Scarlet drew back the curtain and looked outside.
The whole city was bustling with preparations for the festival. People were buying zongzi—a famous Chinese delicacy—packed in bamboo containers along the streets. The air was filled with the scent of bamboo leaves and sticky rice.
The Dragon Boat Festival was one of Scarlet's favorite celebrations. She was extremely excited about the day. Even her university had given a short holiday for the occasion.
Scarlet Su was born in the State of Beijing in Great China.
Her father, Jade Nick, was a renowned scientist outside China. His work brought him to China, where he married a beautiful Chinese woman.
Scarlet's mother, Lin Meimei, was born in Beijing. She was the only daughter of Mr. Lin Xing, a prominent scientist and a distinguished member of Beijing's elite society.
When Scarlet was only eight years old, her parents died in a tragic car accident. By some miracle, young Scarlet survived that day. But the traumatic memory of that incident still haunted her deeply.
Scarlet was raised by her grandfather, Lin Xing. As a result, she grew up surrounded by the cultural richness of Beijing.
Today, Scarlet longed to step outside and experience the joy of the Dragon Boat Festival. Just two years ago, her grandfather would take her to every celebration. But for the past two years, her life had been confined within four walls. Apart from university, she wasn't allowed to go anywhere.
Scarlet Su was a science department student at Nanjing University of Science and Technology. Yet, the reason behind her grandfather's overprotectiveness was a mystery to her. It felt as if there was some hidden secret she had never been told.
Suddenly, she sensed someone behind her and turned around. She immediately recognized who it was. Letting out a soft sigh, she said gently, "Oh, Grandpa! When did you come in?"
Her grandfather, Lin Xing, stood wearing a white lab coat. Under it, he wore a pinstripe shirt and gray pants, with thin-rimmed glasses perched on his nose. His face bore a serious expression.
Scarlet walked up to him, looking a little disappointed.
In a slightly sulky voice, she said, "Grandpa! All my friends went to Beihai Lake to watch the Dragon Boat Races. I feel so sad. Please let me go. I promise I'll be back soon."
Grandpa stood silent for a moment, then replied in a serious tone, "Scarlet, you're still young. Everything I do is for your own good. There's no need to go out there. If you want, you can talk to your friends via video call. I'm already running late for the lab—otherwise, I'd have taken you myself."
With that, he turned and left the room.
Scarlet called out to him a few times, but he didn't look back.
She loved and respected her grandfather deeply.
Still, her heart sank.
Why wouldn't her grandfather let her go anywhere?
Why did he keep her trapped in this caged life?
These unanswered questions left a deep sadness within her.
Chen Xing, Fiona's grandfather, was one of China's most celebrated scientists.
He had dedicated most of his life to scientific advancement. His laboratory was known and respected across the country.
The lab was located just behind their villa—a massive, state-of-the-art facility filled with modern technology. Most of its research projects were top-secret and never disclosed to outsiders.
That was where her Grandfather, Lin Xing spent most of his time, engrossed in mysterious and revolutionary experiments. He was so busy that he barely had time to consider his granddaughter's wishes.
Scarlet was always curious about the lab.
To her, the mysterious building felt like a whole new world—one whose doors were closed to her.Chen Xing was so protective of his work that he never allowed Scarlet inside.
She had a strange feeling that his secret research might one day affect her own life in a big way.
Scarlet sat once more by the window, gazing out. The joy and energy of the Dragon Boat Festival filled the air. But imagining all the celebrations only deepened her gloom.
It was as if her grandfather was holding her back because of some unspoken fear.
Just then, her phone buzzed with a notification.
'Come out quietly.'
It was a message from her friend Xiao Xin. Xiao Xin said she was waiting outside in her car and asked Scarlet to sneak out quietly.
'I'm no longer a child, i can't always rely on my Grandpa to do things!' Scarlet thought to herself.
She was eighteen, soon to turn nineteen.
Just two years ago, she had freely roamed the corners of Beijing. Back then, she was still in college.But ever since starting university, her life had shrunk—just home and university, university and home.
She couldn't bear this imprisoned life any longer. She made a firm decision:
This time, she would break Grandpa's rules and go to the Dragon Boat Festival.
Scarlet dressed in a vibrant red qipao, perfect for the occasion. The dress was adorned with delicate gold floral embroidery, featured a high collar, short sleeves, and a slit up the side to the knee. A golden belt at the waist enhanced her elegant appearance.
She brushed her long, blonde hair with a mixture of slight red—an unmistakable sign of her father's great genes heritage—and tied it back with a golden pin.
A touch of light makeup completed her look—eyeliner, mascara, and soft pink lipstick.
She glanced at herself one last time in the mirror and saw a beautiful, confident young woman staring back.
With a golden handbag slung over her shoulder, she quietly stepped outside. Xiao Xin was already waiting in the car. She greeted Scarlet with a mysterious smile as she got in.
As the car drove through the streets, Scarlet's mind filled with questions.
'Why does Grandpa keep me under such strict rules?'
What is he so afraid of?
She didn't know yet that this rebellious decision would change the course of her life and lead her to a world she had never imagined.