A high-rise construction site…
The wind howled between the steel frames.
"Whooo… woosh!"
A loud metallic clank echoed from above.
Zhen Chan's body jolted like a frightened cat. He whipped his head around, eyes wide with panic.
A few unsecured metal frames wobbled dangerously before crashing to the ground.
Bang!
"Ahhh—!!" Zhen Chan yelped and instinctively grabbed onto Manager Ri's sleeve like a child hiding behind an adult.
Meanwhile, Manager Ri was furiously yelling into his walkie-talkie.
"Are you guys brainless?! How many times do I have to tell you— When Mr. Zhen is here, at least pretend to work properly! Idiots!"
Then, turning to Zhen Chan with a forced smile, he said,
"Ah… Mr. Zhen, don't worry! Just a minor accident! Nothing to be concerned about!"
Zhen Chan's face was pale as he clenched his trembling fists.
"Manager Ri, do you remember what I always say?"
"Ah, yes! Of course! Safety first, safety second, and safety third!" Manager Ri wiped the sweat off his forehead, chuckling nervously.
"We've inspected the upper floors thoroughly! Everything meets safety standards, Mr. Zhen! I guarantee it!"
Zhen Chan exhaled shakily.
"Good. I'm leaving this to you, Manager Ri… Just… just don't let me down…"
His voice wavered ever so slightly.
Manager Ri noticed it immediately and tensed.
Oh no… is he mad?
Was it the falling steel frames? Did something else upset him?
Manager Ri's mind raced.
Just as he was about to suggest a site inspection, Zhen Chan suddenly stiffened. His face turned green.
Then—
"No need—!! That's enough!! Let's go back!!"
His voice was sharp, filled with desperation.
Before Manager Ri could react, Zhen Chan bolted toward the steel staircase leading down.
And then…
He froze.
A chilling realization struck him—
He was standing on the edge of the high-rise construction site.
The ground was too far below.
His knees buckled. His stomach churned. His hands latched onto the railing with a death grip.
This place is way too dangerous…
The moment his foot touched the first step of the metal staircase, it creaked.
Creeeak—
Zhen Chan felt his soul leave his body.
"U-Uhh… H-help…"
His hands clung onto the railing as if it were his lifeline.
Each shaky step made the staircase sway ever so slightly.
A sharp gust of wind whistled past his ear.
Zhen Chan let out a strangled whimper.
I-I'm going to die…!!
His vision spun. The steel bars felt like they were crumbling beneath him.
"Manager Ri! Call the emergency rescue team!!"
Manager Ri, still on solid ground, facepalmed.
This man is completely hopeless…
If he could hear Zhen Chan's inner thoughts, he'd probably cough up blood.
So he wasn't angry?
He was just scared out of his mind?!
* The Zhen Family Secret
Zhen Chan's life had always been simple.
His father was a quantum physics professor. His mother, a renowned archaeologist. His siblings were both prodigies.
And then there was him.
No grand ambitions. No scientific breakthroughs. No desire for fame or recognition.
He was perfectly content working at his uncle's company, living a carefree life.
And his uncle, Zhen Lao Da, treated him well.
Which was why…
"Zhen'er, come with me."
Hearing the serious tone in his uncle's voice, Zhen Chan hesitated.
Did he find out I skipped the site inspection…?
Wait, he already knows I have a fear of heights… He wouldn't force me, right?
His uncle locked the library door.
Then, he pressed a hidden button on a bookshelf.
Click—
The bookshelf slid aside, revealing a secret door.
Zhen Chan blinked.
"Uncle… is this a hidden treasure vault?"
Ignoring him, his uncle led him down the concealed passageway.
Inside, there were ancient scrolls, artifacts, a heavy fireproof safe, and a few antique paintings.
Jian Lao Da placed a small wooden box on the table and let out a long sigh.
"Zhen'er, I'm giving you an heirloom that has been passed down through our family for generations. Keep it with you at all times."
Zhen Chan: "…Huh?"
His uncle opened the box.
Inside was an old, yellowed book and a gleaming black ring.
Zhen Chan's eyes sparkled.
"Wait— Is this an inheritance martial arts manual?"
No… Uncle doesn't know martial arts…
"An immortal cultivation technique?!"
His uncle's serious expression didn't change.
Then, he suddenly removed the pendant from around his own neck and put it around Zhen Chan's.
Zhen Chan blinked again.
"Uh…?"
His uncle sighed deeply.
"Zhen'er, listen carefully. This pendant… it chooses its wielder. If it ever reacts to someone, you must pass it on to them."
Zhen Chan frowned.
"That's it? So I just hold onto it until someone special appears?"
His uncle coughed awkwardly.
"Yes. But… until you pass it on, you won't be able to get married."
Silence.
Zhen Chan's brain short-circuited.
"…Excuse me?"
His uncle coughed again.
"You see… I, too, was unable to marry until a month ago. But then… the pendant reacted to you. That's why I could finally take it off."
Zhen Chan's eyes widened.
A month ago… That car accident…
I fell off a cliff… I should've died… But I survived without a scratch…
His gaze dropped to the pendant around his neck.
He swallowed hard.
His uncle patted his shoulder with a fatherly look of sympathy.
"Zhen'er… whether for me, for the Zhen family, or for my youthful future… this is now your burden to carry."
Zhen Chan: "…So, let me get this straight."
"You got stuck with this pendant… and because of it, you couldn't marry for decades?"
His uncle nodded solemnly.
"And now that you finally got rid of it… you're dumping it on me?!"
His uncle cleared his throat and averted his gaze.
"Well… you don't have a girlfriend anyway, so it's not a big deal, right?"
Zhen Chan felt like crying.
"So basically… I just got scammed into being your backup storage?!?!"
His uncle patted his shoulder again.
"Zhen'er, you're still young. Who knows? Maybe your future wife hasn't been born yet."
Zhen Chan: "…"
He felt like a thousand tons of reality had just crushed him.
If fate was real—
Then fate just sucker-punched him.