Stolen Freedom

The sun was setting, casting an orange glow over the street as Xinyi, Mei, and Lan exited the café, their laughter echoing down the quiet sidewalk. The air was cool and crisp, carrying the warm scents of freshly brewed coffee and baked pastries. They hadn't walked far when Xinyi suddenly halted, her heart skipping a beat.

"Oh no," she groaned, spinning around to face her friends. "I left my camera in the café!" 

Mei rolled her eyes, her voice teasing. "Seriously, Xinyi? You're always so forgetful. Hurry up before someone else takes it."

Lan chuckled, nudging her gently. "Go on, we'll wait right here. Just don't take too long."

Grateful, Xinyi flashed them a quick smile before jogging back toward the café, her shoes tapping lightly against the pavement. As she pushed open the door, the familiar jingle of the bell greeted her, and there, right where she'd left it, sat her camera on the table. She sighed in relief, tucking it safely into her bag.

Stepping back outside, she spotted Mei and Lan waiting across the street, still chatting as they waited. She waved at them, signaling she'd be quick. Just as she was about to cross the street—bam! She collided with someone, sending a flurry of papers flying into the air like startled birds.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" Xinyi crouched down immediately, hastily gathering the scattered papers.

"It's no problem..." the woman started, her voice soft, but when her eyes landed on Xinyi, they widened in shock. Her face paled as if she had seen a ghost. 

That woman was none other than the doctor who had helped Hua Li escape from the lab 18 years ago.

Xinyi handed her the last of the papers, frowning slightly. "Are you okay? You seem... surprised."

The woman's lips trembled. "Cheng Li... You're alive?" she whispered, disbelief dripping from each word. "How is this possible?"

Xinyi blinked, confused. "Uh, no. I think you've mistaken me for someone else. My name is not Cheng Li."

The woman's gaze swept over Xinyi's face, her shock deepening. "If you're not Cheng Li, then that means..." Her voice trailed off.

"I really have to go," Xinyi said nervously, taking a step back. "My friends are waiting." She pointed to Mei and Lan, who were calling her from across the street. "Here are your papers. Sorry again!" Without waiting for a response, she handed the woman the papers and hurried away, her heart racing.

But the woman continued to stare after her, her mind reeling. *She looks exactly like Cheng Li.*

Frozen in place, the woman whispered to herself, "You shouldn't be here," a chill running down her spine as Xinyi disappeared into the crowd.

****

The next morning, sunlight bathed the city in a golden hue as students buzzed with excitement for the trip. Xinyi stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down the blue dress she had bought with Hua Li. The material hugged her form perfectly, making her feel both elegant and comfortable.

"You look absolutely stunning!" Mei gushed as she stepped into the room. "That color on you? Perfection. You could be a model!"

Lan smiled, stepping forward to style Xinyi's hair. "Let me fix your braid. You'll look even more gorgeous with this style." Her fingers deftly twisted Xinyi's black hair into a sleek braid, allowing a few strands of her natural white highlights to frame her face.

Xinyi chuckled shyly. "You guys are exaggerating. It's just a dress."

Mei spun her toward the mirror. "Look at yourself! If you don't turn heads today, I'll be shocked."

As they finished getting ready, the students gathered outside near the bus. Xinyi stepped out, immediately feeling eyes on her. Li Wei, standing with the boys, seemed momentarily stunned.

Li Wei's voice dropped. "Wow... Xinyi, you look... amazing."

Lan smirked and nudged him playfully. "Is that all you've got to say? C'mon, man, at least compliment her properly!"

Blushing, Li Wei smiled shyly. "No, really... You look beautiful."

Xinyi felt her cheeks warm. "Thanks."

Minutes later, they all boarded the bus. To Xinyi's surprise, her friends had arranged for her to sit next to Li Wei. Mei and Lan giggled from the seats behind them.

The ride was filled with laughter and excitement. Xinyi and Li Wei talked more than they ever had before, finding common ground in their shared sense of humor. Li Wei's nervousness melted away, and soon, they were laughing over silly jokes, their conversation flowing easily.

****

Back at the Yi Mansion, the air was thick with tension. Yi Chen descended the grand staircase, his sharp eyes taking in every detail of the morning. His tailored suit hugged his frame perfectly, but despite his composed exterior, there was a cold distance in his expression.

Zhao Lin's voice echoed through the hallway. "Leaving so early again?" she asked, her tone a mix of concern and resignation.

Yi Chen paused briefly, his voice clipped. "I have work."

"Work, again?" Zhao Lin sighed. "Can't you stay for breakfast? Your father won't be pleased if you leave without speaking to him."

Yi Chen's lips twisted into a humorless smile. "He'll be displeased whether I stay or not. I'm not hungry." He glanced at her briefly before continuing toward the door.

Zhao Lin watched him go, her heart heavy. She had long accepted that Yi Chen didn't see her as his mother. How could he, when Yong Zheng had ripped him away from his biological mother at the age of ten? He wasn't her son. Yi Chen was the illegitimate child of Yong Zheng and a woman who had never married him. Despite his talent, his birth remained a stain on his standing within the family.

In contrast, Tai Jun, the eldest son and heir from Yong Zheng's first wife, had always been the golden child—the one with the legitimate claim to the family name, the one groomed to take over the business empire. He carried the family's legacy with pride. Yi Chen, though undeniably talented and a powerful figure in his own right, could never escape the shadow of his birth. No matter how much he accomplished, he would always be the illegitimate one in the eyes of his father—and to some extent, the rest of society.

Zhao Lin had entered the marriage with Yong Zheng just to save her family's struggling company. She knew full well about Yong Zheng's past, but her father persuaded her. In the end, she had to accept her role as the second wife of Yong Zheng. Tai Jun was already a teenager when she married Yong Zheng. Yi Chen, on the other hand, remained an enigma. Though he was younger, there was a quiet intensity to him that had always set him apart. Zhao Lin had tried to show him kindness over the years, but Yi Chen kept his emotional distance, never allowing her to truly get close. He respected her as his father's wife, but she could feel it—his sense of isolation, the invisible barrier he had built to protect himself from the family that had never fully accepted him.

Tai Jun, who had always held the title of the rightful heir, played his role well. He maintained the image of the perfect son in public, but in private, the tension between him and Yi Chen simmered just beneath the surface. The power struggle between them was never spoken of openly, but Zhao Lin could sense it in every glance, every interaction. Yi Chen's success in the business world threatened Tai Jun's position, and though they were half-brothers, they were rivals in every sense of the word.

Zhao Lin sighed as she watched Yi Chen leave. She knew Yong Zheng had created this divide between his sons, pitting them against one another, using their status and birth as weapons in an unspoken battle for control. To the world, they appeared to be a perfect family, but in reality, no one here even liked to talk to each other.

***

The students buzzed with excitement as the bus neared the port. Xinyi found herself seated next to Li Wei, her heart racing with a mix of anticipation and nerves.

"Have you ever been to an island before?" Li Wei asked, his voice warm and friendly.

Xinyi shook her head, smiling. "No, this will be my first time. You?"

"A few times with my family, but this place is special. They say the sunsets here are magical. Maybe we'll get to see one tonight."

Xinyi's laughter bubbled up. "I hope so. I've always loved sunsets."

As they arrived at the port, the sight before them took their breath away. The water sparkled beneath the sun's rays, and the sleek yachts lining the docks looked like something out of a dream.

"Wow," Mei whispered, her eyes wide with awe. "This place is incredible."

The teacher called the students together. "Alright, everyone, let's board the yachts and head to the island. Stick with your group!"

As they sailed across the water, Xinyi felt a pang of unease, her thoughts drifting back to the strange woman from the night before. *Who was she? Why did she look at me like that?* But she shook the feeling off, letting herself be swept away by the beauty of the island and the excitement of the trip. She would have plenty of pictures to show Hua Li when she returned.