Love and Redemption

Chapter 1

The cicadas' chirping gradually weakened under the oppressive summer night air, while distant rumbles of thunder emerged from small clouds in the sky.

Inside the Xie family villa, lights blazed, and the sounds of people bustling about filled the air.

"Place the air-freighted flowers here first."

"The second miss doesn't like the scent of the hallway aromatherapy, change it."

"These dresses need to be ironed tonight and let the second miss choose tomorrow."

"Who will go to the wine cellar with me?"

In a bedroom on the second floor, Xie Yan sat quietly on the edge of the bed, listening to the occasional conversations outside the door, all about her younger sister Xie Ling's birthday banquet tomorrow night.

The maid next to her zipped up the suitcase and stood up to look at her.

The girl curled up slightly, her long black hair partially covering her porcelain-like cheek, her amber eyes beautiful but dull and lifeless.

The maid sighed inwardly and walked up to her:

"Miss, your luggage is packed."

The girl came back to her senses, "Mm, thank you..."

"It seems like it's going to rain. I'll get you a coat before we go."

The maid left. The wall clock ticked, each sound more pronounced in the darkness before her eyes. Xie Yan hugged her knees and buried her face.

After a long while, the door opened again, and someone walked in.

Guessing it was the maid returning, she sat up straight, licked her dry lips, and softly called out, "Lily, could you please pour me a glass of water?"

There was no response.

Doubtful, she then heard the sound of water being poured.

The person walked towards her. Xie Yan stretched out her hand, waiting for them to hand her the glass. However, the next moment, a scalding hot glass was shoved into her hand.

"Ah—"

She had to let go due to the burning pain. The glass fell onto the carpet, hot water splashing everywhere.

"Sister, you're blind, but how can you not even hold a glass of water?"

Xie Yan was startled upon hearing the voice.

Xie Ling stood before her, seeing her frightened expression, and smiled, "Sorry, maybe the water I poured was too hot. Are you alright?"

"What do you want?" The girl's voice was slightly hoarse.

"I just came to see if you're packed. After all, my sister is disabled now and has difficulty moving. Do you need my help?"

Seeing her purse her lips and remain silent, Xie Ling's smile faded:

"If you're all packed, then take your luggage downstairs. Don't waste other people's time."

Just as she was about to leave, as if remembering something, she leaned down and whispered in Xie Yan's ear, "Sister, my 21st birthday wish is that the people I hate will never appear before me again. Thank you for helping me achieve it in advance."

After Xie Ling left the room, the girl slowly raised her head, turned around, and fumbled for the cane by the bed. Then, she stood up, waved her hand in the air a few times, and finally touched the handle of the suitcase.

She leaned against the wall and slowly walked out.

Today was the thirtieth day since she suddenly went blind after a car accident. At least she wouldn't be as helpless as before.

A rumble of thunder outside the window, and the storm finally arrived.

And she had no reason to stay any longer.

Xie Yan reached the bedroom door, and before opening it, she heard several maids chatting outside.

"I heard there will be a distinguished guest coming tomorrow night? And is it related to the second miss? Who is it?"

"You just found out? It's the man the second miss has liked for a long time, extremely wealthy and powerful. It seems he's coming tomorrow night to discuss a marriage alliance with the second miss."

"Marriage alliance? No wonder the family is taking this birthday banquet so seriously."

"Yeah, I heard that the man came back to the country specifically to marry the second miss. It's said to be a marriage alliance, but it's actually mutual love."

"That's so enviable..."

Xie Yan pushed the door open. The maids stopped talking when they saw her. Lily, who had just come in from the laundry room, stepped forward and draped a coat over her. "Miss, I'm sorry I was called away for something else earlier."

"It's alright."

"Let me help you downstairs."

The other maids exchanged glances, signaling Lily not to help. However, Lily shook her head and took the luggage.

The others muttered in low voices, "The second miss might get angry if she sees it later."

Xie Yan walked down the stairs. In the living room, her stepmother Feng Zhuang and several relatives were chatting while helping Xie Ling choose a dress.

"Mom, do you think Zhou Mengyan will like me wearing this? Is it too mature?"

Xie Ling held a black halter dress in front of her, her eyes shining.

Her mother pointed to the sofa, "If you're afraid it's too mature, change into this one."

"But is this one too cute? Maybe he doesn't like girls who are too childish..."

"Feng Zhuang, look at Ling, just like a young girl in love."

Xie Ling blushed and shyly wrapped her arm around her mother's. The latter smiled, "You're shy after hearing your aunt's words? Don't worry, you look good in anything. He likes you for who you are."

"But how do you know he likes me?"

"The Zhou family has already agreed to the marriage alliance, and Zhou Mengyan came back to the country today. Isn't it just to attend your birthday banquet tomorrow?"

"Then will the company's problems be solved?" Xie Ling asked.

"If we form a marriage alliance, the Zhou family will lend a hand to Oula."

Then Xie Ling will become the hero who saved the company.

Feng Zhuang stroked her daughter's hair, "I can rest assured that you will leave you to him." After all, the Zhou family's status in the business world was unrivaled. Zhou Mengyan was wealthy and steady, with countless women wanting to cling to him. For the Xie family to form a marriage alliance with him was considered climbing the social ladder.

Feng Zhuang: "You'll meet him tomorrow, and then you can have a good talk."

Xie Ling recalled the man's photo she saw on her phone. Her heart fluttered with emotions. Just as she was feeling overwhelmed with feelings, she saw the figure on the stairs.

Xie Yan walked down the stairs. The people in the living room stopped smiling and looked at her with various expressions.

"Are you leaving so late at night?"

Feng Zhuang took her sister-in-law's words and leaned back on the sofa, "You've lived in the Xie family for more than twenty years, now it's time for you to move out."

A young girl next to her curled her lips, "That's right, cousin has hands and feet, she's just blind. She's not going to die without someone to take care of her."

"Children shouldn't talk..."

Feng Zhuang agreed, "Si Si is right. Haven't some people had enough of their pampered life all these years? The Xie family has raised you for long enough."

Xie Yan listened to her stepmother's undisguised disgust towards her and clenched her fingers:

"Mrs. Feng Zhuang, it doesn't matter what happens to me... but please take good care of Dad."

Feng Zhuang scoffed, "I don't need you to remind me of that."

Xie Yan went to the entrance to change her shoes. As she pushed open the door, a gust of wind rushed in, and the sound of rain intensified.

Xie Ling walked behind her, looked outside, placed a blue umbrella in her hand, and smiled faintly.

"The rain is quite heavy, take this. Be careful on the road."

The door behind her closed.