The Black Swan Trap - chapter 5

Wen Ning was safely brought back to the Wen Family by Duan Wenhao.

Gazing at the five-story mansion before her, Wen Ning seemed lost in thought.

She remembered the small rented apartment, her mother’s desperate cries as the landlord pinned her down.

She had been very young, trembling in fear, hiding in the wardrobe with her hands pressed tightly over her ears.

Yet the sounds still pierced her eardrums-covering her ears made no difference. Instead, they became even clearer, lingering and impossible to dispel.

That was the second year after Wen Jiming left. Her mother had suffered a mental breakdown and lost her job, and the two of them were nearly thrown out by the landlord.

In the end, her mother exchanged her body for six months’ rent. After that, her mother’s condition only deteriorated further.

“Wen Ning?”

A middle-aged woman’s indifferent voice called out.

Her mother’s face, full of resentment, faded in Wen Ning’s mind, replaced by a refined and elegant countenance. When Wen Ning recognized the newcomer, she nodded.

The woman spoke, “I’m Aunt Zhao. Your father asked me to come pick you up.”

So this was Zhao Qianru.

A woman deceived by her father, forced to raise another’s child-it sounded pitiable, but Zhao Qianru was far from innocent.

Though both had been deceived, Zhao Qianru hired people to spread rumors that Wen Ning’s mother had knowingly become a mistress.

Yunzhou was such a small place; as the rumors grew, they became even more malicious, eventually causing Wen Ning’s mother’s psychological defenses to collapse.

Looking at that well-preserved face, Wen Ning curved her lips into a smile and greeted her in the Wu dialect, “Hello, Aunt Zhao.”

Zhao Qianru’s almond-shaped eyes narrowed slightly; Wen Ning’s smile made her temples throb.

She had been displeased about Wen Ning’s arrival from the start, and now, seeing her put on the same feeble smile as that woman, she felt an intense disgust.

Zhao Qianru pulled her shawl tighter around herself and, without a word, led Wen Ning inside.

As soon as they entered, she issued a warning: “Remember to behave while you’re living in my house.”

“Yes…”

Wen Ning’s fingertips trembled as she clutched the edge of her skirt, looking just like someone who had been bullied.

Zhao Qianru gave a cold snort and ignored her. With Wen Jiming gone, who was Wen Ning putting on this act for?

After leading Wen Ning into the Wen Family home, Zhao Qianru left her alone and returned to her own room.

Seeing Wen Ning, a young girl, standing helplessly at the entrance, Liu felt a wave of sympathy.

They were all servants of the Wen Family. Mr. Wen had told them a new young lady would be arriving today, but had given no further instructions.

It seemed Mr. Wen did not care much for this daughter.

As the lady of the house, Madam Wen had only asked them to prepare a guest room. Everyone could tell how Zhao Qianru felt about it.

The servants had discussed it among themselves in private.

Since they worked in this household, they all knew their loyalties should lie with Madam Wen.

There was no need to be overly attentive to the new young lady-Liu felt the same way.

But looking at the girl before her, Liu thought of her own daughter.

She glanced upstairs; Madam Wen was probably soaking in the bath at this hour and would not come out.

Liu stepped forward and asked softly, “You must be Miss Wen Ning?”

Wen Ning’s previously lost eyes flickered. Grateful for Liu’s kindness, she replied:

“I am. Could you tell me where my room is?”

Her voice was soft and gentle, and together with her well-behaved demeanor, Liu’s heart softened on the spot.

“Miss Wen Ning, just call me Liu. I’m responsible for the household affairs here at the Wen Family.”
While Liu was introducing the house, she took a new pair of slippers from the shoe cabinet and placed them in front of Wen Ning’s feet. “Change into the slippers, and I’ll take you to your room.”

“Okay, thank you, Liu.” Wen Ning deliberately lowered her voice.

She guessed that Zhao Qianru would not be pleased with her, and didn’t want Zhao Qianru to take it out on Liu for looking after her.

Seeing how considerate Miss Wen Ning was toward her, Liu felt warmed inside.

By the time Liu brought Wen Ning to her room, Wen Ning had already gathered the basic situation of the family from Liu’s conversation.

“Thank you, Liu, you can go ahead with your work. I’ll be fine on my own.”

After Wen Ning saw Liu out with a smile, the faint dimples on her cheeks instantly disappeared.

Anyone who saw this would be surprised-this girl who seemed so docile and obedient at first glance now had a chill in her eyes.

Her luggage, which the driver had sent ahead, was already in the room.

Wen Ning rummaged through it. All her belongings together were worth less than the dress she was wearing now-the one Wen Hua bought her for thirty thousand yuan.

Wen Ning took out her pajamas and went to shower.

Hot water streamed over her body.

Now that her clothes were off, it was clear Wen Ning wasn’t thin from chronic malnutrition-she had deliberately made herself this skinny.

As long as she ate properly, she could regain her former figure.

She only did this to play up her misery.

In fact, Wen Ning’s life in Yunzhou wasn’t all that bad.

She had excellent grades, and with her special family background, just hinting a little in front of the teachers could win their sympathy.

So her homeroom teacher made an exception and recommended Wen Ning for a tutoring job.

At first, people were prejudiced against her because of her mother’s affair, afraid she would be a bad influence on their children.

But with the teacher’s endorsement and Wen Ning’s proven excellence, many families came to accept her as a tutor.

Wen Ning not only gained a modest and steady income, but also no longer had to endure working in an internet café.

She thought life would continue to improve and felt content.

Just as before, although her parents loved Wen Hua more, Wen Ning believed that as long as she made more concessions, their family could live happily together.

But things did not go as she wished.

That day, Wen Ning came home from tutoring as usual and found an unfamiliar pair of men’s leather shoes at the door.

When she opened the door, she saw her usually unkempt mother had specially dressed up and was entertaining a strange man in the living room.

The moment Wen Ning entered, the man’s eyes clung to her like a snake, making Wen Ning uneasy.

“This is my daughter. Take a look.”

She couldn’t hear clearly what was said after that, but her mother’s sentence-“She’s still a virgin, fifty thousand”-sent a chill through Wen Ning.

Her own mother was actually going to sell her!

Wen Ning would rather die than submit. She grabbed a knife from the kitchen, intending to stab the man. Startled, he cursed and fled the house.

Breaking down, Wen Ning dropped the knife. She wanted to ask her mother why-why didn’t she love her, why give birth to her at all?

But her mother wouldn’t let her speak, immediately returning to her usual crazed state. She pinned Wen Ning hard to the coffee table, her eyes red with rage as she shouted:

“Why did you refuse! Why won’t you let me live a good life! Whatever Zhao Qianru can have, I should have too!”