Chapter 1
As she opened her eyes, a dizzying blur of unfamiliar sights and sounds washed over her before settling into a white room—she was in the hospital. Her eyes roamed the room, full of confusion.
A wave of panic washed over her. Where was she? How did she get here? And most importantly, why was her vision blurry? The last thing she remembered was having perfect vision, despite spending countless hours staring at her screen. She was a master of spreadsheets and financial projections, she needed her eyes to see! What the hell was happening?
As she reached out to remove the IV drip attached to her arm, the door swung open revealing a girl wearing a doctor's coat. She was a doctor for sure.
"I'm glad you're awake now, Jui. How's your head? Does it hurt?"
As the doctor mentioned her head, a nerve-wracking pain shot through her as if she'd been struck by lightning. A surge of unknown memories flooded her mind, memories that weren't hers. They belonged to someone named Wei Jui, a poor and brilliant girl who had been pushed down the stairs and died. She had been bullied.
The memories were fragmented, a memories full of pain and fear. Wei Jui, a girl with bright eyes and a thirst for knowledge, had been ostracized for her intelligence and her family's poverty. She had been mocked, ridiculed, and ostracized. The bullies, a group of rich and entitled girls, had taken pleasure in tormenting her, culminating in the fateful day when they had pushed her down the stairs, leaving her to die.
Wei Jia felt a cold dread creep into her heart. This wasn't just a case of mistaken identity. She was trapped in the body of a girl who had been brutally murdered. And the worst part? She couldn't remember how she had died. The memories of her own life, her family, her friends, were gone, replaced by the haunting specter of Wei Jui's suffering.
“Jui? Jui, are you alright?” The doctor's voice, laced with concern, pulled Wei Jia back to the present. She blinked, trying to shake off the chilling memories. “Yes, I'm fine,” she managed, her voice a raspy whisper. She couldn't tell the doctor what she was experiencing, not yet. She needed time to process this new reality, to understand the weight of this borrowed life.
But one thing was clear: she wouldn't let Wei Jui's story end in tragedy. She wouldn't let her bullies win. She would honor her memory by living a life filled with purpose and strength. She would fight for justice, for herself, and for the girl whose spirit she now carried within her. She will hunt Su Li, the murder.
I got discharged today. I don't have money to pay for another day. It's just a miracle that my mom wasn't informed about what happened to me, well technically, what happened to Wei Jui. I am now Wei Jui. I am planning to take my revenge, not now tho. I am just like an ant waiting to be stomped upon for now but I won’t be in the future. Jui is a freshman taking up BS Accountancy. What a smart program for a genius like her. Based from her memory, Su Li bullied her because there’s a rumor that she has a crush on Cheng Du, Su Li’s love interest. She’s so pitiful. She tainted her hand for a boy. Why is it always about the boys? Girls are more deserving of our love, don’t you think? Boys are trash. I love girls!
“Jui is so poor. I need money to survive. I’ll go home first to rest and I’ll find a job immediately. It's just frustrating how this smartass was killed. Poor her, poor me.”
I was kicking the stones on my feet then suddenly, I heard a groan or moan? Disgusting. I have no plan to meddle with their business but someone pushed me on the wall, it was so swift that I don't even noticed?
“What the hell!”
I yelled as the pain resurfaced. I just got discharged and now I’m being pushed on the wall. ON.THE.WALL.
“Shhh.”
I grasped as I looked at him. He looks fine, yeah, just fine.
"What the hell are you doing, Cheng Du?" I asked, my voice full of irritation and anger. This guy was clearly trouble.
He didn't answer. Instead, he leaned closer, his breath warm on my cheek. "You shouldn't be here," he whispered, his voice a low growl. "This isn't your place."
Does he think that whispering will make him look cool?!
"What are you talking about?" I demanded, pushing back against the wall. I was still weak from the hospital, but I wasn't going to let this guy intimidate me. "I'm going home."
He chuckled, a dark, humorless sound. "You don't belong here, Wei Jui," he said, his eyes finally meeting mine. They were a startling shade of blue, almost electric in the dim light. "You're in danger."
"Danger?" I scoffed. "What kind of danger? Are you trying to scare me?"
He shook his head, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "I'm trying to warn you," he said. "Su Li is not someone you want to mess with. She's powerful. She's dangerous."
"I know. Now, get lost.”
He sighed, his gaze hardening. "Let's just say that I'm here to help you."
"Help me?" I laughed, a bitter, humorless sound. "Why would you want to help me? You are the reason why I am being bullied."
He didn't answer. Instead, he stepped back, his eyes unwavering. "Think about what I said," he said. "And be careful."
Then, as quickly as he appeared, he was gone, disappearing into the throngs of people on the street. He's so a jerk. So annoying!
But I wasn't going to let fear paralyze me. I had a new life to live, a new purpose to find. And I wouldn't let anyone, not even Su Li, stop me.
I straightened my shoulders, my resolve hardening. I might be a girl in a new world, but I was no longer the weak, bullied girl. I was Wei Jui, and I was ready to fight.
I started walking, heading towards my home, my mind racing. Cheng Du's words echoed in my head. He was right. Su Li was dangerous. But so was he. He was a mystery, a puzzle I couldn't quite solve. But one thing was clear: he was involved in this mess somehow. And I needed to figure out how.
Just as I was about to turn a corner, a figure emerged from the shadows, appearing out of nowhere. He was incredibly handsome, with sharp features and piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through me. His dark hair fell over his forehead, framing a face that could launch a thousand ships. He wore a black leather jacket that looked effortlessly cool, and his jeans were ripped at the knees, adding to his mysterious aura.
He stopped in front of me, his eyes fixed on mine. "Wei Jui," he said, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine. "I've been expecting you."
I stared at him, my heart pounding in my chest. Who was this guy? How did he know my name? And why did he look like he'd stepped out of a romance novel?
"Who are you?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
He smiled, a slow, knowing smile that made my stomach flip. "Let's just say I'm someone who can help you," he said. "Someone who can protect you."
"Protect me?" I scoffed. "From what? From Su Li? From Cheng Du?"
He shook his head, his smile fading. "From something much bigger," he said. "Something you don't even know about yet."
"What are you talking about?" I demanded, my anger rising. "What kind of game are you playing?"
He sighed, his eyes softening. "I'm not playing any games," he said. "I'm offering you a chance. A chance to escape this mess, to find your true path."
"My true path?" I laughed, a bitter, humorless sound. "You think you know what my true path is? You don't even know me."
He leaned closer, his breath warm on my cheek. "I know more than you think," he whispered. "And I know you're not who you think you are. You're something much more."
He stepped back, his eyes burning into mine. "Trust me," he said. "I can help you."
I stood there, my mind reeling. This guy was a whirlwind of contradictions, a mix of danger and intrigue. He was everything I should be wary of, yet he was also the only one who seemed to understand what I was going through.
"Who are you?" I asked again, my voice barely a whisper.
He smiled, a mysterious, knowing smile. "You'll know soon enough," he said. "Just trust me."
Then, as quickly as he appeared, he was gone, vanishing into the crowd like a phantom. I stood there, my heart pounding in my chest, my mind a jumble of confusion and curiosity. Who was this guy? And what was his connection to my new life? I had a feeling I was about to find out.
I started walking again, my steps a little lighter, my heart a little less heavy. Wei Jui girl, who the hell are you? Your life’s full of mystery. I wish your life as more romantic, like being in a relationship with a girl? That was more fun! Nevermind.