69 A LOT OF PROBLEMS

The captive life in the mysterious lab was not unbearable for Hu Lei. She had a comfortable room which provided her with a private place for daily rest. She received regular meals. Though they were pre-packaged rations, they contained all essential nutrients. Moreover, she kept boredom to a minimum by working out in the gym and spending time in the considerably well-stocked library.

However, even a golden cage was still a prison. And Hu Lei was not willing to spend the rest of her life on a dead continent. She also wanted to be free from this place which reminded her of all ill in her life, including her father's betrayal.

Unfortunately, it was like Helen Brown had said. The place was impossible to leave, and it was the only safe harbour on the land of ice. If she attempted to leave, she would become a human shaped icicle in an hour. Still, how could she give up on the life she hoped to have, the life she had begun to build?