Chapter 32: A Childs Secret Part 2

But Ming Li remembered that Mingyue, like Zhu Hanxing, only had a single mole on the back of her neck—the exact same spot. Ming Li had found it fascinating and even a little envious at the time.

After all, she and Ming Xi didn’t share any matching marks.

Ming Li had a mark on her own waist, a five-centimeter line that looked like a scar but wasn’t. Ms. Ming always said it was a birthmark.

Meanwhile, Ming Xi had inherited their mother’s mark—a butterfly-shaped birthmark the size of a thumbnail on her shoulder blade. It was quite beautiful.

Ming Li often regretted not inheriting that pretty mark.

But what was on Mingyue’s body now was nothing like that. There were over a dozen bruises, large and small, cluttering her soft skin. When Ming Li accidentally touched one, Mingyue winced and pursed her lips, but she didn’t dare cry.

Ming Li knew this had to be Auntie Jin’s doing.

No wonder that woman had been so loud in the shop today; she was terrified of being exposed.

And her methods were vile. She had specifically targeted hidden areas where the bruises would fade in a few days. Even if they were discovered, what could anyone do?

After all, if they were to sue, they would have to submit photos as evidence to a judge. That would mean exposing the child’s body to strangers.

Even a child that young had her dignity.

Ming Li felt a surge of rage, but she felt a pang of reluctance as she reached for her phone to take photos for Zhu Hanxing.

Mingyue was naturally adorable. When she was younger, strangers on the street would stop just to play with her.

How could anyone have the heart to do this?

Just because Mingyue couldn’t hear? Because she couldn’t tattle?

Seeing Ming Li stop, Mingyue bit her lower lip and signed: Don’t tell my sister.

Ming Li asked: Why? Your sister will stand up for you.

Sister is busy and works very hard. Mingyue’s hands paused for a second before continuing, I don’t want to make her sad.

Mingyue even tried to comfort her: I’ll be better in a few days.

Sister Li is also very busy.

Before Ming Li could sink further into her sorrow, Ming Xi’s voice drifted in from outside. “Food’s ready, you two!”

Ming Li hurriedly dried Mingyue off and dressed her in one of Ming Xi’s oversized T-shirts, which hung down like a dress.

Only then did they emerge from the bathroom.

Though Ms. Ming had only boiled frozen dumplings, Ming Xi was starving and ate with gusto. Inspired by her sister’s appetite, Ming Li managed to eat more than usual.

As 11:00 PM approached, Ms. Ming wasn’t sure if Ming Li was staying the night. She didn’t want to ask directly, fearing Ming Li would feel too pressured to refuse, so she kept shooting meaningful looks at Ming Xi.

Ming Xi looked back—Why don’t you ask her yourself?

Ms. Ming glared at her. The back-and-forth was so obvious that Ming Li finally noticed. She smiled and said, “I’m staying here tonight. Mingyue is sleeping with me.”

Ms. Ming breathed a sigh of relief, but a moment later, she worried, “What about the Gu family…?”

“They won’t say anything,” Ming Li said. “It’s not like I’m never going back.”

Ms. Ming nodded. “I suppose that’s true.”

However, Ming Li hadn’t stayed at her mother’s house once since she got married.

For a moment, Ms. Ming felt out of practice being a host to her own daughter.

After dinner, Ming Xi was tasked with the dishes. Ms. Ming brought out a set of new bedsheets. She had bought them specifically for Ming Li when they moved into the new house, but they had been washed, dried in the sun, and then tucked away, never used.

Ms. Ming was busy but clearly happy, talking more than she usually did.

Unable to hear, Mingyue followed Ming Li around like a little tail.

Once Ms. Ming finished making the bed, Ming Li lay down and sighed contentedly. “It smells like Mom.”

Ms. Ming teased, “Smooth talker.”

Yet, the corners of her eyes and lips were brimming with smiles.

Ming Li didn’t return to Gu Manor that night, and Gu Qingshuang didn’t send any more messages.

She took a quick shower and changed into her pajamas. When she returned to the bedroom, Mingyue was still awake, her bright eyes following her.

Ming Li climbed into bed to coax her to sleep.

A short while later, there was a knock at the door. Ming Li went to open it; it was the delivery she had ordered.

She had bought some ointment for Mingyue, hoping to help her heal faster.

Mingyue had reached her limit for the night. Before Ming Li could finish applying the cream, the girl had fallen asleep on her stomach, her face still turned toward Ming Li.

This was the scene Ming Xi walked into. Seeing Ming Li applying medicine to Mingyue’s bruised backside, Ming Xi’s eyes widened in shock. “That woman surnamed Jin is an animal! I thought the dumpster fire of a father was bad, but she’s giving him a run for his money.”

Ming Li gestured for her to lower her voice. Ming Xi sat beside her, still fuming, her eyes full of heartache as she looked at Mingyue. “If Sister Hanxing finds out, she’ll definitely go after that woman with a knife.”

“She’s not that person anymore,” Ming Li said.

She still remembered when she had accompanied Zhu Hanxing home to pick up some things years ago. They had heard Zhu Hanxing’s father beating little Mingyue from outside the door. Back then, Mingyue could still hear, and her cries were louder than any other child’s.

Zhu Hanxing had unlocked the door and, without a word, grabbed a knife from the kitchen, nearly getting into a blade fight with her own father.

Ming Li had been so terrified she’d had nightmares for two days. When she told her family, Ms. Ming wanted to tell her to stay away from such people, but Zhou Bai had said Zhu Hanxing was a poor soul. Knowing Ming Li was close to her, he had even anonymously sponsored Zhu Hanxing for a period of time.