C5 She Had to Hold on

"She's a tough woman, interesting," Gu Feixi thought, squinting slightly.

Meanwhile, Mo Li, despite her stylish attire drawing glances from passersby, felt lost. She was a stunning beauty, especially captivating after becoming a woman, naturally attracting attention from countless men. Yet, her heart was heavy. She had considered ending it all, but the large check in her pocket reminded her of the one person who had ever been kind to her—her adoptive father.

Since she had traded everything for this life-saving money, she had to hold on. Despite her deep disgust for her own body, she gritted her teeth and headed to the hospital.

The sun was warm outside the hospital, but Mo Li knew she could never go back to how things were. As she entered the intensive care unit, her adoptive mother, Lee Feng, greeted her with the same cold expression, "The old man is barely hanging on, and you finally show up. Out partying all night again, huh?"

In this environment, Mo Li wanted to cry but held back, remembering her adoptive father's kindness. Without him, she would have been kicked out of the orphanage long ago.

Seeing Mo Li ignore her, Lee Feng grew angrier, her eyes landing on the marks on Mo Li's neck. With a mocking tone, she said, "All you do is run around with strange men, and you never bring money home. Hurry up and hand over the money!"

Mo Li remained silent, feeling no affection for her adoptive mother. Over the years, she had been treated merely as a money-making tool. Most of the money she earned at Charming Beauty was handed over to her adoptive mother, leaving her unable to afford her adoptive father's medical bills.

Sometimes, Mo Li even wondered what her adoptive mother did with all the money. In the past few years, Mo Li had made quite a bit, at least fifty thousand dollars, yet when her adoptive father fell seriously ill, there wasn't a single cent available.

"You think I can't control you anymore, you little tramp?" Her adoptive mother, Lee Feng, was always quick to anger. Seeing Mo Li's indifferent demeanor, she couldn't help but shove her.

Mo Li's body was already battered and couldn't withstand Lee Feng's rough treatment. She cried out in pain and fell to the ground, exposing some skin.

Lee Feng's sharp eyes caught sight of the red marks and bruises on Mo Li's waist and legs. The extensive pattern made her blurt out, "Oh my God, were you assaulted?"

Gritting her teeth, Mo Li changed the subject, "I've got the money. The check's already with the doctor, and my adoptive father's surgery can proceed."

Hearing the word "check," Lee Feng's eyes lit up with greed. She didn't bother to taunt Mo Li further and quickly found an excuse, "Oh, I need to use the restroom."

Seeing Lee Feng's cheerful expression, Mo Li found it a bit strange, but she couldn't leave her adoptive father's side, so she didn't dwell on it. Holding her father's frail hand, she said, "Dad, I promise I'll save you. Hang in there, stay strong!"

Thinking about her own situation and then looking at her father, who was unresponsive, Mo Li couldn't hold back her tears. Amidst her sorrow, she suddenly felt the world spinning around her and fainted.

When she woke up again, she was lying in a hospital bed. A young nurse stood nearby, looking at her with deep sympathy.

Mo Li groaned softly, "What happened to me?"

The nurse leaned in and said, "You're in this state and still not taking care of yourself. A woman as beautiful as you shouldn't hesitate to report an assault. I have a relative in the police department who can help you."