Shen Ruji lay silently on her bed as fragments of Shen Xin's thoughts replayed repeatedly inside her mind.
Shen Xin and her mom Bai Xing had planned her entire kidnapping both in her previous life and this one.
The only difference was that this time, she escaped faster and smarter.
In her previous life, they had kept her locked away for three days, forcing her to inhale a highly addictive substance over and over again. Yet they had carefully avoided leaving any visible injuries on her body. When she was finally released, nobody believed her story.
To everyone else, it looked like another one of Shen Ruji's rebellious episodes.
By the time she realized something was wrong, the addiction had already rooted itself deep inside her body. She remembered the unbearable cravings, the sleepless nights, and the way her hands shook whenever she was about to run out of dosage.
She then started receiving notes saying things like ''do this if you want another dose''. Like a puppet, she obeyed. The amount of hideous things she did to continue getting supplies of the drug was scary. Thinking back on it now made her stomach churn violently.
And the mastermind behind everything had been Shen Xin all along.
Ruji slowly closed her eyes. Another thing burdered her more, the strange ability she had experienced downstairs. The moment their eyes locked, she had heard Shen Xin's thoughts clearly. Very clear that she could mistake it for her own thoughts.
Ruji's eyes snapped open at a sudden thought.
Could she really read minds?
Knock. Knock.''
"Miss Ruji?"
A maid entered cautiously with a tray in her hands. On it sat a bowl of medicinal soup, fresh clothes, and a glass pitcher of water.
"Madam Liu asked me to bring these," the maid said respectfully. "She also said you must drink the medicine before resting."
Ruji hesitated a bit before gathering courage to staring at the maid quietly.
Nothing happened, no voices, no strange connection. Nothing.
''So it only works on Shen Xin?'' she murmured
"Leave it there," Ruji said calmly.
The maid hesitated. "Madam instructed me to watch you finish it."
Ruji frowned slightly but eventually got out of bed. The headache from earlier had mostly faded, though her body still felt strangely heavy.
She picked up the bowl and drank the medicinal soup in one go. The bitter taste nearly made her gag.
"Water," she muttered.
The maid quickly poured a glass and handed it toward her. Almost immediately as their fingers brushed and their eyes met-
Instantly the world seemed to freeze.
Ruji's pupils dilated. The maid went completely still, her expression blank like a doll whose strings had been cut. Images suddenly flooded Ruji's mind violently.
She saw through the maid's mind moments earlier, speaking to another servant while arranging flowers.
"That Miss Ruji is always causing trouble," the maid complained. "Madam Liu nearly cried herself sick because of her again."
The other servant sighed. "Young Miss is too rebellious."
"She deserves those slaps honestly," the maid scoffed. "If I had a daughter like that, I'd go insane."
The vision shifted rapidly.
Ruji wasn't just hearing it. She was there like an invincible third person standing beside them.
This was real not only could she hear thoughts, she could see memories too.
The maid's body trembled violently beneath her gaze. Sweat formed across her forehead as though she had fallen into a trance.
Ruji slowly tilted her head.
"So that's what you truly think about me?" she asked softly. ''spoilt and rude right. Deserving every beating like an animal''
The maid's knees hit the floor instantly.
"I-I'm sorry, Miss!"
Slap!
The maid suddenly struck herself. Slap! Slap! Slap!
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
She slapped herself repeatedly with terrifying force, her eyes completely unfocused as though she had lost control of her own body.
Ruji's heart skipped violently.
"Stop!" she screamed at the maid as the connection snapped immediately.
The maid collapsed onto the floor, panting heavily while Ruji crawled up in bed. Her headache returned instantly, though weaker than before.
What the hell was this?
Ruji stared at her trembling hands in disbelief.
"Stand up," she said instinctively. The maid immediately obeyed as if not fully aware of herself.
"Leave the room."
Without hesitation, the maid turned and walked out mechanically, like a porcelain doll following commands. The door clicked shut.
This isn't normal'' she murmured. ''This isn't human''. She was now pacing back and forth in the room
Before she could process everything properly, another knock sounded almost throwing her off her feet.
"Young Miss," another maid called nervously from outside, "Master is asking for you in his study."
Ruji inhaled deeply before forcing herself calm.
"Understood."
She pushed the chaotic thoughts aside and followed the servant downstairs. Inside the study, her father sat behind his desk flipping through documents.
"You're here," he said without looking up. "I received confirmation from your grandfather's mansion. It seems you truly were kidnapped."
Ruji remained silent.
"If you don't feel well, you can stay home tomorrow. I'll arrange leave from school."
"No."
Her father finally looked up, her didn't expect that answer.
"I'll go to school."
A flicker of surprise crossed his face. Shen Ruji hated school. Normally she would have jumped at the opportunity to skip classes.
After a pause, he sighed. "Your elder sister Ling'er is returning tomorrow from her maternal family's vacation."
The moment he mentioned that name, Ruji's fingers curled tightly. Her eldest step sister Shen Ling.
The woman because of whom her husband had murdered her in her previous life. Both Shen Xin and Linger had betrayed her eventually.
This time would be different.
Not noticing the change in his daughter, her father continued speaking. "You should learn from your sister and take your education seriously. Your lacking behind at everything. It would be a shame for you to drag the family nam--"
Suddenly, he stopped talking.
"Ruji…" His brows furrowed.
"What's wrong with your eyes?"
Ruji tensed. Then their gazes locked. And again they connected instantly.
This time the headache was weaker.
Her father's pupils dilated slowly as his expression became distant and unfocused. He looked almost hypnotized.
Without realizing it, she spoke first.
"Between Ling'er and me… who do you value more?"
Her father answered immediately.
"Ling'er."
Ruji's chest tightened painfully. '' why''
"She is obedient. She'll bring more benefit to the family in the future."
Ruji laughed softly, though her eyes turned cold.
"Are you proud of saying that?"
"No."
"Would you do me favour?"
"Anything you ask of me." Ruji stared deeply into his eyes that didn't sound like her father at all, but she didn't seem to care a bit.
"This is what I want you to do…"
...…
A sharp pain struck her head, the connection shattered instantly. Her father blinked in confusion and rubbed his forehead lightly.
"Hm… I must've zoned out for a second." He apologized clearly having forgotten their brief discussion
Ruji stood abruptly and without another word, she rushed out of the study. Slammed her bedroom door shut, and stumbled toward the bathroom mirror. Water splashed across her face as her breathing turned uneven.
Slowly, she lifted her head and looked directly into her own reflection, into her own eyes.
And then
Her reflection smiled first.