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Gu Dandan held the clothes Gu Ao gave her, trembling as she walked into the bathroom and closed the door.

Changing into the new dress, she glanced at the tag—four digits! Good heavens, this one piece of clothing cost as much as her entire family's monthly living expenses. Her heart trembled even more violently.

When she came out of the bathroom, Gu Ao was nowhere to be seen. Gu Dandan sat on the bed; it was so soft and comfortable. Before long, she found herself lying on the bed, dozing off...

The next morning, there was a knock on the door, and an unfamiliar middle-aged man entered. Gu Dandan immediately sprang up from the bed.

"Mr. Gu instructed me to take you home," the man said expressionlessly.

"Home..." A wave of sadness washed over Gu Dandan.

Indeed, what right did she have to stay in such a beautiful house, in such a clean bedroom? She was just a clumsy, dull duckling, unloved and unwanted, and Gu Ao would be no exception...

Gu Dandan didn't tell the middle-aged man her address, but he clearly already knew. The car stopped in front of an old apartment building. The luxurious vehicle seemed out of place amidst the noise and mess around it.

The man opened the car door for Gu Dandan and placed a stack of cash in her hand, "Mr. Gu asked me to give this to you." With that, he drove away. Gu Dandan silently watched the departing car, feeling a deep ache in her heart.

...

"Gu Dandan, you little brat!"

From afar, she could hear her mother's angry voice... Gu Dandan was dragged home by the ear.

"You wretch, where have you been?! Trying to defy me, huh? I'll break your legs!"

Then, her cheek bore the fiery imprint of five fingers... Tears flowed silently down Gu Dandan's face; though beaten many times before, it still hurt terribly.

"No school today, stay home and do your chores!"

That day, Gu Dandan swept the floor, bought groceries, cooked... Late into the night, she ate the leftovers alone in the kitchen. Then, her stepfather returned and beat her again mercilessly... He whipped her calves with his belt, while her mother watched coldly, almost contemptuously.

Gu Dandan writhed in pain on the floor, the new dress Gu Ao had bought for her now dirty.

After the beating, her stepfather panted, "Try running away again! See if you dare! You miserable girl, tired of living!"

The night was deep and sorrowful.

Gu Dandan curled up under the covers, every movement causing her pain from all the work and beatings by her mother and stepfather. But at least her sister hadn't bullied her today; she had managed to avoid that ordeal.

Closing her eyes, Gu Ao's handsome face appeared in her mind. Opening her eyes and shaking her head, then closing them again, his image reappeared... Sleepless through the night, his figure filled her thoughts.

...

So the next day, Gu Dandan packed a few pieces of clothing in her school bag secretly, determined to find Gu Ao...

Walking for a long time, she vaguely remembered the road, but couldn't find the familiar, luxurious mansion. Continuing on, she finally saw the recognizable gate near dusk...

Sitting at the iron gate, she looked inside, hoping Gu Ao would come out, but he didn't. So she waited. A blinding car light shone in her face, making her squint uncomfortably—it was Gu Ao, without a doubt!

The driver opened the car door for him, and Gu Ao's tall and imposing figure approached Gu Dandan. In one glance, he noticed the bruises on her face and legs, frowning and clenching his fists in anger.

"Mr... Mr. Gu," she recalled he disliked being addressed by name directly.

Gu Ao remained silent, and Gu Dandan began to cry, starting with quiet sobs that soon turned into loud weeping...

Hearing her cries, his heart ached faintly. Gu Ao bent down, effortlessly lifting her up and walking through the gate.

His arms were strong. Gu Dandan nestled against his chest, her tears inadvertently smudging his dark gray suit. She reached out to wipe the wet spot.

Gu Ao paused, looking down at her futile gesture.

"I'm... sorry," Gu Dandan withdrew her hand, clutching her chest tightly.

It was the same room, the one she slept in yesterday.

Placing her on the bed, Gu Ao asked quietly, "Who did this?"

"Oh... uh..." Gu Dandan touched her cheek, still feeling the numbness from her mother's heavy-handed strikes.

Gu Ao took a deep breath, visibly containing his rage. Gu Dandan quickly said, "It's... it's okay, it's much better now."

"Who did this?!" He wasn't asking if it hurt but how she got these injuries!