Stolen Freedom

 Xinyi walked back to the dorm with Mei and Lan, she felt the weight of their concerned glances. Mei occasionally placed a hand on her shoulder, while Lan whispered her name softly, their steps slower as if matching her exhausted pace. Her heart raced as her surroundings blurred, and she could barely make out her friends' worried expressions.

Their teacher stepped in, voice gentle yet firm. "Give Xinyi some space, please. She's had a long night." Xinyi offered the teacher a small, grateful nod and made her way to her room.

Inside, she found Mei and Lan already waiting on her bed, eyes wide with concern. She sat on the edge, feeling the soft, familiar comfort beneath her, yet it did little to soothe her racing heart. The dim light cast shadows on Mei and Lan's concerned faces, making Xinyi feel as though she was under a spotlight.

Mei spoke first, her voice tight with impatience. "Xinyi, where were you? Don't say you were just lost."

Xinyi shifted uncomfortably, looking away. "I told you… I got lost in the market."

Lan crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "We're not fools, Xinyi. If that's all it was, how do you explain this?" She gestured at the faint red marks on Xinyi's wrists.

Xinyi instinctively pulled her hands back, pulse quickening. Mei leaned closer, her eyes widening as she gently touched Xinyi's hand. "These look like rope marks… Please, tell us what really happened."

Feeling cornered, Xinyi swallowed, her voice barely a whisper. "Please, I'm exhausted. I'll explain later."

But Mei frowned, her worry deepening. "Xinyi, since the trip, you've been so distant. Are you hiding something from us?"

Just then, a knock at the door interrupted them. Lan went to answer, and there stood Liwei, his expression earnest. "Xinyi, could I speak with you? Just for a minute?"

She nodded, a new wave of nervousness washing over her as she followed him outside....Her heart was pounding as she followed Liwei up the narrow staircase, each step echoing in the silent corridor. She felt the cool night air as they stepped onto the rooftop, stars scattered across the sky, an odd sense of calm mixing with her nerves.

Liwei turned to her, a mixture of worry and determination in his gaze.

He took a breath, gathering his courage. "I've been meaning to tell you this… Today, when you were missing, I realized just how much you mean to me."

Xinyi's heart skipped, warmth spreading across her cheeks.

Liwei's expression softened as he continued. "I first saw you when you were twelve, with your mother in town, determined to go back to your old city." He chuckled softly, the memory bringing a gentle smile to his face. "I've admired that determination ever since."

Xinyi blinked, surprised he had noticed her for so long. Words eluded her.

Liwei cleared his throat. "Xinyi… I really like you.....

I want to… date you. But take your time. There's no rush—I just wanted you to know."

Silence filled the air between them. Xinyi finally managed a faint smile. "I'll think about it, Liwei. Thank you for telling me." She turned to leave, her heart pounding as she descended the stairs, leaving him standing alone, exhaling as if a weight had lifted.

***

When Yi Chen finally arrived home, the silence enveloped him. He walked to his bedroom, tugging off his coat and letting it fall to the floor. Every movement felt heavy, burdened by the memory of Xinyi's tear-streaked face, her frightened, defiant gaze. He sat on the edge of his bed, raking a hand through his hair as he glanced at the clock—5:00 AM.

With a groan, he lay back, draping an arm over his eyes in a futile attempt to block out her voice, still echoing in his mind. He replayed the way she'd flinched at his touch, the way her voice had trembled, pleading for mercy. But sleep wouldn't come. The image of her haunted him, unyielding....

...

At dawn, a knock on the door jarred him from his restless state. He pushed himself up, rubbing his eyes. "Yes?"

A servant spoke through the door. "Young master, breakfast is ready. Your family is waiting."

Yi Chen rose, dragging himself to the bathroom. Steam fogged the mirror as he washed his face, the water cool and refreshing against his tired skin. He stared at his reflection, noticing the faint shadows under his eyes, the tension that lingered in his gaze. "Get it together," he muttered to himself, running a hand through his damp hair.

With a sigh, he selected a tailored suit from his wardrobe. As he buttoned his shirt, he paused, feeling an inexplicable pang of guilt as he remembered untying Xinyi's hands. He shook his head, adjusting his collar. "This is madness…" he whispered, trying to push the thoughts away.

Yi Chen entered the dining room, his expression carefully composed, though the sleepless night had left its mark. As he descended the stairs, the aroma of freshly brewed tea and rich, spiced dishes filled the air, but he found little comfort in it. His eyes landed on the dining table where his father and grandfather were already seated, both wearing expressions that hinted at an ongoing argument.

"Good morning, Yi Chen," his grandfather said, nodding to him in acknowledgment.

"Morning," Yi Chen replied, his voice steady as he slid into his seat. He began eating in silence, but his father's tense posture and his grandfather's piercing gaze made the quiet meal anything but comfortable.

Finally, his father broke the silence, his voice laced with frustration. "Father, don't you think it's inappropriate to invite her back for your birthday? After all these years?"

The chairman's eyes narrowed. "Inappropriate? She's my daughter. And I don't need your approval to welcome her back into this family."

"She hasn't had a place here for 18 years! Have you forgotten how she disgraced this family? If I hadn't declared her insane, she would be rotting in jail now!" his father snapped.

The chairman's gaze hardened. "I forgave her mistakes long ago. She served her time in that mental asylum, and she deserves a place here."

Yi Chen's father scoffed, his tone dripping with disdain. "Your daughter? After all these years, you still claim her, despite the shame she brought upon this family?"

Chairman Yi's gaze hardened, his jaw clenched. "She has served her time. Fifteen years… in a place no one should endure. She deserves a chance to rebuild her life."

Yi Chen continued eating, his gaze fixed on his plate, though he listened intently. These family conflicts had always been his backdrop, an unchanging rhythm of blame and bitterness. Beside him, his younger brother Zihao leaned closer and whispered, "Did you hear Aunt is coming?"

Yi Chen arched a brow, half-smiling. "That'll be interesting," he said dryly.

Zihao continued, "Brother, do you even remember her?"

Yi Chen shrugged. "Barely. I last saw her when I was seven or eight. Maybe."

 Across the table, his father's voice had risen, his face flushed with anger. "Her return will only bring more trouble. I worked to bury that scandal, and I won't let her drag us through it all over again."

"Enough," the chairman said, his tone a final warning. "You'll respect her, or you'll answer to me."

Yi Chen's father clenched his jaw, but he said nothing more, his shoulders tense with unspoken arguments. The rest of the breakfast was eaten in tense silence, the weight of old wounds casting a shadow over the table.

****

In her room, Xinyi sat in silence, thinking about her encounter with Liwei. Mei and Lan noticed her troubled expression, leaning closer.

"Xinyi, what's wrong?" Mei asked, voice gentle but curious. "Does this have something to do with… what happened yesterday?"

Xinyi hesitated, then sighed. "It's… it's Liwei. He… he confessed to me."

Mei gasped, a delighted smile spreading across her face. "Really? That's amazing! What did you say?"

"I told him I'd think about it. I just need time," Xinyi murmured, her mind swirling with a mix of emotions.

Lan nudged her playfully. "Xinyi, this is your chance! He's such a nice guy… and clearly, he cares a lot about you."

Mei squeezed her hand. "He was so worried when you were gone. You should give him a chance!"

Mei patted her shoulder, understanding. "Take all the time you need, but just remember… we're rooting for you. And if he makes you happy, then don't overthink it."

*****

As they boarded the yacht back to the mainland, Xinyi tried to enjoy the cool breeze, but her thoughts drifted back to the recent events. Mei nudged her, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Let's go to the Rio concert today. It'll be fun!"

Xinyi hesitated, fear flickering across her face. "I don't know… after everything, I just don't feel like it."

Lan took her hand. "We'll be with you the whole time. Nothing bad will happen."

The sincerity in her friends' faces finally coaxed a small smile from her. "Alright… but promise you won't leave me alone."

Liwei overheard and approached. "I'll be there too, Xinyi. You won't be alone."

As he spoke, Xinyi felt a spark of warmth and safety, her fears fading just a little. As they drifted back to the mainland, a gentle breeze cooled her face, washing away the remnants of her fear. For the first time in days, Xinyi felt a faint spark of hope, a reminder that perhaps the past didn't have to define her future.