"Han Miaomiao, why did you throw all my things out?" Tian Youyou demanded, her voice edged with irritation as she confronted Han Miaomiao.
"Hmph! I'm tired of my room, I want to switch with you," Han Miaomiao retorted defiantly, giving Tian Youyou a dismissive glance.
"Miaomiao, both rooms are practically the same, why insist on switching with Youyou?" Lin Yue Rong interjected, grasping Han Miaomiao's arm, her expression filled with distress.
Tian Youyou was like a daughter she had raised herself, no different from her own. Since Han Miaomiao's return, she had been relentless in making life difficult for Tian Youyou. From claiming her designer bags, clothes, and shoes without returning them, to now coveting her room—it seemed she was intent on driving Tian Youyou out of the house.
"Mom, you're too biased. If it weren't for her, would I have endured years of hardship in Hou Xiaomei's rural home? What's wrong with switching rooms? She should be the one living in the countryside; that's where she belongs!" Han Miaomiao raised her voice, sharp and shrill, tinged with a sob.
"What's the matter? Miaomiao, who upset my precious daughter?" Tian Sheng returned home, shedding his coat to the housekeeper, and approached as Han Miaomiao cried out in a delicate tone, clinging to his arm, "Look, Dad, I just want to switch rooms with Tian Youyou, and she refuses. You don't realize that my status in this house is even lower than that of an adopted daughter…"
Han Miaomiao wept bitterly, her tears tugging at the heartstrings.
"Youyou, no matter the reason, you should accommodate Miaomiao. After all, you've swapped lives for over twenty years; you owe it to her," Tian Sheng said, his face darkening and his tone chilling.
"Fine! We'll switch," Tian Youyou muttered, her head bowed, avoiding the gaze of those around as she began packing her things.
But really, she had little left to pack; Han Miaomiao had already taken anything of value.
"Youyou..." Lin Yue Rong's gaze shifted between Tian Youyou and Han Miaomiao, finally settling on Tian Sheng with a resigned sigh, remaining silent.
She was merely a housewife; her voice held no weight in Tian Sheng's presence.
"Oh, by the way, I haven't cleared out my room yet, there's quite a bit left. There's a room next to Zhang's, you can stay there for now," Han Miaomiao said coldly to Tian Youyou, a sneer on her lips.
That room next to the housekeeper's was actually a storage room.
Tian Sheng glanced at Tian Youyou and said nothing.
Then, turning to Lin Yue Rong, "Come here, I need to speak with you," he called her into a room and locked the door behind them.
His stance was clear; he had no intention of stopping Han Miaomiao's actions, perhaps even condoning them.
Tian Youyou collected a few of her garments and entered the storage room.
The housekeeper, following quietly, wiped away a tear, unable to bear the sight any longer and reaching out to Tian Youyou, was about to speak when Han Miaomiao cut in, "Look! Zhang is such a kind soul, why don't you give her your room? A servant, not even recognizing who the master is!"
Han Miaomiao rolled her eyes and returned to her room.
Tian Youyou patted the housekeeper's hand and forced a bitter smile, "It's okay, I'll manage for one night, and look for a job tomorrow!" The storage room had only a folding bed that barely fit one person; standing straight was impossible.
To think, her adoptive father could be so ruthless.
Ultimately, it was all because her ties with the Zhou family had soured, rendering her worthless as an adopted child.
When she was with Zhou Moyan, she was the jewel in Tian Sheng's crown.
He had said that her alliance with Zhou Haoyan was his investment paying off, providing the Tian family a significant backing.
And then, she was stripped and thrown onto Zhou Moyan's elder brother's bed... Zhou Moyan had despised her ever since.
Tian Sheng had then orchestrated her engagement to Zhou Haoyan, correcting the supposed mistake.
She still couldn't fathom why Zhou Zhicheng had agreed.
Of course, she couldn't agree; not only had she been framed, but marrying Zhou Haoyan would be like stabbing Zhou Moyan in the heart.
The storage room had no windows; closing the door would be suffocating, making it uninhabitable.
She thought of leaving, but had nowhere to go.
Over the years, Tian Sheng had secretly transferred the properties bought for her, and she wouldn't see a dime of that money.
She had tried for many jobs, all thwarted by Tang Wanyi.
Tang Wanyi, Zhou Haoyan's fiancée, was once Tian Youyou's close friend and boss.
That day, Tang Wanyi had witnessed her naked with Zhou Haoyan, marking the start of her relentless pursuit.
The Tian household had settled for the night, and Tian Youyou quietly left, wandering aimlessly through the streets.
The city's nightlife was far from desolate, especially in the bustling CBD area, where many office buildings were still lit, likely with white-collar workers pulling late shifts.
She looked up at the giant scrolling ad on a building, frozen in place.
The man on the screen, regal and refined, hadn't changed a bit, only his gaze more mature and incisive. His narrow eyes slightly squinted, his lips curled into a subtle smirk, exuding a commanding presence.
"President Zhou's return marks a new chapter for Zhou Industries."
If not for the caption, no one would peg him as a business mogul; he looked more like a celebrity.
He was back!
But what did that have to do with her?
Tian Youyou smiled bitterly, unable to tear her eyes away from the screen, immobilized as it scrolled by.
The man stepped off the escalator, spotting her instantly from a dozen meters away, recognizing the figure that haunted his thoughts.
"You're quick to arrive!" he muttered to himself, a cold smirk playing on his lips.
Tian Youyou, weary and sleepy, found a bench in the plaza, stretched out, and rested her head on her knees, unknowingly drifting off to sleep.
Morning brought activity to the plaza.
Waking up with numb legs, Tian Youyou took a long moment to stand.
She chuckled sadly, not believing she had come to this—homeless and adrift.
The Tian household was no longer an option. All she could do was keep searching for work.
As the sun began to rise, she clenched her fist, quietly motivating herself, "Keep going! Don't let life beat you down!"
She picked up her backpack and left the plaza, heading to a nearby internet café to submit job applications.
A limited edition Rolls-Royce had just pulled up next to the plaza.
Inside, the man furrowed his brows, watching the woman with the worn canvas bag and sneakers, clad in jeans and a hoodie, crossing the plaza. His heart skipped a beat as she shielded her eyes against the rising sun, her fair face bathed in a soft golden glow.
She's here early to corner me? Hah, what a schemer!
The woman walked swiftly past the car, not even a glance spared for him.
Unbeknownst to her, she was being watched.
His grip tightened, feeling an unexpected pang of loss.
Was she here to confront him? Just arrived? Or never left?
"Assistant Zhang, look up someone's recent three-year history for me," he instructed over a call.
Tian Youyou bought herself a cup of soy milk and a serving of shumai, sitting at a computer in the internet café, sending out job applications.