3

I woke up in the guest room at Jared's house.

He was sitting by the bed, focused on carving a small wooden plaque.

I spoke guiltily, "I'm sorry, Jared, for getting you involved in this."

Jared didn't even look up, concentrating on his work. "Why are you apologizing to me?"

I laughed self-deprecatingly. "You're right.

Who would willingly get involved in this kind of trouble for no reason?"

I paused for a moment, then made up my mind. "I'll move out tomorrow.

I won't burden you any longer."

Jared suddenly spoke up. "My name is Jared Shen."

"Huh? I know that."

I was confused.

He turned around to face me, our eyes meeting. "Since you know my name, stop calling me 'Brother Jared.'"

"I happen to have a spare room here.

If you don't mind, you can stay.

We can talk about rent and such later."

I was stunned for a moment, then nodded my head frantically in wild joy. "I'm willing! Of course, I'm willing! I'm already nineteen, about to take the college entrance exam.

I definitely won't cause you any trouble!"

"Nineteen? Then you should already be a college student."Jared raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "I took a two-year break from school."

I replied somewhat embarrassedly.

When I was young, I got seriously ill from giving too much blood to Ethan and almost died.

Fortunately, my grandfather took me in and cared for me for two years until I fully recovered.

Those were also the happiest days of my life.

Seeing me like this, Jared didn't pry further. "By the way, about the rent..."

My voice trailed off. "I have some money hidden at home.

I need to go back and get it."

Jared understood. "You want me to go with you?"

I nodded, like a well-behaved little quail.

He couldn't help but smile. "Alright, I'll go with you.

But don't expect me to help you move your luggage.

That would make it even more like child trafficking."

"You're not that kind of person! Jared, you're the kindest person in the world."

I praised him sincerely.

"Little girl, you have a sweet mouth."

he said, affectionately pinching my nose. "Aren't you afraid I might be a wolf in sheep's clothing?"

"Not at all."

I said with a bright smile. "If you were really a bad person, you wouldn't treat me so well."

Taking advantage of Ethan's hospitalization, Jared and I snuck back to my home.

I found the key under the carpet and gently opened the door.

What greeted my eyes was a complete mess.

The clothes were covered in grease stains and dirt, and my beloved dress was cut to shreds.

I pulled out my piggy bank from a hidden compartment.

It was empty.

This must be Ethan's doing!

A cold laugh sounded behind me. "Back so soon? I thought you were going to elope with that tattooed man."

I whipped my head around.

Ethan had appeared at the door at some point, his face sallow but showing no signs of illness.

It dawned on me. "It was you who messed with my things, wasn't it?!"

He neither confirmed nor denied it, smugly flashing a wad of hundred-dollar bills.

"You little wretch, you're quite good at hiding money! Our family is already in the red, yet you dare to have a secret stash?"

I was furious beyond words. "Give it back to me! That's what Grandpa left for me!"

Ethan let out a cold laugh. "Hah, in this family, nothing belongs to you! Who do you think you are, daring to hide money? You must have a death wish."

My eyes turned red, and I pounced on him, grappling with him and tightly gripping his neck. "Give it back."

I roared.

Ethan's face turned beet red, unable to speak, his eyes full of shock.

He obviously hadn't expected me to be so forceful.

Just then, a strong hand grabbed my wrist. "Jasmine."

I finally came to my senses.

Jared had appeared behind me at some point and snatched the money from Ethan's hand.

I released my grip and stood up.

Ethan had been really rough, and my shoulders and back were burning with pain.

Jared gave him a cold glance and leaned down to whisper in my ear, "Don't listen to his nonsense.

Let's go."

With that, he took my hand, and we left without looking back.

"Come on, I'll take you to buy new clothes.

I guarantee you'll transform into a beautiful little princess!"

I shook my head, blushing, "No way! You're a great person! The kindest there is!"

"Tsk, don't praise me too soon.

If you fail your final exams, watch out, I'll deal with you."

"Impossible! I'll definitely rank first, and then I'll treat you to a big meal!"

Ethan roared hoarsely behind us, "Why? Why does Jasmine Jiang get to be protected like this? What gives her the right? Why don't you just go die?"