Wen Ying had wondered about that herself. It had always been strange that Liang Zhiyi had chosen her from so many other translators. The way she had specifically pointed out Wen Ying's beauty to Huo Xingzhou made it hard not to suspect some hidden agenda. But aside from that one instance, Liang Zhiyi had been nothing but friendly. Her personality was pleasant, and she never once made things difficult for Wen Ying on purpose. It made Wen Ying wonder if she was being cynical, misjudging someone with good intentions. Wen Ying sighed. “Coincidence or not, the translation job is over. I’ve been replaced. We won’t have anything to do with them again.” Chi Nanxue, sitting beside her, pulled a throw pillow onto her lap. “Don't dwell on it. I got my bonus today—let me treat you to a nice dinner tomorrow!” Wen Ying offered a small smile. “You don't have to. I need to go to the hospital tomorrow to see my mom.” Three years ago, on the day the Wen family went bankrupt, her father had jumped from the roof of their building in front of everyone. He died on impact. And her mother, overwhelmed by the shock, collapsed and never woke up. She had been in a vegetative state, lying in a hospital bed ever since. The Wen family had never been fabulously wealthy, but they were comfortable. They ran a small company that turned a profit of several million a year. Wen Ying never had to worry about food or clothing; they even had maids to look after them. But in a single day, everything changed. With her father gone, the debts naturally fell to her. The threats and intimidation from the creditors turned Wen Ying, who had grown up sheltered and loved, into a nervous wreck. She lived in constant fear, hiding away while trying to pay off the debt with the meager wages she earned from part-time jobs. Just when she was sinking into despair, two months later, she met Huo Xingzhou. She had seen the worst of the world by then, so she accepted Huo Xingzhou’s terms without a second thought. To others, she might have seemed shameless, debasing herself. But only she knew the truth: she had to cling to this one and only lifeline. Chi Nanxue’s voice broke through her thoughts. "Then let me come with you after I get off work. It’s been a while since I saw Auntie anyway.” Wen Ying pulled herself back to the present. “It's okay. I'm going in the morning. You should focus on your work.” ... The next morning, Wen Ying arrived at the hospital early. Her mother lay quietly on the hospital bed, her face unchanged by time, as if she were merely asleep. Wen Ying set her things down and sat by the bed, gently massaging her mother’s arm as she spoke to her. For three years, it had been the same. No response. Wen Ying had heard from the doctors that patients in her mother's condition could still hear; they just couldn't speak. So she always talked about happy things, wanting only for her mother to know that she was doing well. A few moments later, a caregiver came in. “Ms. Wen, let me take over,” she said kindly. Wen Ying nodded and stood up, picking up the water kettle. “I’ll go get some more water then.” The hospital was always busiest in the morning. Seeing the long line at the water dispenser, she decided to head to the VIP area, where it would be less crowded. Wen Ying walked through the long corridor and turned to stand in front of the hot water dispenser. A middle-aged man who had just brushed past her stopped, turning to squint at her back. She was only halfway through filling the kettle when her wrist was suddenly seized in a powerful grip, and an excited male voice boomed, “Wen Ying? You’re Wen Ying, aren’t you?” At the same instant, scalding hot water splashed onto the back of her hand. Before she could even cry out, the man’s voice, twisted with excitement, continued, “It really is you! I knew I wasn’t mistaken!” His shouting drew the eyes of passersby. Wen Ying’s lips tightened into a thin line. “Let go,” she said, her voice like ice. The man let out a coarse laugh. “Oh, playing dumb now, are we? I took real good care of your ‘business’ back when you were a hostess at Zui Jinchao!” His words were vulgar and lewd, a deliberate attempt to ruin her reputation. She had only been a waitress when she worked part-time at Zui Jinchao! This was the man, the customer, who had relentlessly harassed her and even tried to drug her. The scalding pain made her scalp prickle. Clinging to her last shred of composure, she said, “Mr. Li, please show some respect. I was never a hostess, and I never took a single cent from you.” Li Jin sneered. “Cut the crap. Don’t play innocent with me. We both know you weren't idle that night. So, tell me, which man's bed did you crawl into?” The color drained from Wen Ying’s face. Her grip on the water kettle tightened. Li Jin pressed on, his voice dripping with scorn. “You're just a whore, so stop the fucking act. It’s been three years. That guy must be sick of you by now! But hey, if you get on your knees and beg, I might consider taking you in. Then again, for damaged goods like you, I… AARGH!” Before he could finish, Wen Ying had flung the remaining hot water from the kettle straight at him. Though Li Jin instinctively threw up an arm to shield himself, most of the water splashed across one side of his face. Watching him reel back, Wen Ying felt no satisfaction. Instead, a cold dread washed over her as she realized a few drops had sprayed onto a figure standing not far away. She turned her head, the apology on her lips dying as her gaze met a pair of familiar, cold eyes. Enraged, Li Jin raised his hand, spitting, “Goddamn bitch, you’re asking for it!” Just as the slap was about to land, Chen Yue stepped forward and caught his wrist. Li Jin cursed with all his might. “Who the fuck are you? Mind your own damn business!” “This is a hospital, Mr. Li. I suggest you conduct yourself accordingly.” Hearing his name, Li Jin’s bravado faltered for a second. Just then, hospital security arrived. Seeing them, Li Jin jabbed a finger at Wen Ying and spat a final threat, “This isn't over! You just wait!” With that, he clutched his reddened face and stormed away. The small crowd of onlookers was soon dispersed. Wen Ying’s head sank lower and lower, her fingers twisting the hem of her shirt. In front of Huo Xingzhou, she had no dignity to speak of. She could endure any insult from him—after all, he was the one who paid her bills. But this… A wave of humiliation unlike anything she had ever felt crashed over her, leaving her ice-cold. Anyone else could have witnessed this mortifying scene, and she wouldn't have cared. But it had to be him. Huo Xingzhou stood where he was, one hand in his trouser pocket, his expression utterly unchanged from start to finish. An eerie silence spread through the air, threatening to swallow her whole. Wen Ying risked a glance upward, her eyes fixing on the dark, damp spots on his suit jacket. “I'm sorry,” she mumbled, the words scraping her throat. “I didn't do it on purpose. If… if you're hurt, I'll cover your medical expenses.” The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them. Her, offering to cover Huo Xingzhou’s medical bills? He would probably just laugh at her for not knowing her place.