2. Reborn

I felt warmth and smiled " Even death playing with me now, hnn?" I mumbled jokingly

indeed even death is toying with me. I wanted to cry out loud but then I heard birds chirping in the background.

I froze and suddenly jolted my eyes wide open. Too confused, my eyes were blinded by the sunlight coming through the windows. I squinted my eyes to adjust and then I saw it, a very familiar ceiling.

I gasped and rubbed my eyes, "wh..at?"

I could still feel my eyes moist and the feeling of dried blood around me.

'Was that a dream? No. Is... this is a dream..? maybe'

The warmth earlier was coming from this blanket around me.

"Miss are you awake now?" I heard a voice from the closed door.

"miss?? wait this... room?!" I was confused, scared, and somewhat emotional about this sudden development.

I slowly get out of the bed, my back soaked with sweat. I stood in front of the full-length mirror.

I saw a pair of dark hazel brown eyes were looking back at me. the girl's skin was soft and clear brimming with youth. Small nose, pink lips, and heart shape face.

I touched the reflection of mine and saw a tear roll down on my cheek.

"Is this possible?" Xiang Zhi was... happy.

'if what I am experiencing is true so, it means gods listened to my prayers and I am indeed alive. wait what about Lian Huaiwei?' I looked around the room I used to have when I was. I guess I teenager, in the Duchy. it was still the same as I remembered. beautiful and lavish with a hint of childlike.

'I was a kid, spoiled one' I slyly smiled.

I heard a knock on the door before I looked at myself and asked the person to come in.

"Miss Xiang, Good morning. breakfast will be served in the dining hall as per the orders of the elder miss. I can help you with your bath too-" Before she could finish her sentence I cut her off.

"Wait- Elder miss.. you mean elder sister Huo?" I asked dumb excitedly.

"yes, miss Xiang Zhi. She... also said that if you wake up late again, you will have to go to school without breakfast"

I should be angry but I couldn't.

'I missed you my dear sister' I smiled holding back my tears.

"I will take my bath first, and what's the date today? .. Mary?" I asked not sure was I remembered right.

"Yes, my name is Mary, miss Zhi. Today is 22nd may 2015. I will prepare water for your bath" she said.

Indeed, she is Mary, my maid.

'you helped me a lot, back in the days, I hope I can repay you in this life'

today is 22nd, which means my birthday just went by. I am Seventeen right now.

I took bath rather than in a daze and before I know it I was sitting in front of the mirror.

My black longer than shoulder-length hair was tied in a neat lower ponytail. They were wavy, resembling a waterfall.

School dress was a white shirt under the red tie, dark blue skirt and completing it with white socks with two red stripes on the end of it and black shoes.

'I look pretty cute for an adult 24 years old soul, but well, it's not that I mind it' I giggled while applying sunscreen and moisturizer.

"You look very pretty today, Miss Xiang" Mary said.

I saw Mary beside me in the mirror, I turn around to face her" Thank you, Mary. And you can call me Zhi from now on." I said giving the maid my best smile.

I could see the maid freeze for a moment after regaining her senses, she bowed.

"I can not do that, Young Miss Xiang," she said bowing.

"Please, I insist Mary. Call me Zhi." I insisted to the maid who has been with me since the day I was born and until the last few days in my past life.

"...then Miss Zhi," she said before hesitating a little.

"An, that will do too. Thank you for always taking care of me, Mary. I really appreciate it" I said with a grateful smile.

"of course, Miss. It has always been my joy and pride that I have seen you grow into a beautiful and fine lady." the maid said truthfully.

We smiled and I felt that I was too blind to never appreciate the love that I was surrounded by in the past. 'I was a fool indeed' I sighed and we walked out of the room. 'I will not waste this life being a fool again, I will cherish everyone and be a person who looks down on the people who dares to harm my loved ones, like a predator on their prey. Never again to be fooled, after all, I was reborn for this' A cold glint flashed through Xiang Zhi's eyes.

If Mary had seen it she might have shaken to the core but she was busy in her thoughts.

'Something is wrong with, Miss. Today she didn't scold me for waking her up so early making any scene. She even got ready in 15 minutes. And more importantly, she used words like please and said thank you to me twice today, which is so rare that I don't even remember when was the last time. She is smiling a lot too'

The maid who has seen her miss since she was a toddler looked at Xiang Zhi with a new light.

'it's not like I hate it, quite the opposite' Mary smiled and followed her miss outside towards the dining hall.