Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Everything in the dream felt so real.
The girl seemed nervous as she clutched onto her schoolbag. Her bright eyes bore jitters, excitement, and anticipation for her life to come. She would steal a glance at Li Jingran, who was sitting beside her with a poker face, every now and then.
Li Yuan sat next to Shen Xi, but the latter could not see him. He could not touch her, so he was reduced to watching on. This was the day she was taken to Su’s residence.
Li Jingran was the only one who came to take Shen Xi home, but she acted nothing like a mother who had found her long-lost daughter. It was fair to say that her demeanor was less than that of a stranger’s.
‘There was a weird vibe in the car. His fair lady was looking at Li Jingran and longing for affection.
Li Jingran never cast a glance the whole time, merely dropping a cold statement just before getting off the car, “Your father and I had a talk. You can call us Mom and Dad at home, but to avoid unnecessary hassle, you’re the Su family’s distant relative to the public.”
Catching a glimpse of the fleeting disappointment in the girl’s eyes, Li Yuan’s heart went out to her.
His cunning fox had turned into this little bunny. Although upset and hurting, Shen Xi cheerfully nodded at Li Jingran and softly uttered, “Got it, Mom.”
With eyes flickering with disgust, Li Jingran turned on her heels and took off without looking at Shen Xi.
Since his fair lady ran after Li Jingran, Li Yuan quickly dogged her footsteps.
Between flurried footsteps, the girl clenched her fist and cheered herself on while looking at the cold figure in adoration as if hoping the latter would look back at her.
Alas, that person never stopped for Shen Xi even for one second.
Feeling bad for her, Li Yuan traced her footsteps and watched her give out well-prepared gifts to each member of the Su family. Shen Xi sweetly called them family.
The Su brothers did not hide their disdain as they took the presents and threw them into the bin without even opening them.
Li Yuan saw Su Ruowan thanking her sister with a smile but smashing the gift to the ground behind closed doors. Su Ruowan put on a menacing look and cursed Shen Xi.
He watched the Su family gather for dinner in cheers and laughter under a warm light every night. Everyone fussed over Su Ruowan, making her laugh, serving her food, peeling shrimps for her, and giving all the love to her.
His fair lady was left out in the cold. She quietly dug in her rice with tear-filled eyes. No one asked her what she liked to eat or served her food. Nobody even shared a word with her. She was an outcast of the family and invisible to them.
Standing by her, Li Yuan reached out with the intention to feel her, hug her, and tell her that he was there for her.
His fair lady had never been so put down. The sight felt like someone was cutting his heart into pieces.
He observed the Su family talking and laughing in front of the TV. Su Yi, Li Jingran, and the Su brothers surrounded Su Ruowan while showering her with adoration.
His fair lady silently and enviously watched on the sidelines. No one talked to her while she was too shy to jump into the family’s conversation.
Li Yuan watched as she tried so hard to fit into the family and gain their approval. He watched her pulling all stops in her own way to cozy up to every member of the Su family. Yet, all she received was cold looks of repulsion in return.
He followed her perseverance at giving herself the pep talk in the face of maltreatment. Shen Xi believed she was not good enough for Mom, Dad, and her brothers.
Li Yuan wanted to shout at her to stop it. Try as she may, the Su family would never see her efforts.
He wanted to tell her that she was good enough. She needed not change herself for anyone. The Su family were animals not to recognize her goodness. They did not deserve her. It was never about her not being good enough.
Shen Xi was like a kid as she tried to prove herself to the family, unwilling to look back even if she stumbled and fell. It was heartbreaking for Li Yuan to watch.
He wished he could go back to this time and take her away from the Su family.
Li Yuan saw Su Ruowan lose her footing and fell down the stairs. The Su family’s d*mn domestic helper had the guts to lie that Shen Xi pushed Su Ruowan down. No one would listen to Shen Xi’s explanation.
He observed Su Yi lashing the whip on Shen Xi until her flesh was torn. Yet, there was nothing he could do but watch.
Li Yuan got a load of her lying in bed covered in bruises as she bit on the covers to muffle her wails. Her tears pained him unfathomably.
Holding her teddy bear, she asked between sobs, “It wasn’t me. Why did she frame me?”
She was holding so much sadness within, but she could only let out her grievance to a teddy bear. Shen Xi was isolated in the Su family, like a lonely island out in the open sea, yet she stubbornly hung in there.
Looking at the silly girl, he drew close to her face and his hand traversed her cheeks. Li Yuan could not touch her. Her sadness and sorrow were all he could take in.
He saw Su Ruowan pushing herself on a wheelchair to Shen Xi’s room. Su Ruowan acted as if she cared about Shen Xi and the latter thanked Su Ruowan gratefully.
Li Yuan wanted to get to Shen Xi’s head and warned her that Su Ruowan was the mastermind. However, Shen Xi remained in the dark, thinking that the domestic helper set her up.
During Su Yi’s questioning, Su Ruowan came forth and stood up for Shen Xi. Despite breaking her legs, Su Ruowan got Shen Xi’s back and explained that she missed her step.
The more she said, the more convinced the Su family was that Su Ruowan was so kind to cover up for Shen Xi. The punishment turned heavier.
After Su Ruowan left, Shen Xi held the teddy bear and mumbled to herself, “Say, would Mom, Dad, and my brothers like me if I become like Wanwan?”
Li Yuan’s heart was bleeding to see his fair lady covered in open wounds. Despite all that, she bore no grudge and was still pondering ways to be accepted into the family.
How could she be so silly and foolish?
Shen Xi gave her all to pursue happiness. To Li Yuan, it was not worthwhile as they did not deserve her.
She possessed more than she imagined. When would she wake up and look back on her adoptive parents who went after her?
Li Yuan watched as she slept, woke up, and ran after the unattainable happiness every day.
She thought the complete acceptance of the Su family was happiness…
