Her mind raced with different questions when she suddenly recalled something.
" it was stolen" she murmured. There had once been a family gathering where the painting got missing. Later on, on Grandpa birthday, her second elder brother said she should give the painting as a gift to Grandpa since he loves rare artworks.
She did give it to Grandpa and since then, Grandpa had always seen her as a thief. He never confronted her openly but he stopped favoring her thinking she was the one who stole it initally. This made her to get the lowest inheritance when he died.
So this was what happened " she thought to herself while glaring at the painting. Pushing the thought to the back of her mind, she proceeded toward the man sitting down by the dinning table.
"Good morning, Grandpa," she greeted first.
In the past, she had always been afraid of him.
"Mom and I had a fight yesterday, so I left home. I didn't expect to get kidnapped," she explained when he remained silent. "I was really scared something might happen, so I called you when I had the chance. Did I disturb you?"
He took a deep breath before asking, "Did they touch you inappropriately?"
"No, Grandpa."
"Did they hit you?"
"No."
"Then eat. A doctor is on the way."
"Yes, sir." He had always cared about her even though he wasn't a man of many words.
He sighed. "You've always been a rebellious girl… seems experience can change a person,"
"After the doctor checks you, I'll have someone take you home."
"But Grandpa, don't you want me to stay?"
"You brat, you should stay with your parents—unless you've done something wrong?"
"No, no, don't worry," she replied quickly, picking up her chopsticks.
Then she paused." Grandpa can I get a new phone? I don't know where the old one is".
He immediately instructed his assistant to handle it.
As soon as the food touched her tongue, flavors exploded across her senses. Her eyes watered again—she had forgotten what it felt like to taste food. As she chewed and swallowed, tears streamed down uncontrollably, forcing her to stop eating.
Her grandfather watched in shock. Did they starve her at home? he wondered, before recalling she had been kidnapped. His expression darkened as he silently vowed to punish those responsible.
Soon, the doctor arrived and examined her, confirming she was fine. Afterward, her grandfather gave her some money and arranged for her to be sent home.
—Scene change—
As the car pulled into the Shen family mansion, Shen Ruji inhaled deeply, preparing herself. In her previous life, she had been rebellious and arrogant, but this time she intended to change.
However, the moment she stepped inside—before she could even take in her surroundings—a heavy slap landed across her face.
She froze, stunned.
Holding her cheek as she tried to process what had just happened, she slowly looked up at the person who struck her.
"Mother…"
She stood there in shock, staring at her mother Liu meilin whose eyes were swollen from crying, while her father stood beside her—his expression unreadable.
She called out again
"Mother…"
The word barely left Shen Ruji's lips before her mother's hand struck her again.
This time, Ruji reacted.
She caught Liu Meilin's wrist midair.
Silence fell over the hall.
Her mother froze, shock flashing across her tear-streaked face. In all her seventeen years, Ruji had never resisted—not once.
"How dare you?" her mother snapped, struggling to pull free.
Ruji released her slowly, as her fingers trembled slightly at her sides. The sting on her cheek throbbed, but she felt true joy seeing her mother alive.
She remembered this moment too clearly—kneeling, crying, apologizing for disappearing, accepting blame that was never hers. Her mother only knows how to show love through her fist, that was how Liu meilin was raised after all.
This time, she would make sure she feels the same pain she had felt.
Her father stepped forward, his voice cold and sharp. "Where were you all night?"
"I was kidnapped."
Her mother let out a scoff. "Kidnapped? Do you take us for fools?"
Ruji's gaze didn't waver. "The police found me in the trunk of a trafficker's car. You can verify it."
A flicker of doubt crossed her father's face. "Then why didn't you contact us?"
"I gave them Grandpa's number."
The air shifted instantly.
Her mother's expression stiffened. "You what?" She knew how rebellious her daughter was but she knew that her daughter doesn't lie as well. At least, not with Chairman Shen's name.
Ruji lifted her chin slightly. "I trusted him to come for me."
Her words landed heavily. Even her father fell silent for a moment, his jaw tightening. Chairman Shen's authority was not something they could casually dismiss.
Before the tension could settle, a soft voice drifted from the staircase.
"Younger sister… you're back."
Ruji's body went rigid.
She turned slowly to face her step sister.
Shen xin stood there, dressed delicately, her tone dripping with fake sarcasm.
That face and that voice she could recognize any time.
Shen xin descended the stairs gracefully, her steps light, her voice gentle. "second aunt was so worried that she couldn't sleep. Though i must admit, the house was quite peaceful without you"
Ruji said nothing, she remained still. Seeing this, Shen xin provoked her even more. Shen xin stepped closer, reaching out as if to embrace her.
Ruji instinctively tensed, her body subtly leaning back, the movement small but deliberate.
'' Aya, Ah Xin, dont force people who are not worth your emotions to border you''. A voice said behind her. Ruji immediately recognized her as Shen xins biological mom and her dads mistress
'' Mom how can you say that, sister has never bordered me before'' Shen xin walked to escort her mother in
'' Where are you coming from early this morning'' her father interrupted them
'' Where else, someone that spends her days in clubs'' her mother spat at Shen xin's mom, the enmity between them was very clear.
Third aunty crossed her arm lazily '' Unlike some old hag, I love to live the fullest out of my life''
'' That is why your greatest accomplishment in life are your children,'' Liu meilin spat
'' without them, you would'nt even be able to have a place in this house. Let alone staying with a married man house and enjoy his riches without a proper title'' third aunts face darkened at the words of Liu meilin.
She was the only one out of all the other women in the house that her father refused to give a proper status through marriage. She was more like an overstayed guest at the mansion.
'' At least I have seeds to show forth you are practically barren and the only one you managed to bear is a rebel. So what if I sleep around, I can give men what you can...''
''ENOUGH!'' Her father roared, indeed he can't bear to see his Liu meilin get offended.
'' Second aunty,'' Shen xin spoke softly
'' instead of arguing, why don't we ask precious sister where she spent the night'' She walked to Ruji, and held her arm firmly as if scared she would run away before she proceeded
'' For someone to say she was kidnapped, you look far too healthy and injury free. i may be wrong but even criminals should call and ask for a ransom right?....''
Shen Ruji looked straight at her second elder sister, anger fueling her eyes. Suddenly, an icy sensation crawled up Ruji's spine, her pupils dilated as she stare into Shen xin's eye. Her breathing slowed as the noise around them seemed to fade. Shen xin's mocking expression froze as their eyes locked.
''She should not be here right now'' the voice didn't come from Shen xin mouth but in echoed inside of Ruji's head.
'' I wasn't able to do this previously'' Ruji thought to herself she was so confident that the thoughts she was hearing wasn't hers.
Looking at Shen xin who was staring at her wide eyed as if she was being hypnotized, unable to move or blink.
This however lasted for seconds when a wave of sudden headache hit them both, breaking their connection. The pain was so sudden that they lost their balance, crashing hard to the marble floor.
'' what did you do to my child'' Liu meilin immediately ran to her said in a panic
'' Ruji is a bit stressed, carry her to her room first'' her father immediately instructed the butler
But all that was on her mind was what more mystery was still surrounding her rebirth