Chapter Six: Could It Be That You Like Her?

Since her return to the Ning family, she had been living in the guest room. At first, Mrs. Ning tried to appease her, promising to move her to a better room someday, but that day never came, and now the matter was no longer mentioned. Fortunately, Ning Huaizhi held few expectations and thus suffered no disappointments.

“Click!”

The light in the room switched on, cold white rays illuminating every corner. The guest room was decorated simply, clean but lacking the warmth that makes a house a home. Ning Huaizhi had only a few belongings—so few that even the table was scarcely filled, and more than half of the wardrobe stood empty except for clothes suitable for this season.

Even outside the Ning household, her life had never been any better. Her father, a chronic drunkard, and her mother, sharp-tongued and cruel, filled their dilapidated home with the stench of mold and rot, mingled with angry shouts—this had been Ning Huaizhi’s world for eighteen long years.

Back then, her name was Zhao Huaizhi; only after being brought into the Ning family was her name changed. She once thought that a new name would bring a peaceful life. Alas, a name change does not alter fate—her life remained unchanged.

Most of the clothes she wore growing up were hand-me-downs from a neighbor’s sister, who, feeling pity for her, often brought over barely-worn garments. Ning Huaizhi never refused, for if she did, she wouldn’t have any clothes at all—her mother would never buy her any.

If trapped by her family circumstances she had to accept that, perhaps she would not have been so saddened. But without comparison, there is no pain. Later, her mother had a son—her younger brother—and their lives were worlds apart.

Ning Huaizhi had often wondered why her mother treated her so cruelly. Perhaps she was not even her real child.

It seemed as though fate had played a cruel joke on her.

She truly was not Mrs. Zhao’s child.

But whether or not that was true no longer mattered.

Neither Mrs. Zhao nor Mrs. Ning treated her well.

Ning Huaizhi slipped off her coat and collapsed onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling.

The harsh light stung her eyes, nearly bringing tears.

The greatest crisis of her rebirth had been resolved.

But her life was not made up of that one event alone; many other matters awaited her.

First, a bath, then sleep. Whatever comes, she would face it tomorrow.

With that thought, she turned and entered the bathroom.

***

Though the guest room was modest, the bed was soft enough to promise a restful sleep.

...

At six in the morning, warm sunlight streamed over Ning Huaizhi, urging her to open her eyes.

By the time she finished washing up, her father and others had already returned.

Though the guest room had a small kitchen, it was not for her use. If she wanted to eat, she had to go to the main building’s small dining room.

Upon seeing her, housekeeper Wang immediately stopped her work and greeted her warmly, “Good morning, Third Miss.”

“Mm.”

Soon, several dishes appeared on the table.

“You came back late from the banquet last night. The master and mistress haven’t risen yet. I heard something happened at the banquet, and you probably didn’t eat much. Have some extra this morning—don’t go hungry.”

Ning Huaizhi was always an early riser. It was not uncommon for her to be awake while others still slept.

“Thank you, Aunt Wang,” she said politely, lowering her head to eat earnestly.

She ate quickly but quietly, a habit cultivated during her previous life’s four years.

Living in the Ning household meant frequent encounters with its members, especially during meals, which were unavoidable.

So she always hurried her eating, finishing faster and faster, eager to leave and minimize time spent with them.

Before long, she was done.

“Aunt Wang, I’m heading back now.”

“All right.”

Back in her room, Ning Huaizhi began to contemplate her future.

She was currently studying biomedical engineering at a university in Jing City. Barring unforeseen events, after returning from the banquet, she would meet a teacher who would change her life forever.

In her previous life, she had appeared a mess when meeting that teacher. The teacher had laughed then, saying she looked like a drowned puppy.

What had she said in response?

That it was fortunate the teacher had taken in this drowned puppy, or else she would have been homeless.

A faint smile curled the corners of Ning Huaizhi’s lips.

This life, unlike the last, she would not allow herself to appear so pitiful before the teacher. She would show the teacher a different kind of student.

***

Yes, even with a second chance at life, Ning Huaizhi still wished to be that teacher’s student, to make up for the regrets of her former life.

The teacher had always treated her like a daughter, caring deeply. She wondered how saddened the teacher must have been to see her dead body.

The sharp sting in her palm brought her back to reality. She looked down and saw four crescent-shaped bite marks, dotted with tiny spots of blood.

She lowered her hand and turned her gaze to the window.

At that moment, her longing for the teacher reached its peak.

The door was knocked on sharply. Ning Huaizhi barely stood before impatient knocking followed.

She already guessed who it was.

Opening the door, she indeed saw a familiar face.

“Second Young Master, what do you want with me?”

Ning Second Young Master wore sportswear, his hair unkempt, casually ruffled as though grabbed in passing.

Compared to Ning First Young Master, who was serious and meticulous, Second Young Master was much more carefree—doing as he pleased. No one in the Ning family dared provoke him—not the servants, not even Mr. and Mrs. Ning.

In their words, the Second Young Master was born to cause trouble. Fortunately, with the First Young Master and Ning Lebao around, they found some comfort.

Yet this very man was spoiled like a dog by Ning Lebao, his attention wholly devoted to her. When she pointed east, he wouldn’t look west.

“Ning Huaizhi, the little tricks you pulled last nightI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.