Shen Yelan was sitting in a first-class seat on a plane. The black suit she had been wearing was now replaced with an oversized blue sweater that hung loose on her frame, tucked carelessly into faded jeans. Her long hair was pulled back in a ponytail that reached almost to the small of her back.
She took a sip of the boba tea she'd just bought while she stared out of the window. Far in the distance, gray smoke mixed with orange flames rose into the sky. The blinking red and blue lights of fire trucks looked like tiny toys from this height.
She watched it for a few more seconds. Then she looked away as if it was not her who was the culprit behind the fire.
Once she finished her drink, she curled up with her legs tucked beneath her. She took out a tablet from her bag.
The screen showed a photo of an abandoned warehouse, plus pictures of a few rough-looking men. In the center was a sketch of a guy in a mask. Shen Yelan stared at that sketch for a long time. Her face gave nothing away. Then she clicked her tongue, swiped it closed, and opened another file.
This time, it was a family portrait. A middle-aged man sat in the center wearing a suit. Next to him was a woman in a designer dress with a pearl necklace around her neck. Behind the couple, a pair of twins was standing. The girl was the same age as her and smiling sweetly at the camera. Next to her was a fat boy with similar features to hers who had an arrogant look on his face.
Shen Yelan zoomed in on the man's face and stared at it for a long time. Compared to the man she'd seen ten years ago, he'd aged.
"I look forward to meeting you...," she murmured, the corner of her lips curved upward. "...father"
Her finger swiped the screen, and a medical report appeared on the screen. On top, the word 'DNA Test Report' was written.
It was a good thing no one could read minds. If they could see what was going through hers right now, half the people on this plane would probably try to parachute out of this plane.
She finally put the tablet away and turned to stare out the window. Clouds stretched out below them, endless and white and peaceful.
After a decade of waiting, it was time to collect the debts
.
.
When the plane soon landed, the sun was almost rising. Except for a shoulder bag, Shen Yelan hadn't brought anything else. She grabbed the bag and made her way towards the VIP lounge. In her other hand, she was holding her phone, texting someone. Somehow, she never bumped into anyone, even though her eyes were glued to the screen.
She found a seat in a corner of the VIP lounge. The conversation on her phone continued for another ten minutes before she switched to a mobile game. She popped a lollipop into her mouth and pulled her legs up into a comfortable position.
Less than an hour may have passed when a shadow fell above her.
"Young Miss."
Shen Yelan's eyes flicked upward, though her fingers kept moving across the screen. Aunt Li stood before her. Shen Yelan gave her a nod.
"How was the flight?" she asked, moving her attention back to the screen.
Aunt Li, who was used to her indifferent attitude, did not mind her behaviour. Ever since that kidnapping incident, Shen Yelan had become cold and rarely showed any emotions. But Aunt Li also knew that beneath that icy surface, Shen Yelan had a warm heart for the few people she deemed worthy of trust. Or else, why would there be a range of different snacks present along with tea on the table? Most of these things were Aunt Li's favorite.
Aunt Li settled into the empty seat across from her. "Thanks to Young Miss arranging the first-class seat, it was quite comfortable."
A couple of days ago, Shen Yelan was asked to return to the South City, but her father, Shen Chengwei. The reason was that Old Master Shen was sick and was likely to pass away. He had called everyone back home to spend his last moments with him. That included the eldest daughter who'd been conveniently forgotten in the countryside for the past decade.
When the call came, Shen Yelan hadn't even been in that small village. Aunt Li had no idea where she actually was and she did not ask either.
After being sent away, Shen Yelan had spent the first three years focused entirely on recovering her body and relearning to walk again. And when she was not working, she would stay in her room, glued to her old laptop.
Three years later, when she could finally move normally, she began leaving home often. At first, it was just for a few hours, then she would be gone for several days, which soon turned into weeks, then months. The longest stretch had been seven months last year.
The first time it happened, when Shen Yelan was barely ten. Aunt Li had been terrified. She'd thought the girl had been taken again. It was only after Shen Yelan called that Aunt Li realized how drastically the girl had changed.
This time, Shen Yelan had been gone for four months when the summons came. So they'd arranged to meet here, at the airport, on the day the Shen family was scheduled to pick her up.
After Aunt Li was done eating and her phone had rung twice, they finally decided it was time to leave. The Shen family had sent a driver to pick them up.
The man, who looked impatient for having waited almost an hour, glared at the older woman.
"Why did you come out so late? I've been waiting almost an hour! I have other errands to run, you know. I can't just stand around all day!"
He looked around, frowning when he didn't see anyone else. "Where is she anyway?"
The 'she' was obviously Shen Yelan.
Aunt Li's eyes narrowed. "Is that any way to address the Eldest Young Miss?"
The driver snorted. All the staff in the Shen Estate knew that Shen Yelan was nothing but an unlucky jinx who got shipped off years ago. Hence, was respected by no one. Even though she was the Eldest Miss, the title was long taken by Shen Wanwan, who was now reffered as the only Young Miss of the family, while rarely anyone was aware of Shen Yelan's presence.
"I don't have time to waste arguing with you." he looked at his watch impatiently, and his gaze slightly widened. The Young Miss had asked him to bring her favorite pastries on the way. The shop was quite famous and sold out fast. If he were to waste any more time arguing here, he might not be able to buy anything for her. If that happened, she would get upset, and in return, Master Shen would get angry at him. He could not afford that.
"You know what, I don't have time to waste on you here anymore. You can find a taxi and get there," he said and got in the car, driving away.
Aunt Li stared at the car until it was no longer visible and then turned around, looking at the girl who was sitting on the trunk of a red luxurious car, casually sipping a chocolate milkshake through a straw.
Immediately, Aunt Li smiled. "Young Miss, did I do a good job sending him away?"
"Mm." Shen Yelan gave a small nod of approval. She slid off the trunk. From her pocket, she pulled out a car key and pressed the button. The car's lights flashed in response.