The clock ticked slowly, its rhythmic sound the only thing that could be heard as Bei Mei Lian lay motionless in the sterile, dimly lit room. Her breath came in shallow, uneven gasps, as though she were caught between consciousness and the weight of a haunting dream. The remnants of her previous vision lingered in her mind, like shadows refusing to be swept away.
Her body twitched, an involuntary movement that was followed by the rapid flicker of her eyelids. Her mind was heavy with confusion, her subconscious still tangled in the fragments of what felt like another life.
Why? she thought desperately. Why does it feel like I'm losing control?
The dream had been vivid—more vivid than any she had experienced before. In it, she saw herself, once again, as the central figure of her universe. She had always known her worth, her undeniable charm, her beauty that men couldn't resist. But in this dream, she was not the victorious heroine. She was the villain. She had betrayed them. She had pushed them all away. One by one, the men she had played and manipulated—men who had adored her—fell into the darkness, their loyalty turned to ashes, their love consumed by the very fire she had ignited.
Feng Liang. His face had been the last to appear before her, his eyes filled with pain, with betrayal. How could you do this to me? he had whispered, and in that moment, her heart cracked. She had ignored him—no, she had used him. And in doing so, she had sealed her own fate.
The dream shifted once more. She saw herself standing tall, surrounded by the second male leads—heroes from other lives and stories. Each of them stood before her, vying for her affection, their gazes filled with longing. She was the queen, they were her loyal subjects. But as she reached out to claim them all, her fingers brushed against the cruel reality. She had no control. The more she grasped, the more they slipped through her hands.
I am losing it...
Bei Mei Lian shot upright, gasping for air, her heart pounding in her chest. Sweat dripped down her temples, her face pale. The remnants of the nightmare clung to her like a second skin. She wasn't the heroine anymore. She was something else entirely. Something darker.
Her gaze wandered around the room, focusing on the familiar sight of Feng Liang sitting beside her, his face a mixture of concern and guilt. His eyes were red-rimmed, as though he hadn't slept in hours. His hand gently held hers, his touch warm against her cold skin.
"Feng Liang," she whispered, her voice hoarse. She didn't know what to say to him. How could she explain the horrors of the dream? How could she confess that she had betrayed him in a way that she hadn't even realized until now?
"You're awake," he said softly, squeezing her hand. His eyes searched hers, trying to decipher the emotions running through her. "You were talking in your sleep. What happened?"
Bei Mei Lian bit her lip, trying to force back the overwhelming rush of emotions that threatened to drown her. She didn't want to admit what had transpired in her subconscious. The guilt, the fear, the realization that she might have already gone too far.
"I'm fine," she said quickly, pulling her hand away from his. Her voice was steady, but there was an underlying tremor that she couldn't shake. "I just had a strange dream."
Feng Liang's brow furrowed, his gaze sharp as he studied her. He didn't buy her calm facade, but he didn't press further. Instead, he stood up and moved to the window, gazing out into the darkened world beyond. The soft glow of the streetlights reflected off the broken glass, casting an eerie glow on his features.
"Something's not right, Bei Mei Lian," he said quietly, his voice thick with concern. "We're running out of time. The zombies... they're getting closer. We need to make a decision."
Bei Mei Lian closed her eyes for a moment, the weight of his words sinking deep into her soul. The world was falling apart, and here she was, caught between her own desires and the responsibilities she had never truly considered. Feng Liang was loyal to her, but the others—what would they think? What if they saw her as weak? What if they realized she wasn't the heroine they believed her to be?
"Where is everyone?" she asked, her voice distant.
Feng Liang turned to face her, his eyes filled with something unreadable. "They're talking about the upcoming wave of zombies "
Bei Mei Lian's curiosity piqued at the mention of the zombies , with this wave he was going to arrive , CEO Zhang Liwei, a name that reflects his authoritative and sophisticated nature. He's someone who is known for being a brilliant strategist and a man of few words, preferring to observe rather than involve himself too directly in emotional matters. His role in the fight against the zombies should be pivotal—he funds and organizes the teams that seek to eliminate the zombie threat. His wealth and influence give him a commanding presence, and though he doesn't seem to get personally involved, his influence is felt everywhere.. She had heard rumors about him—about his wealth, his influence, his connection to Feng Liang's past also met him had those obnoxious feelings for him as he was also a man crazy for her . She knew he was important, and in the Chao her focus had always been on securing her own future, on keeping the men she could control under her influence.
"He is here ..." She murmurs silently not knowing that Feng Liang heared her.
"What are saying?" Feng Liang asked her
"O-oh just nothing " she said while being startled .
"Mei Mei" Feng Liang began, his voice steady but laced with an undertone of something deeper. "There's something I should have told you earlier… something you need to know."
Bei Mei Lian looked at him, her brow furrowing. She could sense that this wasn't just another casual conversation. Something in his tone made her stomach tighten.
"What is it?" she asked, her voice soft, curious.
Feng Liang hesitated before speaking again, his gaze now meeting hers with an intensity she hadn't expected. "Zhang Liwei. He's my uncle."
For a moment, Bei Mei Lian froze,she was aware of it already her thoughts racing. But she tried to act surprised Infront of Feng Liang, she didn't want to reveal the plot, Zhang Liwei—the CEO of the organization that was funding the anti-zombie effort, he was a man you always desire.
"My uncle," Feng Liang continued, his voice almost casual, but there was a shadow of something darker in his eyes. "He's not just a powerful man. He has his plans, his reasons for everything he does. I don't always agree with him, but I'm his blood. His influence reaches everywhere."
Bei Mei Lian could feel the weight of his words. She knew that Zhang liwei was Feng Liang uncle from her mother's side he was the cousin of her mother , and was heir of Zhang family that hold the great influence in the Capital.
He was the men she was going to get no matter what .....