The evening breeze was thin and cold. The young girl, her apricot-shaped eyes shimmering with tears, stood beneath the swaying, dimly lit lanterns.
"Madam Fang, if protecting oneself is a crime, then yes, I have done those things. You have already allowed me to stay for two days, and I am very grateful."
After speaking, Bai Yu bent down and bowed.
Bai Yujiao clenched her hands. Seeing Madam Fang waver, she let out a cold snort. "Do you think you can just freeload at the Lin Residence with these unsubstantiated words? Where in this world does such a good thing exist?"
Madam Fang stepped forward and helped Bai Yu up.
In her daily life, she had seen enough of the deceitful and treacherous nature of the women in the business world to hold them in disdain. Having seen so much hypocrisy, she found sincerity all the more precious.
"Bai Yu, I should have investigated this matter thoroughly before jumping to conclusions. I have wronged you."
"Madam Fang, she is lying! You cannot let someone with such poor moral character live near Young Master Lin; something terrible will happen."
Bai Yujiao’s voice rose in panic, causing her to lose her composure.
Madam Fang’s cold, elegant eyes flickered with impatience as she looked at Bai Yujiao.
Assistant Liu, having spotted Madam Fang from afar, approached excitedly. "Madam Fang, Miss Bai Yu made egg-fried rice for Young Master Lin today."
"Egg-fried rice? You let Young Master Lin eat something with so little nutritional value?" Bai Yujiao scolded sharply. "Bai Yu, are you trying to harm Young Master Lin?"
"Young Master Lin ate a lot," Assistant Liu quickly explained.
Bai Yujiao felt as if a stone were lodged in her throat; she suspected she had misheard.
The gloom in Madam Fang’s eyes dissipated as she stepped forward. "Are you telling the truth?"
"I watched him eat it with my own eyes. He ate more than he usually does in an entire day."
"He is finally willing to eat." Madam Fang wiped the corners of her eyes with her fingertips and hurriedly grabbed Bai Yu’s hand. "Bai Yu, please, I must trouble you to help Xiao Du eat a little more—even just a little bit more would be enough."
"Madam Fang..." Bai Yujiao had not yet had a chance to speak.
A "meow" sounded from above.
Then, with a gentle rustle of leaves, Lin Du jumped down from the crooked tree, clutching an orange cat that was meowing incessantly.
Everyone present, except for Bai Yu, was startled.
"Xiao... Xiao Du?" Madam Fang wept with joy, grabbing her son and checking him over. "So... so you were out here saving this orange cat?"
Lin Du, his face devoid of any worldly desire, glanced at Bai Yu and turned to leave.
Madam Fang and Assistant Liu were used to it. After all, besides the violent rages that occasionally drove him out of his room, Lin Du never left his quarters.
Bai Yujiao stumbled half a step backward in shock. Seeing Lin Du disappear around the corner, her pupils trembled.
How? How could this be?
"Dr. Bai, Xiao Du has been coming out for two days in a row now. His condition is improving, isn't it?" Madam Fang’s eyes were filled with anticipation. Anyone could see that Lin Du was getting better.
Bai Yujiao offered an awkward smile. "Yes, it is."
"I owe you my thanks for these past few years, for being so attentive to Xiao Du’s condition, and for bringing the medicine over today."
"I am Young Master Lin’s personal psychologist; it is my duty..."
Bai Yujiao’s expression was troubled. Suppressing her inner unease, she pondered for a moment, then looked up at Bai Yu, a subtle, wicked smile appearing at the corner of her lips.
While Madam Fang and Assistant Liu were still lost in their excitement and joy, she suggested, "Since Bai Yu is to stay at the Lin Residence, as Young Master Lin’s psychologist, I must properly instruct her on a few details."
"That would be wonderful." Madam Fang gave her full approval to anything that might benefit Lin Du. At that moment, she had completely forgotten that Bai Yu had been wrongly accused just moments ago.
Bai Yu understood. After all, what mother would not put her own child first? She watched as Bai Yujiao crossed her arms and approached, a bitter ache spreading in her heart.
In this world, there really are parents who do not care for their own children. Hadn't she encountered them herself?
"You, come with me."
As a Doctor of Psychology, Bai Yujiao had stood out among the many doctors in Jing City to become Young Master Lin’s exclusive therapist; she certainly possessed some capabilities.
The two walked side by side through the shadowed corridor. Apart from the chirping of insects, only the rhythmic 'clack-clack' of Bai Yujiao’s high heels echoed.
"Do you think that living in the Lin Residence can cover up the rustic stench of your village?"
"Bai Yujiao, are you so afraid because you’re worried I’ll return and steal your position?"
Bai Yu had been bullied since she was a child. The vile tactics in the village were far dirtier than anything in the city.
"What are you? We are not from the same world, understand?" Bai Yujiao tilted her head, looking down at her. "Even if you are the biological daughter of the Bai family, so what? You’ll still end up like a stray dog."
"What is mine is mine; what is not, I will not force."
The determination deep in Bai Yu’s apricot eyes would never be erased by such words.
"Just struggling to stay alive, that’s all." Bai Yujiao pushed open a door and walked in.
Bai Yu followed. She had considered that the worst-case scenario would simply be them pulling each other’s hair and getting into a physical fight. But this was the Lin Residence; even if Bai Yu were willing to lose her dignity, Bai Yujiao would never do anything so unseemly.
"Sit down."
A sinister smile appeared in Bai Yujiao’s eyes. She took a small bell and shook it by Bai Yu’s ear. "Listen, the hypnosis begins now."
With a 'ding' sound, Bai Yu’s eyes went blank.
"I will count from one to five. With each number, both your body and mind will become more and more tormented."
"One. Feel your heart rate accelerating, your whole body tensing up."
"Two. Your muscles are locking tight. Think of your most painful memory."
"Three. Empty your mind of all joy. Let pain occupy your brain."
"Four. Your body and mind are entering a state of despair. No matter the distractions of the outside world, you are sinking into agony."
"Five. Now, go back to your room and sleep. Do not wake up."
Bai Yu’s gaze was vacant. Like a stiff marionette, she opened the door and walked out.
As she passed through the corridor, she bumped into the Doberman. Because Lin Du had left the house to save the fat cat, the dog had been crying loudly. Seeing Bai Yu, it let out a series of frantic barks.
*Doberman: It’s all because of you that Dad doesn't love me anymore...*
*Doberman: Even if you are impressive for getting Dad to come out and eat, I still hate you...*
*Doberman: Why aren't you saying anything? Why did you crush my food bowl again! You’re just as detestable as that fat cat!*
Hearing the dog bark, Lin Du looked through the window and watched as the girl, like a walking corpse, disappeared around the corner.
The orange cat sat on the windowsill, meowing at her, but she didn't react at all.
[Animal Chat Group]
*Orange Cat: You silly dog, did you do something to my mom? Why is she ignoring me?*
*Doberman: She crushed my food bowl. It’s lucky I didn't bite her. It’s truly unlucky to run into you two! I haven't been fed in days...*
*Orange Cat: I feel something is wrong. Did that germ do something to my mom?*
*Doberman: Dr. Bai is Dad’s private psychologist. There isn't another one like her in all of Jing City. You’re overthinking it, you stupid cat.*
...
At this moment, Bai Yu returned to her room, collapsed onto the bed, closed her eyes, and plunged into a nightmare of agony.
The girl trembled, fine beads of cold sweat breaking out on her forehead.
"Don't touch me... please, don't touch me..."