Chapter 6: From Now On, You Will Live Here

Just now, the servant had informed him that, aside from the injuries she sustained from her fall that afternoon, there were also several burns and marks from being whipped on her body. The uncle she spoke of so longingly seemed not to treat her well at all, and yet she still wished to return to him?

As the man’s words fell, Lin Nanxun’s expression turned blank with confusion. The question appeared to put her at a loss. After thinking very seriously for quite some time, she finally spoke again in a small voice.

“I… I want to go home. I don’t want to sleep on the streets.”

Her uncle had told her that if she misbehaved, she would have to sleep on the streets. But she did not understand—why, even when she had tried to be good, had her uncle still abandoned her?

After hearing her answer, Shen Hanzhi’s expression flickered, his gaze growing more complicated. Only now did he remember that Lin Zhenghe had mentioned her mind had suffered trauma, making her different from most people—timid, and terribly afraid of unfamiliar places and strangers…

Thinking of this, he furrowed his brow, then pressed his lips together before speaking to her once more.

“From now on, you will live here.”

Hearing these words, Lin Nanxun was startled, her clean, pale face full of confusion. She did not quite grasp what he meant.

“Let go,” Shen Hanzhi looked down at the small hand clutching his, his voice low and commanding.

His tone was so sharp that Lin Nanxun froze, then hastily let go, obedient as ever. He turned away, glancing at Aunt Xu nearby, and gave her a quiet but firm instruction.

“You handle things here. I do not want to hear any more crying tonight.”

“Yes, sir,” Aunt Xu nodded quickly in reply.

Shen Hanzhi pressed his lips together, then turned and strode out of the room. Lin Nanxun watched him depart, sitting dazed on the bed, her fair, spotless face written with bewilderment—she still didn’t understand what he meant.

…

Outside the door.

Shen Hanzhi had just stepped out of the room, his face impassive as he walked toward his own bedroom at the end of the corridor.

“Boss…” Zhou Bei, who had been waiting outside, followed him for a few steps before finally voicing his doubts.

Shen Hanzhi glanced at him, and only then did Zhou Bei continue.

“Just based on Lin’s words and a single photograph, do you really believe she is…” He trailed off as a cold, warning gaze swept over him. Zhou Bei froze, falling silent and lowering his head in apology.

“Boss, I’m sorry. I spoke out of turn.”

Shen Hanzhi said nothing, only cast a glance at the hand that had just been held, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes, before striding away.

…

Inside the room.

“Miss Lin, I’ve explained so much. Do you understand now?” After Shen Hanzhi left, Aunt Xu spent a long while talking with Lin Nanxun, hoping to ease her fears and introduce her to the household.

As Aunt Xu smiled at her, Lin Nanxun was silent for a long moment, then shook her head, looking rather innocent as she replied, “I didn’t understand…”

Aunt Xu had said a great deal, but much of it she simply didn’t comprehend, and she could not piece together what was happening.

“Ah, well, there’s no use forcing it. For now, just settle in. I’ll teach you everything slowly. But there are a few things you must remember: you can’t make a scene or cry loudly here, and it’s best not to go out at night.”