Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

“There is no use crying. No one can help you but yourself.” A slightly chilly voice sounded behind her. She looked back and wondered when Shen Wei had appeared behind her. She would always come and go like a shadow and say things at the most appropriate time. This time, her words might sting, but she spoke the truth.

She leaned against the door, her arms folded together. A memory from long ago flashed past her eyes.

“Shen…” Xia Ruoxin was suddenly at a loss. She did not know how to address the woman.

“You can call me by my name.” Shen Wei straightened herself and walked out, but after a few steps, she stopped. She simply said, “Go touch up your makeup. You’re doing it right by learning to be smarter. It will save you from suffering.”

With that, Xia Ruoxin watched Shen Wei walked out as her lips quivered.

The words ‘Thank you’ were choked at her throat, and she did not know how to say it.

She wiped her tears from her face and forced herself to smile. That’s right. She mustn’t cry. Smile. She’s not Xia Ruoxin. She was only a lowly hostess with no dignity. She didn’t need it, only money for her doctor’s medical fees.

As she walked out once again, she was deeply aware that she needed to tolerate more.

When she returned to the hospital, she could see a small silhouette sitting alone at the steps from afar. Rainy was holding her doll as she looked ahead constantly. The instant she saw her, she stood up hurriedly and ran towards her.

“Mommy.”

Xia Ruoxin quickly bent her waist and scooped her daughter up.

“Mommy…” Rainy hugged Xia Ruoxin at her neck, and she nuzzled her neck. Her small fingers clutched at her mother’s clothes, unwilling to let go.

“Sorry, Miss Xia. Rainy refused to sleep,” the nurse said to her apologetically. The child was obedient, but she had a stubborn streak about her that no one could do anything about it.

“I’m sorry to have caused you trouble,” Xia Ruoxin replied in acknowledgment with an uncomfortable smile. She reached out and caressed her daughter’s hair, knowing that her daughter couldn’t sleep at night without her. They had been living together like this; one could not survive without the other.

Rainy was already exhausted when Xia Ruoxin placed her on the bed. She patted her daughter’s back. Rainy was so tired that she couldn’t even keep her eyes open.

“Don’t be afraid. Mommy is here.” She kissed her daughter’s cheek. There was an indescribable heartache when she felt the thin cheekbones on her daughter.

“Baby, don’t be afraid. Mommy will look for your father tomorrow and ask him to save you even if I have to exchange it with my life.” She rested her hand on Rainy’s forehead. However, her promise sounded weak and frail.

That man was too heartless. He had never treated her like a human. Would he care that she bore him a child?

Yet, she had to try. This was the only solution for them.

…

At the ground level of the Chu Enterprise, Xia Ruoxin looked up at the skyscraper. A feeling of anxiety assaulted her as she made her way here. She was still afraid of this place, or perhaps, it was the man whom she was afraid of. The sunlight shone on her, showing her slightly pale complexion and the visible blood veins under her skin.