Chapter 31: I'm Hungry

Su Nuo gripped the tissue in her hand, standing frozen in place.

What was she supposed to say in a little while? She truly hadn't figured it out. In her current state, she was in no position to face so many people, let alone the media. Yet, she dared not resist. If she did, what would Mo Xiaoxue do? Post all those videos and photos of her online? And then what?

Su Nuo had pondered this question before. She would be like the young ladies of noble families in ancient times who made mistakes: she would end her own life to prove her innocence. In modern society, one couldn't be drowned in a pond, but they would force her to die nonetheless. After all, to the Duan family, an adopted daughter who had been subjected to endless abuse and whose humiliating videos were now public had no value; it would certainly be better if she were just dead. Only by dying could she preserve the family's reputation.

As she thought this, her body began to tremble uncontrollably. Using the tulips to save herself was the most prudent plan she could conceive. She dared not defy them openly, but she had to find some way out. But what about after the press conference? Duan Yubai would surely settle the score. She looked up in despair, her eyes filled with a dead, hollow stillness. She was finished.

Seeing her weep, a flicker of panic crossed Chi Ling’s eyes. "Don't cry. I will help you find a way."

"I'm sorry." Su Nuo couldn't stop her tears. She wanted to say she didn't mean to cry, but she couldn't control them. Those words never made it out, dissolving instead into helpless sobs.

Chi Ling thought for a moment and asked, "Did you tell the makeup artist to pick those tulips?"

Su Nuo shook her head. She had provided the plan, but the tulips must have been Mo Xiaoxue's own idea. Despite the months of torture, Su Nuo hadn't lost her memory. Mo Xiaoxue loved to flaunt herself and show off her uniqueness. For such an important press conference, she would certainly want to look her best, and she would never pass up an outfit that guaranteed attention.

Chi Ling nodded. "Then it’s fine. Just insist that you are allergic to them."

Su Nuo nodded rapidly like a chick pecking at grain, her eyes filled with gratitude. Chi Ling turned his head away, unable to bear her gaze, and handed her the snacks he was holding. "Eat something first to keep your strength up."

Su Nuo took the bag, her eyes falling on all her former favorites: croissants, strawberry yogurt, mango pudding...

Many of them had been replaced with sugar-free versions. "Be careful of cavities."

As soon as Chi Ling finished speaking, his phone rang. He stood up to take the call, while Su Nuo listened intently to his side of the conversation.

"Yes, laryngeal edema caused by an allergic reaction, airway obstruction."
"The desensitization injection will take about two more hours."
"Alright, I will bring her back then."

Su Nuo understood; this was likely Duan Yubai or Mother Duan. No one else would care about her to this extent. She clutched the croissant, lost in thought. Why was Duan Yubai paying so much attention to her now? In the past, no matter what she did, he refused to spare her a second glance. He found her annoying and detestable, the disgust in his eyes always overflowing. Why the sudden interest?

"Mr. Duan wants me to accompany you back after the injection."

Chi Ling’s words pulled her back to reality. Su Nuo nodded instinctively, though she wanted to say that she didn't want to go back. When she had desperately escaped from hell, she had hoped to go home. But after returning, she realized that everything from before was nothing but a fleeting, illusory bubble. She had thought Duan Yubai merely disliked her, but she never imagined that when faced with life-or-death, he would abandon her. She had thought Father and Mother Duan at least loved her, but when faced with their own interests, they abandoned her as well. To be humbled to the dust—this must be what it felt like.

"You don't want to go back?" Chi Ling’s voice was calm, devoid of any discernible emotion.

Su Nuo looked up in terror, but seeing no trace of reproach on his face, she let out a sigh of relief. Chi Ling looked at her with a complicated expression, eventually deciding to say nothing. He couldn't fathom what she had been through to become the person she was now. The old Su Nuo had been bold and never admitted defeat; even when she was wrong, she had a hundred excuses. Getting her to say "I'm sorry" had been harder than reaching the heavens. Yet now, "I'm sorry" had become her motto. She seemed like a different person, someone anyone could trample upon.

Thinking of how she had returned to the Duan mansion in rags that day, Chi Ling’s heart tightened abruptly. What on earth had she endured?

Sensing his gaze, Su Nuo lowered her head even further. She was afraid of making eye contact and afraid of others probing into her past. They remained in silence until the injection was finished.

"The situation is stable now. Just be careful not to come into contact with pollen again."

The doctor had finished her examination and cleared her to leave. However, the doctor added one more question: "Young lady, is there anything you want to tell me?"

The doctor was a man over fifty. He looked deeply at Chi Ling, then back at Su Nuo. "Nothing you want to say? For example, you have a slight fever, and you still have wounds on your body."

"No!" Su Nuo replied immediately.

The doctor frowned. He had thought it simple—just domestic violence. After all, looking at Chi Ling’s muscular build and his constantly cold expression, he didn't seem like the most gentle of men. But since the person involved wouldn't speak, as a doctor, he could only offer this much. "I suggest you use scar cream on these wounds, otherwise, they won't heal well."

"No need, I don't need it." Su Nuo shook her head repeatedly.

Chi Ling, however, spoke up. "Please prescribe some; I will go buy them right now."

The doctor raised an eyebrow, surprised that he actually had a conscience. He chose a few of the most expensive ones. Seeing Chi Ling pay on his phone without hesitation, the doctor felt even more confused.

"Are you two sure there's really nothing you want to tell me, or someone else?" He gestured with his hand to indicate the police. Su Nuo shook her head, then forced a bitter smile. "Really, there is no need. Thank you."

She turned and walked away with long strides, Chi Ling’s gaze following her the entire time. The doctor stood up and patted him on the shoulder. "A sickness of the heart requires a cure of the heart. Young man, whether she can fully recover or not, I fear it will depend on you."

Chi Ling looked at the doctor, puzzled. "What is wrong with her?"

The doctor opened his mouth, then shook his head. "She refuses to say, and I cannot guess. In any case, this child has suffered."

Wounds covered her entire body, a mix of old and new. If he hadn't removed Su Nuo’s shirt for the examination, he wouldn't have believed a beautiful young girl could have so many scars. And the way the wounds overlapped showed she had clearly been abused for some time.

Seeing this, Chi Ling said nothing more. After thanking the doctor, he rushed out. Su Nuo hadn't left, however; she was just standing in front of the elevator, standing there motionless.

"Miss." Chi Ling ran over hurriedly.

Su Nuo finally snapped back to reality. She said in a soft voice, "Chi Ling, I'm hungry."