising goosebumps along her spine and sending tiny shivers through her body.
There was no moon tonight. The lights were dim, and the branches cast spiderweb-like shadows across the ground.
She felt a trace of excitement.
Just as she was about to focus on it, a balding, overweight middle-aged man suddenly appeared in front of her.
“Hey, little beauty, all alone?”
The man grinned as he approached, waving at her.
Yan Sui stopped in her tracks, looking innocent and confused.
The moment he got a clear look at her face, his smile became even more lecherous. The greasy fat on his face quivered as he spoke.
“Little beauty, you’re so cute and pretty. Feeling lonely? Want to have some fun with Uncle?”
The man drew closer and closer before suddenly throwing open his coat.
Underneath, he was completely naked.
He stared fixedly at the girl’s face, eagerly anticipating a terrified scream.
Yan Sui did not move.
Her dark eyes swept over him from top to bottom before she revealed a pure, obedient smile. Her voice was soft and gentle.
“Uncle, you’re just a little cigarette butt.”
The unexpected response, combined with the dim shadows around her, made her delicate face seem strangely eerie.
The man froze.
But soon, anger overwhelmed his fear.
“What the hell do you mean by that?!”
Furious and humiliated, he charged toward her.
The next second, a flash of silver appeared.
The little girl’s fingers danced as a blade reflected the faint light. She watched him with a slight smile.
His expression shifted repeatedly.
In the end, he pulled his coat tightly around himself and turned to flee.
As he ran, he shouted back,
“Was that really necessary? Just you wait!”
The little girl clicked her tongue regretfully.
That was it?
She continued walking home.
The middle-aged man, having run far away, began searching for another target.
Experienced as he was, he planned to try his luck again in that alley without surveillance cameras.
Cursing under his breath and muttering insults about the little girl, he suddenly stopped.
“Who the hell are you? Move out of the way! Wait—what are you doing?!”
“Help! Help… mmph!”
The twisted expression of terror froze on his greasy face.
The smell of blood drifted from the mouth of the alley along with the cool night breeze.
A man wearing a black raincoat struck again.
And again.
Blood splattered across his pale profile as a hoarse murmur blended into the darkness.
“How dare you…”
…
When Yan Sui pushed open the front door, the lively atmosphere inside fell silent for a second.
Every gaze turned toward the out-of-place little girl.
There was surprise, disdain, amusement, and pity.
More than ten years ago, on the day Lin Jian, chairman of the Yan Group, remarried, he had sent away his three-year-old daughter from his deceased first wife to be raised elsewhere.
The daughter carried her late mother’s surname.
Although he claimed it was because of her poor health, the real reasons were to please his new wife and to erase reminders of his own humble past.
Not long ago, the Lin family had finally brought the daughter back.
As for her status…
Rumor had it that even the household maid could order her around.
The elegant woman standing at the center of the living room held a champagne glass and looked toward the girl at the door.
Her brows furrowed, and a flash of disgust crossed her eyes.
“What are you doing here?”
Yan Sui shrank her neck timidly and gave a soft, innocent smile.
“Hello, Auntie. Today is my younger brother’s coming-of-age banquet. I wanted to attend too.”
He Wan looked her up and down as if examining an object unworthy of her attention.
“This is a birthday celebration for the Lin family, not some make-believe game for country children,” she said with a flawless smile. “Yan Sui, try to behave with a little dignity, alright?”
Yan Sui lowered her head and glanced at herself.
A simple white T-shirt.
A simple black skirt.
Canvas sneakers.
A canvas backpack.
Wasn’t that presentable?
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, He Wan approached with a gracious and elegant smile.
“You have no sense of time and no understanding of etiquette. I won’t blame you.
“Go on. Return to your room and change into something nicer. Make yourself look pretty, understand?”
Then, in a voice only Yan Sui could hear, she leaned close, one hand resting gently on the girl’s shoulder in a caring gesture.
“What I really mean is lock yourself in your room and don’t come out. You’re embarrassing. Look at yourself. Do you really think you’re worthy?”
Yan Sui lowered her head silently.
Her body seemed to tremble from humiliation and shame.
Satisfied by the reaction, He Wan gently patted her shoulder.
She truly looked like a strict yet loving stepmother.
At that moment, Yan Sui raised her head and looked directly into He Wan’s eyes.
Her round eyes were slightly moist, blinking like a deer’s.
In a voice only He Wan could hear, she whispered:
“He Wan, don’t bring that ugly face of yours so close to me. Do you know how bad your breath smells? No matter how much you pretend to be a noble lady, you’re nothing more than a dog that wandered into my Yan family and peed everywhere.”
He Wan’s expression changed instantly.
Her eyes widened as if she had swallowed a fly.
Her face turned bright red.
“What did you say?!”
Her sharp scream startled everyone nearby.
They exchanged confused glances.
Yan Sui looked innocently at He Wan’s twisted face and took a step back.
Her eyes immediately reddened.
“Auntie, I’m sorry. I’ve caused you trouble.”
After speaking, she wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand and ran upstairs.
As she moved, a colorless powder scattered silently onto the hem of He Wan’s dress.
He Wan remained frozen in place, her face twitching and chest heaving.
Ever since marrying Lin Jian, when had she ever been insulted like this?
Lin Jian walked over with a frown.
“What happened?”
He Wan nearly crushed her glass.
“That little bitch insulted me!”
Lin Jian coughed.
“What are you talking about? I know you don’t like her, but just ignore her. How could that girl possibly have the courage to insult you? There’s no need to make such a scene.”
He Wan felt the anger she had barely suppressed surge up again.
It was like blood stuck in her throat, impossible to swallow or spit out.
But Lin Jian merely patted her shoulder perfunctorily before hurrying away to flatter his clients with a smile.
The guests soon resumed their conversations and toasts.
However, everyone had understood.
He Wan was indeed a harsh stepmother.
As for that little girl, she seemed weak and easy to bully, completely unfit for high society.
Sooner or later, that family would devour her until nothing remained.
Yan Sui returned to her room on the second floor.
The room had once been a storage room.
The windows were tiny.
Inside the wardrobe hung rows upon rows of Lin Ran’s dresses.
Lin Ran, her half-sister, was currently studying abroad on an exchange program and was said to be returning soon.
Yan Sui had never met her.
But she had already worn the clothes Lin Ran had grown tired of.
The wardrobe had been prepared on the very first day she returned.
Back then, He Wan had smiled warmly while introducing it, praising Lin Ran’s generosity for giving these dresses to her younger sister.
Yan Sui had seen the dresses before.
Absentmindedly, she reached out and brushed her fingers across them.
Suddenly, her fingertips stopped.
She stared straight toward the deepest corner of the wardrobe.
Every hair on her body stood on end.