Synopsis:
Outside the Hall of Heroes, a corridor of blessings stretches out, strewn with the remnants of past glories. The riverbed, glittering with gold, carries the weight of both honor and sorrow, leaving only solitude and wild dreams behind.
Wanderers lament their fates, while assassins gaze into the distance. Priests break their staves, plunging them into the heart of aging history. Black ribbons flutter, once unmatched in their time. Bards sing of Lanling, a distant homeland.
Gods and demons dance across the battlefield, and I, from another life, carve your image. The youthful, passionate chapters of life, now weathered by time. Tattered badges, once symbols of faith, now sigh at the fleeting beliefs of mankind. We promised to forgive each other in the long years to come.
You once rode the wind, wielded a sword, looked back, and made both sky and sea retreat. Yet, the wounds you inflicted on history, in the end, were also forgotten. Countless gods, in their vastness, are painted beside the new era’s totems. A book of human life, devoid of sorrow, yet tears fall endlessly from his eyes.
You once rode the wind, wielded a sword, looked back, and made both sky and sea retreat.
There is no future, no past, only the desolation of abandoned ruins. A decade’s dream, buried in one night, upon our keyboards.
Genre: Light-hearted romance
Type: Original – Romance – Modern – Love Story
Tags: Urban romance, unique love
Keywords: Main Characters: Su Yao; Supporting Characters: Qin Chuan, Luo Zishang, Wang Shenmu, Chen Wang;
Chapter 1: The Red Medicine Hall
This story is purely fictional. Any similarities are mere illusions.
2004, San Francisco, USA. WCG Awards Ceremony.
“Runner-up in the StarCraft category — China — Su Yao!”
Nineteen-year-old Su Yao, standing next to the announcer speaking perfect English, barely reached the shoulders of the foreigners around her. Amidst the flashing lights, she accepted the national flag and trophy with a youthful smile. This young Chinese girl with shoulder-length black hair and deep dimples was the center of attention, proudly raising the flag and trophy for the media to capture, making headlines on gaming websites and in magazines.
Despite the spotlight, Su Yao’s gaze was fixed on a dark corner of the audience, her thoughts a mystery, seemingly not here for the prize or the fame.
“StarCraft Champion — China — THANATOS!”
As the announcer declared the winner, Su Yao’s smile froze.
Her eyes widened as she watched THANATOS emerge from the shadows, step by step, onto the stage. She never thought of winning; she knew she would lose to him, even if he fought with his eyes closed.
THANATOS, almost a mythical figure, was already a WCG champion when Su Yao was still sneaking out of class with boys to learn StarCraft. Yet, no one had ever seen his face or knew his real name. Su Yao stared at this man, always wearing a cap and sunglasses, known only by his alias, THANATOS.
In her heart, there was a tower, at the top of which once sat certificates, badges, and admission letters to prestigious universities — all the things she had strived for. Her parents promised not to interfere with her gaming if she achieved these goals. Su Yao could beat Contra in one life, knew every shortcut in Super Mario, and could list the attributes of every monster in Dungeons & Dragons. Then, she heard the legend of THANATOS from the boys, and she started playing StarCraft, entering regional and selection tournaments relentlessly. Over the years, she realized he was the only one at the top of her tower.
Now, holding her silver trophy, she stood beside him.
“Don’t just stand there, kid,” the announcer, thinking she was upset about losing, patted her shoulder, signaling for a handshake.
“Can I say something?” Su Yao asked, her throat dry.
The microphone was handed to her.
“THANATOS, I… I want to see your face…”
The once confident girl now blushed, her voice barely audible, like a whisper.
He remained unmoved amidst the clicking cameras. Su Yao, her face red, decided to go for broke, “THANATOS!” she declared loudly, “I like you! I’ve liked you for a long time! I followed you! That’s why I’m standing here!”
The room fell silent, no one expecting such a dramatic confession at an awards ceremony. They all waited for THANATOS’s response.
THANATOS, the god of death in Greek mythology, seemed to take an eternity to respond. The humorous announcer quickly handed him another microphone.
“Sorry,” he said simply in Chinese, then turned and left.
That year, Su Yao’s world lost its color.
2010, early winter.
Su Yao was awakened by her phone’s alarm. It was a song about good days and seizing the moment. Groggily rolling in her covers, she suddenly remembered something, grabbed her phone — it was 8:55. She stumbled out of the door. “You still remember to come to work, Su Yao? You’ve been late 28 times this month. If you don’t want to work here anymore, just leave early,” the boss’s face seemed to still be in front of her, scolding her. Su Yao sat in the taxi, patting her chest. The boss had just scolded her yesterday, and now she was going to be late again.
“Driver, could you please drive faster?” Su Yao urged the driver to step on the gas while her mind raced for an excuse for being late. Traffic jam, another traffic jam, menstrual visit, fever, flu, toothache, prolapsed stomach… but she had used all these excuses this month. “Should I say I have uremia? No, no, that’s too harsh. Maybe uterine bleeding? Or a hemorrhoid rupture? Would the boss kill me?” Su Yao was in a dilemma when her phone started singing, “Today is a good day, and tomorrow will be even better.” A good day, your sister! The beast in Su Yao’s heart was roaring. She picked up the phone; it was Liu Changsi calling.
Liu Changsi was Su Yao’s roommate and best friend from college. Ever since the WCG event in San Francisco, Su Yao had withdrawn from competitive gaming. She no longer played, no longer looked forward, no longer smiled; her high tower had crumbled. The super skills she had honed over years brought her a once radiant youth, and she had thought she would make a career out of e-sports. But in the end, she left in a shameful state. She returned home, went back to school, took exams, graduated, and started working, watching her superiors’ moods, living on a meager salary, living a 9 to 5 life.
Even so, she was content with the ordinary life, letting her hair grow long, her nails grow out, and under Liu Changsi’s influence, she began to watch anime, read novels, and indulge in lewd stories. “If only I could meet a god!” At that time, Liu Changsi twisted her waist in infatuation, lying on the forums of the online game “The Mortal World,” reading biographies of famous players. Su Yao laughed along with her, carefree. No one knew her past; the dust on her trophies was thick, and even she herself had somewhat forgotten.
“Yao Yao, play an online game with me! The Mortal World! It’s just out and it’s hot!” Liu Changsi shook Su Yao’s shoulders. “I know you don’t like playing games, it’s okay, I’ll teach you. Online games aren’t as boring as you think. Look how beautiful it is! Maybe you’ll even have a romantic encounter with a god, haha!” Su Yao glanced at the screen; the game was beautifully made and didn’t require much strategic thinking. Despite her determination to stay away from all games, she agreed under her best friend’s persistent persuasion, comforting herself that it was just a casual online game, not a competitive match. At that time, Liu Changsi’s game character “Flowing Thoughts” was at level 102, a lone ranger, wielding a shimmering blue crystal bow, standing on a cliff, shooting birds.