Lu Mingjun was so shocked by the news that she couldn't speak. Her whole soul trembled with excitement.
Reborn?
Did this mean she could return to the world of the living? That she could reclaim what the Zhu family had stolen from her?
"Host, do you choose to be reborn immediately?" the mechanical voice interrupted her thoughts.
Lu Mingjun took a deep breath. A strong desire surged in her heart. She thought about her dreams, her absurd past life, and all the regrets she had carried.
She desperately wanted a second chance.
"I choose to be reborn," she said firmly.
As soon as she made her decision, the orb of light emitted a dazzling glow that enveloped her soul. A powerful force surged through her, as if it was tearing her apart.
When the pain subsided, Lu Mingjun realized she was no longer a transparent ghost—she had a body again!
She reached up to touch her warm face and rolled her eyes in disbelief, then began looking around excitedly.
Where was this?
Ah! What a magical system—it had actually sent her back to the graduate dorm she used to dream about!
When Lu Mingjun graduated from university, she was accepted into the graduate program at her own school and continued to study economic law at W University's Law School.
The Law School was one of W University's more prestigious departments, so graduate students were well-treated, with just two people sharing a room.
Lu Mingjun picked up the mobile phone beside her pillow and checked the date: June 6, 2011.
Right. This was the time she was set to graduate. Her roommate had already started an internship at a local law firm in W City, thanks to a recommendation from her professor. So, Lu Mingjun was alone in the dorm.
For her, this day marked a major turning point in life. Being able to return to this exact day felt like divine mercy.
In her previous life, it was on this very day—under the emotional pressure of her mother—that she rejected her mentor's recommendation and gave up the opportunity to work at a law firm in S City.
She remembered the date so clearly because, out of countless days and nights, this was the one she regretted the most.
Ever since watching shows like The Lord Chancellor, she had longed to be one of those eloquent lawyers in powdered wigs.
Becoming a lawyer had been her lifelong dream.
Even though she only earned a 3,000 yuan monthly salary during her internship, she had been full of hope.
But all of that was ruined by one phone call from her mother.
That day…
Just as Lu Mingjun was lost in her memories, her cell phone—a classic Nokia slider—rang with a familiar ringtone.
On the flickering screen, the word "Mom" kept flashing.
Lu Mingjun's gaze darkened. After a pause, she answered the call: "Hello…"
But after dying in her past life and learning the truth behind it, she couldn't bring herself to say the word Mom.
On the other end, Mother Lu's familiar voice came through: "Mingjun, have you reconsidered what you said earlier about working at the law firm in S City?"
Hearing this, Lu Mingjun couldn't help but laugh quietly to herself.
Look at that—exactly the same as her previous life.
Back then, her professor had gone out of their way to help her plan her future.
After leaving the professor's office, she had asked her mother for advice.
And of course, there was a reason she cared so much about her mother's opinion.
Over the years, Mother Lu often reminded her: "Your father is gone. You're the only family I have left in this world."
She'd say, "I'm nice to Zhu Qing just to maintain appearances. Uncle Zhu supports both of us. If I don't act like that, how could I raise you?"
And when the Zhu father and daughter weren't home, she'd even hold Lu Mingjun's hand affectionately and whisper, "It's just the two of us. We're the only ones truly connected by blood."
Because of all this, Lu Mingjun truly believed she was her mother's only real family.
Despite the harsh treatment over the years, she convinced herself that her mother loved her—that she simply had no choice.
Which wasn't so unusual.
How many children are willing to think the worst of their mothers?
In her past life, Mother Lu had boiled her like a frog in warm water—slowly, carefully, making sure she could never escape the trap that had been set for her.
As Lu Mingjun drifted through these thoughts, Mother Lu continued on the phone:
"Mingjun, you're so talented. You'll succeed no matter where you go. But you're my only child… If you go so far away, who else can I depend on?"
Hearing this, Lu Mingjun sneered inwardly.
Afraid you'll lose control over me, is that it?