Chapter 2

In the dim light, I noticed scars on Shen Yan’s arms.

Old marks from knocking against table corners, and cuts from sharp objects.

My brother was horrible.

Shen Yan paid me no attention.

His eyes still stared into nothing.

He seemed to catch the scent of food.

With a sweep of his arm, he sent the meal spilling.

His voice was impatient.

“Are you deaf? I told you to get out.”

Blind as he was, Shen Yan had an imposing presence. My shoulders trembled at his rebuke.

My brother’s debt was mine to pay.

Remembering how good he’d been to me, I wanted to earn him a reduced sentence.

“Have a little,” I urged patiently. “Otherwise, you won’t have the strength to run away.”

His ankle band showed his health readings at rock bottom.

The mood indicator glowed red.

Irritation. Disgust…

I was out of ideas.

I could only go outside and ask my brother.

He’d be away for a month, after all.

What if I failed to look after his little pet and it died right in front of me?

When I said the puppy wouldn’t eat and was very wary of me,

my brother swore.

“Pry his mouth open and feed him! When I’m there, he leans against my leg and wags his tail like a good boy. Why’s he being so vicious to you?”

“Little bastard knows who he can push around.”

“That’s an expensive breed. Don’t let him lose weight, or I’ll string you both up and beat you!”

I reheated the food and took it to Shen Yan again.

He raised his hand to knock it away.

This was the sixth time.

He was already weak with hunger, his complexion an unhealthy gray. He seemed determined to starve himself to death.

I lost my temper and caught his wrist in a firm grip.

My voice was fierce.

“Eat, or I’ll smack you!”

Shen Yan looked up. Blind eyes, but an authority that needed no anger.

He gave a low laugh.

“You dare speak to me like that? Who do you think you are?”

Holding his meal, I laughed in exasperation too.

My brother said he was well behaved. Even wagged his tail.

So he really did pick his targets. Locked up, and still this mouthy?

I gripped Shen Yan’s chin and forced his mouth open.

“Naughty puppies get punished.”

He seemed never to have been handled so roughly. Stunned, he actually let me stuff a few mouthfuls into him.

His Adam’s apple bobbed.

“You—!”

I brought warm water and patted his back, coaxing him.

“Eat properly and I won’t snap at you. I’m not like them. I’m a good person.”

During our struggle, food and water had smeared his dark shirt.

A patch of skin showed through.

Blind, Shen Yan couldn’t see the state he was in.

His beautiful face was a picture of shock and lost control.

I reminded him,

“You’re filthy. Go wash yourself.”

With the pet fed,

I went to the guest room to unpack.

Then read up on my new company.

It was a subsidiary of the Shen Group.

I’d interviewed for a position in one department and learned who my manager was. I skipped the information about anyone higher up.

I’d never meet people at that level anyway.

Stretching, I phoned my brother with an update.

“The bad dog spilled his food. I’ve sent him to have a bath.”

My brother shouted,

“Are you insane? How’s he supposed to bathe himself? He’s afraid of water!”

“The stupid dog will drown. Go fish him out!”