The Powerful

Zheng Lanyue came from an ordinary background, but she was exceptionally intelligent. She received guaranteed admission at every step of her education and went on to earn her doctorate at IDT, a top university on the western hemisphere of Nuo De Star. At a young age, she had already made a name for herself in academia.

But when someone shines too brightly, they are bound to attract envy, especially young people like Zheng Lanyue, who had no powerful connections and was making her way alone in the world.

To protect herself, she learned to keep a low profile. After a great deal of effort, she managed to escape with her life and return to the eastern hemisphere.

What she never expected was that, before long, the eastern hemisphere would suffer a calamity that was nothing short of apocalyptic.

*

A sudden upheaval, and her home fell. After an invading race seized power, the natives became slaves, forced to serve their new masters or entertain them.

Powerless to defend themselves, people walked with their heads lowered through streets they had once known by heart. They hardly dared to look around, because meeting the gaze of those in power could catch their attention and get them dragged away, stripped of all dignity and left wishing they were dead.

Zheng Lanyue had already been brutalized by society before all this. With nowhere to put her talents to use, all she could do was endure. She knew all too well how things would end if she openly challenged those in power.

So, until that day came, she remained cautious and discreet, hoping that a new turn of events might one day offer a way out.

Then a reunion shattered all her hopes.

It was the most unforgettable moment of her life. As usual, she kept her head down and huddled inside her thick scarf, but someone still blocked her path.

A voice from above gave a command, cold as ice.

"Take her back."

It was one of the ruling class.

Theme: Dignity and freedom.