Chapter 3: A New Beginning

Chapter 3: A New Beginning

Yong Qing stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her outfit and taking a moment to admire her reflection.

It had been so long since she had felt this good about herself.

Her rebirth had given her more than just a second chance—it had given her a newfound appreciation for her own beauty and confidence.

The woman staring back at her from the mirror was not the timid, uncertain girl she once was. She was strong, determined, and ready to take control of her life.

She had chosen a different outfit for today, one that her university classmate, Tian Hui, had given her as a birthday gift before they graduated.

The outfit was elegant, feminine, and exuded a sense of confidence that Yong Qing knew she needed for her job interview.

The deep, rich colors of the dress complemented her features perfectly, and as she applied makeup she had once been too self-conscious to wear, she felt a wave of empowerment wash over her.

Tian Hui had always been the most beautiful girl in their class, with a sweet, smiling face that could brighten anyone's day.

Yong Qing had admired her from afar, but her own insecurities had kept her from ever getting close.

She had always declined Tian Hui's invitations to hang out, making up excuses because she was too afraid of stepping outside her comfort zone and too controlled by her parents’ strict rules.

But that was the old Yong Qing.

The new Yong Qing was determined to break free from the chains that had once held her back.

She smiled at her reflection, pleased with the way the makeup enhanced her natural beauty.

It was subtle, yet it gave her the polished, professional look she had always wanted to achieve.

As she stared at herself, she felt a mix of emotions—pride for how far she had come, and sadness for the years she had lost to fear and self-doubt.

To capture this moment, she took out her phone and snapped a picture of herself. She saved the photo, making a mental note to post it on Instagram later.

This time, she would tag Tian Hui as a way of thanking her for the gift and perhaps even rekindle their friendship.

But before doing that, Yong Qing promised herself that she would reconnect with all the friends she had lost touch with, those who had been kind to her but whom she had pushed away due to her insecurities.

With a final glance in the mirror, she left her room and headed downstairs to the kitchen. She had decided to prepare lunch for her sister’s family, who would be visiting soon.

Yong Qing’s parents were out, likely asking her mother’s relatives for money again.

She hadn’t known about this debt before, but in a few months, she would find out from her cousin, her mother’s niece, that her parents had borrowed a significant amount to help her brother.

The memory of how she had been forced to pay off those debts in the future filled her with anger, but also with resolve.

This time, she would not allow herself to be taken advantage of. She would not shoulder the burden of others’ mistakes.

In her past life, Yong Qing remembered the day of her interview clearly.

Her mother had called her while she was on the way, scolding her for not preparing lunch before she left, which had caused her father to lash out at her mother.

That day, her sister had visited with her husband and three children, and Yong Qing could still recall the condescending tone in her sister’s voice as she mocked her over the phone.

The memory left a bitter taste in her mouth, but it also fueled her determination to change the course of her life. She wouldn’t allow herself to be belittled or controlled any longer.

After finishing the meal preparations, she quickly dialed for a taxi. She had no intention of taking the bus like she had done before.

Back then, she had arrived late to the interview, exhausted and flustered from standing the entire journey just to save a few dollars.

Her fear of not getting the job had driven her to sacrifice her comfort and confidence. But this time, things would be different.

Yong Qing stepped outside as the taxi pulled up. She slid into the backseat, feeling a sense of calm that she hadn’t experienced in a long time.

She knew exactly where she was headed—Ronghua Yuan—the company where she would have her first job interview.

Unlike before, she wasn’t filled with anxiety or doubt. She knew she would get the job, and she knew exactly how to handle the interview.

The questions that had once thrown her off balance were no longer a mystery. She was prepared, confident, and ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As the taxi drove towards the company, Yong Qing looked out the window, watching the city pass by.

This was her fresh start, her opportunity to rewrite her story. And this time, she was determined to get it right.

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