I Conformed to His Expectations

When I returned home, I saw the house had already been tidied up.

Chu Heng was sitting on the couch, looking quite displeased.

"Where have you been? Coming back so late?"

"Looking for a job."

"A job? Do you think I can't support you?"

He naturally assumed ownership of me, his eyes full of disdain.

Suddenly, his expression changed as he grabbed my wrist and pulled me onto the couch. "Who did this?"

Following his gaze, I noticed the wound on my knee had reopened, blood trickling down.

I hadn't felt it, having grown numb to pain after enduring far worse in the past three years.

There was a ripping sound.

The fabric on my knee was torn apart, some of it sticking to the blood, pulling at my skin.

Instinctively, I reached out to stop him.

"Mr. Chu, men and women should keep their distance."

"Now you act all shy? You weren't so reserved when you were running after me."

Chu Heng inhaled sharply, his eyes fixated on the scars crisscrossing my wrist—some deep, some shallow, some new, some old.

With a trembling voice, he asked, "What is this? Are you trying to manipulate me?"

I wouldn't dare.

I value my life.

If Chu Heng were to send me back for another three years, I might not survive.

I lowered my head, hiding my wrist in my sleeve.

"Mr. Chu, don't joke around. I see you only as my sister's fiancé now."

He let out a derisive laugh, though his eyes seemed conflicted.

"It's getting late, Mr. Chu. You should head back."

"Hmph." With a cold snort, Chu Heng left.

I was left fretting over my torn pants.

They were my only pair.

After sitting for a while, I felt a bit hungry and decided to make some instant noodles.

But then Chu Heng returned.

Was he not done mocking me?

"You're eating this?"

He tossed my noodles into the trash.

"How pitiful."

A black bag landed in front of me. I opened it to find several new outfits.

I figured he was just being nice to his fiancée's sister.

I obediently changed into them.

He pulled me back onto the couch and began treating my wounds.

The alcohol stung fiercely against the cut, but I endured it all.Despite his disdain, there was an undeniable care in his actions.

"You don't feel pain?" he asked, surprised. Three years ago, I would have cried to him over the slightest pain.

"Even if it hurts, I can't cry out."

"Why not?"

"No reason. That's just what the mentor said."

Chu Heng was silent for a moment. "You really listen, don't you?"

Of course, the cost of disobedience was something I couldn't afford.

"What cost? What cost?"

I had accidentally spoken my thoughts out loud.

"Nothing."

I quickly pulled down my pant leg, not wanting to recall those memories.

Chu Heng, not satisfied with my answer, asked again, "What exactly is the cost?"

Seeing my silence, he suddenly asked, "Why do you always wear long sleeves?"