Granting You a Second Life 1 In This Life...

Li Xiuying felt around her bed and eventually found her phone that was vibrating non-stop.

She peered at the screen through half open eyes.

She read the screen 'Incoming call Sun Yu'.

She picked up: "Hello, Sun Yu why are you calling?"

Sun Yu: "Dr. Li, Huang Teng the CEO of World Bank called, he wants to see you today to discuss the surgery for his grandson next week. What would you like me to tell him?"

She froze as realization finally hit her. 'Why am I in my bed? Shouldn't I be laying in a pool of my own blood waiting for death? Wasn't I finally free? What's going on?'

Sun Yu:"Hello Dr. Li should I go ahead and schedule the meeting for later today? Hello Dr.Li are you still there? Can you hear me?"

Li Xiuying woke form her daze.

Li Xiuying: "Sun Yu, I'm not feeling well. I won't be available for the rest of the week." She then hung up.

She looked at her phone screen 8:30 am Tuesday 9th November 2010.

Li Xiuying muttered: "I've gone back 8 years. What is happening right now?" She ran a hand through her hair in frustration and closed her weary eyes.

Li Xiuying started sifting through all her past memories. The images came in thick and fast. Scenes of her fiancé's betrayal with her cousin. Her family abusing her financially, physically and emotionally. Images of being spit on and laughed at after her fall from the medical world. More and more ugly scenes appeared in her mind.

Li Xiuying only came back to reality after she felt something wet fall on her hand. She brought her pale hands to her face and felt tears streaming down.

Li Xiuying started laughing. It was a hysterical laugh filled with regret and pain.

'How could I have been so stupid?'

All of a sudden Li Xiuying's bedroom door opened. A middle aged man stepped into her room.

Middle aged man: "Xiuying, do you any idea what time it is? Why aren't you getting ready for work? Why are you just sitting there laughing by yourself?"

Li Xiuying looked at the face of her uncle, Li Wang.

Her uncle's face was full of sincerity that didn't quite reach his eyes. He was plain looking and of average height. He was currently wearing a custom made navy suit, which he probably bought with he money.

Li Wang: "Xiuying, why are you staring at me? Don't you have a meeting today with CEO Huang? You can't be irresponsible. If you've agreed to do something you have to accomplish the task no matter what. Promises must be fulfilled. Even if you're not feeling well you still have to keep your word."

Li Xiuying continued to stare.

She thought to herself: 'How did I ever think that this man was doing everything for my own good and out of familial love? Li Wang, how dare you try to teach me morals when your conscience was long fed to the dogs! And that Sun Yu. Ah Sun Yu, to be selling me out to my uncle. Just wait for this Grand-aunt to remove lumps of flesh from you.'

Li Xiuying spoke coldly: "Uncle, I know you're right. But I'm really not feeling well and I feel that if I were to go in and see patients they would lose their confidence in me and wouldn't go through with their surgeries. It would surely cost us our reputation and a lot of money. I know uncle loves me the most and wouldn't force me to work". Li Xiuying said all of this with an expressionless face, she planned to keep up a facade for now.

The expression on Li Wang's face froze. There was a trace of anger in his eyes.

In his mind he questioned: 'What was wrong with this niece of his today? Why is she being so rebellious? She's usually so obedient and does everything I say without question. But if she really caused me to lose money and clients then just this once I'll let her have time off. '

Li Wang's anger disappeared to be replaced with worry.

Li Wang spoke with exaggerated concern: "Ah my dear niece, uncle understands. If you're feeling that unwell then you should definitely rest well and recover before returning to work. I'll tell the cook to make you nourishing foods to help supplement your health." With that said he walked out of the room closing the door behind him.

On Li Xiuying's face an almost imperceptible smile appeared.

She made a vow to herself: 'In this life I will make it rain the blood of my enemies.'

Chapter end