Chapter 4 Settling In
I did not dare look at Mother's face. My performance must have disappointed her again. A beating was inevitable.
Sure enough, she walked straight into the living room without glancing at me.
I stood alone, looking lost.
Butler Li could not bear to watch. He approached and said, "Miss, would you like to see your room?"
I nodded gratefully.
Thanks to Butler Li, Mother only shot me an angry look and said nothing.
I sat in the room, recalling the past years.
My parents had always demanded perfection. I never had time of my own.
As their marriage deteriorated, Mother's mental state worsened.
Her need to control me grew stronger. Later, any displeasure led to beatings and scoldings.
Father knew but chose to ignore it, whether it concerned Mother or me.
He always believed that as a girl, no amount of excellence mattered.
I hated Mother's violence and control, yet I could not help feeling sorry for her.
After all, she was the only person in the world who still cared about me.
Coming to the Song family—I did not know if it was good or bad.
The best news so far was that Song Chengyuan did not seem particularly hostile toward me.
If I could win him over... perhaps I could finally escape Xu Yunru's control.
Even if it was only because of my face, even if it was only a trace of pity, it could become my way out.