Granting You A Second Life

BZZZZZZZ BZZZZZZZZ BZZZZZZZ

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. 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 was just about to answer when she froze as realization finally hit her. Li Xiuying immediately sat up in bed, kicked away the duvet and looked at her uninjured body. '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 from her daze.

Li Xiuying spoke coldly: "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 and mumbled "8:30 am Tuesday 9th June 2010." She tossed her phone next to her.

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 felt reluctance burning inside her; she didn't want to live this life again.

Li Xiuying started sifting through all the memories of her past life. The images came in thick and fast. Scenes of her fiance'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 her cheeks.

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 was pushed open. A middle-aged man stepped in and looked at her with a scrutinizing gaze.

Middle-aged man: "Xiuying, do you have 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. Li Wang was currently wearing a custom made navy suit, which he probably bought with her 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 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 you pretended to be on my side but secretly sold me out to my uncle and anyone else who was willing to pay. 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 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 is wrong with this niece of mine today? Why is she being so rebellious? She's usually so obedient and does everything I say without question. On the other hand, if she did go into work and 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 and recover before returning to work. I'll tell the cook to make you nourishing foods to help supplement your health. Let me know if you need anything at all." With that said he walked out of the room closing the door behind him.

Li Xiuying looked at the door before her. She didn't ask to be here again; she was resigned to her fate and saw death as her freedom from her nightmarish reality. However, now that she was forced to live again she would treat it as an opportunity.

On Li Xiuying's face, an almost imperceptible smile appeared. She made a vow to herself and the universe: 'In this life, I will make it rain the blood of my enemies.'