On a busy bridge, one that showed the diamond city of Beijing. A city she had come to love so much even if it wasn't her hometown. She removed a cigarette from the pack, facing the dark, shapeless monster moving calmly beneath her feet. She brought the lighter closer to the stick and began taking slow drags. Not caring anymore if what she was doing was illegal or even ethical. She stood barefoot, leaning on the silver railings as she watched her limited-edition bag slowly get swallowed by the dark abyss.
Serves it right.
You gave me no happiness even though I spent so much money to have you.
Qing Yuer chuckled as she took another slow drag.
''What if someone sees you smoking all by yourself on the bridge and records you… ?'' She muttered, reacting with a bit of worry before pausing, a smile easing on her perfectly carved lips while shaking her head, returning to stare at the dark waters before her.
''You are no longer important anymore. DMT entertainment will make sure of it, so don't worry. You are free to do whatever you want now.''
She smiled again, leaning more on the railings, enjoying what seemed to her as total liberation from the shackles of fame, and money.
''Did you see his face when you called him a fucker?'' She chuckled again, taking another puff, smiling at her own joke. ''Their money magnet just walked out on them and they all looked like an apocalypse is coming.''
She chuckled, swaying a bit, lowering her head to laugh her heart out. The fierce midnight breeze blew powerfully against her as she had never been so free and alive. It felt like arriving at the pearly gates of heaven in a way. A joy unlike any other.
Qing Yuer collapsed on the railings to give out repeated dry coughs. The cigarette slipped from her fingers and disappeared along with her priceless bag.
If she hadn't been desperate enough to get her mind off the constant beatings, abuse and verbal violence she suffered at the hands of that devil and the pressure to appear strong, calm, confident and perfect the next day before the world, she wouldn't have given in to becoming a smoker.
Qing Yuer slowly slid down against the railings with a dejected yet defeated look on her face. Remembering her grade five presentation once against smoking and its adverse dangers. How she was loved and celebrated for her inspiring and beautiful presentation.
She sighed softly, bringing her hands once again to feel her stomach. Her insane attempt to feel if her baby was still with her after months of a violent and painful separation.
Maybe her freedom wasn't spending the rest of her life on a bridge with a pack of cigarettes.
Yes.
Qing Yuer nodded her head as she pulled herself up, stumbling a few times as her teary eyes spotted her customized Rolls Royce 2026.
What she needed was a drive. A wild, free drive with no destination or plan in mind whatsoever.
She needed one that would take her far away from everything she had left behind and abandoned.
And take her to a far away place. A place where no one expects so much for her and a dream wouldn't feel like a burden to bear.
Left…right… She walked, staggering a bit as she reached for her car, nodding at that great fantasy.
A place without sorrow, pain or unnecessary pressure and crushing expectations.
A place where love is abundant and peace knows no bounds.
A place where she could start all over and get to make the right choices.
A place where it wouldn't feel so wrong to prioritize one's self above everything.
She paused, another smile cradling her face as she placed her hand again on her stomach. A tear escaping her eye as a wind so calm, so soothing embraced her with love beyond her understanding.
A place where her baby wouldn't be murdered by her own parents even before she was born.
She loved it more than anything.
As she was moving and stumbling to go for that drive, she collided into something hard and firm, stumbling back a few feet and almost falling.
Qing Yuer blinked before raising her head to see what just stopped her from reaching this promised life.
It was a brick wall, covered in grey. There was a face carved in the middle of this mysterious wall and it seemed to be alive.
Qing Yuer fell back a bit, blinking multiple times, wondering when smoking led to strange hallucinations like this. She turned around to note if the people around her were seeing what she was seeing. People breezed past her and the strange wall as if neither were real. Qing Yuer gasped, eyes widening in horror when a particular stranger walked past the wall without being aware of its presence.
She slowly reached out to touch if it was real and quickly withdrew her hands in shock when she was the only one being held back by this phenomenon.
''The author in charge of your destiny has placed me to stop you from following this path.''
''Huh…?''
She would have believed the earth being flat made much more sense to that.
''This journey isn't as forgiving as the one you are already living. But… it promises a lifetime of adventure, growth and unconditional love.''
Her eyes widened slightly at the mention of unconditional…
''This author cares for you and advises you to commit to this journey and endure to the very end. This is a path beyond the script of your existence. Choose wisely, not bravely.''
Qing Yuer turned, looking over her shoulder to confirm if she wasn't the only insane person talking to a magical wall, advising her on destiny and purpose.
She just wanted to take a freeing drive, running away from her problems like a coward and not wanting to go on an unrequested mission to save the world.
What the hell was this?
She gave the magical floating wall a sheepish yet nervous smile as she moved to walk around it, careful not to let its magical essence touch her skin. Then, she quickly tiptoed towards her car, entering it as fast as she could and noticed that the wall was no longer there.
Huh?
She leaned forward in the driver's seat to have a better view, but there was nothing.
Yep! I'd better stop smoking before I start seeing angels and unicorns next.
Qing Yuer shivered.
She started the car, merged into traffic immediately, and zoomed off into the blinding lights.