284 Like A Phoenix

*Flashback*

When Ling Qiaolian called Xiao Zhiren as her most perfect creation, she wasn't boasting. She was telling the truth. When she first entered the Ji Family as a pitiful widower with her pitiful daughter, her target wasn't Xiao Zhiren. However, when she came across Xiao Zhiren, she couldn't help making him her pawn.

As Ru had always said, Xiao Zhiren's biggest problem was his kindness. He was too good and that actually made him a very gullible person. It wasn't really difficult for Ling Qiaolian to earn his trust back then considering how little he was at that time. He was a bright kid with a kind heart and it allowed her to wrap him around her fingers and mold him the way she wanted.

He could be known as her first experiment body. And it was fascinating how it worked so well. Because day by day, Xiao Zhiren's dependence on her increased. He would do anything for her even if she asked to kill someone, he won't hesitate.

The real truth about Xiao Zhiren and Xiao Zhi'er that even Ji Syaoran was oblivious to were that under Ling Qiaolian's control, Xiao Zhiren indeed tried to kill his mother, Xiao Zhi'er because his young brain was completely ruled by the lies that Ling Qiaolian chose to implant in his brain. According to her, if she used Xiao Zhiren to kill Xiao Zhi'er, it would clear her path. She'd eventually succeed in marrying Ji Yifeng and becoming the young mistress of the Ji Family which would give her access to the money and power of Ji Family that she needed to complete her experiments.

She, however, underestimated the strength of Xiao Zhi'er who managed to survive her own son's attack but it left a huge impact on her brain making her incapable to stay sane. But this one incident was enough to alarm the Ji Family and that's when she chose to flee. She could run away alone but leaving her perfect creation behind wasn't something she was willing to do. She had put her years into making Xiao Zhiren her biggest weapon, how could she give up on him.

Even under her control, Xiao Zhiren's attachment to his youngest brother, Xiao Zhiyuan didn't lessen. So, she took Xiao Zhiyaun with herself as well. Kind of like an insurance policy that could be used anywhere anytime to lure Xiao Zhiren back to her cage if he ever dared to rebel against her.

Her plan was perfect. It was really perfect since she brought both of the sons far away from their family and chose to feed them lies to make the hate grow inside them like weeds that one could pull out but it would still leave it's roots somewhere within.

She was the one who sent Xiao Zhiren to train under the skilled masters. She wanted him to have the skills that she needed not just the obedience that she needed.

Everything was going great until a certain someone chose to walk in Xiao Zhiren's life unannounced and made his brain to think differently. That, someone, was none other than Ru.

*Ten Years Ago*

Ru had run away from home in the darkness of the night. She wasn't really worried that anyone would follow her. Even if anyone did, she didn't have to worry since she could hide very well with her impeccable skills. She was wandering around the Capital for the very first time in her life. She found a place to eat and started her food tour for which she actually ran from the home.

While she was passing by a dim-sum place, she watched a lady sitting with tarot cards and a huge crowd around her. With her curious nature, she also joined the crowd and sat down before the lady saying, "Can you really tell my future?"

The lady's gentle eyes stared at Ru's eyes for a moment longer before she said, "Young lady, you've beautiful eyes." Ru eyes widened slightly. How could she tell that she was a girl? She was clearly in her male attire even now. She had bought female clothing as her best disguise but she had yet to find a place to change. Well, the truth was that she got distracted by the food on her way.

The lady chuckled softly at Ru's reaction and shook her head. She placed cards before Ru and said, "Why don't you pick your own future?"

Ru was surprised to hear those words. She found the lady even more peculiar than before. She didn't hesitate and picked up a card. She showed it to the lady since she couldn't understand it herself. The lady took the card and stared at it for a moment longer than she did for others. Ru frowned in her impatience, "What is it? Just say it." 'Not like I'm gonna believe you anyway.' she added in her own mind but chose not to say it out loud. This was just a new experience for her. Something she didn't find in Shadowwick state.

"Red thread of destiny..." the lady whispered making Ru's frown to get deeper.

"What? What are you talking about?" asked Ru.

The lady looked at Ru, this time with a complicated gaze as she said, "Little girl, the strength of red thread is strong. It's gonna tug at your heart." Ru was scowling now, she felt like the lady was talking in riddles because she really couldn't understand her. "I don't know what to say. You can't avoid this fate but..." all of a sudden, she held Ru's hand and whispered, "Choose your path wisely. Everyone we meet on the same road is not meant for the same destinations. The bond that this thread had built can burn you."

Ru pulled her hand away from her hold and rolled her eyes saying, "Listen, old lady, this young master only knows one thing life, you either do it or don't do it. There is no way around it. If I want to choose my road to doom, I'll still gladly walk on that road because I chose it myself!"

She abruptly got up and turned around to leave but right at this moment, she bumped into someone's chest. As she looked up, her green eyes were staring into black orbs that looked dazed and blank.

The old lady shook her head as she whispered, "Sigh! Little girl, it seems like your destiny is not willing to let you choose your path. I hope even if burns you, you're strong enough to rise from the ashes like the phoenix you're born as."

*Flashback to be continued*