Chapter 7

The two of them chatted happily in the living room for a long time. They also watched TV all morning. After lunch, they got ready to go out. Along the way, Ada was somewhat distracted, constantly thinking about how to stimulate Audrey’s brain and get her to remember things from the past.

She really wanted Audrey to remember her, to remember their deep sisterly bond, to remember their parents, to remember everything from the past. The more she thought about it, the more desperate she became, willing to take any risk to make it happen.

Just as she was thinking this, a large truck suddenly appeared in the distance, speeding toward them. Ada’s eyes lit up, and the corners of her mouth curled slightly. She had a bold plan in mind: she would risk everything—her life, her family ties—to bring back Audrey’s memories from deep within her heart.

She turned to Audrey, speaking in a casual tone, “Audrey, I’m going to the convenience store across the street to buy something. Wait for me here for a moment; I’ll be back soon.”

Without waiting for Audrey to react, Ada slowly walked toward the center of the road, deliberately slowing her steps as she moved forward, step by step, toward where the truck was coming from. Her heart beat rapidly, filled with both nervousness and anticipation. She knew it was dangerous, but she had no choice. After finding her sister after such a long time, she couldn’t give up now.

The truck got closer and closer. When the driver saw Ada in the middle of the road, he immediately honked the horn. “Beep—beep—beep”—the harsh sound of the horn echoed through the streets, extremely annoying.

Audrey was horrified. Her face turned pale in an instant. She screamed at Ada, “Ada, run away! Get out of there! Ada, do you hear me? Run!”

Her voice was tearful, filled with urgency and fear. Her heart felt like it was being tightly grasped by an invisible hand, causing her to struggle to breathe.

Ida heard Audrey’s desperate cries. The smile on her lips grew even wider. She knew that her plan was about to succeed. She gritted her teeth and continued to slow down, allowing the truck to get closer little by little. Just a little longer… if it got any closer, perhaps Audrey’s memories would be awakened.

The truck got closer and closer. The harsh light illuminated Aida’s face. The driver kept honking the horn frantically, pressing the brakes down hard. The tires rubbed against the ground, producing a loud noise. But the truck was too fast; there was no time to stop completely.

Audrey watched this scene and went completely mad. She rushed forward without thinking, trying to get Idara back. But it was too late. The truck brushed against Idara’s arm as it sped by. The sharp edges of the truck’s body cut into Idara’s arm. Blood immediately flowed out, staining her sleeve red—a sight that was heartbreaking to witness.

“Aida!” Audrey rushed over and hugged Aida tightly. Tears streamed down her face like beads breaking from a string. She kept muttering, “Aida, what’s wrong? Don’t scare me! Mom and Dad will definitely come to save us. Hold on, please. Your sister will be with you forever, Aida, Aida…”

Familiar words, a familiar tone, reached Ada’s ears in an instant. Her heart warmed. Despite the intense pain in her arm, she felt incredibly happy. Weakly, she opened her eyes and looked at Audrey, who was holding her. With a faint voice, she asked, “Sis… do you really remember everything now?”

Audrey nodded vigorously, tears streaming down even more freely. She held Ada tightly, afraid that if she let go, Ada would disappear. “Yes, I remember everything now, Ada. I remember! I’m your sister. I’m Cheng Yuno, your own sister! You must not get hurt, or I’ll never forgive you, do you understand?”

Ida struggled to pull her lips into a smile, a weak but happy one, trying to reassure Audrey: “Heh, I… I’ll be fine. Now that I’ve found you, how could I possibly let anything happen to myself?”

Audrey looked at her pale face, the bloody stains on her arms, and her forced smile. Her heart ached so much that it felt like it would break. But she couldn’t say anything. All she could do was hold her tightly, cry endlessly, and try to comfort her.

Ida reached out awkwardly, using her fingertips to wipe the tears from Audrey’s face. She spoke slowly, “Sis, please don’t cry. I’m tired. Let me sleep for a while, okay? When I wake up, we’ll go home, okay?”

As she spoke, her eyes slowly closed, and her body relaxed against Audrey’s arms.

Audrey felt as though her heart had been ripped out from her chest in an instant. Holding Ada in her arms, she screamed heartbreakingly, “Ada! Please wake up! Don’t sleep! Ada, don’t scare me. I’ve remembered you now. We need to go home together, go to school together. Please wake up!”

Cars and pedestrians went back and forth on the street. People stopped to watch and whisper among themselves. But Audrey wasn’t aware of anything around her. She simply held Ada tightly in her arms, crying non-stop. The figures of the two girls stood out against the busy street, looking extremely pitiful.

Audrey’s hands trembled as she took out her phone and dialed Cheetah’s number. Her voice was choked with sobs and incoherent: “Uncle Cheetah… Ada… Something’s happened to Ada. Please come quickly… Please save her…”

When the cheetah received the call, he panicked immediately. He rushed over in his car. Upon seeing Ada, covered in blood, and Audrey crying bitterly, his expression turned grave. He quickly picked up Ada, got into the car, and headed to the hospital.

In the hospital, the smell of disinfectant filled the air. Ada felt like she had slept for a very long time. Finally, she slowly opened her eyes. What greeted her was the hospital’s white ceiling. Next to her, Audrey and Cheetah were looking at her with worried expressions.

Instinctively, she tried to lift her hand and support her body, but a sharp pain in her arm left her completely powerless. She had no choice but to lie back down.

Upon seeing this, Audrey quickly stepped forward, carefully supporting her. Her voice was gentle and concerned: “Aida, you’re awake? How do you feel? Does your arm still hurt?”

Aida looked at her, a slight smile on her face. “I’m fine. The pain has subsided. I’m sorry for worrying you all.”

She turned to look at the cheetah, speaking calmly, “Uncle, please help me go through the discharge procedures. I’m fine. It’s too uncomfortable for me to stay here.”

The cheetah frowned, his tone tinged with concern. “Aida, the wound on your arm hasn’t healed yet. Let’s wait a few more days. If it gets infected, that would be bad.”

“No need,” Ada shook her head firmly. “I know my own body best. I’m fine. Please go through the procedures quickly. I want to go home.”

The cheetah knew Ada’s personality well. Once she made a decision, she wouldn’t change it easily. So, it simply nodded its head and said, “Okay, I’ll go handle it right away. You must rest properly and not move around unnecessarily.”

Aida nodded, watching as the cheetah left. Then she turned to Audrey, her eyes filled with anticipation. “Sis, do you remember what you said before I lost consciousness? You really remember everything, don’t you?”

Audrey lowered her head and remained silent for a long time before slowly raising her gaze again, her eyes filled with complex emotions. Seeing this, Ada insisted, “Sis, you’re my real sister. I’ve already accepted that fact. You can’t deny it anymore. No matter what your reasons are, I won’t let you leave me again.”

Audrey looked at her, smiling faintly, her tone tinged with helplessness and sadness. “I don’t mean to be stubborn. I just have one thing I’d like to ask of you.”

Aida immediately became excited, her tone playful. “Well, go ahead and tell me. Whatever it is, my sister has become very capable now. I’m sure I can help you with it.”

In Audrey’s smile, there was a hint of sadness: “Heh, it’s not what you think. It’s related to my identity.”

Aida was momentarily stunned, then said, “Oh, sister, what’s there to ask for? I’ll tell Mom and Dad right away, so they can reveal your identity and let you officially return to the Russell family. You’ll be able to live a life without worries about food and clothing. And besides, you’ll be able to be with your brother sooner. How wonderful that would be.”

As she spoke, she looked at Audrey with excitement and longing in her eyes.

Audrey shook her head seriously. “You’re overthinking things. I just want you to keep a secret for me. Don’t tell anyone that we’re sisters, not even our parents or Finn Townsend.”

Aida’s smile froze instantly. Her voice was filled with confusion: “What? Sister, what did you say? Don’t you want to go home sooner? Don’t you want to be with your parents again? Don’t you want us to take care of you?”

“It’s not that I don’t want to, but I can’t,” Audrey said, her brows tightly furrowed, her voice filled with helplessness. “I have my own reasons. Right now, I still can’t reveal my identity.”

Aida raised an eyebrow, her tone tinged with speculation. “Is it because of your adoptive parents? Did they treat you badly or threaten you?”

Audrey nodded and sighed softly. “Yes, it’s because of them.”

Aida’s expression darkened instantly, her voice filled with anger. “How dare they threaten you? Sister, don’t worry. I won’t let them get away with it. I’ll make sure to avenge all the wrongs they’ve done to you over the years!”

“Don’t be impulsive, Ada,” Audrey quickly grabbed her arm, speaking gently. “After all, they are my adoptive parents. Even if they haven’t given me love and warmth over the past decade or so, they’ve still done their best to raise me. I can’t forget this kindness. I’ll repay them little by little. It’s only right to be grateful and repay those who’ve helped us.”

Aida looked at her, her heart filled with pity. All she could do was nod. “Alright then. I can wait. When the time is right, we’ll reveal our relationship to our parents.”

Audrey nodded in relief, then added carefully, “Also, from now on, don’t call me ‘sister’ when we’re outside. If anyone hears you, it’ll cause a lot of unnecessary trouble. Just call me Audrey, as you always have.”

Aida pouted, her tone somewhat reluctant. “Ah, fine. It’s so troublesome. But sis, when no one’s around, I must call you ‘sis’. Otherwise, I’ll feel uncomfortable. Also, don’t worry. I’ll definitely find a way to get you out of the Cheng family as soon as possible. I won’t let you suffer anymore.”

“Hmm, I trust you,” Audrey smiled, her eyes filled with warmth. “Ida, thank you. Thank you for finding me, and for loving me so much.”

“Why be polite with me?” Ada waved her hand dismissively, her tone affectionate. “We’re sisters. If I don’t care for you, who will? From now on, my parents and I will make it up to you tenfold. We’ll compensate for all the hardships you’ve gone through over the past decade.”

In Ada’s heart, there was already a plan in place. She firmly resolved that she would make the Cheng family pay for their actions, and that she would ensure her sister could live a good life. Meanwhile, Audrey’s heart was filled with happiness. This was the first time she had truly felt warmth and joy. She didn’t ask for much, only that this warmth would last a little longer.

After the cheetah completed the discharge procedures, the three of them went back to Russell’s house together. By then, it was already dark. The villa was brightly lit, exuding a warm atmosphere.

Audrey stood at the entrance of the villa, staring at this luxurious home in a daze. This was her home, the home of her biological parents. That familiar feeling surged within her, like a wave of warmth. Her eyes instantly filled with tears.

Upon entering the room, Audrey saw William Russell and Bella Fisher. Her heart fluttered with excitement once again. She wanted to run up to them and call them “Mom” and “Dad”. But she couldn’t. She had to suppress her emotions and stand obediently beside Ada.

Aida was in a particularly good mood. Holding Audrey’s hand, she said with a smile, “Dad, Mom, Audrey and I’ll go upstairs to rest first. We’re a little tired today.”

Bella Fisher quickly stood up, her tone concerned. “Coming back so late? Won’t you have something to eat? I’ll have the kitchen warm something up for you.”

“No need, Mom,” said Ada, shaking her head. “We’ve already eaten at the hospital. Please don’t go to the trouble.”

Bella Fisher added, “Well then, you go ahead and rest. If you get hungry, make sure to come down and eat. Don’t hold back. You need to take care of yourself, as well as Audrey.”

Audrey quickly nodded, her tone obedient. “Thank you, Auntie. We understand now. Please rest early and don’t worry about us.”

Bella Fisher looked at Audrey with a gentle smile on her face. “Good girl, go ahead and climb up.”

The two nodded, turned around, and headed upstairs, leaving William Russell and Bella Fisher in the living room, wondering aloud. They felt that Audrey somehow seemed familiar to them.