The Sparrow in the Inkstone

In a year of famine, Shen Xiaoman lost her family and was sold to the Lin family by her aunt for a bag of grain. She became the personal “bed-warming” servant of their tall, hot-tempered young master. He saw her as a lowly plaything and abused her at will, leaving her to cling to life in unending terror. He thought she would spend her whole life as an object for him to control, but later, when others bullied and humiliated her, he went mad protecting her, his eyes bloodshot as he roared, “She’s mine! Who dares touch her!” The distance from plaything to cherished love was only the distance between getting used to her and falling deeply in love. Shen Xiaoman thought her whole life would be shrouded in darkness, unaware that the man who had once given her endless nightmares was awkwardly trying to rein in his violent nature and make a place for her in the world. He found doctors and medicine for her, drove away cruel servants, and shielded her from every covetous gaze. He kept her confined at his side, yet personally taught her to read and write and placed the finest treasures in the world before her, all to win a single smile that would put her at ease. What began as a twisted relationship founded on power and possession transformed, day by day, into a profound and unforgettable love and devotion. See how a domineering, coldhearted young master is gradually tamed by a gentle yet resilient servant girl, learning love and respect before overcoming every obstacle to give her a life of peace and dignity.