I had supported Mathew for eight years and loved him just as long. I thought I had hidden my feelings well. Yet, the first thing Mathew did after becoming a business tycoon was to send me to a traditional women's etiquette school. He looked at me coldly, holding his fiancée in his arms, and said, "When you've rid yourself of those inappropriate thoughts, you can come out." A year later, I finally forgot him completely. But Mathew regretted it. When Mathew came to pick me up, I was under the instruction of Director Zhang. A pungent liquid trickled down my face, soaking into my clothes. Director Zhang flashed a sinister smile and said meaningfully, "Maisie, you know my methods. If you dare to speak of what happens here, don't expect any mercy from me." I shivered instinctively and replied loudly, "I wouldn't dare!" Satisfied, Director Zhang nodded and took me to wash up and change clothes. Only then did he send me to the entrance of the traditional women's etiquette school. I squinted at the man leaning against a car, smoking, feeling as if it were a lifetime ago. It took me a while to muster the courage to approach him cautiously. Mathew finally noticed me. He stubbed out his cigarette and reached out to take my backpack. I instinctively retreated, lowering my head and murmuring, "I can manage myself." Mathew frowned but said nothing. As we sped along, the oppressive atmosphere in the car made me anxious. I could only repeatedly recite the etiquette rules Director Zhang had drilled into me. Only after repeating it three times did my heart settle. Unexpectedly, Mathew broke the silence, "Why aren't you saying anything?" When Mathew first came to my home, he was a bit slow to warm up. I was always the one initiating conversation, afraid he wouldn't adjust. But that was in the past. Now, I wouldn't, because one of the rules of the etiquette code was to learn to keep quiet. I remember when I was first sent to the traditional women's etiquette school, I asked the director a few questions out of curiosity. I was starved for three days and nights. Curled up in a corner, too weak to speak, I learned to keep my mouth shut from that day on. Seeing I didn't respond, Mathew impatiently frowned, "Can't you hear me?" I touched my right ear. Yes, I was indeed deaf in my right ear, having been beaten by the director. Initially, if treated with surgery in time, some hearing could have been restored. But the director said to let me stay deaf as a lesson. And so, I permanently lost hearing in my right ear. All because, when the director tried to burn me with a cigarette, I instinctively flinched. Seeing I still didn't speak, Mathew sneered, "Is this what you learned in the etiquette class? Not impressive." I trembled and hastily said, "That's not it. The director said only calm and composed women are not annoying." Mathew scoffed, "So you're doing this just to get my attention?" I opened my mouth to explain but closed it again. The director had said never to contradict a man's words at any time. Seeing this, Mathew said disdainfully, "My mom heard you were back and cooked a feast for you. She doesn't know about your inappropriate thoughts, so behave yourself and don't disgrace her." I lowered my eyes and softly acknowledged.

My mother passed away early, leaving my father and me to rely on each other for support. When I was sixteen, my father brought home Aunt Zhou and ten-year-old Mathew, introducing them to me by saying, "Maisie, this is Aunt Zhou and Mathew. From now on, the four of us will be a family." Dad was always incredibly busy with work, leaving me alone most of the time. Thus, I didn't mind his marriage to Aunt Zhou; in fact, I looked forward to the idea of having a family of four. Aunt Zhou treated me with great affection, constantly finding ways to make delicious meals for me. Even if I mentioned something casually, she would make sure to prepare it for me herself. I was deeply thankful to have Aunt Zhou, who treated me like her own daughter, and I reciprocated by being exceptionally kind to her and Mathew. Yet, for reasons unknown to me, Mathew always remained distant. Aunt Zhou explained that Mathew was simply slow to warm up to people, and with time, things would improve. She advised me not to take it to heart. Encouraged by Aunt Zhou's words, I tried even harder to connect with Mathew, tirelessly sharing every amusing incident I encountered. I believed that if I persisted, I would eventually break through his reserve. Little did I know, Mathew's aloofness was reserved solely for me; he simply couldn't stand me. Returning to the old Jiang family residence felt like stepping into a bygone era. Mathew reached out to grab the backpack slung over my shoulder, startling me into stepping back. With anger barely contained, he shouted, "Maisie, what kind of trouble are you trying to stir up now?" My lips trembled violently as blood-soaked memories surged through my mind, leaving a metallic taste at the back of my throat. Desperately, I recited the guidelines for proper conduct over and over to quell my fear. Mathew's brow furrowed deeply, his voice harsh as he warned, "Maisie, let me remind you—my mother is still recovering. She can't handle any stress. If you dare to upset her, I won't let you off easily." The thought of Aunt Zhou's illness pained me deeply, prompting me to shake my head vigorously. "I won't do anything to upset Aunt Zhou, I promise, " I assured him. Mathew scoffed coldly, "You better keep your word." Following Mathew into the house, I saw Aunt Zhou sitting on the couch, with Corrine beside her. Corrine was cozily snuggling up to Aunt Zhou, playfully seeking attention. Aunt Zhou laughed at her antics, her eyes filled with fondness. I clenched my fists, then let them fall open, feeling utterly powerless. Corrine, my cousin, was the same age as Mathew. In the eighth year of Dad and Aunt Zhou's marriage, Corrine's parents ended up in prison for illegal business operations, leaving Corrine to stay with us. Beautiful and sweet-talking, Corrine easily won over Dad and Aunt Zhou, even managing to soften Mathew's typically reserved demeanor. But one day, I discovered Corrine had secretly planted a hidden camera in Mathew's room. Under my questioning, she confessed that she planned to use Mathew's private moments to extort money. Furious, I gave her a stern talking-to, eventually losing my temper and slapping her. Though I didn't hit her hard, she somehow managed to hit her head on the edge of the table. Mathew returned home just in time to witness the scene, glaring at me with hatred before rushing Corrine to the hospital without a backward glance. Later, Mathew learned of my feelings and, upon becoming a business tycoon, sent me straight to a finishing school for women. I felt somewhat wronged; after all, it was Corrine who sought to harm Mathew. I was only trying to protect him. Yet, somehow, Corrine won Mathew's affection, and even Aunt Zhou was fond of her.

Auntie Zhou saw me and immediately got up from the sofa, rushing towards me with tears in her eyes. "You little rascal, you still remember you have a home here, don't you? You've been gone for years and never once thought to come back and see me." Feeling guilty about my earlier thoughts, I choked out, "Auntie Zhou... " Corrine walked over to Auntie Zhou and gently patted her back. "The doctor advised you not to get too emotional. How quickly you forget." With that, Corrine turned to me, flashing a sweet smile and said meaningfully, "Cousin, welcome home." Auntie Zhou interrupted Corrine and gestured for me to sit at the dining table. "Maisie, you must be starving after that long flight. Come, have something to eat." Corrine wasn't bothered by Auntie Zhou's interruption and pulled Mathew to sit at the dining table with us, kindly urging me, "Yes, cousin, Auntie Zhou personally cooked all this for you. Don't waste her kindness." Auntie Zhou looked at me with eager anticipation. I took a deep breath and picked up a piece of meat, trying to convince myself to eat it, but as soon as I opened my mouth, I started to retch. Auntie Zhou asked anxiously, "Isn't Dongpo Pork, a traditional braised pork dish, your favorite? Why do you find it nauseating now? Could it be that my cooking skills have deteriorated?" I forced a bitter smile. It's not your cooking skills, Auntie Zhou. It's just that I haven't eaten meat in a year. During my time at the Academy for Female Virtues, I never had meat or a full meal. My body hasn't consumed meat, eggs, or dairy for so long that the smell alone makes me gag uncontrollably. Only I know how much I long to eat the meal Auntie Zhou made for me. In those days of weakness from hunger, I survived by repeatedly recalling the meals Auntie Zhou used to make for me. Auntie Zhou said regretfully, "Maybe I haven't cooked in a long time, so my skills have deteriorated. Don't worry, Maisie, I'll practice over the next few days and get my skills back." "You've lost weight during your years of studying abroad. You used to be so chubby and adorable." My eyes stung as I shook my head awkwardly, "Auntie Zhou, the ideal weight is often considered under a hundred pounds in some cultures. My weight is just right now." Corrine chuckled, "Auntie, you don't understand. My cousin is on a diet, maintaining her figure." Auntie Zhou glared at me playfully, "You've gotten so thin, yet you're still dieting." She pretended to raise her hand to tap my head, but instinctively, I crouched down, covering my head and trembling, "Please don't hit me... " Auntie Zhou looked at me in shock and hurriedly helped me up, "Maisie, what's wrong?" Only then did I realize that this wasn't the Academy for Female Virtues. Auntie Zhou wasn't Director Zhang. No one would hit me here for no reason. At the Academy for Female Virtues, every time the director raised a hand towards me, it meant a brutal beating was coming. Electric shocks, needle pricks, urine on my head, starvation—it was all routine. The academy's motto was that no matter how rebellious a girl was when sent in, she'd become an obedient girl after a year. Everyone focused on the results of the training, but no one cared about the methods used to make the girls obedient. This allowed the director to exploit and humiliate every student under the guise of reforming them. I stood up silently, saying nothing in explanation. Because I knew, explaining would be useless; no one would believe me. I didn't want Auntie Zhou, who had just recovered from illness, to be upset because of me. Moreover, if Director Zhang found out I spoke about the Academy for Female Virtues, I'm afraid he'd strip me of any courage to live. I sat at the dining table, bowing my head like a child who had done something wrong. Auntie Zhou cautiously observed me, "Maisie, you don't look well. Why don't you go rest in your room?" I forced out a smile and nodded, then hurriedly ran back to my room. Just as I entered, I rushed to the bathroom and vomited until I felt dizzy. The bitter taste of blood sprayed out of my mouth and nose, staining the toilet red. I hurriedly washed my face, rinsed my mouth, and wiped with a tissue before coming out of the bathroom. I saw Mathew standing in the room, looking awkward. "Mom asked me to check on you. What's going on?" I instinctively took a few steps back. Years ago, Mathew sent me to the Academy for Female Virtues after discovering my feelings for him, to rid me of those filthy thoughts. Because he paid a lot of money, the director was especially diligent, not only subjecting me to a grueling hell-mode training but also personally teaching me how to rid myself of such thoughts. During those dark nights, the director would press down on me, moving incessantly while hurling insults at me, "You wretched girl, how dare you have such disgraceful thoughts about your stepbrother." "Look at yourself now, do you think you're worthy?" "You're fit for nothing but disgrace." Painful memories flooded my mind, and I gasped for air, retreating two more steps before obediently answering, "Maybe I've been at the closed-off school for too long and am not used to the outside world." Mathew frowned slightly, as if he wanted to ask more, but footsteps outside interrupted him. Corrine opened the door and walked in, "Mathew, Auntie said once you've settled cousin in, come downstairs to discuss our wedding details." When Corrine first came to our house, she was always clinging to Mathew. Initially, Mathew was as indifferent to her as he was to me, but it wasn't long before he let her cling to him. He would even cheer her up when she was unhappy. Mathew heard Corrine's words and immediately acknowledged them, looking at her with doting eyes, "I'll be right down." Corrine winked at him, "We'll be waiting downstairs." Mathew smiled and nodded, then turned back to me once Corrine's footsteps faded. He pondered for a moment and said slowly, "I don't care if you've rid yourself of those thoughts, keep them buried inside." "If Mom or Corrine gets hurt because of you... " I instinctively straightened up and recited the words the director made me memorize daily at the Academy for Female Virtues, "I really have gotten rid of them. I won't dare anymore." "I'm such a disgusting person, completely unworthy of you. Only vile people would desire their stepbrother." Mathew's face darkened instantly. Footsteps sounded again, and Corrine appeared at the door, biting her lip and looking pale, "Cousin, you actually have such thoughts about Mathew?" "Although you're not blood-related, he's still your brother in name. How could you?" Mathew hurried to support the shaky Corrine, "Corrine, don't let your ears be sullied." Then he turned back to me, speaking harshly, "Maisie, you better have gotten rid of those disgraceful thoughts, or I won't hesitate to send you back to the Academy for Female Virtues for more training!" Mathew's words exploded in my mind like a bomb. Thinking of the miserable fate of those sent back to the Academy for Female Virtues by their families, fear and disgust overwhelmed my brain and heart. I froze in place, trembling violently. A warm sensation ran down my pant leg onto the clean marble floor. I stared blankly at my soaked pants, then looked up at the shocked faces of Mathew and Corrine. I had actually wet myself in front of them. Then, everything went black as I lost consciousness.