When consciousness returned, the first thing Jinhua felt was blinding sunlight.
Not the gentle glow of her apartment, but unabashed, scorching, mid-afternoon summer sunlight.
She struggled to open her eyes—she saw a familiar yet strange ceiling. Off-white walls, water stains, a vintage ceiling fan spinning in the corner, creaking.
This was…
Jinhua sat up abruptly. She was in a single bed. The room was small, simply furnished: desk, wardrobe, posters of her favorite Korean boy band from college.
Her heart beat wildly.
She looked down at her hands—slender, fair, no calluses or faint scars from years of working with fabric and needles.
These were the hands of a twenty-year-old.
Suddenly, her phone rang—a pink, outdated smartphone she hadn't used in ten years.
Screen: Lin Yixuan.
Staring at that name, Jinhua's mind exploded.
No way. Lin Yixuan? The ex who'd vanished five years ago, rumored to be a mess, no longer posting on social media?
She answered, trembling.
"Huahua! You finally picked up!" Lin Yixuan's voice—young, earnest, carrying the self-assured romance she recalled—"I've got good news! I landed a job in Beijing! It's just an assistant, but it's the start of my dream!"
Jinhua's throat tightened, unable to speak.
"Huahua? Are you listening?" Lin Yixuan continued, "But rent in Beijing is expensive. After rent and living expenses, there's not much left. I was thinking…maybe you shouldn't go to London? Isn't your parents' factory in trouble? Going abroad will cost a lot. Why don't we struggle together in Beijing? I'll do photography, you do design—how romantic!"
Each word stabbed at Jinhua's heart.
She remembered.
July 20th, 2024, college summer break—this was the third day since she'd received an admission notice from London Fashion College, the same day Lin made this call.
In her past life, she agonized for a week after this call. Under the pressure of her parents' failing factory, plus Lin's emotional blackmail, she gave up London and went with him to Beijing.
Then what?
She worked as a design assistant in a small clothing company, meager salary, paying most of their living expenses. Lin's "photography dream" never advanced—he kept complaining she didn't support him enough.
Three years later, she discovered he'd cheated with a young model. During their breakup, Lin said: "You only care about work, you never understood romance. We've had no feelings for a long time."
At twenty-three, she returned to Shanghai, the family factory bankrupt, heavy in debt. She started from the very bottom, climbing up as a pattern maker.
A whole decade.
"Huahua, why aren't you speaking?" Lin sounded annoyed. "You don't agree? We're a couple—you should support my dreams…"
Jinhua took a deep breath and gazed out the window.
Sunlight streamed over the windowsill, summer cicadas humming. This was the summer of 2024. She was twenty—her life full of possibility.
"Lin Yixuan," she said, her voice so calm it surprised herself. "Let's break up."
Brief silence.
"What?" Lin's voice rose. "You're joking?"
"I'm not," Jinhua replied, staring at her young hands, raising a relieved smile. "I'm going to study in London—I'm chasing my dream. We're not right for each other. That's it."
"Jinhua! Are you crazy?!" Lin's voice went sharp. "You know how much I gave up for you? You say break up now? Your family's factory is about to fail, and you still want to go to London? Who do you think you are?!"
Words that, in her previous life, would've cut her deeply.
Now, they just grated.
"My family's problems aren't your concern," Jinhua replied coolly. "What did you give up for me? You took the Beijing job because you wanted it. Now you want me to give up London to stay with you—just because you don't make enough money. Lin Yixuan, we're both twenty. Stop wrapping selfishness up as 'dreams' and 'romance.' "
"You—"
Jinhua didn't give him a chance; she hung up.
Immediately blocked and deleted his number.
Decisive, no hesitation.
Afterward, she slumped on the bed, hands covering her face.
Tears burst out—unexpected, unrestrained.
Not for Lin Yixuan, but for the former self who'd hesitated and ultimately given up.
For the twenty-three-year-old who had nothing yet still struggled to support the family.
For the countless late nights, difficult clients, competitive peers, stress and exhaustion.
Ten minutes of crying.
Jinhua wiped her tears and went to her desk.
On it sat her old MacBook Air. She opened it and logged into her email—
In her inbox, the acceptance letter from London Fashion College lay quietly, along with emails about the full scholarship and visa application.
Her heart pounded.
This wasn't a dream.
She'd really been reborn.
Back to ten years ago, to the crossroads of her life.
This time, she'd choose a completely different path.
Jinhua opened a notebook and started writing—
"July 20, 2024:
Reject Lin Yixuan, break up. ✓
Confirm London Fashion College admission.
Discuss the factory with my parents—memory tells me the cash flow problems start now.
Three-year plan: Network and gain experience during school, start my business after graduation.
Remember the lesson from last life: Never give up myself for anyone."
After the last line, she breathed out heavily.
The cicadas outside still hummed, the sun was just as bright.
But Jinhua felt that everything had changed.
This time, she'd live on her own terms.