Gu Yunting dismissed both individuals and lit a cigarette, taking a slow drag with growing impatience. When Ye Wan first arrived at the Gu residence, he had genuinely adored the soft, beautiful girl. Back then, Ye Wan was timid, always hesitant in her actions. Later, he heard from the housekeeper that her mother frequently beat and scolded her, even abandoning her at times. It was only after she tearfully pleaded with her mother, promising to eat very little, just half a meal a day, and do ample chores like washing, cooking, and folding quilts, that her mother took her back.
Upon hearing these accounts, his heart ached even more for the little girl who would watch them from the side each day. He began to dote on her, buying her all sorts of things that girls liked, having her favorite dishes prepared, and embracing her every night to read her picture books. During those times, Ye Wan would obediently lean into his arms and listen...
He had truly never met such an obedient girl. The girls he knew were either spoiled by their families into being arrogant and willful, or were taught to be cunning from a young age. Only little Ye Wan was pitifully obedient, as pure as a blank slate. She would repay anyone who was kind to her a hundredfold.
His father disliked him, and his mother suffered from depression. At times, he felt suffocated. He would sit alone on the rooftop, gazing at the stars. Whenever this happened, little Ye Wan would stay not far behind him, accompanying him. When he told her to go back, she would shake her head, remain silent, and not disturb him. He knew that though she was young, she understood everything. She knew he was unhappy and wanted to keep him company. Looking at her simple demeanor would lift his spirits. He would beckon her over, and she would, like a beloved pet running to its owner, happily dash towards him, then open her palm and say, "Brother, have some candy!"
In Ye Wan's heart, candy brought happiness. Her mother never bought her any, so obtaining a piece of candy was a rare treasure. She was willing to give him her most precious possession.
All those beautiful memories were shattered on a dark night. His father had an affair with Ye Wenqing. His mother, still breastfeeding their infant daughter, jumped to her death with the baby. Their daughter died tragically, and his mother was left crippled. Later, seeking revenge, he deliberately tormented Ye Wan, ignoring her, allowing everyone to humiliate her even as a child.
Once, she was wrongly accused of stealing by a servant and was about to be searched. During this time, her small hands remained clenched tightly. The servant, assuming the stolen item was in her grasp, tried to pry her fingers open. But she refused to let go, even as her hands bled from the forceful attempts. He couldn't fathom how a child could possess such strength to resist an adult.
In reality, there was no theft. The servant was simply in a bad mood and wanted to vent their frustrations on someone. The young girl became everyone's scapegoat.
Later, when he came downstairs, the little girl, dirty and disheveled, ran towards him. Under his cold gaze, she timidly opened her small, bloodied hands. In her palm lay a piece of candy.
"Brother, have some candy. You'll feel a little better."
He hated her at that moment. He swatted the candy away with his hand and uttered a single word, "Get out!"
The little girl merely stared at him, no tears in her eyes. She silently turned, picked up the candy, and left.
Gu Yunting suddenly realized that she hadn't eaten candy in many years.
He extinguished his cigarette irritably, stood up, and walked to the window, gazing out. His furrowed brow remained unrelaxed.