Stolen Freedom

Eighteen years had passed since the night everything changed, but the echoes of that time still lingered in the shadows of Xin yi's unknown past. In the peaceful, sleepy town where she lived, the air was calm, and the pace of life was slow, far removed from the city's noise and rush. For Xin yi, her world was simple — just her and Hua Li, the woman who raised her with love and care. But beneath the surface of this quiet life, the truth about Xin yi's origins lay hidden, waiting for the right moment to reveal itself.

The early morning sunlight crept into Xin yi's small room, casting a soft golden light on her bed and walls. Her long black hair, with its natural white streaks, glistened in the light like threads of moonlight woven into the dark strands. The contrast made her look almost ethereal, a quiet reminder that she was no ordinary girl.

She lay in bed for a few more moments, feeling the warmth of the morning sun on her face, and stretched, reluctant to let go of the peace of her dreams. The air in her room was filled with the sweet scent of flowers from the garden outside, a perfect reflection of the tranquility of her surroundings. Yet, there was a quiet restlessness inside her, a sense of being different that she couldn't fully explain.

"Xin yi, get up! You're going to be late for school!" Hua Li's voice broke through the peaceful stillness of the morning, her usual gentle tone tinged with urgency.

With a sleepy groan, Xin yi rolled out of bed. Her hair fell like silk over her shoulders, the white streaks catching the light as she moved. "I'm coming, Mom!" she called back, rubbing her eyes. Her reflection in the mirror greeted her, showing a girl on the verge of adulthood, yet still holding on to the simplicity of her youth.Dressed in her simple yet tidy clothes, she walked to the kitchen where Hua Li was busy preparing breakfast.

Xin yi quickly got ready, her hair still damp as she hurried downstairs to the kitchen, where the smell of breakfast greeted her. The warm, familiar aroma of rice porridge and freshly steamed buns filled the small space. Hua Li stood by the stove, stirring gently, her eyes briefly flicking to Xin yi's hair as she entered.

"What did you make for breakfast, Mom?" Xin yi asked, sliding into her chair and reaching for a bun.

"The usual," Hua Li replied, her voice soft. As she set a bowl of porridge in front of Xin yi, her eyes lingered on the streaks of white in Xin yi's hair. "Xin yi, how many times do I have to tell you to dye your hair? The girls at school are cruel. They won't stop teasing you."

Xin yi took a bite of her bun, chewing slowly before answering. "Mom, it's not going to change anything. Even if I dye it, they'll find something else to tease me about. Besides, I like it. It's part of who I am." Her words were light, but there was a quiet strength behind them. She looked at her mother with a reassuring smile, hoping to ease her concerns.

Hua Li's brow furrowed, and she sighed. "I just don't want them to hurt you."

"I know, Mom. But I'm okay. I don't want to hide who I am," Xin yi said gently, trying to make her mother understand. She took another spoonful of porridge, the warmth of the food spreading through her, but Hua Li's worries lingered in the air like an unspoken burden.

There was a brief silence as Xin yi finished her breakfast, Hua Li watching her with quiet affection and unease. It was moments like these when Xin yi could feel her mother's love the most — love mixed with fear, as though she was constantly waiting for something bad to happen.

"Alright, I'm heading to school now!" Xin yi said, grabbing her bag and giving Hua Li a quick hug before rushing out the door.

As the door closed behind her, Hua Li stood alone in the quiet kitchen, her heart heavy with the same fear she had carried for 18 years. She glanced at the medals and photographs on the wall — memories of Xin yi's childhood, filled with moments of pride and joy. But the fear never left her, the fear that someday they would come for Xin yi, and take her back to the place where her story began.

As Xin yi walked to school, the quiet streets gave her time to reflect. She thought about the trip her friends had been planning and the uncertainty of whether her mother would let her go. Part of her wanted to run back home and beg Hua Li to say yes, while the other part felt anxious about getting her hopes up. Her thoughts were a mix of excitement and hesitation, reflecting the inner tug of war she often felt when wanting to experience more than the sheltered life she led.

As she approached the school gates, the sight of her two friends, Mei and Lan, lifted her spirits. Their cheerful smiles were infectious, and Xin yi felt a wave of warmth wash over her.

"Guys!!!" Xin yi called out with a wide grin, rushing towards them.

"I have some really bad news," Xin yi teased as she reached them.

"Bad news? What happened?" Mei's eyes widened, her curiosity piqued.

"Let's get to class first, and you can tell us there," Lan added with a grin.

The three of them walked together, laughing and chatting as they made their way to the classroom. When the break bell rang, Mei and Lan wasted no time in hurrying to Xin yi's desk, eager to hear what she had to say.

"So, what's the news about the trip?" Lan asked, leaning in with wide eyes.

"I still have to ask my mom…" Xin yi admitted, her voice trailing off, already anticipating her mother's response.

"Oh, come on,Xin yi! Just ask her," Mei urged, practically bouncing in her seat. "Li Wei from the other class is going too. You have to come!"

Lan's eyes lit up at the mention of Li Wei. "Yeah! I heard he's been asking about you. Maybe this is your chance to get to know him better." She wiggled her eyebrows playfully.

Xin yi's cheeks flushed bright red. "You guys are ridiculous! He's probably not even thinking about me."

Mei giggled, nudging Xin yi. "Oh, please. I've seen the way he looks at you when you walk by. I bet he'll notice you for sure if you come on the trip."

Lan jumped in, adding, "Exactly! He might even ask you to sit with him on the bus. You never know!"

Xin yi laughed, shaking her head as her blush deepened. "You two are impossible! I'm just trying to figure out if I can go, not plan some love story."

"Come on, Xin yi!" Mei said with a wide grin. "It's our last year. You have to come! Besides, who knows—this trip might be the start of something exciting for you."

"Yeah," Lan break in, her voice full of teasing. "Just imagine… you, Li Wei, under the stars, sharing stories around the campfire. It's going to be romantic!"

Xin yi couldn't stop laughing, feeling both flattered and embarrassed. "You guys are hopeless. But I really do want to go. I just hope my mom will let me."

The thought of her mother's likely refusal weighed heavily on Xin yi's mind. As much as she wanted to join Mei and Lan on the trip, she knew Hua Li's overprotective nature could put an end to her excitement. The uncertainty gnawed at her, filling her with both hope and fear.

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