The girl returned to her small quarters. Her legs felt heavy, as if lifting them with every step up the stairs was a struggle. Only after closing the door did she feel that this small body was truly her own.
Her finger was still stinging. She took some antiseptic from the first-aid kit, dabbed it on, and applied a bandage to prevent any further irritation. After drinking a glass of water, An Xiaoni sat on the edge of the bed and massaged her feet, kneading them casually.
She took a breath, feeling that, in truth, she wasn't all that fragile. After all, how much had she actually done? She could still carry on. She knew perfectly well that Quan Ying didn't like her; he was even deliberately trying to torment her. Whenever he caught a glimpse of her vulnerable side, he would stare right through her, his eyes radiating clear disdain, mockery, and annoyance. She could already sense that he might find an excuse at any moment to cast her out.
Chapter 23