Chapter 2: A Second Chance

Chapter 2: A Second Chance

Yong Qing felt a sudden jolt as her consciousness returned, a bright, blinding light flooding her vision.

Gasping for air, she shot up from her bed, her chest heaving as though she had just escaped from the clutches of death.

The last thing she remembered was the cold darkness closing in, the unbearable pain from the overdose, and the overwhelming sense of regret.

She had been certain that those were her final moments, yet here she was, alive, breathing, and very much awake.

She blinked rapidly, trying to adjust to the light and the rush of sensations flooding her mind.

Her heart pounded as she took in her surroundings, her eyes scanning the familiar room she hadn’t seen in years.

The walls were painted in a soft pastel color, adorned with posters and pictures she had long forgotten.

This was her old room, the one she had left behind when she moved out of her parents' house.

A wave of confusion washed over her—how could she be here?

For a moment, she thought her parents might have taken her from the hospital and brought her back to their home.

But why would they bring her back here, to this room that held so many memories of her younger, more vulnerable self?

As she tried to make sense of it, her eyes fell on something that made her breath catch—a set of clothes hanging neatly on the wall.

It was the outfit she had worn to her first job interview, a plain skirt and blouse she remembered throwing away in shame after being mocked for how shabby and unflattering it looked.

Yong Qing stared at the outfit in disbelief. How was this possible?

She distinctly remembered getting rid of it years ago. Yet here it was, looking just as it did the day she had worn it.

A chill ran down her spine as she reached out to touch the fabric, confirming that it was real, that this wasn’t some trick of her imagination.

Before she could process what was happening, the shrill sound of her alarm clock pierced the air.

Startled, she turned toward the bedside table and saw her old phone vibrating next to the blaring clock.

Her hand shook as she reached for the phone to turn off the alarm, her eyes catching sight of the reminder flashing on the screen: “Interview Day.”

She froze, her mind racing. “Interview day?” she thought, her heart skipping a beat.

That was the note she had set for herself five years ago, the day she had her first interview at Ronghua Yuan as an assistant chemist.

Panic surged through her as she quickly checked the date on her phone. The blood drained from her face as she read it over and over again, each time hoping she was mistaken.

But the date was clear—she had somehow been transported back five years in time.

Back to the time when she had just graduated from university, and that day was the day of her interview at Ronghua Yuan.

Yong Qing’s thoughts swirled in a chaotic mix of disbelief and confusion. She had died—she was sure of it.

The overdose should have taken her life, but instead, she was here, in her old room, on the very day she had set out to start her career.

Her heart raced as she tried to comprehend the impossible: she had been given a second chance. She had been reborn.

The realization hit her like a tidal wave, leaving her breathless. She jumped out of bed and rushed to the mirror, staring at the reflection that greeted her.

The face that looked back at her was younger, brighter, and full of life.

The dark circles under her eyes were gone, and the lines of stress and exhaustion that had marred her face in recent years had vanished.

Her skin was smooth, her eyes were clear, and, most shockingly, her lips curled into a smile—a genuine smile that she hadn’t seen on her own face in what felt like an eternity.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she touched her face, her fingers trembling. She had been given a miraculous opportunity to redo the past, to make things right.

The pain and suffering of the last five years no longer weighed her down, but the memories remained, a stark reminder of the mistakes she had made, the opportunities she had squandered, and the people she had failed to appreciate.

Yong Qing clenched her fists, a surge of determination rising within her.

She wouldn’t waste this chance. She would live differently this time. She would prioritize herself, fight for her happiness, and protect those who had once shown her kindness.

This time, she would not let her parents control her life, nor would she let fear and doubt dictate her choices.

She would face each challenge with courage and resolve, knowing that she had the power to change her fate.

With renewed resolve, Yong Qing hurried to the bathroom, the urgency of the day pulling her forward.

As she washed her face, she marveled at the youthful energy that pulsed through her veins, the sense of hope that had been absent for so long.

She knew the road ahead would not be easy, but for the first time in years, she felt ready to face whatever challenges life would throw her way.

Stepping out of the bathroom, she glanced at the outfit hanging on the wall, the one she had once despised.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***