The Li family dining hall was filled with the fragrance of steamed buns and jasmine tea. Morning sunlight poured through the carved windows, painting golden patterns across the polished wood floor.
At the head of the table sat Father Li, stern but dignified, dressed neatly in his robe. Beside him was Mother Li, her smile as warm as the morning light itself. The servants moved about quietly, placing dishes on the long table.
In her past life, Li Na had taken this scene for granted. She had sat here countless times, barely glancing at her father's sharp eyes or her mother's gentle smile. Only later, after betrayal stripped her of everything, had she realized how precious these ordinary mornings were. By the time she understood, both of them were already gone.
Now, standing in the doorway, she could hardly breathe.
''Na'er,'' her mother called warmly, waving her over. ''Come, sit You've been skipping meals. No wonder you faint so easily.''
Li Na blinked back tears and forced herself to smile. ''Yes, Mother.''
She walked over slowly, her footsteps light, as if afraid the moment would vanish if she moved too quickly.
Father Li looked up from the newspaper he was reading and gave her a brief nod. ''Finally awake? learn to take better care of yourself.''
His tone was strict, but Li Na heard the concen hidden beneath.In her last life, she had always thought her father was cold, distant. Only later had she realized every scolding was his way of worrying.
She lowered her head respectfully. ''I will, Father.''
Her mother's eyes softened. She reached over and placed a dumpling in Li Na's bowl. ''Don't mind him. He only knows how to bark. Here, eat. You've lost weight again.''
Li Na picked up her chopsticks, her throat tightening as she bit into the dumpling . The taste was exactly as she remembered- warm, comforting, familiar. She had thought she would never taste it again.
Unknowingly, tears slid down her cheek.
''Na'er?'' Madam Li gasped. ''What's wrong? Is it too hot?''
Li Na shook her head quickly, dabbing at her eyes. ''No, Mother. It's just.... I missed this. I.... missed you.''
Both parents froze. Father Li lowered his newspaper, studying her carefully. Madam Li's hand trembled as she reached out to hold her daughter's.
''Silly child,''her mother whispered. ''We're right here. Why would you miss us?
Li Na forced shaky laugh, covering her slip with a gentle smile. ''I only meant that I want to cherish these mornings more. I've realized how lucky I am to have both of you.''
Her father's stern expression softened ever so slightly. Madam Li's eyes shone with emotion, squeezing her daughter's hand.
For the rest of the meal, Li Na listened more than she spoke. She engraved every word, every expression into her heart- as if afraid time would snatch them away again.
After breakfast, Madam Li insisted she take a walk in the garden for fresh air. Li Na agreed, but as they strolled among the blooming chrysanthemums, her thoughts darkened.
She remember too clearly: in her past life, the Li family's downfall had begun with a single bad investment. An ''opportunity'' suggested by Chen Wei, which Father Li had foolishly trusted. Within a year, their company was ruined. Within two years, her father had collapsed from stress . By the third year, her mother had followed him to the grave.
Her hands clenched into fists. Not this time.
She would not allow Chen Wei's schemes to touch them. She would not watch her parents die because of her blindness.
''Na'er?'' Madam Li's voice cut into her thoughts.
''Why are you frowning? Are you still unwell?''
Li Na shook her head, forcing a soft smile. ''No, Mother. I was only thinking..... about how I can help Father with the business. Perhaps it's time I stopped being so useless.''
Madam Li laughed lightly, stroking her hair. ''You? Our little Na'er? Since when did you care about business?''
Li Na's smiled deepened, her eyes filled with determination. ''Since now.''
Her mother tilted her head, curious but indulgent. ''If that's what you want, I'll support you. But don't push yourself too hard. You're still my precious daughter before anything else.''
Li Na leaned into her embrace for a brief moment, then straightened with new resolve.
Her enemies thought she would be the same foolish girl who let herself be used and discarded. But with her family alive and by her side, she now had something worth protecting- and something worth fighting for.
As the wind rustled the flowers around them, Li Na's eyes turned cold.
In her first life, she had lost everything.
In this life, she would protect it all.
And anyone who dare threaten her family would learn the true meaning of regret.