Alone in her small apartment, Li Na was surrounded by empty takeout boxes and bills she couldn't afford to pay, she couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with sadness and regret. She had always wanted to make her parents proud, to live up to their expectations, but it seemed like nothing she did was ever good enough for them.
She thought back to the days when her family's company was thriving, and how she had always dreamed of being an actress. But her parents had forbid her from pursuing that path, telling her it was a frivolous and shameful profession. She had gone against their wishes anyway, hoping to prove them wrong and make a name for herself.
And for a while, it seemed like she had succeeded. She had worked hard, landed some small roles, and was finally starting to make a name for herself in the industry. But when her family's company started to falter, everything changed.
Suddenly, her parents were making endless demands for money from her, using her success as a way to prop up their failing business.
Pressuring her to take on more roles and work longer hours, leaving her exhausted and drained. She couldn't afford to eat properly, let alone enjoy any luxuries. Her social life had completely disappeared, and she felt like she was living in a constant state of stress and anxiety.
One day, while on the set of her latest film, Li Na collapsed from exhaustion. She was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with severe malnutrition and dehydration. It was a wake-up call for Li Na.
…
Li Na decided to confront her parents about their misdeeds that things took a dark turn. They had collected all of her hard-earned money and used it for their own selfish purposes, leaving Li Na feeling used and betrayed. When she threatened to report their actions, they locked her up in a room, determined to keep her quiet.
For days, Li Na was trapped in that room, feeling helpless and alone. She couldn't believe that her own parents would do this to her. But as the days passed, something inside of her began to shift. She realized that she had been living her life for others, always putting their needs before her own.
Li Na felt the weight of her life bearing down on her. She had always been a dutiful daughter, a loyal friend, and a hardworking student. Every day felt like a struggle, and she couldn't remember the last time she had truly been happy.
Li Na was blind to their selfishness, thinking that it was her duty as a daughter to help her family. But as the demands kept piling up and her own career started to suffer, she couldn't help but feel a deep sense of regret. She had sacrificed everything for her family, but they had never once appreciated her or her efforts.
As Li Na sat in the cold room, her sister Li Jing barged in uninvited, a triumphant smirk on her face. "What do you want, Li Jing?" Li Na asked, her voice tinged with sadness.
Li Jing strode over to Li Na, looking down at her with a mixture of disgust and amusement. "I just wanted to remind you, Li Na, that everything you have in this world is because of me. You've always been the weaker sister, the one who couldn't handle anything. And now, you're stuck here in this tiny room, while I'm living the life of luxury. It must be so pathetic to be you."
Li Na felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes, but she refused to give her sister the satisfaction of seeing her cry.
She felt like her whole world was collapsing around her, as if all of her dreams and aspirations had been snatched away. "How can you say that, Li Jing?"
Li Jing said with a smug smile, "From now on, you can stay in this room and live the rest of your life here for all I care."
Li Jing then approaches the already vulnerable Li Na, looks her in the eyes, and slowly injects her with poison.
Li Na felt like her heart had been ripped out of her chest. She couldn't believe that her own sister could be so cruel, so heartless. As Li Jing walked out of the room, leaving Li Na alone with her tears.
Li Na struggled to get out of bed but her body was too weak. She called out for her parents, but no one answered. She felt a deep sense of sadness and betrayal, realizing that her family had abandoned her.
Days turned into weeks, and Li Na's health continued to deteriorate. She was weak, hungry, and alone. It was only when a kind neighbor heard her cries for help that Li Na was finally rescued. She was taken to a nearby hospital, but before she reached it was too late.
...
Rebirth
Li Na felt a sudden rush of air as she fell from a great height. She closed her eyes and braced herself for impact, but it never came. When she opened her eyes again, she found herself lying on a thin mattress. It was her childhood bedroom. She was weak and sickly with no energy to move. Her parents were nowhere to be seen, and she was alone.
As Li Na's memories began to flood back to her. 'What is happening?' She wondered. checking the clock on the wall, and saw that it was August 4th, 2015, 9:41 am. She had gone back eight years in time.
She tried to get up, but her body was too weak. She saw a reflection of herself in the mirror and gasped. She looked much younger than she remembered, and her body was frail and thin.
Li Na gritted her teeth as she forced herself to sit up, ignoring the pain in her chest. She heard the sound of laughter and chatter from the next room. It was her family, enjoying themselves without a care in the world. They had forsaken her, just as they had in her previous life.
Li Na gathered herself and staggered to the living room. Her mother and sister were lounging on the sofa, eating chips and watching a popular TV show. They didn't even glance at her when she entered. They acted as if she didn't exist.
Li Na coughed which made her mother and junior sister look at her. "Oh, you're awake," her mother Zhang Mei said, without any feeling.
Li Na felt rage and disgust towards her mother, and wanted to yell at her. But she wasn't shocked. If her mother could trap her in a room for days to die, then this was nothing. Li Na ignored her and tried to walk out of the house, but Li Jing's piercing voice halted her.
"Sister, where are you heading, and why are you so skinny?" she asked, eyeing Li Na from top to bottom.
Li Na felt a wave of anger rise within her. Why was she given a second chance in this pathetic family? Looking at their faces made her want to vomit. A small smirk formed on her face. They would see who would have the last laugh.
Li Na ignored Li Jing as she continued to walk to the door, but her mother shouted from her seat and stopped her in her tracks.
"Where do you think you're going, you ungrateful brat?" her mother snapped. "You haven't done any chores today, you're not leaving this house until you finish your tasks."
Li Na slowly turned and wrapped her arm around her chest. She gave them a disdainful look and said. "What's the use of having servants in this house, Mrs. Li? Why do I have to do anything? And what does Li Jing contribute to this house, other than eating and farting? Besides, she could use some work as a way to shed some pounds." Zhang Mei and Li Jing were flabbergasted. They blinked like owl's. They thought they had lost their hearing.
And in case you're curious, "I'm going to the pharmacy to get some drugs," Li Na said. Not bothering to wait for their reaction, she gave them one final glare before walking out.
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