Chapter 4: Peace

Li Jiefan stood outside her family home with a pit in her stomach. She had not been back here in a year- well more than a year if she added in account the time she spent in the future. The feelings came back to her in a flurry-sadness, frustration and freedom. Li Jiefan left this place for a purpose and promised to never come back. But here she was breaking that promise and casting that purpose aside.

She knew that if she did not say goodbye she would never make peace, for the duration of the entire apocalypse she regretted not saying goodbye and getting closure, Li Jiefan's family was an open wound for her that never truly healing just scabbing over.

The apocalypse was tomorrow and she needed closure, so she walked up and into the courtyard.

Li Jiefan's family lived in a traditional Chinese courtyard home in B-city. Her family was a wealthy one, one of the wealthiest in the country but sadly wealth did not make someone a good parent. Li Jiefan had an older brother and a younger sister, she was the forgotten middle child squashed between the golden eldest son and the perfect youngest daughter. Li Jiefan had spent most of her childhood trying to get her parents attention while enduring the abuse of her cousins and aunt but she was determined to stand up for herself finally.

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Li Jiefan walked into the main house and saw her mother and aunt sitting on chairs drinking tea just like they always did. It was a Saturday so she knew her uncle, father and brother would be back from the office in a few minutes and her sister was still at her violin tournament in D-City.

Her mother, Song Lingling, noticed her first, looking up at her through her glasses. A look of surprised flashed across her face before she schooled her face into a it's usual indifference ,rolling her eyes and she said," Li Jiefan you're here, are you finally finished having a tantrum."

Li Jiefan's aunt, Yang Qixia, added in with a snicker," She has finally decided to be a filial daughter. "

"I came back to say something to you all." Li Jiefan said, the memories of the day she left coming back to her, like finding the picture you threw in a box under your bed because looking at it, remembering it causes you to much pain.

Li Jiefan remembers walking toward her mother and father with trepidation and pride in her heart, she had been imagining this moment for years since she had realised that her parents would never hold her in the same regard as her siblings. She imagined this amazing moment were she finally stood up for herself and gave her parents a piece of her mind, telling them of all the hardships she faced and how she was going to do so much with her life without them. Looking back, this act was a last cry for her parents affection which did not work, her parents immediately shot her down and she relented like the good daughter she always was.

Li Jiefan was full of regrets from that day. She wished she was stronger, more assertive, less desperate for her parents approval but she couldn't change the past all she could do was make sure she could give herself closure now.

Li Haoyu, Li Jiefan's father and the head of the Li family, walked in with Li Jiaho, Li Haoyu's only son and pride and joy, and Li Qiang, his youngest brother.

Li Jiefan turned around to face them both and started talking before any of the newcomers could say anything," I see you all are still playing make believe in this sham of a family."

Li Haoyu looked down at Li Jiefan blankly in the same condescending way he had done all her life. That look used to fill her with so much guilt and anger but now she felt nothing.

Li Jiefan continued talking," You all were supposed to be my family, to protect and guide me but all you did was traumatise me and cause me pain, you all thought i wouldn't amount to anything in life but I did, i got into one of the most prestigious schools in the country and i will live well without you all, goodbye."

Li Jiefan turned toward the door and walked out before her uncle could spit out a snide comment. The door slammed behind her she took a deep breath and she finally felt free.

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Li Jiefan waved goodbye to the dorm mother for the last time before walking out and waiting by the gate for Chen Liechu, Li Jiefan had booked a rental home on the perimeter of the city and invited Chen Liechu with her and the bubbly girl would take any chance given to her to procrastinate her school work. Li Jiefan had prepared this rental the moment she knew what route quickly lead to C-City.

" Li Jiefan, Hi are you ready- wow, what happened to your hair?" Chen Liechu said walking up on Li Jiefan.

Li Jiefan turned around and stroked her new bob that she cut the night before smiled and asked, " Do you think it looks good i got it done yesterday."

Chen Liechu smiled and clapped, " It looks so cute I was just surprised. I cannot believe that you got a such a cute rental for this weekend so last minute."

Li Jiefan's wallet cried as she smiled through the pain and replied," Yes, I got such a good deal I had to take it."

"I can't wait!" Chen Liechu squealed, locking her arms with Li Jiefan and hailing a taxi.