Chapter Eight: Thank You for Saving Me

Ignoring Wen Zhi’s confusion, the girl took the initiative to dip her index finger into a corner of the cake and popped it into her mouth.

The girl’s eyes lit up. "It’s delicious!"

"Thank you."

"What did you come here for? Is this a punishment for losing a game?"

Like Truth or Dare, where you have to find a random stranger to complete a task if you lose?

It was a coincidence, though; this child was just as unable to speak as she was.

Seeing her reminded Wen Zhi of her own poor, thinly-clad self when she was young, though fortunately, this girl appeared to live a life of luxury; she was just too thin.

"I just came to find you."

"The cake you made is really delicious."

The girl leaned over the stool, continuing to taste the cake she had made with a spoon.

"Then be careful, and don't touch the fire."

Wen Zhi felt helpless, deciding to treat the girl like a little stowaway in the training classroom who could at least help her taste test.

"How is this dish?"

"Delicious!"

"What about this one?"

"Delicious!"

"And this?"

"Delicious!"

She stopped asking; this child was nothing but a little foodie!

"What is your name?"

"Zhuang Sui."

"My name is Wen Zhi."

Only then did she notice that the sky outside had turned dark. Wen Zhi began to tidy up the mess on the table, and Zhuang Sui used her small hands to help her, moving slowly.

It was only then that Wen Zhi realized all the dishes she had made earlier had been completely devoured by this child.

"Big sister, will you be here tomorrow?"

Zhuang Sui let out a satisfied burp, looking at Wen Zhi with expectant eyes.

Wen Zhi was amused by her adorable appearance. "Yes, I'll be here all week."

The girl’s eyes curved into crescents at the reply, and she pulled something out of her bag.

It was several red banknotes. Wen Zhi waved her hands in alarm. "No need, just consider it a treat because I think you're cute."

The girl blinked her large eyes blankly upon hearing the word "cute," then pulled the money back, looking aggrieved. Her small hand naturally reached out to take hold of Wen Zhi’s.

"By the way, where is your home? I'll take you back."

"No need, I can go back by myself!"

"Big sister, just drop me off at the school gate."

She wanted to avoid being chased away like a brat who had snuck in—which, in reality, she was.

When they reached the entrance, the girl let go of her hand.

She gave a sweet smile and waved. "Goodbye, big sister."

"Goodbye."

Wen Zhi watched as Zhuang Sui climbed into a black car under the watchful eyes of several men in black suits.

The girl seemed relaxed, which put Wen Zhi at ease. She didn't head home until the black car had completely vanished from sight.

—

The black car arrived at a destination and stopped, and a man in a black suit climbed in.

"Where have you run off to again?" the man asked impatiently.

"None of your business!" Zhuang Sui put on her headphones and leaned her head against the opposite window.

"Take those headphones off!"

"You're not even listening to me anymore, are you!" the man said, furious.

"And you won't even go to school!"

"I finished the elementary school curriculum a long time ago and passed the tests."

"I sent you to school to integrate into society, not for your grades!"

Zhuang Sui ignored him and put her headphones back on.

"Anyway, you have to tell me everywhere you go, understand?"

So annoying. He wondered how he had managed to marry such a beautiful woman.

As Zhuang Sui thought of Wen Zhi and the food she had eaten, she let out a small burp.

Beside her, Bo Ye immediately set down his laptop.

"Did you eat something?"

Zhuang Sui rolled her eyes at him, her expression slightly unnatural. "It's not like I don't have a mouth; why can't I eat?"

"You went out just to eat? I’ve hired so many master chefs, and you wouldn't touch a single thing, choosing to stay hungry, but now?"

His younger sister had severe psychological issues; she had been skin and bones since she was a child. She refused to eat because of her condition, and it was only in the last few years that she had filled out, though her weight was still not within a normal range.

"Where did you eat? I’ll have to ask Auntie Wu for some tips."

Zhuang Sui turned a deaf ear.

Bo Ye clicked his tongue, but he was no longer angry.

The little brat had finally started eating.

It was the first satisfying thing that had happened in a while.

He just wondered how that mute girl was doing now. Tsk, he’d been too busy with work lately.

—

After washing up, Wen Zhi curled up in the study to read some materials, heading to bed and turning out the lights around ten o'clock.

She had always been a light sleeper; the slightest disturbance would wake her, which was why she was actually relieved that Bo Ye was rarely home.

In the middle of the night, the wind picked up. She woke up in a daze, squinting as she went to close the window and pull in the laundry. However, she then heard other noises—the sound of a man talking on the phone and the sound of a door lock being picked.

Bo Ye?

She didn't dare act rashly and dialed Bo Ye’s number.

*Beep—beep—beep.*

No answer.

*Click—click—click.*

The lock was loosening. She crouched behind the floor-to-ceiling curtains.

Wen Zhi suddenly remembered when she was ten, living with her grandmother in a dilapidated teacher’s apartment building. The neighbors were from all over and were incredibly rowdy. Once, her grandmother went out to buy groceries, leaving her home alone to sleep in.

A man had climbed into the yard. She had discovered him early and hidden in a wardrobe. Although their valuables were stolen, her grandmother’s first reaction upon returning was to comfort her, praising her for not confronting the thief—who she later learned was a serial killer on the run for years.

"Hello?"

The video call connected. The man was squinting, his voice groggy.

"Mute, why are you calling me so late?"

It finally connected. Wen Zhi was agitated, signing frantically.

"What?"

The half-naked man instantly sobered up.

"An intruder?"

"Don't panic, don't panic. I'll call security; they’ll be up there quickly."

Wen Zhi nodded.

"Don't hang up," he instructed.

*Snap—*

The door opened. The sound of the lock being picked was clear in the silent night.

She huddled behind the curtains.

She watched the phone screen go dark, hearing the various sounds of Bo Ye making calls.

*Thump, thump.*

The footsteps coming up the stairs drew closer.

Wen Zhi quietly moved into the wardrobe.

The man’s goal did not seem to be money; he went straight for the large bed...

Finding the bed empty, he began opening the wardrobes one by one.

Until, the wardrobe door in front of Wen Zhi was pulled open. A strange, pungent odor filled the air. Wen Zhi reacted quickly, using all her strength to smash the edge of her phone against the man.

"Ah—"

With a scream, Wen Zhi scrambled out in her slippers, running for her life.

Down the stairs, she could see the door, which was slightly ajar. One step, two steps.

"Ah—"

Her hair was yanked back violently, and she was thrown onto the sofa.

"Where do you think you're going?"

The voice sounded like a demon from hell passing a death sentence on her.

The man wore a hat, and his face was obscured in the gloom.

She backed away helplessly, but there was only a dead end behind her.

As the man’s hand reached for her, Wen Zhi struggled fiercely, her heart in turmoil.

"Ah—"

Almost at the same moment as a sudden flash of light—

The man’s head was struck by a vase, leaving a gaping hole and blood gushing out.

Wen Zhi’s eyes were wide with terror as she watched everything before her. The man was about to collapse on top of her, and she had nowhere to hide.

Just as he was about to fall onto her, Bo Ye hoisted the man up with one hand and slammed him to the ground.

One punch, two punches.

The man on the floor stopped even screaming. Bo Ye didn't stop. In the glare of the car headlights, Wen Zhi saw that Bo Ye’s face was covered in blood.

Frightened, she walked forward and knelt on the ground, placing her hands over his swinging fists.

"Please, stop hitting him."

"Thank you... for protecting me."

Tears streamed down her face. Bo Ye’s gaze stalled; it felt as if the only warmth in his entire body was the spot where the woman was holding him.

He looked like a wild beast now.

An irritable, wild beast.

A beast that needed to be tamed and soothed.