I didn’t know where they were taking me.
My heart sank into despair, bracing for the worst—being sold to some old bachelor in the mountains.

“Miss, come back with us. Big Brother’s been searching everywhere for you.”

I froze, shaking my head: “I’m not some ‘miss’…”

Then it hit me—the wolf!

“He’s not my brother! He kidnapped me!” I pleaded desperately.
The men exchanged glances, silent.
The car kept moving, and I recognized the route—it led back to the wolf’s den!

I grabbed the door handle, trying to jump out.
To my surprise, it opened after a couple of tugs!

I fumbled to unbuckle my seatbelt.
The man beside me shouted: “Brake now!”

The driver slammed the brakes, jerking me forward.
The man’s veins bulged: “Stop it! If anything happens to you, we’re all done for!”

Tears welled up: “Please, I’m begging you, let me go.”

They didn’t listen, swapping seats so I was sandwiched between two burly men, leaving me no chance to escape.

The car reached the mansion’s outer wall.
The heavy gate slowly opened, revealing the maid and the wolf waiting at the entrance, as if they’d been there for a while.
The wolf looked especially impatient.

My heart skipped a beat.
I bolted from the car, but the tall, thick iron gate blocked my path!

Why? Why couldn’t I even leave?

I pounded the gate desperately.
To me, it was a prison, a barrier to freedom.
Tears streamed from my eyes: “Let me go! Please, let me go…”

My wails went unanswered.
The men caught up: “Miss, don’t be stubborn.”

Two grabbed my wrists.
I struggled, my skin burning from the friction, but they didn’t relent, dragging me to the wolf and the maid.

The maid handed them a bank card: “Thank you for your trouble.”

“No trouble. We found her scavenging in a park, sitting quietly on a bench. She got rebellious in the car, even tried to jump out at 60 kilometers an hour. If she’d succeeded…”

He didn’t finish.
Another man nudged him, signaling to shut up.

The wolf saw my filthy state, his eyes blazing with anger.
I lowered my head, avoiding his gaze, my hair standing on end, rubbing my arms instinctively.

Sensing the tense atmosphere, the men quickly said: “Boss, call us if you need us. We’ll go now.”

They drove off.
I trembled, wishing they’d stayed to plead for me.

I kept my head down, unwilling to face him.
Rather than wait for the wolf to question me, I’d state my intentions first!

“I want—”
Before I could finish, a shadow flashed.
The wolf, seizing the moment I looked down, unleashed his fury in a single slap.
My ears rang as I crashed to the ground, vision going black.

Before losing consciousness, I saw the maid running toward me: “Young Master… Zhixia! Zhixia!”

When I woke, it was dark, a bedside lamp glowing softly.
I moved, and the maid stirred: “Zhixia?”

I turned away, wincing as I pressed my swollen, painful cheek, my heart colder than the stinging pain.

This time, it was a slap.
Next time, would it be a gun?

The maid said gently: “You haven’t eaten tonight, have you? I’ll heat up some porridge.”

I watched her leave, then went to the bathroom.
Afterward, I sat on the balcony.
The forest beyond the wall rustled with cicadas, and faint green specks flickered in the darkness—fireflies, perhaps.

The night breeze was gentle.
I gazed at the moon, its full, round glow like a grand family reunion table, laden with round dishes, evoking a scene of togetherness.

My body lived, but my heart was dead.
A wave of endless sorrow hit me.
I closed my eyes, basking in the moonlight for a moment, and took a deep breath: “Grandma…”

Without a trace of hesitation, I climbed over the balcony railing and jumped.