Such an explanation couldn't be more perfect.
Cheng Lie, because of autism, doesn't communicate with people, nor does he listen to others. He only immerses himself in his own world.
He can't navigate, so every time Cheng Lie goes out, someone has to follow him.
In Yun Shifei's vague memory, the Cheng Family spoiled Cheng Lie terribly.
Other than the kids in the neighborhood calling him a fool and refusing to play with him, Cheng Lie's life was smoother than hers in almost every aspect.
So Yun Shifei couldn't understand why Cheng Lie had been so heartless before.
But she didn't bother figuring it out anymore.
The Cheng Lie standing before her now wasn't yet the cold and ruthless person he'd become years later.
He was quiet, obedient, willing to listen to her, and that was enough.
The boy still didn't speak, but his gaze shifted from her face down to her chest.
Yun Shifei: "..."
She instinctively lowered her head, and when she saw the buttons of her shirt open at her chest, she instantly felt so embarrassed she wanted to vanish into thin air.
In her panic, she had forgotten about being improperly dressed.
Yun Sisi had deliberately unbuttoned her shirt in order to frame her.
Now her clothing hung loose, exposing her underwear inside.
At their age, young girls' chests had already begun to develop slightly, and they would wear a chest wrap to cover themselves.
It just barely concealed their chest.
But even so, it still appeared too revealing.
She hurriedly turned her back and buttoned up her shirt completely.
Inside, she felt relieved—thank goodness Cheng Lie didn't understand anything.
The night was very quiet; even the sound of crickets could be heard.
South City in 1996 didn't have the vibrant nightlife it would have in later years.
After dinner, most people would take a stroll before heading home.
At this moment, Yun Shifei and Cheng Lie walked one behind the other.
Their path eventually brought them to the entrance of the Cheng Family's house.
Yun Shifei pressed the doorbell.
Cheng Lie's older brother, Cheng Huai, peeked out. Seeing Yun Shifei, he looked a little surprised.
Yun Shifei flashed Cheng Huai a smile: "Brother, I was just wandering around outside and saw Cheng Lie lost, so I returned him home."
"Thank you so much," Cheng Huai said, his face full of gratitude as he looked at Yun Shifei.
But Yun Shifei couldn't shake the feeling that Cheng Huai's expression carried a hint of something unusual.
Her mind was a mess, and she didn't dwell on it. She caught a glimpse of a car in the distance driving toward them, so she waved to Cheng Lie: "I'm heading back now, bye."
At least they had built up some camaraderie for the moment; she only hoped Cheng Lie wouldn't expose her.
Cheng Lie's expression remained as indifferent as ever, as though nothing from the outside world could penetrate his inner realm.
In that fleeting moment, Yun Shifei felt a bit sorry for him too.
Though she was in a bad situation, at least she was healthy.
But Cheng Lie wasn't—he was as cold as a block of ice, keeping everyone at a distance.
Even his family.
Cheng Huai, who was standing nearby, seemed all smiles but didn't move a step closer to Cheng Lie.
The Yun Family.
"Mom, Dad, that's what happened," Yun Shifei said softly, her gaze lowered as she obediently recounted the events of the evening.
She explained that she just wanted to familiarize herself with the surroundings and wandered around outside for a bit.
No sooner had she finished speaking than Xu Ya slapped Yun Shifei across the face.
"Yun Shifei, have your wings grown hard? Or are you trying to drive me mad, sneaking out to play in the middle of the night?! Do you know how long we, along with Sisi's friends, have been searching for you?!"
The slap left Yun Shifei stunned.
Her face burned with pain, the sting searing deep down into her heart.
So, even after escaping such humiliation, her situation hadn't improved much.
"Mom, don't hit Sister," Yun Sisi stood up, moving to Yun Shifei's side. "Sister, does it hurt? I'll get some medicine to rub on it."
Yun Sisi's voice resembled a songbird's—pleasant and sweet.
As she approached, a waft of fragrance followed her.
Fifteen-year-old Yun Sisi was the prettiest girl in the neighborhood.
She had a sharp, delicate oval face, exquisite features, and wore a clean, white dress that exuded purity and innocence.
At the moment, her large, dark eyes were full of concern, as though she was on the verge of tears—utterly stunning.
Unlike Yun Shifei.
Even though Yun Shifei had rushed home before them and washed up thoroughly...
Her clean clothes couldn't mask her coarseness.
Years of malnutrition had left her dark-skinned and thin. Standing next to Yun Sisi, she was the ugly duckling to Sisi's graceful swan.
Though they were sisters, they were worlds apart.
"Do you have to be so troublesome! Look at Sisi, then look at yourself. Although I know I didn't raise you, genetically, you are still one of us. How could you turn out this bad?" Xu Ya grumbled endlessly, disappointment evident.
Not raised by her.
Yun Shifei's lashes trembled slightly.
Originally, she had been the Yun Family's only daughter. But years ago, her parents, occupied with their careers, entrusted her care to a nanny. The nanny, burdened with gambling debts, found her lovable and obedient, and kidnapped her to sell her off.
A year later, the couple who bought her conceived their own child—a son—and sold her again to another family.
That was how Yun Shifei grew up, drifting from one home to another.
Then, a month ago, Yun Tiancheng found her, revealed her true identity, and brought her to South City.
By then, her rightful place had long been taken by Yun Sisi.
Due to Xu Ya's health issues, she couldn't have more children. Their longing for her led the couple to adopt a child resembling Yun Shifei from an orphanage. Out of nostalgia, they named her Sisi.
Now, Yun Sisi embodied every expectation and aspiration of Xu Ya and Yun Tiancheng, shining radiantly.
Meanwhile, their biological daughter, Yun Shifei, was more like dirt at the bottom of someone's shoe—pitiful and wretched.
Yun Shifei understood Xu Ya's feelings. If it had been her, she wouldn't have accepted it either.
But was it her fault she was taken away?
She had been less than three years old at the time.
Yun Tiancheng couldn't bear listening any longer and intervened, stopping Xu Ya: "Enough, the child hasn't had it easy over the years. Just let it go."
"You don't understand, Sisi almost tripped while looking for her! She has a dance competition in a couple of days. What if she can't participate because of this?!" Xu Ya's tone grew sharp.
"Mom, it's okay… I… I'm fine. As long as Sister is safe, that's all that matters," Yun Sisi said, hugging Xu Ya.
As she spoke, her gaze fell on Yun Shifei. Yun Shifei saw the undeniable smugness in her eyes.
She lowered her eyelids, hiding her emotions.
Yun Sisi and Xu Ya had a close bond, one she had never had with Xu Ya.
Yun Sisi's words acted like fuel to Xu Ya's fire: "Sisi, you're too kind-hearted. What if you end up suffering once you're out in society? You shouldn't take responsibility for someone else's mistakes."
"Xu Ya, what are you saying? You're her biological mother!" Yun Tiancheng interrupted, his tone stern.
Xu Ya instantly realized her words might have been too harsh.
By this point, Yun Shifei remained silent, holding her aching face, cautiously watching Xu Ya, as if afraid of her.
This timid look softened Xu Ya's anger significantly. Suddenly, she felt a pang of guilt.
Yes, Yun Shifei was her biological daughter after all. She had been missing for so many years, enduring so much hardship outside. Why was it that after just a month of living together, she already let all her patience run out?
It shouldn't be like this.
Yun Sisi couldn't help but widen her eyes in disbelief.