Shao Guangrong felt he was being pathetic.

Despite plenty of girls throwing themselves at him, and You Li clearly stating she wasn’t interested, he still couldn’t resist going to the clothing store after work.

What was he going there for?

Perhaps it had just become a habit!

Moreover, his pride was wounded – many girls he’d rejected, but none had ever rejected his advances before.

If You Li had been like before, pursuing him and sweetly calling him “Young Master Shao,” he wouldn’t have bothered with her.

But now, You Li’s attitude made him intrigued.

He couldn’t understand why, but if he could control his likes and dislikes, he’d be a god!

“Young Master Shao—”

Surprised by Shao Guangrong’s appearance again, You Li slowed her steps.

Shao Guangrong smiled ambiguously, “Finished resigning today? Secretary You is like a fledgling spreading its wings, ready to soar. Don’t call me Young Master Shao anymore – try saying it yourself, isn’t it awkward?”

It was indeed awkward, both syllables having the same sound and tone. You Li always had to emphasize “shao,” otherwise it would sound like “Shao-shao,” a term of endearment they didn’t share.

You Li blushed at his words and immediately changed her address:

“Then I’ll call you Brother Shao. Please don’t tease me – I’m very grateful for your help. Without you, how would Director Xia have noticed me?”

Good that she understood!

Shao Guangrong felt better.

If not for him, how would Sister-in-law Xiaolan have noticed You Li?

A few kind words smoothed his mood.

He’d also figured it out – You Li going to work in Shenzhen wasn’t a big deal, she’d return to Beijing… After all, Sister-in-law Xiaolan still had two or three years of study in Beijing. How could a secretary stay in Shenzhen while her boss was in Beijing?

This was just a small matter.

Looking long-term, You Li becoming Sister-in-law Xiaolan’s secretary was good.

You Li was still young – after two years as a secretary, she’d be what Southerners called a white-collar woman.

His family wouldn’t approve if he dated a clothing store clerk.

But a corporate white-collar worker? That wouldn’t be an issue.

Shao Guangrong was pleased, and You Li noticed his good mood, unlike his earlier sarcastic tone when he first learned she’d become Director Xia’s secretary.

This made You Li happy too.

Regardless, Shao Guangrong as her “shield” had truly helped her greatly.

Even when he’d been angry with her, his bark was worse than his bite. You Li wasn’t carelessly giving out “good person cards” – Shao Guangrong was a good person.

So what if he’d had many girlfriends? He never forced anyone, and he’d never acted inappropriately with her – fundamentally different from some vulgar men.

You Li felt incredibly lucky – though she’d met bad people, she’d also met many good ones!

“So happy about working in Shenzhen?”

Shao Guangrong watched her while driving.

The young woman’s cheeks were smooth and full, glowing with vitality, truly endearing. You Li was so happy she could only smile foolishly. Shao Guangrong didn’t mind, “When are you leaving?”

“The sooner the better. I want to get to Shenzhen early to learn more, so I can help Director Xia when she returns to China.”

“How are you getting there, train or plane? You haven’t bought tickets yet, right? I’ll have someone arrange it.”

Shao Guangrong’s tone brooked no argument.

You Li hesitated, “No, I haven’t bought tickets yet. I want to take the train.”

Shao Guangrong glanced at her, “What, being polite with me, don’t want my help? If you’re embarrassed, you can pay me for the tickets. If you buy them yourself, who knows what schedule you’ll end up with.”

You Li wasn’t hesitating about that.

If she mentioned taking her mother to Shenzhen, Shao Guangrong, knowing her mother was bedridden, would surely find it strange.

You Li didn’t want to expose her family’s ugly affairs to Shao Guangrong. Before truly leaving, she feared complications.

But Shao Guangrong meant well…

“The time isn’t set yet. Let me think about it – I’ll ask for your help when I need tickets.”

You Li made an excuse.

She planned to apologize to Shao Guangrong after reaching Shenzhen, having no intention of asking for his help.

Shao Guangrong wasn’t just anyone – a young man who’d done well within the system couldn’t be so easily deceived by You Li’s evasions. This girl was distracted, hiding something from him.

What, did she think running away would cut their connection?

Maintaining his composure, Shao Guangrong said, “I remember your mother isn’t well, bedridden for years. With you going to Shenzhen, who will care for her?”

You Li smiled, “…Isn’t my father still there?”

In the neighbors’ eyes, her stepfather was a good man, raising her as a burden and caring for his paralyzed wife. Life’s pressures had only given him a drinking problem.

Shao Guangrong found You Li’s smile inexplicably strange.

Today’s You Li was very different.

Dropping her at the entrance to her alley, Shao Guangrong advised: “If you need any help, just say so. I’m not like the evil landlord Huang Shiren, doing a good deed just to trap Xi’er into debt!”

You Li softly agreed.

Shao Guangrong watched her get out and enter the alley, feeling inexplicably uneasy.

This kept him from starting the car immediately, instead lighting a cigarette, and pondering while smoking.

…

You Li walked with light steps.

Until she saw that dark doorway, her light feet felt like they were filled with lead.

No lights were on inside.

It felt like some monster’s lair – once a living person entered, they’d never leave, especially dangerous for a fresh young girl.

You Li thought, just one or two more nights. She only needed to wait until that man went to work, then find an excuse to take her mother out, heading straight to the train station to escape this quagmire.

She’d already planned the excuse – she could ask neighbors for help, saying she was taking her mother for a hospital check-up.

Have those people help carry her mother to the car.

You Li’s lips curved in a smile as she entered the dark house.

Tonight that man should be working the night shift, not home.

“Mom, I’m back—”

Click, someone pulled the light cord.

Her stepfather, who should have been working the night shift, sat inside with empty liquor bottles and two plates of snacks on the small table… With the money You Li brought home, her stepfather’s living standards had improved.

You Li was startled.

The alcohol-reeking man stood up, grabbed You Li’s hair, and dragged her inside.

“Such a good daughter, think your wings have grown strong! Little slut, I knew something was off with you lately. You thought you hid it well, but your mother told everything… I’ll kill both of you worthless women today, so you won’t have any more ideas!”

In October weather, the man had already stripped away You Li’s mother’s blanket.

The room stank.

Her mother lay there completely naked, without any covering, incontinence waste between her legs. Long-term paralysis had caused muscle atrophy, leaving her body withered and unsightly… More than the cold of having no blanket, this degradation of dignity could destroy a paralyzed woman’s will.

“Mom…”

You Li’s heart ached terribly. Her mother’s eyes were empty, showing no response.