The ending I awaited never came.
The maid, thinking I’d pressed the wrong button, swiftly snatched the remote from me.

I looked up at the wolf, my expression crumbling: “Kill me.”

His face remained blank.
The maid’s heart ached: “Zhixia, the Young Master only put it on because he’s afraid you’ll run…”

I didn’t want to hear excuses.
The wolf crouched slowly, touching the white collar around my neck, revealing the truth: “Tracker.”

I lunged, biting his hand hard, tasting blood!

He flinched in pain, grabbing my jaw to push me off.
When that failed, he squeezed my throat, tightening his grip.

My face flushed, unable to breathe, I reluctantly let go, then broke into heart-wrenching sobs.

The maid called softly: “Zhixia…”

Fury surged: “I’d rather keep wandering than be his sister… cough…”
A violent cough seized me, my throat burned, and I spat out blood.

“Zhixia!”
The maid panicked, lifting me and rushing out.
The world spun, my vision blurred from dizziness.

“Young Master, we’re going to the hospital.”

They took me to the best private hospital.
By the time we arrived, I was mostly awake.
The maid explained everything, adding they weren’t short on money.
Several specialists hurried over, giving me a full check-up.

I lay on the bed, frail.
The results came quickly: malnutrition, sub-health condition, vomiting blood due to extreme emotional distress causing gastric capillary rupture.
No other issues.

A female doctor cleared the room, sitting by my bed: “Miss Zhixia, you can talk to me. Don’t bottle things up—I’m here to help.”

She tried to open my heart, but I stayed silent.

She continued: “You’re very pretty. Do you have any hobbies?”

I remained quiet.
With everything I’d been through, I hadn’t had time to think about myself.
Being a man or woman made no difference—except now, scavenging might earn me pity and money.

She took my hand: “What would make you feel better? A gift?”

My eyes reddened: “A basketball…”

“Huh?”
She thought she misheard, scribbling on her clipboard: “You like basketball? That’s great.”

I nodded, looking at her: “I’m so tired…”

“You’re still young, at an age for learning. Overthinking will hurt you.”

My nose stung, tears falling: “I’ve never been to school.”

Her hand trembled, but she smiled: “Do you want to go? You could make lots of friends.”

“Yes!”

“See, you have things you’re interested in.”
She pulled out a piece of candy: “Let’s play a game. Guess which hand it’s in.”

“Okay.”

I guessed right.
She unwrapped it, and I popped it in my mouth.
A burst of sweetness relaxed me.

Unknowingly, I fell into her psychological suggestion.
The whole session felt comfortable, guiding me through counseling.

After half an hour, the maid entered with a brand-new basketball: “Zhixia, look at this.”

I stared: “A basketball.”

She hid it behind her back: “Do you want it?”

“No…”
I turned my head.
The doctor, observing, noted something on her clipboard.

She signaled the maid to hand her the ball.
The maid complied, smiling: “I’ll check on you later.”

The maid left.

The doctor placed the ball on the bed, smiling: “It’s yours now. I can’t stand that sister just now—such a stingy gift.”

I looked at the ball, lips trembling: “I want a home of my own.”

“Isn’t Mr. Ye your brother?”

“No! He’s my…”
I stopped short of saying “enemy.”
Grandma taught me to be patient, to avoid trouble from careless words.
Many things could pass with restraint.

Besides, I couldn’t trust this doctor.
I’d just mentioned a basketball, and the maid went to buy one.

The doctor sensed the situation was complex, unsure where to start.
I sniffled: “I want to leave the hospital, not lie here.”

“I’m Tingting. From now on, we’re friends. If you ever need someone to talk to, come find me.”
She offered a business card.

I took it gently, holding it: “Thank you.”

Later, she left to talk with the wolf and maid outside.
I slipped the card under my pillow, no longer wanting her friendship.

I got up, gazing out the window.
Iron bars blocked my path, keeping me from flying free.

Soon, the maid returned, chirping like a sparrow: “Zhixia, shall we go home and play basketball?”

I sat on the bed, hugging my knees, meeting her enthusiasm with silence.
Her smile froze briefly before she asked: “Want to go shopping?”

I shook my head, leaving her at a loss.

We left the hospital.
I hugged the basketball back to the mansion.
The air mattress still lay under my balcony, clashing with the beautiful courtyard, an eyesore.

I clung to the basketball, as if it were my only anchor, dribbling lightly on the courtyard’s concrete.
My sadness seemed to fade with each bounce, lifting my mood.

The wolf glanced at me, then hurried off.
The maid approached: “Zhixia, let’s play together.”

I adjusted my bra, ignoring her, continuing to play alone, subtly keeping my distance.

She watched my retreating figure, her heart a mix of emotions.