TFSRITA Chapter 119

Yan Qing wasn’t sure what might trigger him, so to get along better with him, she ordered two books online about mental health issues caused by physical disabilities. She planned to study them and also picked up some high school textbooks.

Living in the Chu family’s household was easier than she had imagined.

Chu Zhao rarely appeared. Occasionally, he would come out, but only to be pushed around outside by Qin Zhen for a short while. The Chu family members were careful around him, doing their best not to trigger him, but they didn’t go so far as to pressure anyone else.

At least with Yan Qing around, they noticed that she seemed to have a positive effect on him, but they didn’t push her to approach Chu Zhao deliberately either.

They provided her with good food, drinks, and various nutritional supplements suitable for a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old. After just about a week, she visibly put on some weight, with a healthier, fuller look.

Of course, Yan Qing’s spiritual spring played a big role in this transformation.

Since the Chu family treated her so well, she felt undeserving of their kindness. Occasionally, she would serve them tea, sometimes adding a drop or two of the spring water. After drinking it, they seemed to feel much more energetic and refreshed.

Yan Qing didn’t fully understand the benefits of this spiritual spring water, but it seemed to have a positive effect on health. Since she started using it, her stomach had never acted up again.

However, she hadn’t found an opportunity to give any of it to Chu Zhao.

Wearing slippers, Yan Qing made her way downstairs. Even the Chu family’s living room had air conditioning, keeping it at a comfortable twenty-five or twenty-six degrees. She wore a cardigan over her clothes—neither too hot nor too cold.

She was dressed in a sheer long dress that Zhou Huaiya had bought for her, paired with a pastel blue knit sweater. As she came down, Zhou Huaiya smiled and said, “Oh, I knew this pink would look so pretty on you. Look at that slim waist—I’m so envious!”

Auntie Zhou, the housekeeper, nodded in agreement. “Madam has a good eye! Miss Yan Qing’s fair skin brings out these colors.”

“Of course!” Zhou Huaiya looked proud as though the compliments were for herself.

She had always liked girls. If it hadn’t been for a health issue after having her second child, she would have tried for another. Then, with her eldest’s accident, she didn’t dare have more children, worried it would take attention away from him. So, a daughter remained her regret.

Her brother’s daughter, Chu Heng, was too spoiled for her liking, and the Zhou family children had grown distant over time. Now that there was a girl in the house, Zhou Huaiya naturally poured all her affection into Yan Qing, doing everything she’d dreamed of doing for a daughter.

Buying her clothes and accessories was only the beginning.

She graciously accepted Auntie Zhou’s compliments, while Yan Qing felt a bit embarrassed. If it had been a sarcastic remark, she could have handled it without blushing, but these genuine words of praise made her cheeks turn pink.

Seeing her reaction, Zhou Huaiya teased, “What’s there to be shy about? You’re beautiful, aren’t you?” She looked over at her husband, who was watching TV in the living room.

Chu Heng quickly turned around and said, “Of course! Qing Qing is very pretty. She’d be even prettier if she put on a bit more weight.”

“Yes, you should eat more,” Zhou Huaiya agreed, then added, “By the way, I think school registration is coming up soon, right? Do you know the exact date so I can prepare in advance?”

Yan Qing, remembering the recent stress of studying high school subjects, replied quietly, “There’s no rush for registration—it’s on the 28th, so there are still over ten days left. Auntie, could I get a tutor?”

The original Yan Qing hadn’t been great in academics; she tried hard but struggled to grasp the material. It was as if her mind was covered in a fog that blocked the path to knowledge. Since she arrived, that fog felt like a river, making things even harder, especially with her science courses.

Without a teacher, she found self-studying very difficult. Other than language arts, where she could understand classical texts and poetry easily, all other subjects felt like an endless puzzle.

Zhou Huaiya immediately understood and kindly offered, “Of course! It’s an important year—how about we get two tutors, each covering two subjects? Would that work?”

Yan Qing looked at her gratefully. “Thank you, Auntie!”

“No thanks necessary, it’s what I should do.” True to her word, Zhou Huaiya immediately picked up her phone. “I know some professors who can recommend their students to help with tutoring. Don’t worry, they’re excellent students.”

“Mm-hmm.” Yan Qing nodded obediently. As she watched Zhou Huaiya make the call, she breathed a sigh of relief and was about to head back upstairs to study.

That’s when she saw Chu Zhao heading outside alone.

Yan Qing squinted at the bright, sunlit window. The temperature outside was over forty degrees—was he going out?

Even Zhou Huaiya was startled, momentarily forgetting her phone call. She rushed over to him and coaxed, “Zhao Zhao, it’s so hot outside. Why don’t we wait until the evening to go out?”

Chu Heng stepped in front of him as well. “The sun’s too strong, Zhao Zhao; you might get dizzy. Let’s stay inside, okay?”

“I-want-to-go-out!” Chu Zhao enunciated each word, raising his head to reveal his handsome face, shadowed with gloom. More unsettling than his expression was the menacing energy radiating from him as his body started to tremble violently, looking as if he was barely keeping control. The Chu couple exchanged frightened looks.

“Call Jiang Cheng! Quickly!” Zhou Huaiya’s hands shook as she spoke.

Chu Heng had already taken out his phone.

Yan Qing froze, trying to recall anything useful from the book she had been reading, but her mind drew a blank.

Chu Zhao had begun pushing down on the armrests, trying to stand.

Nervously, Zhou Huaiya moved closer to support him. “Zhao Zhao, don’t be upset. You can go outside; let’s go outside, okay… Zhao Zhao…”

But as soon as she got close, Chu Zhao dodged away, leaning heavily to the other side.

Seeing him about to fall, Yan Qing quickly stepped forward, catching him just before he hit the floor. But before she could say anything, he seemed to recoil from her touch, his eyes widening. His flushed face twisted in anger, and with gritted teeth, he reached out to grab her throat, letting out a low growl, “Get away! Get away!”