Parents

Lina took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of thoughts swirling in her mind. She was now stuck inside the world of a book, a reality that felt both absurd and overwhelming. The weight of it settled on her chest like a heavy stone. She glanced around the lavish room she found herself in a place that, while beautiful, didn't belong to her.

It was strange. Everything felt familiar, yet distant, like an echo of memories that weren't truly hers. She knew she had to be careful, to think through her next steps. Panic would only make things worse. Taking slow, deliberate steps, she got out of bed and approached the large mirror that dominated the center of the room.

Her reflection stared back at her long, wavy red hair, soft brown eyes, and delicate features. She looked much like her old self, but there were subtle differences. Her skin seemed smoother, her posture more elegant. She leaned closer, inspecting her new appearance, and sighed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "She's prettier than I was... like a better version of me," she muttered under her breath, a bittersweet smile playing on her lips.

Realizing that dwelling on her appearance wouldn't change anything, Lina straightened up and grabbed some paper and a pen from the nightstand. She needed a plan. Sitting down at the ornate writing desk in the corner, she started scribbling down her thoughts, trying to map out her options, her mind racing as she tried to remember the plot of the book she was now living in.

She began with the basics, writing down everything she knew about her character:

Lina was adopted at 16 after her parents passed away. Her parents were close friends with Bo Qiang's family, the antagonists in the story. When Bo Qiang's parents, Mr. Wei Jian and Mrs. Lian Mei, found out about the deaths of Lina's parents, they immediately flew to the U.S. to adopt her. She was still a minor, and they felt responsible for her well-being. They ended up staying in the U.S. with her for two years before returning to China.

Lina paused, tapping the pen against the paper as she stared at the words. This was her new life now, at least for the foreseeable future. She knew the story's plot inside out—after all, she had read the book. Her character was adopted out of a sense of obligation, but things quickly spiraled out of control. Lina, as written in the book, made a series of terrible decisions that eventually led to her downfall.

She sighed, frustrated. "If I remember right, my character's parents have only just died, so technically, I haven't made any of those mistakes yet. I still have a chance to change everything." Her eyes lit up with determination as a small smile crept onto her face. "I can rewrite my fate."

She looked down at her notes, feeling more confident now that she had a plan in mind. She folded the paper neatly and tucked it into the drawer. Just as she was about to stand, there was a knock at the door. Lina already knew who it was.

With one final glance in the mirror, she took a deep breath, straightened her posture, and walked towards the door, preparing herself to step into this new life.

Two Years Later

The whir of the plane's engines died down as Flight 578 touched down, signaling the end of a long journey. The airport was bustling with life travelers rushing to their destinations, families reuniting, and the constant hum of announcements echoing through the terminals.

Among the crowd, a distinguished couple walked out of the arrivals gate, a red-haired girl following closely behind. The trio turned heads as they made their way through the airport, attracting the curious stares of passersby. The couple, dressed in tailored clothing that exuded wealth and status, were Mr. Wei Jian and Mrs. Lian Mei, and the girl with them was none other than Lina. Her two-year stay in the United States had come to an end, and now, she was returning to China a place she hadn't seen since before her adoption.

Lina glanced around the bustling airport, feeling a mix of emotions. It had been a whirlwind two years. So much had happened during that time adjusting to life with her adoptive parents, learning the ins and outs of their world, and carefully avoiding the mistakes that had doomed her character in the book. But as they walked toward the car waiting outside, Lina's thoughts shifted. "Now the real story begins," she thought, her heart pounding slightly as she stared out the window of the sleek, black car. She felt a flicker of nervousness in her chest but quickly pushed it down. She couldn't afford to make mistakes now.

Mrs. Lian Mei, sitting beside her, noticed Lina's unease. With a motherly smile, she reached over and gently stroked Lina's hair. "Lina, don't worry. You'll finally get to meet our son," she said softly, her voice filled with affection.

Lina smiled politely, though the mention of Bo Qiang made her stomach twist. She hadn't met him yet, not face-to-face at least. In the two years since her adoption, Bo Qiang had remained a distant figure. He was constantly busy with the family business and hadn't made time to visit them in the U.S. But he always sent her lavish gifts on her birthdays, and his secretary made sure to check in on her from time to time. It was all so formal, so detached. Lina had hoped that he wouldn't be as cold or calculating as the book had made him out to be. But now, she would finally get to see for herself.

From the front seat, Mr. Wei Jian, her adoptive father, frowned slightly at the mention of his son. "I can't believe that boy hasn't bothered to meet Lina in person yet," he grumbled, shaking his head. His voice carried a note of frustration, but there was also an underlying warmth, the kind that only a concerned parent could have.

"It's okay, Uncle. He's been really busy with the company," Lina replied gently, turning her attention back to the window as the car weaved through the city streets. "But he still sends me gifts." She tried to keep her voice light, though she couldn't shake the feeling of dread that hung over her. "He doesn't seem as bad as the book made him out to be," she thought, but doubt lingered in the back of her mind.

As the car finally pulled up to a grand, sprawling estate an opulent villa that looked straight out of a movie—Mrs. Lian Mei smiled warmly at Lina, her voice full of pride and affection. "Welcome home, Lina."

Lina's heart skipped a beat as she stared at the villa before her. This was where the real story would begin, the part where everything in the book had started to go wrong. But she wasn't going to let that happen this time. With a deep breath, she steeled herself. She was ready to face whatever came next.