Zhao Wei leaned against the railing, taking another slow drag from his cigarette, eyes half-lidded as he watched the city in the distance. Everything was quiet except for the occasional sound of a car honking far below. Peaceful—just how he liked it.
He was halfway through his smoke when he heard the faint sound of footsteps behind him. Turning his head slightly, he caught sight of a figure stepping onto the roof. A kid. High school-aged, probably. He looked familiar, like Zhao Wei had seen him once or twice in his school uniform while heading out for groceries.
Zhao Wei exhaled a puff of smoke, observing the boy for a moment. Must be the kid of the new neighbors. The ones who keep screaming at each other like it's an Olympic sport. The boy looked worn out, shoulders slouched, head down. Zhao Wei could guess why he was up here—it wasn't hard to figure out. With parents like that, who wouldn't need some fresh air and space to breathe?
Poor kid's probably just trying to get away from all the noise.
Zhao Wei knew that feeling all too well. Growing up, his own parents hadn't exactly been quiet. They'd fought over everything and anything until the day they split. He had learned early on that sometimes, silence was the best comfort you could ask for.
But Zhao Wei wasn't great with kids. Hell, he wasn't great with people in general. His tall, bulky frame and rough, unapproachable face made sure of that. The last thing he wanted was to scare the kid off when he probably just wanted a moment alone. So, Zhao Wei quietly shifted to the far corner of the roof, making sure to stay out of sight. He kept smoking, minding his own business, giving the boy the space he needed.
Zhao Wei took one last puff from his cigarette, the tip glowing dimly. The chill of the air mixed with the bitterness of smoke lingering on his tongue. Not the worst way to celebrate, he thought, flicking the butt onto the ground and stamping it out. He was just about to head back inside when he saw the kid.
The boy stood on the edge of the roof, one foot planted on the ledge, the other hesitating in mid-air. His body was stiff, hands clenched at his sides, gaze locked on the ground far below. Zhao Wei's heart skipped a beat.
"Hey! Kid!" Zhao Wei shouted, stepping forward. The boy didn't flinch, didn't react. He seemed lost, trapped in some dark place inside his head. Zhao Wei quickened his pace, voice growing louder, more urgent. "I said get down from there!"
Nothing.
"Kid! I said get down from there!" Zhao Wei barked, stepping forward, cigarette forgotten, heart pounding in his chest. But the boy didn't respond. Then, as if in slow motion, the boy shifted his weight. One foot rose from the ledge, the other leaning dangerously forward.
Fuck. He's really gonna jump.
Adrenaline shot through Zhao Wei like lightning. He didn't think. He acted. Sprinting forward, he lunged just as the boy began to fall. "Got you!" Zhao Wei growled through clenched teeth, his arms wrapping around the kid's waist, yanking him back with all the force he could muster.
But the momentum was too much.
"Shit!" Zhao Wei grunted as they both lost their balance. His feet slipped, and before he knew it, they were tumbling backward—off the edge.
The cold wind rushed past them, the ground below growing closer with terrifying speed. Zhao Wei's mind raced, panic surging through him. Instinctively, he twisted his body mid-fall, positioning the boy on top of him.
"You fucking asshole!" Zhao Wei growled through gritted teeth, his voice barely audible over the roaring wind. "Why the hell would you do something this stupid?"
The boy didn't answer. He was too stunned, too terrified to speak. Zhao Wei could feel him trembling, his small hands clutching desperately at Zhao Wei's shirt.
This is it, Zhao Wei thought, heart pounding in his chest. This is how I die. Saving some kid I don't even know. Great. Just fucking geat.
The ground was getting closer. Too close.
"Shit…" Zhao Wei muttered, bracing himself for the impact.
A deafening thud echoed through the night, and everything went black.