2

When I woke up again, my forehead was wrapped in gauze.

A dull pain hit me as I struggled to sit up.

A pair of strong hands lifted me up and placed a pillow behind me.

I turned around and saw the mysterious man who had recently moved in.

He handed me a glass of water.

I instinctively flinched.

At home, the next second after being handed water was having it splashed in my face.

He chuckled. "What are you afraid of?"

I quickly shook my head, "I'm not afraid of you.

You're a good person.

Thank you for saving me."

"How do you know I'm a good person."

He raised an eyebrow, rolled up his sleeves, revealing his muscular arms beneath his printed jacket. "You're not scared?"

He had a serious look on his face, but I found it amusing. "Your tattoo looks like a sticker."

He was startled and checked his arm but couldn't find any flaws. "Little girl, you don't know your place! This is a real tattoo!"

I calmly said, "Uncle Chen next door said he saw your tattoo peeling off with his own eyes."

Exposed, he put on a fierce look and pressed closer. "You've discovered my secret.

Aren't you afraid I'll kill you to silence you?"

I saw through his bluff. "Oh, a big strong man bullying a weak woman.

What kind of hero is that?"

He sighed and plopped back into the chair. "No fun.

This little girl's tongue is sharper than a knife."

He looked me up and down. "Tell me, how did you end up fainting on the street with a head full of blood?"

I subconsciously moved my body, and pain shot through me. "Don't move.

You have burns on your body.

The doctor treated them, but you need to rest to avoid scarring."

I lowered my head guiltily, "Thank you for paying for my medical expenses.

I'll definitely pay you back."

"Domestic violence is no small matter.

You should call the police."

I remained silent.

My stomach growled inappropriately.

My face flushed red with embarrassment.

He sighed helplessly. "Is there anything you want to eat?"

"...

Dumplings."

Before long, a steaming bowl of dumplings was placed in front of me.

My nose turned sour, and tears welled up in my eyes.

"Is my cooking so bad that it made you cry."

He patted my head and said with a smile.

I shook my head vigorously. "No, it's delicious! I'm so grateful!"

A stranger gave me a bowl of dumplings, while my own mother never even spared me a merciful glance.

He coughed awkwardly. "Alright, keep my tattoo a secret, and we'll call it even."

I nodded firmly, making a promise.

And so, I stayed at his place for three days.

But the good times didn't last.

Early on the third day, Mother barged into his workshop with the police.

Mother pointed at Jared Shen, hysterically accusing him. "It's him! He lured my daughter away! My daughter is covered in injuries, all caused by this man!"

Jared Shen snorted coldly, crossed his arms, and looked at her with disdain.

I stood in front of Jared Shen, raised my head, and looked straight at the police. "Officer, she's lying.""It was Jared who saved me and took me in for a few days.

It was my mom who beat me up like this."

The police officers looked at each other, completely baffled.

They had thought it was a human trafficking case and had rushed to the scene in a panic.

Mother's face turned ashen, and she growled through gritted teeth, "You wretched girl, what nonsense are you spouting? Come home with me now and stop causing trouble!"

Her eyes were sinister, full of threatening intent.

My palms were sweating, and I clenched my fists tightly.

After hesitating back and forth, I pulled out the voice recorder I had prepared in secret.

I pressed the play button, and the evidence of Mother's abuse against me played.

The police officers looked at me with sympathy and glared at Mother.

As for Mother, her expression was as hideous as a demon.

She tried to lunge at me again.

The police officers were quick and subdued her.

Mother cursed loudly, "You ungrateful bastard! White-eyed wolf! I worked so hard to raise you, and now that you've grown wings, you turn around and bite me!"

The anger that had been pent up for so long erupted in an instant.

"Did you ever raise me? From a young age, if it weren't for Grandpa, I would have starved to death long ago!"

"You forced me onto the operating table to be a match for Ethan, to have a transplant.

Did you ever ask for my consent? Did you ever care if I lived or died?"

"This time you came looking for me, it's just because Ethan's condition has worsened, right? You urgently need me, this 'blood bank,' to prolong his life, don't you?"

"Let me tell you, Ethan brought this entirely upon himself! Giving him blood and bone marrow, he doesn't deserve it!"

"You say I have no conscience? Where are your hearts? What right do you have to treat me like this?"

Having vented everything in one breath, I collapsed to the ground.

My whole body went limp, and my vision turned black.

Jared took a swift step forward and caught me in his arms before I hit the ground.

He said coldly to the police, "See that? This child has been severely abused and mistreated at home."

The police officers stared intently at my mother, their eyes blazing.

Mother guiltily turned her face away and spat, "Stupid girl, if you don't want to come, then don't! If you dare leave, don't even think about coming back! Go die out there!"

Before she finished speaking, she fled in a panic.