chapter 2

It had been seven long months since Mimi and I broke up. Seven months of burying myself in schoolwork to the point where I didn't have time to grieve or even think about her. The pain from the breakup still lingered in my chest, but I had managed to push it aside, focusing on my studies, trying to stay distracted.

To be honest, I didn't even have the luxury of crying. My life had become a never-ending cycle of lectures, assignments, and exams. The pressure of being in school and trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy had taken over my life. It was easier that way, I told myself. If I kept myself busy enough, I wouldn't have to deal with the memories of Mimi, the girl who had left me behind for someone richer and more powerful.

At least in my dormitory, I could pretend that everything was fine. The four walls around me gave me a sense of security, as if nothing could hurt me here.

Today, however, was different. The weight of my thoughts had piled up on me once again, and I couldn't ignore them. I decided to take a break from studying and check my phone for a moment. The screen lit up with several notifications—messages, missed calls, and news updates. I scrolled lazily through them before my eyes landed on something that made me stop in my tracks.

The Black Wing Clan and the Green Tiger Clan were at it again—fighting in the Young Young Province, the region where my parents lived. My brows furrowed as I read the headline. Those two factions had been at odds for as long as I could remember, and it was no surprise that their feuds were spilling over into the normal world. I shook my head in disbelief. Cultivators, the powerful beings who lived in their own world, seemed to have little regard for the lives of ordinary humans like me. I sighed, bitterly amused by how disconnected they were from the world outside their sects.

I tried to push those thoughts aside. It wasn't like I could do anything about it. But something in me stirred—a deep sense of concern for my parents, who resided in that very province. I wasn't sure if the conflict would reach them, but the thought nagged at me. I needed to make sure they were alright.

Without thinking twice, I grabbed my phone and dialed my mom's number. The phone rang several times before she finally picked up.

"Hello?" My mom's voice sounded calm, but I could hear the underlying tension in it.

"Mom!" I said, almost breathlessly. "Are you okay? Is everything alright? Please tell me you're safe."

"Calm down, Wei," she said, her tone soothing despite the situation. "It's fine. The Black Card Division has everything under control. There's no need to worry."

"The Black Card Division?" I echoed, my mind racing. The Black Card Division was an organization that operated within the cultivation world, almost like the police force. Their job was to manage and control the more hot-headed cultivators who caused trouble. They were said to have a long history—around five thousand years. It was impressive, to say the least. But it was also a world far removed from my own. I could never even hope to reach such heights.

But then again, I didn't want to. My life was here, in the normal world, in my small dorm room, trying to make something of myself. The idea of becoming part of that world seemed... impossible.

"I understand," I replied, trying to calm my nerves. "Just stay safe, okay?"

"Don't worry about us. We're fine," she reassured me. "I'll talk to you soon. Take care, Wei."

Before I could respond, the call cut off. I stared at the phone in my hand, still processing the conversation. The Black Card Division might have everything under control, but I couldn't help but feel uneasy. I had no way of knowing if the situation would escalate, if my parents might somehow be caught in the crossfire.

But before I could dwell on it too much, my phone buzzed again. This time, it was an incoming call from an unfamiliar number. I glanced at the screen and answered immediately, hoping it wasn't bad news about my parents.

"Hello, this is Liang Wei speaking," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Is this Mr. Liang Wei?" a voice on the other end asked, sounding formal but with a sense of urgency.

"Yes, this is Liang Wei. How may I help you?" I replied, my curiosity piqued.

"This is City Center Hospital," the voice said, causing my heart to skip a beat. "We are calling to inform you about a Miss Mimi. She is currently in the hospital."

"Mimi?" I repeated, a sudden knot forming in my stomach. "What happened to her? Is she okay?"

"We are sorry to inform you, but Miss Mimi's condition is critical. She's been admitted for urgent treatment," the voice continued. "We need you to come to the hospital immediately."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Mimi. In the hospital. Critical condition? What had happened? The questions swirled in my mind, but I couldn't form a coherent thought. Without even thinking, I ended the call abruptly, my hands shaking as I grabbed my jacket and rushed toward the door.

"I'm coming," I muttered to myself, barely registering the sound of my footsteps as I dashed down the hallway of the dormitory. "I'll be right there."

I had no idea what had happened to her, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. The relationship had ended months ago, but deep down, I still cared for her—maybe not in the same way as before, but I couldn't ignore the bond we once shared. And even though I didn't know why she was in the hospital or what had happened to her, my heart ached with worry.

The hospital was a few blocks away, and it felt like an eternity as I made my way there, my mind racing with questions and fears. What was wrong with her? Was she going to be okay? Or was it too late?

When I finally arrived at the hospital, I barely noticed the bustling crowd around me. My heart thudded in my chest, and I rushed to the front desk.

"I'm here to see Miss Mimi," I said urgently, barely able to catch my breath. "Please, where is she?"

The receptionist gave me a sympathetic look, then nodded toward the elevators. "Room 502, third floor."

I didn't waste a second. I hurried to the elevator and pressed the button, my mind consumed by the image of Mimi, lying there in that hospital bed. I prayed it wasn't as serious as they had made it sound, that she would be fine, that this was just a minor setback.

But deep down, I had a sinking feeling that things were far worse than I could imagine.