The wind howled outside the hospital window, sweeping rain against the glass in a very wild rhythm. Thunder cracked overhead, as if the heavens themselves were raging and angry.
Bai Zhi jolted awake, a choked scream lodged in her throat.
Her chest rose and fell rapidly, eyes wide, breath shallow as she looked around in panic.
Pain. Cold. The acrid taste of blood still lingered on her tongue, and the sound of Bai Meilin's laughter echoed in her mind, almost like it was mocking her.
"You really thought I liked you? You idiot. You gave up everything for me. And now, you'll die alone while I enjoy all the fruit of your labour"
That voice. That venomous voice, it was real.
No, It had been real. Her death had been real.
But this,
She blinked, eyes darting around the room in confusion.
White walls. The familiar bland wallpaper. The smell of disinfectant. Her hands were clean, Her body was whole.
Her heart thudded louder, harder. She scrambled for the phone at her bedside, her fingers trembling.
April 13th. 2015
Ten years ago.
The day Bai Meilin returned to the Bai family.
The day everything began to fall apart.
Bai Zhi sat still for a long moment, the sounds of her own heartbeat louder than the thunder outside, raging stronger than the storm.
She had died.
She had been betrayed.
And now, she was back.
A second chance. A second life.
Her lips curled slowly into a smile, not soft, but sharp, Cold, Unforgiving.
This time, she would not be the fool. She would never be the fool again.
The Bai family villa was alive with excitement.
The joy was palpable.
Servants rushed back and forth in the foyer, preparing flowers, snacks, food and decorations.
In the middle of it all stood Madam Bai, graceful and elegant, yet her eyes shimmered with suppressed emotion.
"She's finally coming back," Madam Bai whispered, dabbing at her eyes. "Our real daughter, twenty years apart. Twenty years of regret."
Beside her, Bai Zhi stood silent, expression calm. No tears, No questions asked.
In her past life, she had smiled brightly, stepping aside, welcoming Bai Meilin like a sister.
A bond she had desperately wanted, only to have it twisted into a noose that strangled her to death.
This time, no more kindness.
No more naivety.
"Zhi'er," Madam Bai said, turning to her, "When Meilin arrives, be gentle with her, okay? She's been through a lot. And remember, she's the real Bai daughter."
As if Bai Zhi needed reminding.
She nodded once, her face unreadable. "I understand."
She saw the flicker of surprise in Madam Bai's eyes. In the past, Bai Zhi had stammered, her voice emotional, forcing a smile to hide her heartbreak and pain.
Now, she was a mask of composure.
No need to cry over people who didn't love her and who would make her life a living hell.
The rumble of tires on gravel signaled the car's arrival. Everyone turned to the door.
The chauffeur stepped out and opened the car door.
Out stepped Bai Meilin.
Soft white dress, Long hair curled delicately, A gentle smile playing on her lips. The very image of an innocent, delicate beauty.
Her eyes immediately landed on Bai Zhi.
And widened.
In their past life, Bai Meilin had told her once:
"The first time I saw you, I knew I had to destroy you."
Because she had been too beautiful.
Too calm.
Too perfect.
All the thing Bei Meilin wanted to effortlessly achieve but couldn't while she had them without any effort.
"Jiejie?" Bai Meilin's voice was soft, trembling with emotion. She rushed forward, arms wide, moving towards a hug.
Bai Zhi didn't move.
In her past life, she had embraced Meilin, even cried.
This time, she stepped back.
"You should greet your mother first," Bai Zhi said, tone flat.
Madam Bai frowned slightly at the lack of warmth. "Zhi'er?"
But Bai Meilin quickly covered, clinging to Madam Bai and crying softly. "Mama, I missed you so much"
The display was enough to melt hearts.
Everyone watched, everybody was moved.
Except Bai Zhi, who merely stood back, eyes cold.
Let them act.
Let them play their roles.
This time, she would not be the extra in their script.
That night, the Bai family held a small welcome banquet.
Extended relatives came to see the long lost Bai daughter. All fawned over Bai Meilin, how elegant she was, how refined, how beautiful, how deserving of the Bai family name.
Bai Zhi remained the quiet one in the corner.
"Oh, poor Zhi'er," someone whispered behind a wine glass. "It must be hard, to be replaced like this. So Suddenly"
"She'll adjust. The Bai's have always been kind. She'll be treated well."
Treated well?
Bai Zhi scoffed internally.
Treated like a servant. A tool, A stand-in, A scapegoat.
Not this time.
"Zhi'er." A male voice.
She turned, Chen Yuxuan.
Her so called fiancé.
Tall, handsome, and cold as ice. In the past, she had admired him, had been loyal to him.
But the moment Bai Meilin entered the picture, Chen Yuxuan had shifted. Slowly, subtly. Until one day, he was hers no longer, but complete Bai Meilin's
"I heard about Meilin," he said, offering her a glass of wine. "You must be feeling complicated."
Bai Zhi smiled thinly. "No. Just clear minded."
He raised a brow. "Clear Minded?"
She took the wine. "I'm here to return this."
He blinked.
"The engagement token," she said, placing the jade pendant into his hand. "Let's end it here."
Murmurs rippled through the room.
Chen Yuxuan stared at her, stunned. "Are you joking?"
"I've never been more serious."
She turned and walked away.
In her past life, she had wept when she gave up her engagement for Meilin.
Now, she felt nothing but satisfaction. She has started cutting off her burdens one at a time.
Let the real game begin.
That night, Bai Meilin came to her room. Her face sympathetic and sad.
"Jiejie," she said sweetly, eyes red from crying, "Why did you break up with Brother Han?"
Bai Zhi looked at her coldly. "You know why."
Meilin blinked. "I never meant to take him. I.."
"Save it," Bai Zhi said, voice like ice. "You can keep him. Just don't play the victim."
The white lotus character was beginning to give her a tummy ache.
"Jiejie.., I really like you. You're my only sister.."
Bai Zhi leaned forward, smiling slightly.
"Then don't betray me again."
Meilin stiffened.
Bai Zhi closed the door in her face.
She was done playing the fool.
Let the White Lotus wither.