Su Mengning
1332 Words
Su Mengning leaned against the bed, memories of her past life surfacing involuntarily.
She was born into a powerful noble family, growing up in luxury and admiration.
Her beauty was as pure and flawless as an angel, cherished and protected by all.
Even her father, Jiang City's Governor Su Mingshuo, couldn’t bear to let her delicate heart be tainted by the harshness of politics.
This upbringing left her innocent and completely devoid of scheming.
Then, in her eighteenth year, the Su Family received an extraordinary guest.
A guest of unimaginable status—
The son of the Great Elder of the Imperial Cardinal Bureau.
The heir of the empire’s most powerful noble family, the Shen Family—
Shen Chen.
Even the Su Family—the undisputed rulers of Jiang City—had to treat him with extreme caution.
Her father personally set aside his political duties to welcome him, organizing a grand banquet in his honor.
And the reason for Shen Chen's arrival?
He was here to forge a political alliance with her father.
The deal was simple—Shen Chen would help pull Su Mingshuo into the Imperial Cardinal Bureau’s inner circle.
But in exchange—
Su Mengning’s father had to send her to the Imperial Capital with Shen Chen.
The official reason?
To study at Imperial Capital University.
The truth?
She was to become a political pawn—a bargaining chip to ensure her father’s loyalty.
But did this mean Su Mingshuo was cruelly sacrificing his daughter?
Absolutely not.
Though she had to leave home, her future was bound to the Shen Family—the most powerful family in the empire.
Becoming one of Shen Chen’s women meant she was ascending to the heavens in a single step.
For Su Mengning—
It was an unparalleled opportunity.
For the Su Family—
It was a golden chance to cement their position.
Countless noble daughters across the empire dreamed of catching Shen Chen’s attention.
They would have given up everything for the chance to step into the Shen Family’s inner circle.
Yet for Su Mengning, the one who had been chosen—
She had no idea what a blessing it was.
She was so painfully naive.
Upon learning that she was to be sent far from her home, to follow a complete stranger into the Imperial Capital—
All she felt was fear and panic.
And it was in this moment of weakness—
Her elder sister, Su Qingying, appeared with a plan.
She persuaded their father to send her in Su Mengning’s place.
At first, Governor Su Mingshuo refused.
But after countless tearful pleas from both daughters—
He finally gave in.
As for Shen Chen?
He didn’t care.
He had only been ordered to bring a daughter of the Su Family.
Whether it was the eldest or the youngest made no difference to him.
In her past life—
Su Mengning had trusted her sister with all her heart.
She had even been touched by Su Qingying’s supposed sacrifice.
What she never realized—
Was that the moment Su Qingying succeeded in taking her place, she had nearly screamed with joy in her private chambers.
And this one decision—
Was what led Su Mengning down a path of endless regret.
Because no one could have predicted—
That the apocalypse was coming.
The empire collapsed overnight.
The world turned into hell on earth.
Everything was too cruel, too terrifying.
Even now, just remembering it made Su Mengning's blood run cold.
Her father did everything in his power to fortify Jiang City, turning it into a stronghold against the monsters.
Even so—
People died by the thousands every day.
Outside the city walls, endless starving refugees huddled together in makeshift tents, begging to be let in.
But how could they?
Even Jiang City's armed soldiers were barely able to feed themselves.
Letting outsiders in would trigger riots in an instant.
Luckily, her father was a capable leader.
Jiang City held its ground.
And for a time—
Su Mengning was able to survive.
But then came her greatest nightmare.
Two years into the apocalypse—
The "incident" that shook the entire southeastern region occurred.
It was the disaster that destroyed the Su Family.
Her father died.
The Su Family was shattered.
And for the first time—
Su Mengning experienced the true depths of despair.
She finally understood how cruel the apocalypse truly was.
Without her father’s protection—
She was just another powerless girl in a lawless wasteland.
She was fortunate that some of her father’s most loyal subordinates chose to protect her.
Without them—
A woman with her beauty would have faced a fate worse than death.
And throughout all of this—
There was only one thing that kept her going.
One faint, fragile hope—
Her elder sister, Su Qingying.
Unlike the Su Family—
The Shen Family had been fully prepared for the apocalypse.
They transformed Dongdu into an unshakable fortress—
Free City.
The name resonated across history.
It was humanity’s final beacon of hope.
It was the last bastion of civilization.
It was—
The Light of Humanity.
People whispered tales of Free City.
They said ordinary people could live without fear.
That there was still order.
That it was the closest thing to the old empire that still existed.
And Su Qingying—
She had been by Shen Chen’s side since the very beginning.
As Free City grew in power, her status soared.
Her name carried immense influence.
Shen Chen.
The most powerful Awakened in the apocalypse.
The absolute ruler of Free City.
One of humanity’s last kings.
He was a man standing above all others.
And Su Qingying served at his side.
Even if she was only a servant—
Her status surpassed the ruling elite of countless factions.
Even within Free City, no one dared cross her.
Countless nobles sought her favor.
Because behind her—
Was Shen Chen.
The man who stood at the pinnacle of humanity.
And that position—
Was meant to be Su Mengning’s.
That was her destiny.
It was meant to be hers.
But the cruelest part?
When she finally managed to contact Su Qingying—
Begging for shelter.
What did her beloved sister do?
She threw her into the slums.
Su Mengning would never forget—
The way Su Qingying’s eyes burned with twisted hatred.
The way she had gripped Su Mengning’s chin, sneering at her helplessness.
"Dear sister, I know you want to climb your way up to Lord Shen Chen."
Su Qingying’s fingers tightened on her jaw.
She studied Su Mengning’s delicate face, her expression twisted with jealousy.
"I won’t deny that you have the looks for it."
"But do you really think I’ll let that happen? You disgusting wretch."
That was the moment Su Mengning finally realized the truth.
For as long as she could remember—
Su Qingying had always harbored resentment toward her.
She had always hated her.
Hated her flawless beauty.
Hated how their father favored her.
Hated how the world revolved around her.
For years, she had never been able to surpass Su Mengning.
Except once.
The one time Su Mengning willingly stepped aside.
And because of that single choice—
She lost everything.
She lost Shen Chen.
She lost her future.
She lost her entire life.
But now—
She had returned.
And this time—
She would take back what was hers.
- Writer
