Rebirth

The kick had dislocated Si Jianyu's ankle because of which he felt pain trying to move. Nevertheless, he opted to crawl towards Li Baozhai. All he wanted to do was be by her side. Even if it was the last thing he did.

In his heart, he knew they were at the end of the rope. Who would save them? Besides, the asylum was located in the suburbs. Even if they shouted, no one would come, the asylum had already been taken over by their enemies.

He regretted leaving when she asked him to. He should have stubbornly stayed to protect her from her family. However, it was too late.

They couldn't go back in time, assuming they could, how would he have helped her escape her fate when he was so powerless.

With this in mind, he held her hand. Li Baozhai gazed into his eyes and she saw an array of emotions in them.

Amongst these emotions, she thought she saw gentleness, regret, anguish, love… Or she was just imagining things as usual.

Li Jiayi's eyes were scornful. She had always known that Si Jianyu had feelings for Baozhai. She had tried to seduce him and turn him to her side but he had refused her.

Though he was tall, handsome, even his body was great. He was merely a secretary to Li Baozhai so how could she dream to be with him when there was a more powerful man— Lin Xiaobo.

Lin Xiaobo was betrothed to Li Baozhai. The engagement was broken because Li Baozhai had gone "crazy".

Knowing that Lin Xiaobo was a man that placed profit and face above anything else, she had approached him to be Li Baozhai's replacement.

She was next in line and the most suitable candidate to take over Li Corps regardless of whatever her Third Aunt and Uncle had in mind.

How could Lin Xiaobo reject such an offer? He would be getting both the company and the sexy lady. There were only a few who could stand by his side and he had assumed Li Baozhai would be that person. They had an understanding.

However, fate was against them. He had to take the second best, Li Jiayi.

Undisguised disdain flashed through Li Jiayi's smoky eyes. She signaled her men to take Si Jianyu away because she was irritated, watching him hold her "crazy" cousin.

She did not even bother to scorn Li Baozhai because she believed Li Baozhai had truly gone crazy after everything they had done to her.

She was no longer her competition but rather something that was below her and wasn't worthy to be in her presence.

Li Jiayi would never reduce herself to Li Baozhai's level.

Not long after, Si Jianyu was dragged away by one of the men in black. That was the last Li Baozhai saw of him.

Perhaps, he would be threatened to remain quiet, perhaps he would be killed. His fate in this life was sorrowful and she had a part to play in it.

In truth, Li Baozhai was already tired. Be it death or salvation, she did not care about whatever came next.

She had ruined everything, albeit it wasn't her fault, who would treat her normally if she were saved?

She glanced at Zhuge Xia briefly.

Her cousin was bound by ropes and couldn't move. She laid on the floor like a sack of potatoes. It appears they had both met their ends trying to save her.

Li Baozhai did not bother to look at Li Jiayi nor did she bother asking the futile question— "Why?"

It was always out of greed and jealousy, it never gets old. The villains tend to hide it under the façade of the lead not being worthy enough to have such luck.

Li Baozhai was undeserving of such a position. Then why should they let her do as she pleases?

As if they were God.

Easily brushing aside the fact that it was never about luck. They had long forgotten about the fact that she was the one who brought the Li Corporation out of the ditch, raising it to it's glorious pedestal while the others tried to run away from the huge responsibility.

Well, she was also the reason for the fall of the company… her "madness".

As for Li Jiayi, she assumed Li Baozhai had completely lost her mind.

Perhaps heaven found the need to grieve as lightning and thunder ripped the skies. The rain began to drizzle, drenching her in the process whilst she awaited her end.

By now, her white gown had stuck to her body. She shivered and her teeth chattered.

She heard murmurs but couldn't make out the words or the speaker. She could only hear the sound of the rain hitting the tarred ground.

Then she heard the gunshot that shook her heart. She knew he had been shot. There was a dull ache in her heart.

The next moment, she was injected with a syringe. The contents, she couldn't tell.

Li Baozhai did not try to struggle or fight her fate.

The drug kicked in, in less than five minutes as she laid on the asphalt ground under the rain, her breathing slowed considerably. She was having a hard time keeping her eyes open so she let it be.

Her body felt light as she was lifted off the ground. She did not know whom or whence they took her or what he wanted to do. She could only smell the sandalwood on his chest.

Soon, she no longer heard the sound of the rain, her hands slid down the side and her body gave way.

Perhaps death would grant her the peace she sought.

…

Sunlight infiltrated the room as the sun rays leisurely crept from the floor to her bed, finally, her face. Li Baozhai groggily awoke from deep slumber with a banging head.

She rubbed her eyes and then her head. As usual, she strode into the bathroom, brushed her teeth and washed up before entering her walk-in closet.