Chapter 4

Xaoxi’s mornings had become a well-orchestrated routine, each step a reflection of her disciplined and purposeful life. By 6:30 a.m., she was already seated at her sleek desk in her spacious office, sipping green tea as the city buzzed far below. Her company, Sheng Innovations, had grown into a beacon of creativity and success, known for its forward-thinking solutions in technology and design.

But today was different. As she reviewed her schedule, her assistant entered with a hesitant knock.

“Ms. Lu, there’s a visitor here to see you,” she said, her tone uncertain. “It’s... your cousin, Yan.”

Xaoxi’s fingers paused over her keyboard. Yan. She hadn’t seen her cousin since the day she left the family mansion. Yan had always been a quiet, withdrawn figure, someone who followed her parents' commands without question. But he had never mistreated her. In fact, he had occasionally slipped her small kindnesses—a book she wanted, a comforting word during difficult times.

“Send him in,” Xaoxi said after a moment, her voice calm.

When Yan entered, he looked almost unrecognizable. Gone was the timid, obedient boy she remembered. He stood taller, his posture more confident, though his face still carried traces of unease. He offered a polite bow before speaking.

“Xaoxi—” he began, then quickly corrected himself. “Lu Sheng Fe. Thank you for seeing me.”

Xaoxi gestured for him to sit. “What brings you here, Yan?” she asked, her tone neutral but not unkind.

He hesitated, his hands clasping tightly together. “I wanted to apologize,” he said finally. “For everything. I know I didn’t do enough to help you back then. I was afraid... of them, of what would happen to me. But that doesn’t excuse my silence.”

Xaoxi studied him carefully, her expression unreadable. “It’s true, Yan. You didn’t stand up for me. But I also know you were just a child, caught in the same toxic environment I was. What matters now is what you’ve done since then. So, tell me—why are you here?”

Yan took a deep breath, his shoulders relaxing slightly. “I left them a year ago,” he said. “When everything fell apart, I realized I couldn’t live the way they taught me. I’ve been trying to start over, to build something for myself. But it’s been... difficult.”

Xaoxi nodded slowly. She understood how hard it was to rebuild a life from the ground up. “What is it that you want to do?” she asked.

“I’ve been working on a project,” Yan said, his voice gaining a spark of enthusiasm. “It’s a sustainable energy initiative. Small-scale wind turbines for rural areas, designed to be affordable and efficient. But I lack the resources to take it beyond the prototype stage.”

Xaoxi’s expression softened slightly. She admired his determination and the focus of his goals. “And you came to me for help?”

Yan nodded, his gaze steady. “Not for charity. I’m asking for a partnership. I want to prove to you—and to myself—that I can make this work.”

There was a long pause as Xaoxi considered his words. Then she leaned back in her chair, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. “All right, Yan. Show me your proposal. If it’s as good as you say, I’ll consider investing.”

Yan’s relief was palpable, but he quickly masked it with a professional nod. “Thank you. I won’t disappoint you.”

Over the following weeks, Yan worked tirelessly to refine his proposal. Xaoxi, true to her word, reviewed every detail with the same scrutiny she applied to all her business ventures. She saw potential in his idea and admired the passion he poured into it.

Eventually, Sheng Innovations announced a partnership with Yan’s startup, a move that attracted attention from the media. Some speculated about the family connection, but Xaoxi made it clear: this was a business decision, not an act of nepotism.

As the project gained traction, Xaoxi and Yan found themselves working closely together. Slowly, they began to rebuild the bond they had once shared as children. Xaoxi saw in Yan the potential for redemption, not just for him, but for the Lu family name.

For the first time in years, she allowed herself to believe that her past didn’t have to be a closed door. Perhaps, with careful choices and genuine effort, some bridges could be rebuilt.

Still, Xaoxi knew she would never let her guard down entirely. She had worked too hard to achieve her independence, and she would never allow herself to be controlled again. But she also understood that strength wasn’t just about standing alone—it was about knowing when to extend a hand.

As the partnership flourished, Xaoxi stood in her office one evening, looking out at the city lights. For the first time, she felt not just satisfaction, but a sense of peace. She had built something remarkable, not just for herself, but for others as well. And in doing so, she had truly moved beyond the shadows of her past.

The future, she realized, wasn’t just about leaving behind what was broken. It was about building something better in its place.

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