The girl’s name was Ye Shixia.

She was the de facto big sister among the first group of children adopted by Chang’an Welfare Institute. Ye Chang’an would never forget the day he first met them.

At the front stood Shi Xia—her freshly washed face held a hint of timidity in her eyes, yet her lips were stretched into a forced, hopeful smile before the other kids. She wasn’t the most beautiful among them, but her gentleness stood out. In any park or neighborhood, you’d mistake her for a child from a loving, well-off home, radiating innate kindness and optimism.

Yet Ye Chang’an saw it clearly: the fear she tried to hide, the slight tension in her chest, as if bracing to endure something.

Endure what?

He later learned she came from a home ravaged by domestic violence. Her father had beaten her and her mother repeatedly. Until one day, unable to bear it any longer, her mother poisoned him—and then herself.

Actually… she’d meant to take Shi Xia too.

She’d hidden the poison in a cup of milk tea, trying to coax her daughter to drink it.

Shi Xia beamed, thinking it was a celebration. Noticing only one cup, she asked innocently,

“Mom, don’t you have one?”

“Mom only had enough money for one…” Her mother looked away, voice hollow.

Her father controlled all the money—gambling, drinking with bad company. Shi Xia hadn’t worn new clothes in years.

“Then when I grow up, I’ll buy you milk tea every single day!” Shi Xia grinned, pure and bright—yet faint scars from her father’s blows still marked her cheeks.

The deeper the mud of suffering, the brighter her hope shone. That was Shi Xia.

Hearing “When I grow up…”, her mother shattered. Tears streamed down her face.

*How could I poison my own daughter?*

*She’s innocent. She has a future.*

She knocked the cup from Shi Xia’s hands, clutched her tight, sobbing “I’m sorry,” then entrusted her to a sympathetic neighbor.

Only after did she call the police… and end her life.

She no longer believed she deserved to raise her daughter. With a murderer for a mother, Shi Xia’s path would be harder.

She was eight that year.

Later taken in by a welfare organization, Shi Xia refused all adoption offers. Perhaps the wounds inside still bled.

Or as she’d say softly: “I still need to take care of my little brothers and sisters…”

To her, every child at the institute was family. Like the gentlest big sister, she watched them leave for new homes—while she stayed behind, alone.

At twelve, she was selected for Chang’an Welfare Institute.

Fear gripped her, but she had no choice, no escape.

She’d grown wise beyond her years. At twelve, she sometimes seemed no different from an adult.

Before arriving, she only knew this:

The institute was founded by the young master of an ultra-wealthy family. All children were strikingly beautiful girls and boys. And the young master would be their director.

*Director?* A role meant for kind uncles, grandfathers, or aunties. A shadow crept into Shi Xia’s heart.

She was no child anymore. She knew the darkness lurking beneath society’s surface—where the rich indulged hidden demons.

Especially since *they* were handpicked. Exceptionally beautiful.

And rumors said the young master was reclusive… eccentric.

Every detail sent chills down her spine.

*We’re going to become his playthings.*

She didn’t know what awaited them—only that she had to protect them.

The institute was lavish. Spacious rooms. Crisp white uniforms: skirts for girls, shorts for boys. Each child gleamed like a little angel.

Shi Xia wasn’t even the most stunning. There were doll-like girls with golden hair, silver hair, mixed heritage, Eastern or Western features—and boys so delicately handsome that even in girls’ clothing, they rivaled the girls.

Ages ranged from eight to twelve—Shi Xia, the eldest.

This only confirmed her dread.

*The young master is a pervert.*

Every time she saw the children’s innocent smiles, her heart ached. But she could do nothing. Security was flawless. His people were everywhere.

Amid trembling anxiety, they finally awaited it.

His arrival.

A luxury car delivered the young master. Beforehand, agents polished each child—dressed them in finest attire, styled them like princes and princesses—all to welcome a single, exalted figure.

Some kids beamed with naive excitement.

Others stayed silent, cold.

Some smiled with quiet worry. That was Shi Xia.

Ye Chang’an remembered staring up at the institute’s sign, stunned. *Did I walk into some elite private academy? These kids are unreal!*

Like little angels straight out of an anime!

He even swallowed hard—totally innocent, of course!

But in Shi Xia’s eyes, it was the start of a nightmare.

*Just as I feared… this young master is up to no good.*

*Me and my siblings… we’re going to become his playthings.*