Don't tell her disgusting platitudes like "Adults' mistakes shouldn't be borne by children" or "Children are innocent."
When Gu Yufei was pregnant, *she* was still just a child herself.
Don't preach goodness to others if you've never endured their suffering.
Why should someone else's crime ruin your entire life?
Normally, Gu Yufei kept these thoughts locked deep inside. But today—after the young master had finally shown interest in her—the old pain surged up like a tidal wave, drowning her.
The man she'd admired for years, the one who'd saved her when she was at her lowest, had looked at her… and, like something out of a dream, desired her.
Even if it was only physical lust, Gu Yufei was willing—eager—to drown in it.
But because of the child born from *that* mistake—a mistake that should never have happened—she'd had no choice but to refuse him.
In that moment of rejection, desolation and despair had swallowed her whole. She hated the man from five years ago with every fiber of her being… and, shamefully, she hated her own daughter too.
Yet seeing Gu Xiaohan now—innocent, beaming, offering her favorite toy—Gu Yufei felt a fresh wave of shame crash over her.
How could she be worthy of this little "pig house" the young master had secretly built for her daughter?
A man as kind and noble as him—how could she dare let her tainted self defile him?
Her proud, aloof rejection hadn't angered him at all.
How ridiculous that she'd even entertained the thought—however briefly—that he'd truly locked her daughter in a filthy pigsty.
Even dismissing the idea instantly couldn't erase the insult it implied toward his gentleness.
Reluctantly, Gu Yufei accepted the plush pig from her daughter's small hands. Her smile was bitter as she forced it wider and gently patted the girl's head.
"Go play, Mommy's fine."
The young master's intentions were crystal clear now.
His actions after the rejection said everything.
He was interested in her body—why couldn't she just accept that he might have fallen in love?
The answer was painfully obvious.
Gu Yufei refused to admit it. She'd rather believe he only wanted her physically than imagine her existence forcing him into something despicable.
Her love was hers alone. It didn't require reciprocation. She didn't need him to love her back—or even like her.
As long as there was desire, that was enough.
Butler Li's parting words echoed in her mind: *Don't overthink it. Don't overthink it.*
Why would she overthink?
She already felt utterly unworthy. Even when the dream she'd longed for appeared right in front of her, she hadn't dared reach for it.
With someone like her… what was there to overthink?
Gazing at the exquisite little playhouse, Gu Yufei's heart ached.
The door suddenly burst open.
Zhao Yue stood in the entrance, face thunderous, scanning the room.
*This* was the pigsty?
It looked more like a high-end children's play area—plush pig dolls, rocking horses shaped like pigs, colorful toys everywhere. Far nicer than most kids' amusement corners.
Zhao Yue had never truly believed her brother would coerce a woman.
Now that doubt was gone.
But putting a little girl in a place like this… could that really be called coercion?
Gu Yufei and Gu Xiaohan both startled at the intrusion. The child immediately ducked behind her mother.
"Miss."
Gu Yufei rose quickly, bowed gracefully, and greeted her.
Zhao Yue forced down her rage, took a deep breath. "I'm giving you face. Come outside and talk."
With that, she turned and strode out.
She couldn't bring herself to say those words in front of a child.
"Mommy…"
"Stay here. Don't come out." Gu Yufei's voice was stern. She followed Zhao Yue, clutching the hem of her skirt nervously.
The young miss showing up now—of all times—meant she'd learned something. Gu Yufei's heart pounded.
Gu Xiaohan was sensible. At her mother's command, she stood still, biting her finger curiously as she watched the two women leave.
"Gu Yufei, right?"
Once outside, Zhao Yue's gaze turned icy. Her brother had warned her not to interfere… but how could she stay silent?
"Yes, Miss."
Facing Zhao Yan's sister, Gu Yufei's already fragile courage crumbled further.
Zhao Yue inhaled sharply, her smile cold and sharp. "I hear you did something quite impressive today."
"…"
Gu Yufei froze for a moment.
*Just as I thought.*
"You seduced my brother, didn't you?" Zhao Yue glanced back at the charming little playhouse, her expression complicated. Her tone held absolute certainty.
If nothing had happened, why would her brother build something so thoughtful for that little girl?
"…Yes."
It wasn't the young master who'd suggested it—she had seduced him.
She was the shameless one: greedy for status, hungry for security.
The young master had nothing to do with it.
She'd begged him for this little house for her daughter.
What wrong had he committed? He'd simply been tempted by her.
His kind heart made him feel guilty for "giving in," so he'd found an excuse to care for the child.
That was all. Nothing more.
Zhao Yue drew another deep breath. Her delicate fists clenched until her nails dug in—as if she wanted to claw that pitifully beautiful face in front of her.
The saying "a snake trying to swallow an elephant" fit this woman perfectly.
Her brother had already given her so much—shelter, a job, a life with her daughter. Yet this woman showed no restraint.
She kept pushing.
Now everything made sense—her brother's foul mood earlier, his sudden coldness.
It was all because of *her*.
This woman had caused him to act out of character, made him feel guilty for being "seduced." He might even blame himself.
But it wasn't his fault.
"Fine. Since you've admitted it, I won't waste more words." Zhao Yue's voice was colder than it had ever been—even in the company, she was only aloof, never cruel.
She never used her status to bully others.
But today she was furious. Her brother had come home unwell, and this woman had ruined everything for him.
*Disgusting.*
Not her brother—he wasn't the disgusting one.
It was this shameless maid with a child, hiding behind pitiful looks and fragile clothes to soften his heart.
*Hateful!*
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