Chapter one

The decision

An eighteen-year-old walked on a sturdy forest ground, with spiny-leaved trees on either side, and said, "I had a dream last night." Her tone sounded conversational. As she reflected on her dream, she saw many wolves of different colors and hunters with various weapons and demeanor chasing her. They surrounded her with sneers and mocking eyes, as if she had reached her death. Suddenly, a young man with a fierce growl appeared in the midst of the wolves and hunters. Even other wolves with sanguineous eyes feared him, and she couldn't forget his demeanor. Snapping out of her trance, she calmly asked, "Why did so many wolves and hunters gather around me and want to kill me?" She couldn't answer the question but knew it wasn't just a dream because it looked too real.

{Flash back}

As the eighteen-year-old traversed the forest, she suddenly thought of a decision she needed to make in order to prepare for the challenges ahead. She reflected on entering a gathering where familiar and unfamiliar faces stared at her.

"Hey Deli, what are you doing with so many people? You know I don't like crowds," The eighteen-year-old girl said. She frowned at the crowd surrounding them as she spoke with a man of the same age or older.

'I chose to flirt around and act arrogant because you refused to love me wholeheartedly,' Deli mused, looking at Jun Mey condescendingly.

"I never disagreed with staying with people," Deli replied, leaning his back in his chair and propping his leg on another. Many people surrounded him from left to right, including other girls.

'Ugh, I don't get it. Why this many people? Always the same: never accepts his mistake,' The girl maintained eye contact with Deli.

"Jun Mey, you don't get it. Fun is part of life. No one can take that away," Deli smirked, gazing at his neat left fingers.

"But...," Jun Mey intended to say something.

"You just take yourself far too seriously," Deli suddenly interrupted Jun Mey's speech. However, Jun Mey maintained a relaxed face.

'Such a pity that all you do is read and work out. I'm curious if your life could get worse than that,' Deli indifferently raised his gaze. He looked at Jun Mey dismissively.

"Well, I'd rather be doing something worthwhile. forget it. It's not like you will learn your lesson anytime soon," Jun Mey replied, not fidgeting.

Deli's expression darkened for a moment before plastering a smile on his face. He couldn't believe that "a nobody" could challenge him: it irked him. So he thought, 'I support your attitude to date because I can't wait to have fun with you.' He paused and added, 'Still, I'm not impressed with your shenanigans. How do you expect me to study? Who came up with that law?' Deli gestured for one of the girls to pour him a drink. As he drank the wine, Deli thought, Who wouldn't want to bed the most attractive girl in this university?

"Anyway, I bought you cake," Deli indifferently watched Jun Mey drop the cake—like it was natural for Jun Mey to get him a cake.

"I won't stay any longer since you draw too much attention to yourself," Deli tightened his muscles on hearing Jun Mey.

"You can find your way then," Deli said arrogantly.

Jun Mey remained silent, her eyes clear but her thoughts unknown.

"Go ahead and cut the cake, Xia Wuya. And share it with everyone," Deli smirked. "It's only natural to need a lot of sugar to please you," Deli made an exaggerated gesture. He didn't care about Jun Mey's thoughts.

'I have to make you bitter for you to grasp how important I am. I obtain anything I desire. No one can stop me,' Deli suddenly crossed his arms.

Hearing Deli's command, Xia Wuya, another gorgeous lady, approached the table, plastering a cunning smile on her dark baleful eyes.

"Mey, thank you very much for the cake," She smiled cunningly. "Deli and I will relish this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Xia Wuya stated, her voice unbelievably innocent.

'Because you don't value your guy, I must steal him,' Xia Wuya pondered, not caring about standards. 'I've loved Deli for a year, but he wouldn't love me back because of you.' Xia Wuya thought her only chance to be with Deli was to remove Jun Mey from the equation because she believed her presence would hinder their relationship if she didn't.

On seeing her arrogance, Jun Mey remained calmed and turned to the entrance.

"Deli, I won't always condone your attitude," Jun Mey stopped. "I doubt I'll have the patience to pet you for the rest of my life," She remarked before fading into the light.

{End of flashback.}

The cold forest breeze jolted Jun Mey back to the present as she walked through the dark forest.

'Deli is beyond salvation, but I always felt I should give him enough grace because I hope we could develop our love slowly,' Jun Mey reasoned.

The mountainous ground was harsh and rocky. And without shoes, the hard floor would splinter the feet. Even if they weren't, the feet would get a frigid bite.

Furthermore, The mountainside contained a few small trees with spiky leaves and scattered grasslands. The sun and breeze circulated like never before. The area featured a few huge mountains that towered above the skies and might startle anyone who passed by. It's amazing.

People call this region Starlight Nation.

The ancient divided this territory into two prohibited lands.

The death zone was in the north, and the blood zone was in the south. These horrible names didn't just come out of nowhere; they had a long history.

'Today is the final time I will tolerate this attitude. I can't continue with Deli because he's not ready to forfeit his lifestyle and arrogance,' Jun Mey remained calm amidst the night. Her legs made little noise, and her breathing seemed steady.

"Bingwen Deli," Jun Mey saw the guy who summoned her. 'As for why I can remain calm? It's because I've seen a lot more. Furthermore, I believe in my athletic physique,' Jun Mey mused.

This year, Bingwen Deli earned the position of faculty president. The two were in their second year at Ma Liu University.

Ma Liu was also one of the universities on the Sûrface.

The Sûrface was the remaining territory after the ancient had divided Starlight nation. And no humans dared trespass the banned settlements in Starlight country.

Three groups share this Starlight nation, and humans among them. They were, however, the weakest, on the edge of crumbling.

'How could this woman approach me alone?' Bingwen Deli looked at Jun Mey condescendingly, his rage building. Even though Deli called Jun Mey, he couldn't believe she would dare to show up alone.