After I spoke, the wolf hesitated, then let go.

Thankfully, I’d suppressed the “baby” persona in time, or the consequences would’ve been dire—either driven mad by him or laughing myself to death.

His expression was always the same.
His eyes radiated ferocity, cold and devoid of humanity, chilling anyone who met his gaze.

That bone-deep fear overwhelmed me, even as “me.”

The days ahead wouldn’t be easy.

I blacked out.

“Zhixia? Zhixia!”

…

When I woke, sunlight streamed through the window.
My body ached, and I was in a hospital again.

The maid sat by the bed, scrolling on her phone.
I swallowed, my throat burning like it was splitting.

“Sis…” I croaked, choking on phlegm.

“Zhixia? Anywhere uncomfortable?”

I pointed to my throat, unsure what happened—after the wolf threw me, I remembered nothing.

“Anywhere else?” she asked, concerned.

I shook my head; the rest felt okay, but I couldn’t speak.

“Hungry? We’ll do a checkup soon. If you’re fine, tomorrow we’ll go to a place with grasslands.”

The grasslands were my promise with Grandma—I didn’t want to go with anyone else.

Tears fell.
The thought broke me; I’d lost my chance forever.

The maid hugged me, soothing: “It’s okay, everything will get better. Write down what you want to do, alright?”

I shook my head in her arms, overwhelmed by countless dreams—all meant to be shared with Grandma.

“Let’s eat something. What do you want? I’ll order takeout.”
She held me with one arm, opening her phone to browse with me.

She clung to me like I might run.
I’d once longed to hug a girl, imagining them soft, but the maid…

She was firm, her maid outfit hiding a strong, toned body, her arms effortlessly lifting me.

Confused, I hugged myself—nothing special.

We browsed takeout.
My throat forced a bland diet.
Unsure what to pick, we ordered a 21-yuan bowl of porridge—pricey, when 3 yuan of rice could make four meals, though it used gas.

She rang the bedside bell, summoning Dr. Tingting.
Seeing me act normal, Tingting was amazed and began a thorough checkup.

After several tests, I was fine.
Sipping porridge, I underwent her counseling.
Finding no issues, she left.

The maid shopped online for books, asking if I wanted any.

I hesitated, conflicted—her money came from the wolf, and I didn’t want his.
I said no.

But I had to eat, or I’d starve.

Stretching, I had nothing to do.

Idleness bred overthinking.
Confusion showed on my face—what now?

Eating enough was great, but I felt he’d kill me someday.

The maid smiled: “Zhixia, what’s on your mind?”

I forced a smile, voice raspy: “Nothing.”

She patted my head: “Come on, cooperate with the doctor. Once you’re okay, we’ll go to school, alright?”

School?
Live in the mansion?
Under the same roof as the wolf, I’d rather die!

Running wouldn’t work—he’d caught me twice.
Was I not far enough?
Did I need wings to escape him?

Kill him again?
Maybe this time I’d succeed?

I wasn’t brave, lacked the guts to kill, but he killed Grandma—I had to avenge her, fear or not.

If I couldn’t, should I apologize?
Would he spare me?

If he apologized for killing Grandma, I’d never forgive him!

I was scared.

Swallowing, throat stinging, I said: “Sis, while he’s gone, let me go, please?”

She shook her head firmly: “Zhixia, it’s dangerous for a girl to wander. If it’s because of the young master, don’t worry—I’ll talk to him.”

I sighed, closing my eyes.
The mansion, inside and out, was hell.

Since becoming a girl, only school felt good.
Scavenging left me hungry, but free!

I wanted school for its joy, but not on the wolf’s money—contradictions everywhere.

I felt trapped.
The maid sat closer, hugging me gently: “There, there, Zhixia.”

I sniffled, holding back snot: “He hit me.”

After losing Grandma, being beaten or extorted made me feel stifled.
I learned to lie, grew numb to beatings—just that.

Now, the wolf, my blood-sworn enemy, beat me.
I couldn’t pretend it didn’t happen.

Anxiety choked me.
Why couldn’t someone else adopt me?
Why him?

She soothed: “The young master knows he was wrong. Give him another chance, okay?”

I didn’t answer, heart exhausted.

Three days later, the wolf hadn’t appeared.
With medication, my emotions stabilized without seeing him.

I clarified my situation, thoughts turning positive—I’d go to school, rise up, become a big boss!

I worried about meeting people like the bun shop owner outside.
The maid said she and the wolf would protect me.
I didn’t know how much that meant, but the mansion meant full meals.

As for the wolf, I’d never forgive him—I just wanted school.

I asked the maid to be discharged.
Dr. Tingting agreed, urging her to get the wolf to register for therapy.

When he heard I could leave, he came that afternoon.

Seeing him, terror gripped me—he was too frightening.
School with his help?
A pipe dream.

After his stare pinned me for seconds, I changed my mind, diving under the covers, shouting: “I’m not leaving… I’m still sick! I-I-I… I’ll kill myself!”

Dr. Tingting glared at him: “Apologize to Zhixia, now!”