Xia Wantang emerged from the hotel, her face etched with exhaustion.
The blinding sunlight made her squint, and the cacophony of cicadas and car horns assailed her eardrums.
A wave of heat washed over her, the scorching sun baking the earth as if it were an oven.
She took a deep breath, suppressing the discomfort in her body, and walked to the roadside, hailing a taxi.
Once inside, the heat was shut out, and the cool air from the air conditioner brought a sliver of relief.
"Where to, miss?"
Xia Wantang replied weakly, "Jinding Residential Area on Shengli Road, thank you."
With that, she leaned back against the seat, her heart aching with every beat.
She still couldn't believe her parents had drugged her and sent her to an old man's bed.
The discomfort in her body told her that what should have and shouldn't have happened last night had indeed happened.
Tears streamed down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away and closed her eyes.
Though she was an adopted daughter of the Xia family, she had lived with them for over a decade, only to be treated this way.
Three days prior, her father had told her that the company had suffered massive losses due to an investment in a new project and was on the brink of bankruptcy.
If she slept with the CEO of Jiasheng Group, the CEO would be willing to help them.
But the boss of Jiasheng Group was over fifty, older than her father, with a protruding belly, oily skin, and an extremely lecherous demeanor.
How could she possibly agree to be with such a person? She was only twenty-one, her life would be ruined.
Unexpectedly, after they had agreed so readily, they resorted to underhanded tactics behind her back.
Last night, when she sat at the dinner table, her parents were unusually enthusiastic, even serving her a bowl of soup. After she drank it, she lost consciousness.
When she woke up, it was already noon today.
She lay naked on the hotel bed, her body aching all over, covered in bruises.
Even without prior experience, she could guess what had happened.
She broke down and cried, wishing she could die.
Her first time was gone just like that.
Although she remembered nothing of last night's events, the thought of Du Jiasheng's greasy old face and his short, stout physique made her want to vomit.
Taking a deep breath, Xia Wantang closed her eyes, her heart filled with hatred.
...
The Xia Residence.
Xia Linfeng and Han Wenjuan sat on the living room sofa.
Han Wenjuan sighed, "If we hadn't been forced, we wouldn't have resorted to this. I hope Wantang won't blame us."
Xia Linfeng said impatiently, "We raised her for so many years, isn't it just for her to sleep with someone? What is there to blame? Didn't she eat and drink from the Xia family?"
Han Wenjuan looked helpless. They had no other choice. If they didn't let Xia Wantang make this deal, would they send their own daughter?
Yet, a lingering worry remained in her heart.
"Lin Feng, what if that mysterious person from back then appears?"
She recalled that night.
A blood-soaked man, holding an infant, had suddenly appeared at their home.
He gave them ten million, asking them only to look after the child for a while.
The man was dressed in black, with a cold, stern face marked by a long scar. He exuded a bloodthirsty aura that instilled fear at a glance.
Xia Linfeng frowned, a flicker of fear in his eyes as he seemed to remember that terrifying figure.
But things had come to this, and he could only pray that the man would never appear.
As if to console himself, he said, "If he were to appear, he would have done so by now. It's been over twenty years, perhaps he no longer exists in this world."
Even after so many years, the memory of the man's killing intent was palpable.
His eyes were fierce and ruthless, clearly not a benevolent person.
And to be able to casually throw around so much money, he was undoubtedly no ordinary figure.
Without that money, the Xia family would not have achieved their current prosperity.
However, he had no other choice now. If the Xia family went bankrupt, they would all be on the streets.
...
Upon reaching her destination, the car stopped, and Xia Wantang paid the fare before alighting.
It was a mid-range residential area, composed of apartment buildings and villas. Xia Wantang's home was one of these villas.
The journey home used to be a happy one, but now her mood was overwhelmingly bleak.
Standing at her doorstep, tears, despite her efforts, began to flow again.
Recalling the past,
She had never received her parents' love. She could only wear her sister's discarded clothes, shoes, and bags.
She only got to enjoy the good food and toys after her sister and brother had grown tired of them.
After starting university, her sister and brother received tens of thousands in living expenses each month, while hers was always an afterthought.
If she asked, she'd get a thousand or two; if not, they'd pretend not to know.
If she hadn't found a way to start a side business, she probably wouldn't have been able to finish university.
But she was an adopted daughter after all, and the debt of gratitude for raising her was immense. Raising her to adulthood was already an unpayable kindness.
However, what happened last night had truly broken her heart.
If she wasn't their biological child, did that mean they couldn't treat her as a person?
Could they trade her like a commodity, like an object?
Xia Wantang clutched her chest, her breathing becoming difficult.
She realized that when one's heart is broken to the extreme, breathing can indeed become difficult.
Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door.
The door soon opened, revealing Aunt Li, the Shen family's housekeeper.
Upon seeing Xia Wantang, her expression was peculiar. Without a word, she simply moved aside.
Xia Wantang walked in without changing her shoes.
Her father, Xia Linfeng, and her mother, Han Wenxiu, were sitting on the sofa in the living room, both looking towards the entrance.
Han Wenxiu smiled warmly and stood up, walking towards Xia Wantang.
She said enthusiastically, "Wantang, you're back! The Shen family is counting on you this time. You're a great contributor to our Shen family!"
Looking at her smiling face, Xia Wantang felt disgusted. She had always been indifferent, but now this warmth felt utterly sarcastic.
Han Wenxiu took her hand and led her towards the living room.
Xia Wantang remained silent, her expressionless face being pulled by her mother as she was guided to sit on the sofa.
Xia Linfeng smiled amiably, took out a card from his briefcase, and placed it on the table, saying gently, "There's fifty thousand yuan in this card. The password is eight eights. Go buy yourself some nice clothes and bags."
Xia Wantang continued to say nothing, merely watching them.
At this moment, her heart was utterly desolate.
After doing such a repulsive deed, they didn't even offer a word of concern, which was laughable.
"Oh, my sister is back. Tsk tsk."
At this moment, Xia Wanfu's voice echoed from the stairs. Xia Wantang didn't turn her head. From the tone of her voice, she heard mockery and disdain.