Feng Xueling gazed woodenly at the flickering television mounted at the end of the crowded hall. It was lunchtime at the sanitarium, the air thick with the clatter of trays and the shrill cries of restless patients. Some fought over food, others laughed without reason, and a few sobbed into their bowls.
But in the midst of chaos, she alone sat perfectly still. Unmoving. Untouched.
Her pale fingers clenched the cold steel of her wheelchair as her eyes burned with a fierce glow. On the screen, a woman draped in shimmering white lace glided up the steps of an altar. The gown, designed in Paris, seemed woven from moonlight itself. The bride's every step was perfection: elegant, noble, dazzling like a fairy descended from the heavens.
The groom waited at the altar, his black tang suit highlighting his tall, imposing figure. His aura was commanding, the kind that could silence a room with a glance. With gentle care, he took the bride's hand, tucking it securely into his arm.
Gu Mochen. The youngest financial genius of the century. The man who had turned the Gu family empire into a colossus of unimaginable wealth. To the outside world, he was cold and ruthless; but to this woman in white, his smile was warm as spring, tender enough to melt ice.
Feng Xueyao. The "beloved daughter" of the Feng family. The prodigy praised since childhood, beautiful and brilliant, a fairy blessed with every gift under heaven. Today, she was marrying into the illustrious Gu clan, uniting two of the most powerful families in the country.
The families cheered. The groomsmen applauded. Media outlets hailed it as "the wedding of the century," a perfect union destined to shake the world.
The camera panned across the rows of smiling relatives, basking in glory that was not theirs to claim.
And among them… were Feng Xueling's parents. Her brothers. Her family.
Her lips twisted bitterly. They had abandoned her to this place, hidden her away like an ugly stain, while they basked in fame and wealth. Every achievement she had once fought for, every victory she had handed over in her innocence, had become the stepping stone for Feng Xueyao's brilliance.
The fairy from the heavens. The adored daughter.
And she, Feng Xueling, was nothing but a shadow. The discarded "sister." The unloved, forgotten broomstar who could never get them to even look at her.
Her nails dug into her palms until she bled, yet she could not look away from the screen. She had watched this recording a hundred times, each viewing carving hatred deeper into her bones.
When the clock struck two, attendants herded the patients back to their dormitories. Xueling followed silently, her mind consumed by flames of rage. The small room was cold and bare, its thin sheets already stained with age. She lay down, eyes still glowing with defiance.
The door creaked open.
From the shadows, a pair of high heels clicked against the floor. A familiar perfume, expensive and sweet, filled the room.
Feng Xueyao stood in the doorway, still dazzling even without her bridal gown. She smiled—a smile that had always bewitched others, but to Xueling it was nothing but venom.
"You're still alive?" Xueyao's voice was soft, mocking. She crouched beside the bed, her manicured nails trailing across the sheets. "Poor sister. Always so naive. Did you really think you belonged to the Feng family?"
Her words were knives. Xueling tried her best to move away, to raise her arms and slap that mocking face. But limbs were heavy and uncooperative.
"Don't even try" mocked Xueyao. "you can't move no matter how hard you try. The nurses here have long poisoned your food.... you are nothing but a waste now."
"Why..?" Xueling used all her hate, all her unreconciled anger but all that came out was a pathetic whimper.
"Who asked you to be better? Who asked you to take attention away from me? I am the princess of the Feng family! Only me!!" Xueyao screamed, her angelic face distorted with jealous rage. "What are you?!! The little runt that came in halfway. A pitiful stray taken in out of charity. How dare you be better than me?"
Xueling's breath caught. Though she had suspected… hearing the truth still crushed her chest.
"Did you truly believe our parents loved you? Foolish. From beginning to end, you were just a tool. A foil for me"
Xueyao leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Your life… your efforts… your triumphs. All of it only ever belonged to me. And now, even your existence is an eyesore I can no longer tolerate."
A flash of silver. Pain tore through Xueling's body as the knife slid into her chest. Warm blood spilled across the sheets, staining them crimson.
Xueling's wide eyes locked onto her sister's beautiful, smiling face. That same smile she had once trusted.
"Rest well, sister," Xueyao whispered, rising to leave. "I'll be sure to enjoy the life you always dreamed of."
The door shut with a soft click.
Darkness consumed the room.
Feng Xueling gasped for breath, each inhale shallow, each exhale weaker than the last. Hatred roared in her heart, hotter than wildfire, sharper than any blade.
If the heavens were watching, let them bear witness: she would never forgive.
She would tear apart the family who betrayed her, the sister who stole her life, and every hand that had pushed her into despair.
With her last ounce of strength, Feng Xueling swore an oath.
Even if it took a thousand lifetimes, she would return.And when she did, her hatred would burn the heavens themselves.
Her vision went black.