Cheng Yi's birthday was completely destroyed by Fang Zhiyuan, leaving her in uncontrollable sobs. Years of suppressed grievances, pain, and helplessness poured out like a breached dam, unstoppable.
During countless therapy sessions, Angelina had urged her to let go, to weep freely, to purge the emotions festering deep within. Yet even under hypnosis, Cheng Yi could only manage silent tears, her gaze empty, her emotions locked away. Angelina used to say that tears without real feeling were no true release. Such tears merely indicated her suffering but did nothing to ease the heavy burden weighing down her heart.
On the way over, Angelina had warned the three Ye family members to give Cheng Yi a sedative if she cried until she was hoarse. Now, the medication was taking effect, and a sense of calm slowly returned to her. She felt completely drained, as if every last shred of pent-up emotion from all those years had been released in a single outburst, leaving her feeling strangely light and unburdened.
Curled up in a foetal position, Cheng Yi lay motionless on the bed, staring vacantly out the window, her eyes devoid of focus.
Ye Mingzhe stood by the window, gazing at the dazzling city lights. He let out a long, weary sigh.
"Letting yourself cry like that is a good first step. It's not every time you feel like crying that you can truly let it all out."
"We all enter this world on our first day of suffering, crying as we take our very first breath."
"Yi, today is your birthday. Think of it as the day of your rebirth."
From this day on, Cheng Yi was reborn.
The lights blurred before Cheng Yi's eyes, and her eyelids grew heavier until they finally shut. It felt as though she were floating in an endless sea of azure, wrapped in a veil of mist. She stumbled forward, wandering aimlessly through this boundless blue. No matter how far she walked, she couldn't find a way out of the ethereal fog.
She felt lost and anxious, unsure of what to do. She tried to call out, but it was as if something was lodged in her throat, choking back every sound. Just then, she vaguely heard someone calling her name—a voice echoing from all directions. She ran one way, then another, chasing after it, but no matter where she turned, she couldn't find anyone. Panic surged within her, leaving her flustered and at a complete loss.
Suddenly, Cheng Yi jolted upright in bed, eyes wide with fear, her body drenched in cold sweat. The abrupt movement startled the three Ye family members and Angelina, who had been keeping a close watch.
"Yi, Yi, what happened? Did you have a nightmare?" Angelina rushed over, gripping Cheng Yi's shoulders. Cheng Yi was still gasping for breath. Seeing the concern etched on their faces, she felt a surge of unexpected gratitude——she could still feel the warmth of this familial concern.
She looked at Angelina, thoroughly bewildered. Why was she here?
"Angelina...why...why are you here?"
Angelina cast a teasing glance at Ye Mingzhe, then leaned in close, her voice a mock whisper filled with playful annoyance.
"I was having a great time in Hong Kong, but someone dragged me back. He said it's my duty as the Ye family's daughter-in-law. Your voice is nearly gone, so don't say too much—just rest."
Cheng Yi lowered her head, embarrassed. Noticing her red, swollen eyes, Angelina's gaze softened. She gently cupped Cheng Yi's face in her hands.
"Yi, after all these years, you finally let it all out. Too bad I wasn't there to see it. How are you feeling now?"
"I feel… empty, like everything's just… gone."
"I tried so hard to help you let your emotions out before, but it never really worked. Looks like you finally got it all out this time."
Cheng Yi gave a slight nod, feeling an unexpected lightness in her heart, as though all the pain had been washed away by her tears.
"Letting your emotions out is really important in therapy—it's the key to healing your mind. In future sessions, we'll have to revisit some painful memories. Do you think you can handle that?"
"I'll do my best, Angelina."