Chapter 1: The Breaking Point

Yong Qing sat on the cold, tiled floor of her apartment, the empty pill bottles scattered around her.

Her breath came in ragged gasps as tears streamed down her face, each one carrying the weight of her exhaustion, her despair.

Anxiety, depression, and stress had become her constant companions, their suffocating presence pushing her to this breaking point.

She couldn’t remember the last time she had felt anything other than overwhelming fatigue.

Everything in her life felt wrong, spiraling out of control, and she had lost the will to keep fighting.

Her hands shook as she reached for the last bottle, tipping the remaining pills into her palm.

Without thinking, she swallowed them all, her sobs echoing through the empty apartment.

She felt the darkness closing in, a numbness beginning to take hold of her body, and a small, bitter thought crossed her mind: maybe this was the only way to find peace.

But as the darkness deepened, her phone buzzed faintly on the floor beside her. It was her best friend, Jing Xiu, calling.

The phone rang and rang, but Yong Qing was too far gone to answer. When Jing Xiu couldn’t reach her, a sense of dread washed over her. She knew something was terribly wrong.

Without wasting another second, Jing Xiu rushed to Yong Qing’s apartment. When she arrived, she found the door unlocked and the apartment eerily quiet.

The sight that greeted her in the living room made her heart drop—Yong Qing was lying motionless on the floor, her face pale, her lips slightly parted as if she were in a deep, unnatural sleep.

“Yong Qing!” Jing Xiu screamed, dropping to her knees beside her. She shook her friend, but there was no response.

Her hands trembled as she dialed for an ambulance, her voice frantic as she pleaded for them to hurry.

Moments later, the paramedics arrived, and Yong Qing was rushed to the hospital.

At the hospital, Jing Xiu contacted Yong Qing’s parents, as well as Zhen Hu, the man who had always silently cared for her.

Yong Qing’s parents arrived quickly, but instead of the concern Jing Xiu had hoped for, they brought a storm of anger and disappointment.

Standing by her hospital bed, they criticized Yong Qing harshly, their voices sharp and filled with disdain.

“This is what happens when you’re selfish and only think of yourself,” her mother spat, her voice dripping with contempt.

“You’ve always been so ungrateful, always causing trouble.”

Her father nodded in agreement, his face hard. “She’s always been the difficult one. We’ve given her everything, but it’s never enough.”

They continued to berate her, oblivious to the fact that even in her unconscious state, Yong Qing could hear every word.

Their cruel remarks cut deep, filling her with a sadness so profound it felt like her heart was breaking all over again.

She had always known her parents favored her older siblings, but hearing their harsh words confirmed her worst fears: they had never truly loved her as they did her brother and sister.

When her parents finally left, Jing Xiu stayed by Yong Qing’s side, holding her hand and whispering words of comfort.

But the damage was done. Yong Qing’s condition suddenly took a turn for the worse, and the doctors warned Jing Xiu that she was critical.

They said that what Yong Qing needed now was a reason to fight—a voice, a presence, from someone she loved.

It was then that Zhen Hu arrived. Jing Xiu quickly explained the situation, her voice breaking as she recounted everything.

Zhen Hu’s expression was one of shock and sorrow as he looked at Yong Qing lying pale and lifeless on the hospital bed.

Without hesitation, he decided to stay the night, sitting beside her, holding her cold hand in his warm ones.

As the night wore on, Zhen Hu spoke to her, his voice low and gentle. He told her how he had admired her from the very first time they met, how he had always tried to be there for her even when she pushed him away.

He confessed that he had always cared deeply for her, even when she seemed unreachable.

Little did he know, Yong Qing heard every word, her heart aching with regret.

She realized how blind she had been to the one person who had always treated her with kindness and patience, and how she had never given him a chance because of her fear of becoming like her parents—trapped in a loveless relationship.

But as her body grew weaker, her anger at her parents began to overshadow everything else.

She was furious at how they had controlled her life, how they had drained her of her resources, emotionally and financially, while giving nothing in return.

She resented the way they had favored her siblings, leaving her to feel like an outsider in her own family.

Most of all, she was angry that they had pushed her into relationships she didn’t want, forcing her down a path that led only to misery.

As Zhen Hu continued to speak, her heart filled with the bitterness of missed opportunities and the weight of all her unresolved pain.

She wished she had been braver, that she had put herself first, that she had appreciated Zhen Hu’s kindness sooner.

But now it was too late. Her body was shutting down, and she could feel herself slipping away.

In those final moments, as Zhen Hu desperately called out for the doctor, Yong Qing made a silent vow.

If by some miracle she were given a second chance, she would live differently.

She would put herself first. She would be brave, and she would make sure that no one, not even her family, would ever control her life again.

And with that, Yong Qing’s world went dark.

Chapter 2: A Second Chance

Yong Qing felt a sudden jolt as her consciousness returned, a bright, blinding light flooding her vision.

Gasping for air, she shot up from her bed, her chest heaving as though she had just escaped from the clutches of death.

The last thing she remembered was the cold darkness closing in, the unbearable pain from the overdose, and the overwhelming sense of regret.

She had been certain that those were her final moments, yet here she was, alive, breathing, and very much awake.

She blinked rapidly, trying to adjust to the light and the rush of sensations flooding her mind.

Her heart pounded as she took in her surroundings, her eyes scanning the familiar room she hadn’t seen in years.

The walls were painted in a soft pastel color, adorned with posters and pictures she had long forgotten.

This was her old room, the one she had left behind when she moved out of her parents' house.

A wave of confusion washed over her—how could she be here?

For a moment, she thought her parents might have taken her from the hospital and brought her back to their home.

But why would they bring her back here, to this room that held so many memories of her younger, more vulnerable self?

As she tried to make sense of it, her eyes fell on something that made her breath catch—a set of clothes hanging neatly on the wall.

It was the outfit she had worn to her first job interview, a plain skirt and blouse she remembered throwing away in shame after being mocked for how shabby and unflattering it looked.

Yong Qing stared at the outfit in disbelief. How was this possible?

She distinctly remembered getting rid of it years ago. Yet here it was, looking just as it did the day she had worn it.

A chill ran down her spine as she reached out to touch the fabric, confirming that it was real, that this wasn’t some trick of her imagination.

Before she could process what was happening, the shrill sound of her alarm clock pierced the air.

Startled, she turned toward the bedside table and saw her old phone vibrating next to the blaring clock.

Her hand shook as she reached for the phone to turn off the alarm, her eyes catching sight of the reminder flashing on the screen: “Interview Day.”

She froze, her mind racing. “Interview day?” she thought, her heart skipping a beat.

That was the note she had set for herself five years ago, the day she had her first interview at Ronghua Yuan as an assistant chemist.

Panic surged through her as she quickly checked the date on her phone. The blood drained from her face as she read it over and over again, each time hoping she was mistaken.

But the date was clear—she had somehow been transported back five years in time.

Back to the time when she had just graduated from university, and that day was the day of her interview at Ronghua Yuan.

Yong Qing’s thoughts swirled in a chaotic mix of disbelief and confusion. She had died—she was sure of it.

The overdose should have taken her life, but instead, she was here, in her old room, on the very day she had set out to start her career.

Her heart raced as she tried to comprehend the impossible: she had been given a second chance. She had been reborn.

The realization hit her like a tidal wave, leaving her breathless. She jumped out of bed and rushed to the mirror, staring at the reflection that greeted her.

The face that looked back at her was younger, brighter, and full of life.

The dark circles under her eyes were gone, and the lines of stress and exhaustion that had marred her face in recent years had vanished.

Her skin was smooth, her eyes were clear, and, most shockingly, her lips curled into a smile—a genuine smile that she hadn’t seen on her own face in what felt like an eternity.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she touched her face, her fingers trembling. She had been given a miraculous opportunity to redo the past, to make things right.

The pain and suffering of the last five years no longer weighed her down, but the memories remained, a stark reminder of the mistakes she had made, the opportunities she had squandered, and the people she had failed to appreciate.

Yong Qing clenched her fists, a surge of determination rising within her.

She wouldn’t waste this chance. She would live differently this time. She would prioritize herself, fight for her happiness, and protect those who had once shown her kindness.

This time, she would not let her parents control her life, nor would she let fear and doubt dictate her choices.

She would face each challenge with courage and resolve, knowing that she had the power to change her fate.

With renewed resolve, Yong Qing hurried to the bathroom, the urgency of the day pulling her forward.

As she washed her face, she marveled at the youthful energy that pulsed through her veins, the sense of hope that had been absent for so long.

She knew the road ahead would not be easy, but for the first time in years, she felt ready to face whatever challenges life would throw her way.

Stepping out of the bathroom, she glanced at the outfit hanging on the wall, the one she had once despised.

Chapter 3: A New Beginning

Yong Qing stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her outfit and taking a moment to admire her reflection.

It had been so long since she had felt this good about herself.

Her rebirth had given her more than just a second chance—it had given her a newfound appreciation for her own beauty and confidence.

The woman staring back at her from the mirror was not the timid, uncertain girl she once was. She was strong, determined, and ready to take control of her life.

She had chosen a different outfit for today, one that her university classmate, Tian Hui, had given her as a birthday gift before they graduated.

The outfit was elegant, feminine, and exuded a sense of confidence that Yong Qing knew she needed for her job interview.

The deep, rich colors of the dress complemented her features perfectly, and as she applied makeup she had once been too self-conscious to wear, she felt a wave of empowerment wash over her.

Tian Hui had always been the most beautiful girl in their class, with a sweet, smiling face that could brighten anyone's day.

Yong Qing had admired her from afar, but her own insecurities had kept her from ever getting close.

She had always declined Tian Hui's invitations to hang out, making up excuses because she was too afraid of stepping outside her comfort zone and too controlled by her parents’ strict rules.

But that was the old Yong Qing.

The new Yong Qing was determined to break free from the chains that had once held her back.

She smiled at her reflection, pleased with the way the makeup enhanced her natural beauty.

It was subtle, yet it gave her the polished, professional look she had always wanted to achieve.

As she stared at herself, she felt a mix of emotions—pride for how far she had come, and sadness for the years she had lost to fear and self-doubt.

To capture this moment, she took out her phone and snapped a picture of herself. She saved the photo, making a mental note to post it on Instagram later.

This time, she would tag Tian Hui as a way of thanking her for the gift and perhaps even rekindle their friendship.

But before doing that, Yong Qing promised herself that she would reconnect with all the friends she had lost touch with, those who had been kind to her but whom she had pushed away due to her insecurities.

With a final glance in the mirror, she left her room and headed downstairs to the kitchen. She had decided to prepare lunch for her sister’s family, who would be visiting soon.

Yong Qing’s parents were out, likely asking her mother’s relatives for money again.

She hadn’t known about this debt before, but in a few months, she would find out from her cousin, her mother’s niece, that her parents had borrowed a significant amount to help her brother.

The memory of how she had been forced to pay off those debts in the future filled her with anger, but also with resolve.

This time, she would not allow herself to be taken advantage of. She would not shoulder the burden of others’ mistakes.

In her past life, Yong Qing remembered the day of her interview clearly.

Her mother had called her while she was on the way, scolding her for not preparing lunch before she left, which had caused her father to lash out at her mother.

That day, her sister had visited with her husband and three children, and Yong Qing could still recall the condescending tone in her sister’s voice as she mocked her over the phone.

The memory left a bitter taste in her mouth, but it also fueled her determination to change the course of her life. She wouldn’t allow herself to be belittled or controlled any longer.

After finishing the meal preparations, she quickly dialed for a taxi. She had no intention of taking the bus like she had done before.

Back then, she had arrived late to the interview, exhausted and flustered from standing the entire journey just to save a few dollars.

Her fear of not getting the job had driven her to sacrifice her comfort and confidence. But this time, things would be different.

Yong Qing stepped outside as the taxi pulled up. She slid into the backseat, feeling a sense of calm that she hadn’t experienced in a long time.

She knew exactly where she was headed—Ronghua Yuan—the company where she would have her first job interview.

Unlike before, she wasn’t filled with anxiety or doubt. She knew she would get the job, and she knew exactly how to handle the interview.

The questions that had once thrown her off balance were no longer a mystery. She was prepared, confident, and ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As the taxi drove towards the company, Yong Qing looked out the window, watching the city pass by.

This was her fresh start, her opportunity to rewrite her story. And this time, she was determined to get it right.