Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

She came back, sat by the table, and watched the two bowls of steaming hot noodles.

“Dolly, shall we wait together for Mommy to come back? Once Mommy is back, I can eat.” She hugged Dolly tight, lips pursed. Actually, she was famished, but she wanted to wait for her mother to come back. She knew she was hungry, and so was her mother.

Her eyelashes fluttered as she sprawled on the table, with both hands clutching on Dolly.

Another pair of eyelashes also fluttered as tears gathered and fell on the ground.

Chu Lui put on his clothes and took out his wallet from the pocket. Without a thought, he tossed a stack of money onto the woman who was on the brink of death from his abuse.

“This is what you deserved.” He walked past her and out the door. He spared her a look. “If you are not dead, get out of my apartment fast. This is not the place to stay for a filthy woman like you.”

With those heartless words, he pursed his lips and turned to leave. The door closed with a bang. Finally, Xia Ruoxin opened her eyes weakly. She looked at the money that was on her. Her lower body hurt so much that she could only cry in silence.

She sat up and pulled her clothes carefully over her. Her fingers paused slightly, and then she picked up the money piece by piece. She wasn’t high and mighty, and she didn’t need her pride because she was really in need of money. Even if these came from her selling herself.

She stood up, propped her hand against the wall, and made her way out one step at a time. A filthy woman like her couldn’t stay; she would dirty his place and the air he breathed. It did not cross her mind to stay here. She needed to go home to her daughter, Rainy.

She left without a backward glance. She had not only lost her body—her broken heart was irreparable. Step by step, she walked while pulling her clothes tightly around her. The emaciated frame finally blended into the darkness.

Unknown to her—not long after she left, a black sedan stopped by the building; and a man emerged from within, enraged. His expression was grave, his steps swift. Bang—he pushed the door open. However, there was no one there. He punched the wall. The pain in his hands couldn’t be compared to the ache in his heart. It had already invaded his soul.

Late at night, the wind was cold; and Xia Ruoxin returned to her workplace. The last customers had already left. Perhaps, no one would spare another look at the mess she was. If they did, they would know what happened to her or who she met. No one would question her further or offer her words of comfort. This was a cold and tough place after all.

She changed into her plain clothes with her cold, shaky hands. Then, she picked up her old purse and made her way out. Two rolls of tears were only too obvious under the dimly lit streets.

Shen Wei leaned against a wall and watched from aside. She stared at her silhouette while her red-painted lips moved slightly.

She straightened herself, narrowed eyes widened. “Xia Ruoxin, I don’t want to know what happened in your past. I only want to know what your choice is.” She raised her eyes. They were filled with a look of confusion.