Unwritten Fate

Chapter 3

Xue's eyes skimmed the bustling streets as she, Lin Wei, and Beiye strolled back to their flat. The neon lights danced in the puddles, reflecting a rainbow of colors onto the pavement. The chilly evening air had the scent of street food and engine fumes, a potent blend that had become the city's signature perfume. Xue's curiosity grew with each step, a question burning on the tip of her tongue, a question about Lin Yang, a name that seemed to hold a secret every time it was whispered between her friends.

"Beiye," she finally spoke up, her voice a soft melody against the city's harsh cacophony. "I noticed you guys talk about Yang a lot when you discuss soulmates. What's the deal with him?"

Beiye's steps faltered for a brief moment before she resumed her pace, a hint of sadness flitting across her face. "Yang is... special," she said. "He's been Yan's best friend for as long as I can remember. And like you, he's one of the unmatched."

Wei chimed in, his tone more solemn than usual. "But there's more to it than that. Yang's soulmate was identified by the system, but she... she passed away before they could meet."

The gravity of Beiye's words hung in the air, thick and palpable. Xue felt a pang of empathy for this stranger whose fate seemed so tragically sealed. She could only imagine the pain of knowing who you're supposed to love, yet never having the chance to.

"So, what does he do now?" Xue asked, curiosity piqued.

"He lives," Beiye said with a sigh. "But not really. He's just going through the motions, you know?"

The trio decided to grab dinner at a nearby street food stall, the aroma of sizzling noodles and spicy sauces wafting through the air. The warmth of the food and the chatter of the patrons offered a momentary reprieve from the heavy topic. They ordered a variety of dishes to share, the clatter of chopsticks and laughter mixing with the sizzle of the wok. Xue's thoughts lingered on Yang, his solitary fate a stark contrast to the vibrant world around her.

As they slurped down their noodles, she turned to Wei. "Does Yang ever talk about finding a new soulmate? I mean, the system must have made a mistake, right?"

Wei's expression grew thoughtful as he chewed. "It's complicated," he said, swallowing a mouthful of food. "The system is pretty much foolproof. It's never wrong. But in his case, it's like fate played a cruel joke. He's trapped in a loop of what-ifs and might-have-beens."

Beiye nodded, her eyes distant as she stirred her noodles. "Yang's always been a hopeful person, though. He's convinced there's some kind of loophole. That's why he's dedicated his life to finding a way to change his destiny."

Wei set his chopsticks down, leaning in closer. "He's studied every piece of literature and myth about soulmates, trying to find a way around the system. It's become an obsession for him."

Xue's heart ached for this man she had never met. "What makes him so sure?"

Beiye's smile was tinged with melancholy. "He says he feels her out there, somewhere. Like a phantom presence that haunts him, but also gives him hope. It's like he's caught in a love story that's already been written with the last page missing."

Xue felt a strange kinship with Lin Yang. Both of them were outliers in a world of neatly paired couples, searching for a place where they belonged. "What was his soulmate like?" she asked, her curiosity growing.

Wei's eyes softened as he spoke of her. "Her name was Lian. She was beautiful, smart, kind... the perfect match for Yang. They were supposed to meet at a university event. But she was in an accident before they could even lay eyes on each other."

The mention of Lian's name sent a ripple of sadness through Xue. She couldn't fathom the depth of Yang's loss, but she knew all too well the ache of being incomplete. "I hope he can meet his soulmate soon," she said, her voice carrying a sincerity that seemed to resonate in the damp evening air.

Once back at the flat, the trio quickly fell into a routine of preparing for the next day. Clothes were laid out, bags were packed, and alarms were set. The mood grew subdued as they each retreated to their bedrooms, the weight of their conversation lingering like a ghost in the hallways. Xue sat on her bed, the soft glow of her lamp casting shadows on her walls. She found herself staring at the soulmate bracelet she'd never worn, feeling its cool emptiness against her wrist.

Before she knew it, sleep had claimed her, but her dreams were anything but restful. They were filled with images of Lin Yang, a man whose story she felt oddly connected to despite their never having met. His sorrow was palpable, a silent scream echoing through her subconscious.

On the other side Qiao Li was tidying up her essential study materials for the next day's class with the help of her brother and Yang. During the pip talks, Yan said he wants to meet his soulmate Beiye and also wishes to meet up with Yin Xue because he missed meeting up with them last time. Li also said she also wants to meet the trio. Suddenly Yang said I never saw your soulmates so i also wants to meet them.

They decided to meet the trio soon, On the talk Li said She didn't understand why the Eternalink didn't give Xue her soulmate yet. Yang got shocked hearing it, Yan explains that Xue's soulmate locator wrist band always shows no match founded she was waiting for the clue about her soulmate for past 2years. After the long talks they went to eat dinner and call off the day .

Yang feels sad for Xue's situation, he hopefully wishes she will get het soulmate soon and he drift to sleep.

In the stark light of morning, Xue found it hard to shake off the weight of the previous night's conversation. As she prepared for her day at the university, she couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be bound to someone by fate, only to have that bond severed before it even began. The thought was as unsettling as it was intriguing.