Stolen Freedom

It was 7 AM when the alarm rang, but today, something unexpected happened—Xin Yi was already dressed and ready for school, well ahead of time. She planned to leave early, hoping to avoid an awkward encounter with her mother. After grabbing her school bag and tying her hair into a neat ponytail, she tiptoed downstairs. Barefoot, she reached the front gate and placed her hand on the lock. Just as she was about to open the door, a voice stopped her.

"I shouldn't have to shout at you."

Xin Yi turned abruptly, startled to see Hua Li sitting on the living room sofa, her eyes weary and shadowed as if she hadn't slept all night. "Can we talk for five minutes?" Hua Li asked softly, her tone laced with a hint of concern. Hesitantly, Xin Yi walked toward the lounge and took a seat across from her mother, the air heavy with unspoken words.

Silence enveloped them, thick and suffocating. Xin Yi could hear the faint ticking of the clock, each second amplifying the tension between them. After what felt like an eternity, Hua Li finally broke the quiet. "How many days is the trip, and when do you leave?"

Xin Yi blinked, taken aback. Did she really hear that right? She replied cautiously, "You don't need to worry about it, Mom. I'll just tell them I'm not going." Disappointment tinged her voice, a reflection of her longing for her mother's approval.

Hua Li's expression softened, a flicker of pain crossing her features. "I'm asking because I care about you," she whispered. "But tell me—when do you leave?"

Feeling conflicted, Xin Yi looked down at her hands. "Tomorrow morning," she mumbled, her heart heavy with a mixture of sadness and hope.

Hua Li sighed, a faint, almost resigned smile appearing on her lips. "Then you don't have much time left to pack. And you don't even have proper clothes for the trip. Today, we'll take care of that."

Xin Yi's eyes widened in shock. Was this really happening? The mother who had been so strict about not letting her go was now offering to help? Hua Li noticed her astonishment and smiled again, a warmth radiating from her that Xin Yi had missed. "Well, aren't you going on the trip?"

Still in disbelief, Xin Yi stammered, "Mom, I can really go…?"

"Yes," Hua Li confirmed gently but firmly, "you can go, but with some conditions."

Relief washed over Xin Yi, her heart swelling with joy. Overcome with emotion, she jumped up and hugged her mother tightly, tears pricking her eyes. "I love you, Mom," she whispered into Hua Li's shoulder.

Hua Li chuckled softly, the sound almost musical. "Alright, alright. Now hurry, or you'll be late for school."

Xin Yi couldn't believe how quickly things had turned around. The conversation that had felt so difficult yesterday was now resolved, and she was going on the trip. After saying goodbye to her mother, she left for school, her steps lighter, her heart filled with happiness. But as Hua Li stood by the door, watching her daughter walk away, a shadow crossed her face—there was a sadness in her eyes, as though she were watching a cherished moment slip away.

***

At school, the bell rang, and Xin Yi's friends, Mei and Lan, rushed over to her, their faces alight with curiosity.

"What did your mom say?" Lan asked eagerly, bouncing on her toes.

Both friends waited with bated breath. Xin Yi paused, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Well… um…"

Mei groaned impatiently, "Just tell us already!"

Still saying nothing, Xin Yi watched her friends begin to sulk and turn away. Then, with a burst of excitement, she shouted, "I got permission!"

Her friends whipped around, wide-eyed. "WHAT?!"

"Yes!" Xin Yi laughed, the sound bubbling with joy. "I'm going on the trip!"

Excited shrieks filled the air as the three of them hugged, jumping in circles. "We're going to have so much fun!" Mei beamed, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

****

After school, Xin Yi left the building with her friends, only to spot her mother waiting at the gate. Xin Yi's eyes widened in surprise. "Mom? You came to pick me up?"

Hua Li smiled warmly, a rare brightness lighting her features. "Why can't I come? Now hurry, we have a lot to do today."

Xin Yi raised an eyebrow, still amazed. "Mom, are you feeling okay? You're acting… different."

Hua Li just smiled, her eyes glimmering. "I'm fine, let's go."

They got into Hua Li's small car, and as they drove to the market, Xin Yi's mind raced. Her mother was in an unusually good mood, and everything about the day felt surreal. They spent the afternoon shopping—trying on clothes, eating street food, and laughing together. Hua Li seemed to know exactly what Xin Yi needed, and for the first time in a long while, there was a lightness between them, filling the air with joy.

At one stall, Xin Yi held up a light blue dress with puffed sleeves and delicate buttons. "What do you think, Mom?"

Hua Li looked at the dress thoughtfully. "It's lovely. Try it on.

Xin Yi stepped into the dressing room and slipped on the dress. The light fabric felt soft against her skin, and the blue color complemented her dark hair perfectly. Twirling in front of the mirror, she admired how it floated around her, feeling a surge of happiness.

"Turn around," Hua Li called gently from outside. Xin Yi spun slowly, watching the dress swirl around her legs, a smile blossoming on her face.

Hua Li stood back, a soft smile on her face. "It suits you—youthful and lively."

But even as she smiled, Xin Yi noticed a flicker of sadness in her mother's eyes, a shadow that seemed to linger just beneath the surface. It was subtle, but it was there—an emotion Hua Li seemed to be trying to suppress. Xin Yi hesitated, unsure whether to ask. Instead, she returned her gaze to the mirror. "It's beautiful" she said softly, though an odd feeling of unease tugged at her.

They continued shopping, their day filled with laughter and light-hearted moments. They even stopped for dumplings and noodles at their favorite street vendor. It was one of those rare days Xin Yi knew she would treasure forever.

Later that evening, as they returned home, Xin Yi teased, "Mom, you made me shop like I'm going away for four weeks, not four days!"

Hua Li laughed softly, a sound that felt both foreign and comforting. "Better to be prepared. Now pack, or you'll forget something."

****

Finally, all the packing was done. "Mom, I've packed everything," Xin Yi announced, a hint of pride in her voice.

"No," Hua Li said, stepping closer, "there's one more thing."

She left the room and came back holding a small box. Smiling, she handed it to Xin Yi.

Xin Yi opened the box slowly, her eyes lighting up in delight. Inside was a sky-blue Polaroid camera. "Mom! This is amazing!"

Hua Li chuckled, her eyes twinkling. "I bought it for your birthday, but I want you to have it now. Take pictures on your trip—I want to see everything through your eyes."

Tears of gratitude filled Xin Yi's eyes as she hugged her mother tightly. "Thank you, Mom. I love you."

Hua Li kissed her on the head, her embrace warm and reassuring. "Now go to bed, or you'll be late tomorrow."

That night, after Xin Yi had fallen asleep, Hua Li sat alone in the darkened lounge. Her phone lay on the table, its screen glowing faintly in the stillness. Her hand hovered over it, trembling slightly. She knew the call was coming.And then, it rang.Hua Li picked it up quickly, pressing it to her ear. "Is everything ready?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.The voice on the other end was calm but concerned. "Yes, everything is prepared. But Hua Li, why now? Why send her away like this? It's dangerous."

Hua Li gripped the phone tightly, her voice strained. "They're following me. I can't take her with me—it's too risky. If I stay, they'll find her. You have to take her somewhere safe."

There was a long pause on the other end before the voice softened. "I'll protect her, Hua Li. You know that. But are you sure about this?"

Hua Li's voice broke as she replied, "I don't have a choice. Just… keep her safe."

Another pause, then the voice reassured her gently. "I will. You've done everything you can. Let me handle it from here."

Tears welled up in Hua Li's eyes as she whispered, "Thank you."

After hanging up, Hua Li sat in the darkness, letting the tears fall. Tomorrow, she would send her daughter away, praying that Xin Yi would remain unaware of the looming dangers. Deep down, Hua Li knew that today's happiness might be the last time they would share moments like this—laughing, shopping, and being a family. The thought crushed her, but she knew she had to stay strong, at least until morning.

Her gaze drifted to the side table, where a framed photo of Xin Yi caught her eye. It was a picture from when Xin Yi was six years old, beaming with pride as she held up a medal from her first school race. Hua Li reached out, picking up the photo with trembling hands. She gently ran her fingers over the glass, tracing her daughter's smiling face, a bittersweet ache filling her chest.

Bringing the photo to her heart, Hua Li clutched it tightly against her chest, as if holding onto a piece of the innocence and joy that was slipping away. Her sobs broke through the silence of the room, and she cried, the pain of what she was about to lose overwhelming her. The photo was the last connection to a time when everything was simple—before the danger, before the lies.

But even through the tears, Hua Li knew this was the only way to protect her daughter. She just hoped Xin Yi would one day understand.