“S-Sorry…”
For some reason, Liang Sheng apologized on instinct.
Her mother had probably been startled. Muttering things like “unreasonable” under her breath, she walked out of the ward.
In that instant, Liang Sheng finally felt bone-deep exhaustion. She rolled onto her side, tears streaming from her left eye, tracing the bridge of her nose, and pooling into her right.
The voices comforting and soothing her around the room gradually faded away. Liang Sheng was so tired. She slowly closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
This time, there were no dreams.
When Liang Sheng woke, a profound loneliness washed over her.
She hugged her knees, resting her head on them as she gazed at the gray sky outside the window. It was almost evening.
Winter had settled in, and it was frigid outside—the cold had frosted over the windowpane.
Her bed was right by the heater, so it should have been toasty warm, but her hands were icy cold. It was probably from losing so much blood.
Liang Sheng stared at the fogged-up window and slowly raised her hand. She drew thirteen small circles. After a moment’s thought, she added four more. Her hand paused, then she sketched six more crowded together off to the side.
Finally, as if hesitating, she drew three more: two pressed close together, and one apart by itself.
She added a smiling face inside each circle.
Liang Sheng lowered her hand again, as if all her strength had been drained from her. She leaned against the wall, staring at the rings and tiny smiley faces on the glass.
I want to go back.
Back to that warm place.
Tears fell again with soft patters. Liang Sheng’s mouth pursed like a fish gasping on dry land. “I miss you all so much. I really, really miss you…”
Where are you all? My imagined lovers, my imagined parents, my imagined enemies.
Even seeing Su Ze right now would feel comforting, like family.
If she died again… would she have that same warm, vivid dream once more?
Liang Sheng touched the wound on her wrist, and fresh tears gushed out.
But…
But…
It hurt so much!
She really didn’t want to go through that again. She really, really didn’t.
“If everyone were here with me right now, what would they say?”
Liang Sheng slowly lifted her head, gazing into the empty space ahead.
“‘Whatever our baby girl does, we support you! No one else gets to tell our little princess what to do!'”
That would be Mom and Dad—the parents who loved her so fiercely. They’d understand and back everything she was doing now.
“‘If it’s Junior Sister Liang Sheng, then whatever you do is right. You’ll do it perfectly. Don’t cry—I believe you can handle all this.'”
That was Gu Yuqi, the senior sister she adored. She’d stroke Liang Sheng’s head when she was down, offering comfort and encouragement, gazing at her with eyes full of trust.
“‘It’s okay~ Don’t mind anyone else. Hana will always, always understand Sheng-chan!'”
That was Hana, her little yandere who treated her like her own heart. She’d wrap her in the warmest hug and whisper words to thaw the chill.
“‘Hmph, idiot! Letting a little setback take you down? And crying about it—you moron! How could I fall for a loser like you? Chin up, you fool!'”
That was Lu Ziqing, the tsundere young miss. She’d mock her with concern lacing every word, spurring her onward.
“‘Wah… A-A-Sheng, don’t be sad. I-I can make you something yummy. When you’re done crying, come eat, okay? Wah~'”
That was Song An’an, the little crybaby. She’d cry right alongside her, then bake sweets to lift her spirits.
“‘Sister Liang Sheng, d-don’t cry. I’ll take you out to play! I hate seeing you cry the most. Uh, anyway—whatever Sister Liang Sheng does is right!'”
That was Liang Jin, her cousin who’d adored her since childhood. She’d fumble her way through cheering her up, trusting her unconditionally to fix everything.
“‘Don’t cry. I’m right here.'”
That was Mo Qingrou, the big iceberg. She’d say the fewest words but convey the deepest warmth.
“‘Old hag, you look ugly when you’re sad. Hey, you can borrow my doll to hug. If that’s not enough… I guess I can hug you too.'”
That was Zhen Zhu, the sharp-tongued little rascal. She’d insult her sorry state but comfort and understand her all the same.
“‘Who bullied you? Big Sis will go beat them up!'”
That was Ou Lu, the domineering female CEO. She’d fight her battles and teach her how to rule her own life.
“‘Liang Sheng, if you’re really that upset, you can curse me out. Would yelling at me make you feel better?'”
That was An Hua, the masochistic senior. She’d do something weird and boundless to cheer her up.
“‘Shengsheng, don’t cry. Seeing you like this breaks Susu’s heart.'”
That was Cha Susu, the little green tea. She’d murmur scheming sweet nothings, holding her gently and urging her forward.
“‘Good girl, no tears. Come on—I’ll buy your favorites and help you get revenge!'”
That was Bai Zhen, the superstar with her aura in full blast. She’d show her how to handle this, how to shrug off gossip and live boldly, just like her.
“‘Liang Sheng, who did this to you? Don’t cry yet—think of a solution first. You’re a smart kid. That’s what your teacher has always thought!'”
That was Dong Yue. As her teacher, she’d praise her, encourage her, shower her with approval.
“‘Liang Sheng, He Wennuo and I both want you to be okay. You’re so brave, after all. Smart and courageous—that’s how we see you.'”
That was He Wennuo and his goofy CEO boyfriend. That hilarious pair would be rooting for her comeback.
“‘See? Without your idiot Host, you can’t even last a day! Hey, without me, you gotta get smarter on your own!'”
That was Akino Kazuko, the dummy system. She’d toss out snarky jabs first, then brainstorm solutions and patiently hear out her plans.
Ding-a-ling… Have courage. Don’t give up…
That was the wind chime’s tinkle, and Ling Dang. Even after all her amnesia and pain, she’d never quit.
“You were so tough trash-talking me, Liang Sheng. How’d you end up such a mess? Haha, it’s kinda hilarious.”
Su Ze chuckled meaningfully.
“Never thought it’d be yourself who beat you. So fragile.”
Liang Sheng shot back.
“It’s not! If it were you…”
“I’d still be braver than that.”
“What about now? Who are you letting down? Them?”
Following Su Ze’s pointing finger, Liang Sheng saw the girls, her parents, her friends.
In a heartbeat, the green-haired girl burst into tears again.
“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry to you all…”
Liang Sheng hung her head, tears splattering onto the backs of her hands.
“I’m such a huge idiot. Thinking about dying… disappointing you. I’m sorry…”
“It’s okay!”
“No problem~”
“We’re just happy you’re ready to keep going!”
“Live well from now on, okay…?”
Liang Sheng nodded fiercely, a smile through her tears.
“Yeah!”
“I will!”
As they slowly faded, it was like they melted back into her body. Liang Sheng had never felt so energized, so strong.
—— —— ——
Three days later.
Liang Sheng checked out of the hospital.
Early, against doctor’s orders.
While her mother was out grocery shopping, she slipped home, packed a simple bag, and left a sticky note on the door.
She opened the door, glanced back one last time at the cage that had imprisoned her for twenty-five years, smiled faintly, and shut it firmly behind her without a second thought.
The note read:
“Mom, I’m heading to another city to find my own life. I probably won’t come back here. Take good care of yourself. I won’t tell you where I’m going, but I’ll leave my contact info. I owe you, and I’ll pay it back—money every month.”
“—Roughly your daughter, Liang Sheng.”
Liang Sheng didn’t want to know her mother’s reaction to the note. She just wanted to live her own life now.
On the bullet train.
“Miss, could I get your contact info?”
A handsome young man in a mask politely held out his phone to Liang Sheng.
Liang Sheng smiled and pushed the phone away, shaking her head. Unfazed by the crowded car, she said firmly, “Sorry, I like women.”
The guy blinked, then burst out laughing.
“Do I not look like a girl?”
Liang Sheng blinked too.
Looking closer, the stranger’s features vaguely resembled Gu Yuqi’s, her gestures echoed Hana’s a bit, and her style was a touch like Bai Zhen’s. Traits from all the girls in her dream overlapped here.
Her heart skipped a beat, and Liang Sheng grew shy.
“So, can I have your contact info now?”
Liang Sheng nodded.
This might just be the start of something fateful.
“Where are you getting off?”
“Uh… the station after next.”
The woman shook her head. “Too bad—I’m getting off next stop.”
Truth be told, Liang Sheng could have gone anywhere; she didn’t have to wait until the station after next.
But the woman pivoted. “Though I’m heading out on business—my company’s at the station after next.”
The announcement chimed: next stop.
The woman stood. “I’ve gotta thank my driver for calling in sick today. And me, suddenly wanting the bullet train. That’s how I met you.”
“I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before.”
Liang Sheng blinked again, then couldn’t hold back her grin.
“What a coincidence. Me too.”
The woman stepped off.
Liang Sheng propped her chin on her hand, watching the scenery whip by outside.
Her stop too.
Dragging her bag, she disembarked.
Sunlight bathed her entirely. She tilted her head up to an endless blue sky and grinned like a fool.
“Hello, new life!”
