Chapter 1: The Last Walk Home
Li Feng trudged down the city street, feeling the weight of the day in every step he took. His feet ached, his back was sore, and his mind felt worn from hours of sitting at his desk, under the glare of fluorescent lights and the constant surveillance of his boss.
Mr. Zhang who was never satisfied, always hovering over him, barking about deadlines and quality, as if every mistake Li Feng made chipped away at the empire he was convinced he was building.
"What a day," Li Feng muttered to himself, adjusting the strap of his worn-out bag. The strap had broken two weeks ago, and he'd hastily tied it back together rather than buying a new one. Money was tight. Between rent, groceries, and the seemingly endless cycle of bills, he couldn't justify replacing a bag strap that still technically worked.
He glanced at his watch and quickened his pace, the weight of exhaustion gnawing at him with every step. There was something comforting about the familiar route home.
He'd walked this way hundreds of times, watched the seasons change as he passed the same shops, the same faces. But tonight, there was only one thing on his mind: getting back, taking a hot bath, and sinking into his chair with a warm meal.
It was the one reward he could count on, the one thing that made the long days bearable.
The city was alive around him, with lights and voices spilling out from restaurants and cafés. The smell of fried food and the sharp tang of car exhaust filled the air, blending into an almost familiar scent. He let out a sigh, imagining himself soaking in the tub, the heat seeping into his sore muscles.
After that, maybe he'd treat himself to some takeout from his favorite noodle shop. Just one order of beef noodles; it wasn't much, but it was his favorite indulgence.
His mind drifted to thoughts of what tomorrow would bring.
Another day of reports, of Mr. Zhang nitpicking every detail, of emails that would flood his inbox before he even sat down at his desk.
Some days, he wondered if all the stress was worth it. If he worked this hard just to keep his head above water, what was the point?
But then, he'd think about his parents. They'd put so much effort into raising him, always encouraging him to be the best, to seize every opportunity. And as much as he'd like to quit and walk away, he knew he couldn't. Not yet.
He was only a few blocks from his apartment now. Home was so close he could practically feel the warmth of his small, cluttered living room. A place that wasn't much to look at, but it was his. Just a few more minutes, and he'd be able to let go of everything for the night.
But as he turned onto his street, the bustling sounds of the city faded, replaced by the steady thud of his footsteps against the pavement. The street was unusually quiet. Most of the shops were closed, their lights dim, casting shadows that stretched across the sidewalk.
He didn't notice the figure at first. His mind was too busy reliving the stress of the day, replaying Mr. Zhang's constant criticisms, the piles of paperwork that awaited him tomorrow. He was lost in his thoughts, distracted by dreams of hot water and noodles.
Then he felt a sudden, sharp pain in his chest. For a moment, he was confused, thinking maybe it was just the ache from hours of hunching over his desk, a bit of indigestion, perhaps. But as he looked down, he saw a stain spreading across his shirt, dark and wet.
His bag slipped from his shoulder, hitting the ground with a dull thud.
He looked up, meeting the cold gaze of a stranger standing just a few feet away, a gun still pointed at him.
The world seemed to slow down, the sounds around him fading into silence. Li Feng opened his mouth to speak, to shout, to do something, but the words wouldn't come.
He stumbled backward, his vision blurring as he sank to the ground. The cold seeped into him, and he felt an overwhelming sense of numbness spreading through his body. His thoughts became muddled, the city lights around him turning into a hazy blur.
This wasn't how it was supposed to end. All he wanted was a quiet night, a meal, a few moments of peace. But now, as the darkness closed in, those simple things slipped out of his grasp.
He took one last, shallow breath, his mind drifting in and out of consciousness. The pain began to fade, replaced by a strange sense of weightlessness, as if he were floating away from the world he'd known.
And then, just like that, everything went dark.