01

"Look, I bought your favorite chestnut cake for you." Ding Xuan handed over the item and turned to take out the keys to open the door

Suddenly, the words spoken by that girl came to my mind

When I went out, breakfast was laid out on the table, but I did not take any. Just as I stepped out with my backpack, Ding Xuan handed me a bottle of milk and said, "Even if you don't eat bread, you must drink the milk"

I hurriedly wiped away my tears, turned back with a smile, pretending as if nothing had happened

Sometimes I foolishly think that it would be great if I could grow up faster. This way, I would not have to be bullied, nor would I have to stay with the Ding family, and perhaps I would even have my own home

I nodded, took the milk, and slowly walked to school.

Zhuang Li wore a cold expression, yet the mocking smile at the corner of his mouth was like a white night-blooming cereus blossoming in the dark, fleeting and ephemeral

After taking a few steps, I suddenly heard a girl scream from behind: "Sisters, she actually called us dogs, we must make her pay for it today!"

It is hard to imagine that the Creator would create such a perfect being. Although I cannot see his face clearly, the blurred silhouette is breathtakingly stunning.

If Zhuang Li is willing to stand up...

At this moment, Ding Xuan opened the door, ran out, frowned at Mu Lianru, and anxiously said: "Mom, you clearly promised me not to take action again"

Why can't you give me a peaceful life

At this moment, all the words I wanted to say turned into blankness in my mind. Despite the surrounding noise, I could hear my heart racing incessantly due to tension and fear. I had clearly made a decision and gathered my courage, yet upon seeing Zhuang Li, I felt deflated. As the car was about to drive in, I disregarded everything and rushed to the front of the car.

Looking at my talkative good friend, I couldn't help but lean in, pinch her cheek, and say: "Young lady, if you keep rambling, you'll turn into an old woman."

I furrowed my brows, watching the once tattered backpack being ravaged, my heart tightened, and my indifferent gaze gradually turned cold.

In fact, my surname is not Ding; the home I currently possess is not a true home, but merely a place of shelter, lacking the ability to heal wounds and devoid of the capacity to warm the heart

The memories of being sixteen are long, very long; that was the period of my life I am most reluctant to mention

The door suddenly opened, and it was Ding Xuan

Sun Qing is my deskmate and also my only good friend. Our family backgrounds are similar, which allows us to quickly form a close bond. The only difference is that her personality is quite bold; if someone bullies her, she will definitely retaliate without hesitation. Therefore, those people can only take their frustrations out on me.

Mu Lianru glanced at me and impatiently shouted, "What are you standing there like a wooden block for? Hurry up and bring a basin of hot water over."

That painting is stored in a small box, which contains many works by Ding Xuan. Perhaps one day in the future, Ding Xuan will become a great painter, and I might be able to become wealthy from these paintings.

Look, our meeting and relationship began as nothing more than a gamble. In fact, I am just like Zhuang Li, inherently a very indifferent person. People like us probably only feel warmth when we throw our lives into the fire.

"Mission accomplished." Not long after, Ding Xuan presented the completed painting to me as if offering a treasure, smiling as he asked, "How do you think I did?"

If I could climb up to Zhuang Li in this big tree, perhaps no one at school would bully me anymore. Zhuang Li is also a formidable character, but no matter how formidable, he is still a male, and even the most formidable males have weaknesses, such as girls, particularly beautiful girls

Just as I was about to reach the school, I suddenly felt a loosening on my shoulder; my backpack had been snatched away. I steadied myself and looked closely, only to find that it was the same group of girls who had played a prank on me yesterday. One of the girls was holding my backpack and had placed it on the ground, stomping on it fiercely several times, while several others spat on it.

The people around me scoffed and mocked my audacity and foolish dreams

I stumbled back a few steps, and my calf hit the corner of the tea table, causing me such pain that tears were about to fall from my eyes

The phone was connected, and a clear voice from Ding Xuan came through: "Ayin, are you unable to go home? Dad and Mom have gone out and will be back very late. I just finished my painting class and am still on my way back, so you will have to wait a little longer."

He is giving me personal space. Ding Xuan understands my stubbornness and determination very well, so he chooses to say nothing and preserve my dignity. If he were to comfort me now, it would only make me feel more upset

The girl who just spoke was taken aback for a few seconds, then she straightened her chest and stepped forward a few paces, arrogantly raising her chin as she continued to mock: "I haven't finished speaking! Ding Lanyin, you should hurry up and leave the school, don't pollute the school's atmosphere. I'm afraid the people in the school will be suffocated by the stench of poverty emanating from you!"

Although I know I should not expect so much, the desires within my heart are far more real than my thoughts

Sun Qing suddenly slammed the table upon hearing my words and angrily asked, "Which blind fool is bullying you again? Let me take care of them!"

When I arrived home, I knocked on the door for a long time, but there was no one inside. I could only silently squat at the doorstep, counting the ants. I did not have the key to my home, lacking even the basic condition of having a home. When I want to return home, I may not be able to, because the door is not always wide open.

In such an atmosphere, I feel as though I could suffocate and die at any moment

"Don't be anxious." As expected of my younger brother, he took the initiative to clarify the matter before I even had the chance to ask.

The next morning, I got up early and looked at the person in the mirror, feeling somewhat dazed. My face was slightly swollen, though not very noticeable; it was just a bit pale, and my eyes were bloodshot. I had tossed and turned all night without sleeping well, my mind filled with the fierce gaze of Mu Lianru.

The girl I kicked spat at me and said, "Pah! I will show you a way out. You should seduce Zhuang Li; who knows, he might stand up for this pretty face of yours, hahaha!" After that, her arrogant laughter followed as she led a group of people away.

The cold gaze made one feel as if they were in an ice cellar, sending chills throughout the body. I clenched my fists tightly, biting my lip hard, striving not to let myself be intimidated. There were many people gathered at the school gate to watch the commotion, and I could not afford to be a coward.

I took a deep breath and calmly replied, "Do you know? Only the dogs that do not bite will bark the loudest in a showy manner." After saying this, I dragged my wet body and quickly squeezed out of the bathroom while they were momentarily stunned

One person spoke first: "Oh, isn't this the renowned Ding Meiren? Tsk tsk tsk, just look at that seductive face, and the pose she strikes when looking in the mirror, one wonders who she is trying to entice."

Your tone is exactly like that of your mother

The crowd erupted into another burst of laughter

I brought a basin of hot water as instructed

I looked at the chestnut cake and vaguely felt a pain in my back

I did not look back, awkwardly gazing at the several figures reflected in the mirror, my expression surprisingly calm. Water dripped from the tips of my hair, falling drop by drop in front of me, as I silently stared at those people through the mirror

Mu Lianru is Ding Xuan's mother and also my adoptive mother, yet I have never called her "mother". From the moment I entered the Ding family, her gaze towards me has always been filled with deep disdain, leading me to doubt whether I had done something to wrong her in a past life

Sun Qing also helped wring out the water from my clothes, saying with a hint of frustration, "I think you are just too easygoing; if you could be like me, who would dare to bully you."

Thinking this way, I was suddenly interrupted by the sound of clattering from the living room. When I stepped outside to take a look, I found that Mu Lianru was supporting my adoptive father, who was swaying unsteadily from drinking. My adoptive father was tall, and Mu Lianru seemed to be struggling a bit, so I hurried over to help.

Zhuang Li suddenly pulled me into his embrace in front of everyone, his icy lips covering mine. His warm breath melted against my face, and I felt as if I were about to melt as well. While I was still in a daze, he decisively withdrew and said in a tone devoid of emotion: "I agree to the bet. From now on, you are mine."

He opened the door, changed his shoes, put down his painting tools, and walked straight to the kitchen, saying: "You eat some chestnut cake to fill your stomach first, I will go cook."

I was taken aback and hurriedly grabbed Ding Xuan's hand, saying: "I will go cook, your hands are meant for painting, not for cooking."

I would like to express my gratitude to the heavens for bestowing upon me this appearance; it is lamentable that I must resort to using my beauty to achieve my goals

My name is Ding Lanyin

And I finally saw clearly the face of Zhuang Li. That face seemed as if it had been sculpted by an artist, perhaps God took special care in creating him, which is why he is astonishingly beautiful

Another utterly boring prank

Every day before school, I stand under the ginkgo tree at the school gate waiting for Zhuang Li to come to class

Is it really that ... ... successful

Returning to my seat, my deskmate, who was doing homework, exclaimed: "Ayin, why are you completely soaked?"

I stood there in a daze, watching Zhuang Li turn away indifferently and walk away.

The chestnut cake reminds me that, although my surname is Ding, I have no connection to the Ding family. If it were not for the financial support from my parents, the Ding family would not have adopted me

Her voice was sharp and biting, laced with sarcasm, and those behind her erupted in laughter

I touched my lips, which had been kissed, in disbelief, and my cheeks suddenly turned crimson. My first kiss was thus lost, devoid of emotion and any sense of beauty, leaving only a chilling sensation that was deeply etched in my memory

"Darling." The imposing demeanor of Mu Lianru diminished the moment she saw Ding Xuan, and she replaced it with a kind smile, gently saying, "Mom didn't mean to. I was just too worried about your father, so I became a bit anxious. Lan Yin shouldn't blame Auntie, right?" After saying this, she turned to look at me, her eyes carrying a hint of warning.

As soon as I entered the Ding family, Mu Lianru gave me an unforgettable lesson, constantly reminding me of my role within the Ding household

You have two options. First, return my backpack; second, pick up the backpack and return it to me. It seems that my imposing demeanor was somewhat intimidating, as the girls appeared somewhat dazed until the one I had kicked shouted, "Sisters, let's beat this bitch to death!" Only then did they come to their senses and began swinging their arms towards my face.

I never expected that my adoptive father, with his eyes half-closed, would recognize me and without any hesitation push me away, even saying fiercely: "Get lost!"

I was lost in thought when suddenly a bucket of cold water was poured over my head, soaking me completely. I heard a few people behind me chuckling with delight.

He is very tall, and I feel completely enveloped in his towering shadow. With each step he takes forward, I sense the temperature around me drop by one degree.

Although I have succeeded, I cannot feel the slightest bit of joy, for from now on I must relinquish my pride and depend on Zhuang Li

Indeed, I have a strong aversion to this face

Not everyone who attends an elite school is truly a noble; for instance, I am a living exception. Compared to the children of those with status, wealth, and power, I am merely a maid, or more precisely, the target of mockery and teasing by those wealthy young ladies. In their own words, it is simply, "Who told you to have a face that makes others envious"

After the physical education class, I stood outside the bathroom, gazing at the exquisite face in the mirror, my fingers gently gliding over the skin. The person in the mirror frowned deeply, with a cold light flashing in the profound eyes, and the pink, full lips were stubbornly pressed together. Warm steam continuously rose, enveloping my entire body, making me feel extremely unreal, while the face in the mirror wore an expression of disdain and indifference.

Originally, I only wanted to lead an ordinary high school life, but my impoverished family background and an unappealing appearance made me a target for bullying in this school

Every time I return home, my mood is always very heavy

Sun Qing looked at me, furrowing her brows as she said, "Ayin, you should go home and change your clothes; otherwise, you might catch a cold. I will help you ask the teacher for leave."

Sometimes I constantly remind myself: Ding Lanyin, be content, at least you still have a place to shelter from the wind and rain, you are not sleeping on the streets, and you have three meals a day

Since you are here, I can only force myself to act calmly and say: "Zhuang Li, let's make a bet. I bet that you will fall in love with me, so until then, please protect me."

In fact, I dislike eating chestnut cake the most

As I wiped the droplets of water from my face with the paper she handed me, I casually explained, "Qingqing, it seems that today is the Water Splashing Festival, and someone wants to bless me"

The painting is my portrait, wearing an apron and holding a dish, vividly lifelike. I took the painting and said with a smile, "Future Van Gogh, wash your hands and come eat."

Ding Xuan furrowed his brows, looking at my tear-stained eyes. However, he said nothing, merely placed the ice pack on my desk and closed the door as he left

I am not a soft persimmon to be easily manipulated, nor do I have the inclination to engage with a swarm of flies, so I quickened my pace and hurried back to the classroom

In the entire school, Zhuang is the most affluent and influential. It is said that even the doorman of their family can look down on others with disdain. Zhuang Li himself is enigmatic in his movements around the school; aside from his exceptionally striking appearance, his academic performance is also outstanding, with his name always at the top of the honor roll. Due to his family background and academic achievements, the school often turns a blind eye to his frequent absences from class. As his classmate, I have only caught a distant glimpse of him once. Just a fleeting glance, that cold and untouchable figure left an indelible impression on me, stirring up immense waves.

This is probably the biggest joke in the world

I leaned against the wall, struggling to get up from the ground, my hair disheveled, my face covered in dirt, and my whole body in excruciating pain. Especially my stomach, which felt as if it had been kicked by someone, causing unbearable discomfort and a strong urge to vomit. I supported myself against the wall, but could only retch, unable to bring anything up.

The driver slammed on the brakes, and Zhuang Li leaned forward, looking at me with an unfriendly expression

I changed into a set of clothes, then went to the kitchen to prepare a simple meal and brought it to the dining table. Ding Xuan held a drawing board, with a sketch pen in his right hand, quickly scribbling on the paper. At times, he looked up at me with a silly smile, and at other times, he focused intently on his drawing without saying a word

If Ding Xuan were to cook for me and Mu Lianru found out, I would definitely be beaten to death by her. Ding Xuan is her beloved, and she would be heartbroken even if he lost a single hair. She often says that Ding Xuan will become a great painter when he grows up, and that his hands should only be used for painting, and nothing else.

A girl followed with disdain, saying: "I think she is more like a cheap person. Her vulgar appearance is disgusting to look at, and she actually has the audacity to wear all that cheap stuff to school and embarrass herself. If I were her, I would have dug a hole and buried myself long ago."

I pondered for a moment, nodded slightly, packed my bag, and slowly walked home

When it was almost dark, my clothes were nearly dry from the wind. I couldn't help but borrow my neighbor's phone to call Ding Xuan and ask when he would be back. Ding Xuan is my younger brother, but we are not blood relatives. He is the son of the people who adopted me and is one year younger than me. The family provided him with a mobile phone, but not for me, as my adoptive father Ding Chushan said it might affect my studies

Hanging up the phone, I squatted at the door, counting the numerous welts on my legs caused by mosquito bites. After about half an hour, Ding Xuan appeared at the door, panting, holding a bag of chestnut cake, and grinning foolishly at me

Mu Lianru reached out to twist the cloth, but unexpectedly, as soon as her hand touched the water, she suddenly waved it towards me, saying: "Do you want to scald me to death!"

I received the chestnut cake, a bitter smile on my lips

After having dinner and washing the dishes, I am doing my homework at the desk. Under the desk lamp is a photo of my parents together; every time I look at their picture, I can always find a bit of warmth in this cold home

I sit in front of my desk, staring blankly at the pitch-black sky outside the window, tears of grievance uncontrollably streaming down my face

Fortunately, Ding Xuan's personality is not like Mu Lianru's

I detest Yacheng High School, and this is inextricably linked to its status as a prestigious key school and elite institution in City E. Although the school is as well-maintained as a garden, it simply fails to endear itself to people

My back is already drenched in cold sweat

Sun Qing is also a beauty, with a well-proportioned figure and attractive features. Even when wearing inexpensive clothing, she attracts a considerable amount of attention in a crowd. However, her somewhat fiery temperament deters many suitors.

Zhuang Li did not respond for a long time. Suddenly, he extended his long hand, repeatedly stroking my face with his fingertips, his eyes filled with an emotion I could not comprehend

I was unable to dodge in time and received a sharp slap across the face, the crisp sound of "pa" echoed in the living room, particularly jarring

His arrogant gaze was like a fine mesh, silently enveloping me

I slowly turned around, coldly surveying the person in front of me who was being extremely sarcastic, and asked word by word: "Have you said enough?"

The real reason is quite simple; to quote Mu Lianru directly: "If you want me to buy you a phone, go ahead and daydream!"

I coldly stared at her, walking step by step to stand in front of her, and suddenly kicked her sharply on the calf.

At this moment, how wonderful it would be if my father and mother were still by my side. My father would surely smile and ask me how school was after work, and my mother would prepare many delicious dishes for me, reminding me not to waste anything. If they were still here, they would certainly not allow me to suffer even the slightest grievance

The best thing about the Ding family for me is Ding Xuan, who is my only comfort in the Ding family. Although he has always called me by my name and never refers to me as 'sister'

I covered my swollen face, lowered my head, and said softly, "Ding Xuan, your mother did not mean it, I do not blame her." After saying this, I carried the basin, replaced it with a basin of warm water, brought it back, and then turned around and returned to the bedroom

At approximately sixteen years of age, the only asset I possess is this skin.

Who is Zhuang Li? At Yacheng High School, you may not know whether the principal is male or female, but you certainly know what kind of person Zhuang Li is. Because whenever he comes to class, all the girls in the school become abnormal

Before the age of eight, I indeed quite enjoyed eating chestnut cake, but just a few months after entering the Ding family, I was severely beaten by Mu Lianru for stealing the chestnut cake she bought for Ding Xuan. Since then, every time I see chestnut cake, I feel a pain in my back.

Hard work pays off for those who are diligent. A month later, Zhuang Li finally came to class. I watched from a distance as a luxury car, whose name I could not recall, slowly approached. Through the dark gray glass of the passenger seat, I could see Zhuang Li's indifferent and calm face, as if the entire world had nothing to do with him

At the age of sixteen, I attended Yacheng High School

Zhuang Li got out of the car and walked step by step towards me

In the end, I am all alone. No matter how much I struggle and resist, I am ultimately pinned to the ground, receiving several harsh kicks from someone. My whole body aches, yet I cannot pinpoint where the pain is coming from

Ding Xuan has always understood me

That house is cold, yet it is the only place where I can stay

I wrung out the clothes and said nonchalantly: "There is no need to argue with that group of flies, otherwise one will lose their value."

"You beg me, and if you do, I will return your backpack to you," said the girl standing on the backpack with an air of superiority.