Chapter 15: Almost Free

She didn’t know how long had passed.

Su Yutao was stirred awake by a sound.

It was soft. Distant.

Like something rattling.

She pricked up her ears, listening carefully.

Not the cars downstairs.

Not the birds outside the window.

It came from outside—probably the hallway.

Intermittent.

Like something scratching at the door?

Or like someone talking?

She caught a faint trace of something like

“Gu… ga…”

Su Yutao slowly sat up.

The sound was still there.

She got out of bed.

Holding onto the wall, she fumbled forward step by step.

She reached the bedroom door.

Opened it.

Fumbled into the living room.

The sound seemed a bit closer now.

It was coming from over there—from the front door.

Su Yutao groped her way forward.

Underfoot, the floor was cold.

She skirted the sofa—she still remembered where it was.

Her hand touched the door.

She felt along it, found the doorknob.

Pushed it down.

The door swung open.

Outside was the hallway.

Cool air rushed in, carrying the scent of the outside.

The sound was clearer now.

It came from the end of the hall—like a cat’s cry, or like the wind blowing.

Su Yutao leaned against the wall and slowly walked out.

The hallway floor was colder than inside.

Step by step, she felt her way forward along the wall.

Her hand touched something—a railing.

At the end of the hallway was a balcony.

That sound was coming from outside the balcony.

Su Yutao’s hand gripped the railing as she slowly moved forward.

The wind blew against her face, carrying the scent of freedom.

Suddenly, an absurd thought struck her—

What if she climbed over here?

What if she found a way out?

What if she could escape?

Then that person wouldn’t see her tonight.

That murderer wouldn’t threaten her anymore.

She would be free.

Su Yutao’s hands groped over the railing.

She found it—the railing wasn’t high, about waist-high.

Over it was the outside.

She lifted her foot and stepped onto the horizontal bar—

A hand suddenly grabbed her from behind, seizing the back of her collar.

She was yanked down from the railing.

Su Yutao froze in terror.

Then a voice exploded in her ear, urgent and angry:

“Hey—are you really trying to kill yourself, you little blind girl?!”

It was Shen Nian.

“What were you doing climbing the balcony?! Do you know this is the third floor?! You could die if you fall! Do you understand?!”

Su Yutao was held up, like a cat scruffed by the neck, unable to move.

Shen Nian dragged her back inside, slamming the door shut with a bang.

Then she was pushed down onto the sofa.

Shen Nian’s voice came from above her, panting heavily:

“Sit still!”

The rustling of clothes—Shen Nian was pulling out her phone.

The sound of a call connecting.

Then Shen Nian spoke, her tone rushed and sharp:

“Hey! Xue! That little blind girl you picked up almost climbed over the balcony!”

The other side seemed to say something.

“When I came up, I saw the door open and knew something was wrong! As soon as I came out, I saw her stepping on the railing about to jump!”

“Third floor! Do you understand third floor?! She’d be crippled at best if she fell!”

“Though she’s already disabled.”

The other side said something else.

Shen Nian took a deep breath, her tone softening a bit but still angry:

“I know she didn’t mean it… but it scared the hell out of me! I was only late by a little!”

She paused, glancing at Su Yutao curled up on the sofa.

Then a hand reached out and pressed down on Su Yutao’s head, pinning her in place.

Not letting her move.

Shen Nian continued on the phone:

“Look, your plan isn’t working. You leave her alone at home; she can’t see, she touches everything. What if something happens?”

“She’s sitting next to me now, I’ve got her pinned down. Don’t worry, she won’t run.”

Su Yutao didn’t move under that hand.

The pressure on her head was a bit heavy, as if afraid she’d try to run again.

Shen Nian was still on the phone:

“I’ll watch her this afternoon, but what about tomorrow? The day after? You can’t skip class every day, can you?”

“And I can’t be free every day either.”

The other side said something.

Shen Nian was silent for a moment, then sighed:

“Fine, fine. Let’s leave it at that. Come back early tonight.”

The call ended.

The room fell silent.

That hand was still on Su Yutao’s head.

A few seconds of silence.

Then Shen Nian’s voice came from above, not as fierce but still grumpy:

“Tell me, are you stupid? Huh?”

Su Yutao kept her head down, not daring to move.

Shen Nian sighed again.

“Forget it. Why bother arguing with a blind person.”

That hand let go.

But soon it returned—this time not pressing down, but ruffling her hair.

A bit forcefully.

Like venting anger.

Or like confirming she was still there.

“Stay put. I’ll heat up some food for you.”

Footsteps moved toward the kitchen.

Su Yutao sat on the sofa, dazed.

She had almost climbed over just now.

Almost been free.

And then she was dragged back.

Like a cat.

She lowered her head.

The system still hadn’t come.

No, why did I have such a ridiculous thought?

This is the third floor. Why did I think climbing over there would be freedom…

Footsteps came back from the kitchen.

The sound of a bowl being placed on the coffee table.

“Food’s ready. Eat.”

Shen Nian’s voice came from beside her, interrupting Su Yutao’s thoughts.

Su Yutao sat on the sofa, not moving.

She didn’t know where the bowl was.

Didn’t know where the chopsticks were.

Didn’t know how to eat.

She reached out, feeling forward.

Empty.

Further—still empty.

Shen Nian watched from the side, seeming taken aback:

“What are you doing?”

Su Yutao opened her mouth.

Pointed at her eyes, then pointed ahead.

I can’t see.

I don’t know where the bowl is.

A two-second silence.

Then Shen Nian clicked her tongue:

“Forgot you can’t see.”

She pushed the bowl forward until it touched Su Yutao’s hand.

“Here. Take it.”

Su Yutao took it, holding it in her hands.

Warm.

It was food.

But what about the chopsticks?

She reached out again.

Shen Nian sighed and pressed the chopsticks into her hand:

“Here.”

Su Yutao held the chopsticks, frozen.

She couldn’t see.

She didn’t know what was in the bowl, where the dishes were, where to start eating.

She tried to pick up something.

Missed.

Tried again.

Caught a bit of something, but wasn’t sure if it was food or vegetables.

Shen Nian watched from the side, as if she couldn’t stand it anymore:

“Alright, alright. Stop trying.”

She took the chopsticks away.

Then came the sound of a spoon hitting the bowl.

“Open your mouth.”

Su Yutao was stunned.

Shen Nian’s voice carried a hint of helplessness:

“I said open your mouth. I’ll feed you.”

Su Yutao opened her mouth.

A spoonful of food was fed in.

Warm, soft, smelling of vegetables.

She chewed slowly.

Shen Nian muttered beside her:

“It’s like keeping a pet… have to feed it.”

Su Yutao chewed, showing no reaction.

Pet, whatever.

As long as there’s food.

A second spoonful came.

She opened her mouth.

Chewed.

Swallowed.

As Shen Nian fed her, she studied Su Yutao’s face. Suddenly she let out a surprised sound:

“That bruise on your face… did you get it last night?”

Su Yutao stiffened.

Then nodded.

Shen Nian stared at her face for a moment, then said:

“And you know, now that you’re cleaned up, you’re actually pretty cute.”

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