Seven year later

The alarm clock buzzed loudly in the quiet bedroom, breaking the calm of the early morning. A strong, steady hand reached out from under the thick duvet and hit the snooze button with practiced ease. Yi Chen sat up slowly, his movements smooth and deliberate, like someone who wasn't in a rush to face the day just yet.

Soft sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains covering the large floor-to-ceiling window, casting a gentle glow over his face. His black hair was a little messy, falling across his forehead, giving him a laid-back yet striking look. His dark eyes, sharp and focused, seemed to hold a quiet intensity that could command attention without effort.

Throwing off the covers, Yi Chen revealed his lean, muscular frame. The black silk robe draped over his broad shoulders slipped slightly, exposing the defined muscles of his chest and arms. His tall frame, just over six feet, moved with quiet confidence as he stood and stretched, his robe falling open enough to give a glimpse of his toned abs.

The room around him reflected his minimalist yet luxurious taste. The walls were painted a rich charcoal gray, accented with sleek black and silver details. His bed, a king-sized centerpiece with crisp white linens and a neatly folded gray throw, added a touch of elegance. On the bedside table sat a single book—an autobiography of a legendary entrepreneur—alongside a minimalist black lamp.

The living room was no less impressive, with expansive glass windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline. The space was minimalist yet inviting, with a large black leather sectional sofa, a glass coffee table, and a fireplace encased in polished black marble. The floors were dark oak, their surface gleaming in the morning light.

He padded to the kitchen, the soft sound of his leather slippers echoing faintly. The kitchen was a marvel of contemporary design—black marble countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a state-of-the-art espresso machine that hummed quietly in one corner. A sleek bar cart stood by the counter, adorned with crystal decanters and a few rare bottles of whiskey.

Opening the refrigerator, Yi Chen grabbed a chilled bottle of water. His long fingers unscrewed the cap effortlessly, and he leaned casually against the counter as he scrolled through his phone. His sharp, almond-shaped eyes narrowed slightly as he noticed the 12 missed calls from his grandfather.

A faint smirk played on his lips, a mixture of amusement and exasperation, as he tapped the screen to call back.The phone rang only once before Chairman Yi's booming voice came through, filled with annoyance and authority.

"So, you finally remembered you have a grandfather?!!!"

Yi Chen pulled the phone away from his ear slightly, the sheer volume making him wince.

 "Do you know how long it's been since you last visited me?Two months, Yi Chen. Two months! You ungrateful child! Always burying yourself in work. Do you even think about me anymore?"

Yi Chen's lips curled into a small, wry smile. He replied calmly, his voice as smooth as velvet.

 "Grandfather, I've been busy. The overseas trip last week was exhausting, and I needed some rest."

"Rest?Hah! Don't lie to me. I know you returned two days ago and Instead of resting, you went straight to your company. You're too busy showing off your big awards to remember your old grandfather. ""And now, you have the audacity to show this attitude to me? You're the youngest businessman to win the State Entrepreneurial Award, expanding your empire across continents, but that doesn't mean you've earned the right to ignore me!""Have you forgotten our agreement? Once a month, Yi Chen. You promised to spend a day with me. But you haven't visited in two months! Do you think I'll live forever? Or are you planning to inherit my estate and then forget about me entirely?"

Yi Chen let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head.

"Grandfather, you're being dramatic. I've been tied up with work, but I'll visit you soon. I promise."

Chairman Yi huffed loudly.

"Soon? Hmph. I'll believe it when I see it. Make it this weekend, or I'll come to your office myself and drag you out. Do you hear me?"If you don't come to see me and apologize, consider yourself disowned!"

The line went dead. Yichen stared at the phone, shaking his head. Despite the harsh words, a ghost of a smile lingered on his lips.

Yichen chuckle, "He's worse than a child."

****

The screen fades in with a bright, welcoming smile as the camera focuses on Lei Xian. Her perfectly styled hair and flawless makeup give her an air of elegance and sincerity.

"Good morning, viewers. Today, we're honored to have a very special guest—Miss Lei Xian, the owner and CEO of Life Pharmaceuticals, a company revolutionizing the medical field with its groundbreaking cancer treatments."

The audience erupts in polite applause as the camera pans to Lei Xian, who gives a modest smile.

"Thank you for having me. It's truly a pleasure to be here and share my journey with everyone watching today."

"Miss Lei Xian, your company's achievements have been phenomenal. From humble beginnings to becoming a global leader in pharmaceuticals, your journey is truly inspiring. Could you tell us about the driving force behind your success?"

Lei Xian pauses, placing a delicate hand on her chest as if to emphasize the depth of her emotions.

 "It hasn't been easy. There were times when I thought I wouldn't make it, especially after… my release from prison seven years ago. When I walked out of those gates, I made a promise to myself—a promise to take a new start in life and dedicate it to humanity. I wanted to ensure no one suffers like I did."

Her voice breaks slightly, and she dabs at her eyes with a handkerchief. The audience watches intently, visibly moved by her display of vulnerability.

But behind the feigned emotion, Lei Xian's thoughts run cold.

(Thinking to herself): Cry a little, and they'll eat it up. Let them adore me. The more they believe this charade, the more untouchable I become.

 "That's incredibly moving. Your resilience is truly inspiring. Life Pharmaceuticals is especially renowned for its revolutionary cancer medication, but your company has also produced highly effective treatments for fever, cough, and other illnesses. How were you able to achieve this level of success in just seven years?"

Lei Xian leans slightly forward, her expression shifting to one of determination.

 "I achieved it because I gave it everything I had. My team and I worked tirelessly day and night to bring these treatments to life. It was seven years of relentless dedication and hard work, with every decision driven by my commitment to making a difference."

 "And these medications, especially your cancer treatment, have shown incredible results in clinical trials. Some are calling it a miracle drug. Can you share more about what makes it so effective?"

Lei Xian's smile widens, her eyes glinting with a mix of pride and cunning.

"We've developed a unique approach—targeting the root causes at a molecular level. It's all about precision medicine. By understanding the very essence of the human body, we've been able to craft treatments that not only combat the disease but also strengthen the body's natural defenses."

(Thinking to herself): Of course, what I won't say is that it's all thanks to the unique properties I extracted from Xin Yi's blood. Her genes are the foundation of every breakthrough we've made.

"That's truly fascinating. Your approach is reshaping the future of medicine. Do you believe these techniques could eventually lead to cures for other diseases as well?"

"Absolutely. We're only scratching the surface. With the right resources and continued research, there's no limit to what we can achieve. Every life we save motivates me to keep pushing boundaries."

Her voice is calm and steady, her words flawless. Yet beneath her composed exterior, her mind churns with dark secrets.

Reporter leaning in, curiously, "There are rumors that Life Pharmaceuticals uses proprietary genetic material in your research. Some have even speculated about the ethical challenges surrounding such methods. How do you respond to these claims?"

Lei Xian's expression remains unshaken as she chuckles softly.

Lei Xian with a warm smile, "I've heard those rumors too, and I can assure you that all of our research adheres to the highest ethical standards. Every breakthrough we've achieved is a testament to the hard work of my team and our unwavering commitment to humanity. Baseless accusations won't deter us from our mission."

(Thinking to herself): Let them speculate. They'll never find Xin Yi or uncover the truth behind her extraordinary blood. As long as I control the narrative, I control everything.

"Thank you for clarifying, Miss Lei Xian. Your passion and dedication are truly remarkable. It's no wonder Life Pharmaceuticals has become a symbol of hope worldwide."

Lei Xian offers a radiant smile, playing her role to perfection, as the camera lingers on her face. She knows the world sees her as a savior, and she intends to keep it that way, no matter the cost.

****

Lei Xian walked into her grand private villa, humming a cheerful tune. Her steps were light, almost playful, as she crossed the marble-floored entrance. Today, she was in a great mood—her recent interview had made her look like a hero in the public's eyes, a mask she wore proudly.

She made her way to the library, a beautiful room filled with mahogany shelves stacked with rare books and antiques. Smiling to herself, she ran her fingers over the books before stopping at a hidden panel on the wall. A quick fingerprint scan unlocked a secret door, revealing a staircase leading down.

Her heels echoed on the metal steps as she hummed, her voice bouncing off the cold walls. The underground lab was bright and busy. Scientists moved around, machines beeped softly, and screens showed streams of data.

At the center of the lab was a girl, around 25 years old, sitting on a hospital bed. Her pale skin and hollow eyes spoke of years of suffering. Her long black hair, streaked with prominent white highlights, fell over her frail shoulders. This was Xin Yi, the girl who once radiated warmth and sunshine.

Nearby, Qin Lianyi held a test tube of fresh blood. The moment Lei Xian entered, Lianyi tensed, gripping the test tube tightly.

Lei Xian's voice rang out, sing-song and mocking.

 "Today is special. I'm in a good mood. So, Xin Yi, I'll grant you one wish."

Xin Yi stood slowly, her movements weak but deliberate. Her lifeless eyes locked onto Lei Xian's.

"Watching you die mercilessly is my only wish."

Lei Xian threw her head back and laughed, the sound cold and cruel.

Lei Xian: "Oh, my dear, that's impossible. But I like your spirit."

Qin Lianyi flinched at their exchange, her hands trembling. She looked at Xin Yi, as if wanting to say something, but no words came out.

Xin Yi turned away, dragging herself back to her small, bare room at the far end of the lab. It was a cold, empty space with metal walls and a narrow bed. Heavy chains at the bed's foot reminded her of her imprisonment.

Sitting on the bed, she curled her thin frame into a ball, wrapping her arms around her knees. A warm trickle slid from her nose. Blood. Again. Her body, as always, betrayed her. She rushed to the bathroom, her bare feet cold on the hard floor.

Leaning over the sink, she let the blood drip freely, her hands shaking as she tried to catch it. She turned on the tap, splashing water on her face to wash the bright red streaks away. But the blood didn't stop. It flowed, as if mocking her.

After what felt like forever, the bleeding stopped. Slowly, she turned off the tap and looked into the mirror. A pale, broken girl stared back. Her hollow eyes and the faint blood stains on her face told a story of endless suffering.

Her face stayed calm, almost too calm. She reached up to wipe the last traces of blood but stopped, staring at her reflection.

 "Why does this keep happening? Why can't it just stop?"

She traced the scars on her wrists with trembling fingers, each one a reminder of the times she had tried to end her suffering, only to fail. The countless attempts blurred together in her mind—each time she tried to escape, they caught her. Each time she rebelled, they chained her.

The heavy metal anklet locked around her foot at night was connected to a cold chain, preventing her from fleeing. For seven long years, she had not seen the sun, felt the warmth of its light, or experienced the changing seasons. The world outside had become a distant dream, erased by the cold sterility of her cage.

Tears streamed down her face as her reflection mocked her despair. Her shoulders shook, and her voice broke into a desperate whisper.

 "When will this suffering end....I can't keep living like this?"

Her fingers gripped the edge of the sink as her knees buckled under the weight of her hopelessness. Her gaze lingered on her reflection, and for a fleeting moment, she imagined the girl in the mirror reaching out to pull her into a world where the pain would finally stop. But the reality was unrelenting, and the chains of her torment refused to let her go.