The sound of crashing waves echoed beneath the bridge as a cold wind swept across the night. Shen_min stood there, her fragile body trembling, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Some people are better off dead,"* she whispered to herself, her voice breaking against the howling wind. *"Because when they live, they're nothing but a burden. People like us—poor, powerless—we are only used and discarded. In this world, only the strong survive. I hate this world… I hate it!"
A sudden gust of wind pushed against her, and before she could step back, her foot slipped. She fell.
The cold water swallowed her whole. Her arms spread wide, as if she wanted to fly, while tears mixed with the river. In those last moments before her consciousness faded, memories came flooding back—three years ago…
---
**Three Years Ago**
Shen_min was the star of her high school. Boys lined up just to see her smile, and girls burned with jealousy at her beauty. She was every guy's dream, the untouchable goddess.
Until the day everything shattered.
It was during a bright afternoon, when she walked across the school ground with her best friend, Bai. Out of nowhere, Xu Bang appeared, clutching a knife in one hand and a ring in the other. His eyes burned with obsession.
"Shen Min… please, marry me!"
His voice cracked with desperation as he reached for her face, touching her as though she already belonged to him. Shen Min froze, her heart pounding. She stepped back, trembling.
"No… I will never marry you!" she cried out, her voice sharp with fear.
Xu Bang's expression twisted, the obsession in his eyes darkening into madness. "No! You have to! You're mine, Shen Min. Only mine!"
When she tried to walk away, he grabbed her wrist, yanking her back violently. "You don't get to say no to me!"
Her hand shook, but with every ounce of courage, she slapped him hard across the face.
The world froze for a moment. Then Xu Bang snapped. His knife slashed across her cheek in a wild, furious strike. Blood spilled instantly, warm and merciless, staining the ground. Shen Min's scream echoed through the courtyard as students gasped in horror.
Within minutes, the principal and teachers restrained Xu Bang. Sirens wailed as he was dragged away, screaming Shen_min name like a madman.
Shen Min was rushed to the hospital. Her parents, Aria and Min Shu, arrived in panic, her grandfather signing every paper in desperation.
The doctor's face was grim. "Her condition is critical. The cut is deep—it has damaged her veins. Even if the surgery succeeds, she will bear a permanent scar."
Her mother collapsed in tears, while her father shouted, "I don't care about scars! Just save my daughter!"
The surgery succeeded. But when Shen Min awoke and touched the scar carved across her once flawless face, her world collapsed.
The Fall Back in the present, Shen Min's scream tore from her throat as the water pulled her deeper. *"Why, God? First, you stole my beauty. Then, you took my mother. And finally… my boyfriend—how could you take him too?"
The betrayal burned in her chest as she remembered walking in on him, in her own house, with another girl in his arms.
Her heart shattered, her body sinking, when suddenly—
A voice echoed in the darkness. "Who are you?"
Shen Min opened her eyes, gasping for breath. Around her stood men she didn't recognize. Their clothes were ancient, their auras powerful.
Xu Bing, the third prince, drew his sword and pointed it at her throat. His cold eyes narrowed. "This is the Immortal World. And you… how dare you barge into the bathhouse of men? Do you have no shame?"
Before Shen Min could answer, another figure stepped forward—Xu Lang, the Fourth Prince. His presence was commanding, his white robes glowing faintly with magic. With a flick of his hand, Xu Bing's sword clattered to the ground.
"Enough," Xu Lang said, his voice low and sharp.
Xu Bing paled instantly, dropping to his knees. "Forgive me, Fourth Prince! I didn't know—it won't happen again!" He begged, slamming his forehead against the ground.
Shen Min stared at the scene, confusion twisting inside her. *What kind of drama is this?
But before she could shout, Xu Lang whispered a spell. A surge of energy lifted her into the air, throwing her helplessly at his feet.
"Ouch!" Shen Min winced, clutching her arm. "A minute ago I was drowning, now I'm… what the hell is happening!?"
Darkness overcame her as she fainted.
When she woke again, her trembling fingers found a small mirror. Her reflection made her heart stop.
The scar was gone.
Her face—her beautiful, perfect face—was back.
Overwhelmed, Shen Min laughed through her tears, spinning around like a child lost in joy. "It's back… my face is back!"
At that moment, the door burst open. Third princes stood there, Xu Bing, and Forth prince Xu Lang.
Xu Bing smirked at her wild dance. "What kind of madness is this girl spouting?"
But before Shen Min could reply, Xu Aing raised his hand. A wave of power struck her, freezing her in place.
Her eyes widened, terror flooding her chest.
Xu Lang stepped forward, his cold gaze cutting through her. "Kill her."
"No! Please!" Shen Min screamed, her voice echoing into the darkness.
---
To Be Continued…