Filial piety: No more

Liu meiying pov The stench of antiseptic and disinfectant was strong in the air. And the only sound i could hear was the dripping of the drip stand by my bed side and my own raspy breath. A nurse came in carrying a stainless tray with some drugs. “Has my parents come.? I weakly asked adjusting my hand for her to reset the drip properly. " No.. and your condition is more than what drugs can curtail now. You have little time left." She said and walked away. I stared at the ceiling without anything actually going through my mind. The door swung open and my parents walked with my brother. “Mom… i called out in a raspy voice, every breath cutting through my lungs like a knife. But she squeezed her face and ignored my outstretched hand. “You're not our daughter. You were adopted when you were three from the orphanage." She said in disgust like i was trash. “Wh.. what..? I asked in disbelief my breath becoming fast and more painful. " We raised you so you can work for our dear son till he gets to the top. Right now, he's about to get promoted to assistant manager at the Su corporation. Having a burden like you will only slow us down and waste resources because our Zhang wei is getting married. Thanks for the wedding house.” she sneered. “Is this real.? After all I've done for this family.? All the opportunities i gave up for Zhang wei.?" I asked bitterly my breath becoming more laboured. Zhang wei laughed scornfully. “That was your duty in the first place. Stop being an ingrate to those who raised you" he said. Anger surged through me and i vomited a mouthful of blood. It felt as if the world around me has ended but I'm still alive. All through my life, I've worked myself to the bone believing it was my responsibility. Now twenty seven, I'm about to die from organs failure due to overstress. My doctor always warned me to take it easy on my health but i believed my family's responsibility came first. So I worked hard and didn't have any time for myself that even at twenty seven, i was still single. When Zheng wei was about to get married, my parents ordered me to buy him a wedding house. Having little formal education, i couldn't get a decent job, so i had to do odd ones. Although I wasn't too fine, i just took medications and worked. But when i went to purchase the house after washing windows for a high end office, my body couldn't take it anymore and i collapsed at the estate office. I was rushed to the hospital and told that i had just one more week to live, with the help of drugs. For the whole six days, i never heard from my family, yet i always made excuses in my heart for them. Maybe they were busy with the wedding or had problems with the wedding house. . But it all made sense now.. Listening to the jeers of those whom i gave everything for, my eyes reluctantly began to close in death. If i can just be given another chance, one last chance, I'll make sure the Shin family pays back everything i gave them to the fullest. ***************************** It was as if the heavens saw my reluctant heart to die and gave me a second chance. I woke up dressed in my high school uniform with the scholarship form in front of me. I rubbed my cheek in confusion and looked around. I quickly glanced at the calendar hanging on the wall and everything snapped in place. “Wait.! I'm sixteen again.? I asked in disbelief, running to a mirror to check my reflection. It's true.! I've traveled eleven years back to high school. I've been given another chance to live again.! Before i could fully rejoice, my bedroom door bursted open and my parents and brother came in. My dad went up to me and pointed at the form. “Award for the best student of the province. Fully funded scholarship to medical school" it read. " Your brother didn't get any awards. But you being his elder has many more opportunities like this. So just be a good daughter and elder sister and sign it for your brother to get into medical school” my dad said with a note of entitlement in his voice. I smirked sarcastically and looked at the faces of these ungrateful people I worked all my life to please. In my previous life, i signed the form for my brother to get into medical school and he eventually messed up and got expelled. But not in this life time. “No. Why'll i.? If he wants a scholarship, he should work hard and get one for himself. Why'll i give him mine.? I asked. My mom exploded immediately. “What nonsense are you spewing.? After all we've done for you.! She shouted, pointing at me. I laughed " List it. I'll pay you back. With interest." I replied and picked up the form, tearing it into tiny pieces and throwing them into the air. My mom eyes widened in shock like she was going to have a heart attack. But I didn't care, in this life, I'll make sure i get back all they took from me. “You ungrateful…. My dad began to say but i directly walked out on them. I headed to the town education bureau. Tears ran down my cheek as i happily inhaled the familiar town breeze once more. I ran my hands across the grass as I walked down those thin lanes again. “Liu meiying.! I suddenly heard my name from afar and turned to see Sun Jiaqi. My lips curled into a mocking smirk remembering how i completely trusted her and that unfaithful Chen lichen in my previous life. “Lian lian.." I replied calling her by her nickname. She smiled happily and hooked her hands with mine. “News is spreading around Lijiang village already about your scholarship into medical school. Everybody is so proud of you." She said and i feigned a smile too. “Yes I'm on my way to the educational bureau to confirm it and take another form. I lost the first one.” I said looking sad. " Don't worry, everyone trusts your ability. I'm so jealous, you'll be going to the big Shanghai.” She said pouting. " I'm not the most perfect person. I know you'll surely get into a good university too. Maybe even in Shanghai so we can be together” i replied. " I hope so. What of brother Ah chen.? Have you heard from him.? She asked innocently and i shook my head. She untangled her hand from mine. “I'll go search and bring him to you. Okay.? She promised with a happy smile and i returned the vibe too. She ran off. A wicked grin gradually replaced the smile. I clearly remembered in my past life, she ran off to meet Ah chen and they began to fool around in the village chief's barn. I'm going to give them a surprise today. I laughed wickedly and continued heading to the bureau. From my past memory, i knew the village chief is going to be there. He was even one of the people who tried to advise me against giving the scholarship to my rascal brother in my previous life. But i was too foolish to see it then. I finally arrived at the bureau and met with the enthusiastic educational officer. “You're really welcome our village genius. You've brought alot of attention to our village and the government has now promised to make educational facilities better in this village." He said happily shaking my hand. “Really.? I asked feigning surprise because in my previous life, the news of my intelligence indeed attracted government attention to our village. But when i gave it to rascal Zhang wei and the scholarship was withdrawn, the government support to our village stopped and everyone blamed me, even my own parents. " Yes.! Our Lijiang village is very proud of you." The village chief said. “Thanks chief. I wanted to do a documentary about our village farming situation too so i can put it on the news. So I'll like to document on your barn first." I said decisively. “Of course.! Our Lin meiying is so thoughtful and intelligent.! He commended beaming happily. After completing the paperwork, we headed for the barn.