Chapter 7: Unrepentant

Duan Yubai kept a stern face throughout, his gloomy aura so oppressive that even the servants dared not approach him.

"What kind of games are you playing now? Knowing that Xiaoxue has trouble sleeping, did you deliberately scare her?" His voice was icy, laced with a hint of irritation.

Su Nuo closed her eyes. She knew he was angry—very angry. It was only because she had startled Mo Xiaoxue that he reacted this way; she should have known. Her body’s instinctive fear made her start apologizing automatically, without even attempting to defend herself.

"I'm sorry..."

"Enough. Is that all you can ever say?" Duan Yubai looked at her with resentment, grabbing her by the collar and pulling her up.

Duan’s mother couldn't bear to watch and quickly swatted his hand away. "Duan Yubai! She is your sister; what do you think you are doing?" She turned to Su Nuo, "Xiao Nuo, really, why are you wandering around in the middle of the night scaring people? Go back and change your clothes quickly—why are you still wearing this one?"

Su Nuo was still wearing the evening gown, which was stained with spots that had yet to be cleaned. She saw Duan Yubai instinctively head to the kitchen to find a tissue to wipe his hands. *Right,* she thought, *he touched my dirty clothes; he must be disgusted.*

Su Nuo turned around numbly, intending to return to her room, but Duan Yubai’s cold voice cut through the air. "Since she likes to cause trouble so much, she shouldn't stay in the guest room. Move her to the first floor. Isn't there a utility room that can be used?"

"Young Master, the utility room is still full of boxes," a servant cautiously reminded him.

Duan Yubai sneered, "Isn't that perfect? People belong in their proper places. Why haven't you done it yet?"

Su Nuo looked up to meet his icy gaze, then instinctively lowered her head. "Yes, yes, whatever you say. The utility room is fine, it's very fine."

Duan Yubai was sick of her timid, submissive demeanor. Was this a new tactic? After all these years, her tricks were truly endless. He wanted to see how long she could keep up this act just to garner sympathy.

Within minutes, a servant walked out looking troubled, carrying a trash can. "Young Master, Madam, this is..." Inside the bin were the clothes that had been shredded.

Mo Xiaoxue covered her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes. "Miss Su, even if you don't like me, you shouldn't ruin these clothes. Madam Duan bought these for you; how could you be so wasteful?"

"Incorrigible!" Duan Yubai spat the word.

"I'm sorry," Su Nuo whispered.

She instinctively started to kneel, but Duan’s mother quickly held her up. "Xiao Nuo, you are being too willful. Xiaoxue meant well. You... oh, forget it, I’ll buy you more another day."

Duan’s mother turned to Mo Xiaoxue apologetically. "Xiaoxue, you should go back and rest, or you’ll have another headache tomorrow. Tell me what you want to eat, and I’ll have the cook make it for you in the morning."

"Thank you, Madam," Mo Xiaoxue smiled sweetly. Then, as if remembering something, she added bashfully, "The family used to send red date and bird’s nest porridge to the office, and Mr. Duan would always share it with me. Whenever I ate it, I felt full of energy all day. If I could have some of that porridge, it would be wonderful." Her smile was sugary, and her tone carried a hint of intimacy.

Su Nuo’s body trembled, a wave of intense heartache washing over her. That red date and bird’s nest porridge—she was the one who made it for Duan Yubai. Preparing the bird’s nest alone took four or five hours, not to mention the meticulous cleaning and the slow simmering. Each time, it took her at least several hours. Even though she woke up early, she could only deliver it to Duan Yubai by noon. He had never once drunk it in front of her, nor had he ever refused it. So, that was where it all went—to Mo Xiaoxue.

Noticing the awkward expressions of those around her, Mo Xiaoxue asked softly, "Is the maid who used to make it away? I was just speaking casually; it’s fine if there isn't any."

"She is here. Of course, she is here," Duan Yubai said, a cold smirk on his lips. "Since you can't sleep, you can make the porridge. And don't make a sound!" He strode toward the stairs without looking back at anyone.

"Yes, yes, I understand," Su Nuo nodded submissively, not daring to say a word of protest.

A flash of cunning crossed Mo Xiaoxue’s eyes, though her expression remained apologetic. "I’m so sorry, I didn't know it was Miss Su who made it. I thought Mr. Duan saw how hard I was working and had it sent over specifically for me. If this is a bother for Miss Su..."

"No, no bother, it’s no bother at all. I can do it, I can!" Su Nuo’s body shook even more violently. Months of torment had conditioned her into a state of total submission; she no longer dared to refuse anything.

Duan’s mother looked at her, sighed helplessly, and after a few parting words, returned to her room. Once everyone had left, Chi Ling walked over carrying a small box. "Eldest Miss, let’s go to the room."

Su Nuo looked up, her eyes hollow. Chi Ling remained expressionless, signaling for her to follow him. They arrived at the cramped utility room.

Even for a utility room in the Duan household, it was far better than the dark, filthy basement of the training compound. Chi Ling efficiently stacked the boxes and pushed open a small vent. Cold air rushed in, causing Su Nuo to shiver. Suddenly, a warm blanket was draped over her shoulders—it was the very blanket she had won in a lucky draw at Disneyland years ago. At the time, she had thought it cheap and disliked its gray color, so she had never used it. She didn't know where Chi Ling had found it.

Wrapped in the blanket she had once despised, she suddenly felt an immense sense of peace. No one in the Duan family liked it or cared for it; just like her, it existed in the shadows, and in that, she found comfort.

Chi Ling patted the boxes. "Eldest Miss, these are your things. If you need anything else, tell me."

"Th-thank you, thank you," Su Nuo said, her voice tremulous with surprise.

Chi Ling turned to leave, and though she didn't hear it clearly, she thought he sighed. A few minutes later, he knocked on the door. "May I come in?"

"Yes."

Su Nuo stared blankly at the doorway. Chi Ling didn't enter but placed a first-aid kit at the threshold. He looked at her deeply. "Miss Su, only by becoming strong can you avoid being bullied. Do you understand?"

"I understand, I understand," she replied as if by reflex.

Chi Ling seemed to sigh again before closing the door. Su Nuo felt a stinging sensation in her nose, and it took her a long while to shakily reach for the medical kit.

An hour later, after tending to her wounds and changing her clothes, she tiptoed to the kitchen. Mo Xiaoxue wanted the bird’s nest porridge, which meant it had to be soaked in advance. This was Duan Yubai’s order; she dared not defy it.

The villa was pitch black, save for the moonlight streaming in. She didn't dare turn on the lights, moving as softly as possible, terrified that even the slightest noise would lead to another scolding. She knew that, perhaps, no one in the Duan family would actually strike her, but she was afraid. Some fears were etched into her very marrow, impossible to excise.

She did not notice that on the second-floor landing, a figure stood in the shadows, watching her with deep, unreadable eyes.