Rain poured from the sky.
Cold.
Relentless.
Each drop struck Li Yeli’s skin like tiny needles as she ran barefoot along the empty road.
Thunder roared above, shaking the air around her, while flashes of lightning briefly illuminated her fragile figure.
Her breath came out in short, uneven gasps.
Her legs burned.
Her vision blurred.
But she didn’t stop.
They were never my real parents.
The thought echoed in her mind over and over again.
I can’t let them catch me.
Her feet slapped against the wet ground, splashing water with every step.
Her clothes clung to her body, soaked and heavy.
I have to escape.
Suddenly—
Her vision darkened.
Her steps faltered.
Her body gave in.
And she fell.
Her hands hit the ground first, scraping painfully against the rough road.
A sharp sting shot through her wrist, but it didn’t matter.
Nothing mattered.
She lay there, motionless, as the rain continued to fall.
Cold.
Heavy.
Unforgiving.
For a moment, she tried to move—but her arms trembled, slipping against the wet surface.
Dizziness overwhelmed her.
Her eyes slowly closed.
When she opened them again…
Warmth.
That was the first thing she noticed.
She was no longer outside.
Instead, she was lying in a soft bed, wrapped in unfamiliar comfort.
Li Yeli’s eyes fluttered open, scanning the room.
Velvet curtains.
Soft light.
A chandelier glittering above her.
Everything felt… too perfect.
Too unreal.
She quickly sat up, her heart racing.
Where was she?
Her bare feet touched the soft carpet as she rushed toward the window.
The morning sunlight streamed in, almost blinding.
Just as she reached for the curtains—
“You’re awake.”
A voice came from behind her.
Li Yeli froze.
And turned slowly.
A woman stood by the doorway, a gentle smile on her face.
She had long, dark curly hair and warm brown eyes.
Her presence felt calm… almost comforting.
“How are you feeling?” the woman asked softly.
Li Yeli stared at her.
Those eyes…
That voice…
Recognition flickered.
Ning Ran.
Her expression darkened instantly.
This woman—
She always appeared whenever Li Yeli tried to escape.
And every time…
She was the one who brought her back.
Back to that place.
Back to hell.
Ning Ran’s smile didn’t reach her eyes.
“You still won’t speak?” she asked gently.
“I suppose I’ll have to try harder.”
Li Yeli said nothing.
Her gaze dropped to her feet—bruised, scratched, and swollen.
“I’ll get the first aid kit,” Ning Ran said before turning and leaving the room.
The door closed softly behind her.
Li Yeli lowered her head.
So… I’m back again.
Meanwhile…
“What? You want her to attend the gathering?” Mo Ruyi’s voice rose sharply.
“You can’t be serious.”
She stood facing Aecon Li, disbelief written all over her face.”You expect her to show up in front of elites after hiding for years?
She doesn’t even know how to behave properly!”
Aecon Li remained calm.
“Beauty,” he said slowly, “is a commodity.”
Mo Ruyi frowned.
“And she,” he continued, “is the product I have.” His eyes darkened.
“She will attend. She will smile. She will act like the perfect daughter.”
“And most importantly…”
“She will attract a powerful man.”
Mo Ruyi’s expression hardened.
“Why her?” she snapped.
“Why not Yue?”
Aecon Li didn’t hesitate.
“Because beauty is a commodity… which Yue lacks.”
Silence fell.
Mo Ruyi’s eyes widened in shock.
“How dare you say that…” she whispered.
“…about your own daughter?”
Aecon Li glanced at her.
“Which one?” he asked coldly.
“Yue… or Yeli?”
Mo Ruyi stiffened.
“I thought we agreed never to talk about this,” she said quietly.
“You brought it up first,” he replied.
Her lips pressed into a thin line.
“Enough,” Aecon Li said.
“The decision is final.”