five

Upon seeing her, my taut nerves momentarily relaxed

With a creak, I pressed my body firmly against the door, letting out a long sigh

I am sorry. I did not raise my head, leaving behind just three brief words as I hurried towards the guest room, only to hear my aunt's ethereal and cold voice echoing behind me again—"Uncultured."

I sprang up from the bed like a spring, staring straight ahead with two enormous dark circles under my eyes, only to see Cheng Panpan standing at the door, her eyes still hazy with sleep, wearing a playful pink pajama and holding a giant teddy bear in her arms

I smiled faintly and said, "Hmm, why are you up so early as well?"

"Why did you come so early? Don't you even check the time?" She frowned in displeasure, shaking the cup of water in her hand, "You really have no sense of propriety"

So boring... Why is it that I guessed it right at once! Cheng Panpan shot me a playful glare, but the smile at the corner of her mouth was impossible to hide. In my dream, fate took me to eat desserts, and we also went to the amusement park together, where he held my hand...

I was so excited that I couldn't sleep! Can you guess what I dreamed about last night? Cheng Panpan's eyes lit up, she threw away the toy in her hand and ran to my side, intimately leaning into my embrace, "I really don't want to wake up..."

It was yet another night filled with nightmares, as my father's twisted and dark face, reeking of alcohol, lunged at me, his fists and palms raining down upon me like a storm. The pain jolted me awake from the terrifying realm of dreams, drenched in cold sweat, facing the cold and empty room.

My body stiffened for a moment, my mouth opened slightly, but in the end, I decided to remain silent. I merely nodded gently and then left the house as if in a hurry.

The sound of dishes clinking outside the room had already begun. I calmed my emotions, quickly tidied up my things, and hurriedly walked out, softly saying to my mother, who was already up and busy preparing breakfast, "Mom, I'm leaving"

I gazed at her silhouette for a long time, until I could no longer see her. Only then did I extend my trembling hand to take out the medicine and water that had been prepared in advance from my backpack, pouring it all down my throat. After that, I stood up and patted my cheeks in front of the mirror, looking at the pale face devoid of any color.

They are all just places like prisons

Perhaps due to lack of sleep, I felt my consciousness becoming hazy, as if the last ounce of strength in my body had been drained away. My eyelids were so heavy that it was unbearable, yet just a second before I was about to fall asleep, I heard the jarring sound of the door being pushed open.

In order to facilitate treatment, I mostly stay at my uncle's house. Although it is a different environment, life seems to have no special changes or variations.

Is it a dream about Lu Tianyi? I muster my spirits.

It was still early, and the old clock on the table ticked away. I held my breath, finally waiting until there was no longer any sound of my aunt outside the door, before quietly starting to organize the clothes I had brought. Exhausted, I finally collapsed onto the hard bed.

"So early?" A hint of surprise flashed in the mother's eyes, "Have breakfast first."

Cheng Panpan's sweet voice, filled with happiness, echoes intermittently in my ears. This young lady, who has been cherished and pampered by her uncle and aunt since childhood, seems to have never known what sorrow is

Oh, right! Upon hearing my reminder, she instantly woke up from her beautiful dream, smiled shyly, and nuzzled against me again. "Let's continue talking about our dear Tianyi at home tonight! I will go tidy up first!"

I quietly opened my uncle's door with the spare key, trying to minimize my presence and avoid drawing the attention of the family, yet I was still caught red-handed by my early-rising aunt

The hesitant voice of the mother came from behind, saying, "You should listen to your uncle and aunt, talk more with the psychologist, and do not cause them any trouble"

My aunt despises me, and this is beyond doubt. There are many truths that I understand; when one is under the same roof, one must bow their head. Moreover, I do not wish to add any unnecessary troubles for my mother.

Her voice still carried the hoarseness of just waking up: "Sister Wen Yu, did you just arrive? I heard my mother speaking."

Outside the window, the sun has already peeked out, and a few strands of cool light have filtered in through the gaps of the window. I reached out to touch my forehead and ultimately decided not to continue sleeping.

Where else can I go

"No, I am just going to my uncle's house to tidy up some things." I forced a faint smile and said, "Goodbye"

Having spoken, she revealed a radiant smile to me, picked up the toy from the ground, and left with great vitality

Aunt, I have arrived. Reluctantly greeting her, I did not want to meet her gaze and hurriedly turned my head away

"Panpan." I reached out my hand and gently stroked her soft hair, "It's almost time for school, aren't you going to get ready?"

"Wen Yu," I said softly, "you must be strong"