Chapter 1: Bai Qi

Consciousness was blurred, as if submerged in the tranquil depths of the sea.

A faint but distinct murmur reached his ears, gradually drawing his awareness to the surface. As his mind cleared, sensation slowly returned to his body.

As if awakening from a long slumber, Bai Qi slowly opened his eyes and stared blankly at the stark white ceiling.

An unfamiliar ceiling...

The thought flashed through his mind.

The air was thick with the sharp, pungent odor of disinfectant. Beneath him, he felt a soft, plush surface. The lingering numbness in his body was swiftly replaced by a throbbing pain in his left leg.

Bai Qi instinctively frowned. He tried to move his leg, but the attempt was abruptly halted by a searing pain that threatened to overwhelm him.

Shifting his gaze, he saw his left leg encased in pristine white gauze and bandages.

Beyond his leg, indescribable aches radiated from his arms, torso, sides—every part of his body felt like it was on the verge of falling apart.

The lingering haze of his awakening swiftly dissipated under the onslaught of pain. Memories from before his coma flooded back into his mind.

Bai Qi finally realized what was happening, his vision gradually clearing.

Before explaining what had transpired, he needed to introduce himself.

His name was Bai Qi, he was 25 years old, and he rented a cramped 10-square-meter apartment on the outskirts of Shanghai. He was unmarried and a staunch believer in remaining single.

He worked at a small internet company, where he routinely worked overtime until 10 or 11 PM every night before heading home.

He didn't smoke or drink, and he usually went to bed around 1 AM, never getting more than eight hours of sleep.

The chronic overtime and accumulated stress had taken a toll, leaving him mentally exhausted. His psychiatrist recommended hospitalization or a long break from work.

Unfortunately, the mortgage his father had left him made such luxuries impossible.

Last night, after his usual overtime shift, Bai Qi watched the latest Honkai Impact 3rd short film, "Graduation Trip," on a pink-themed app during his commute back to his rental apartment.

He wasn't one of the original day-one "Captains," but he had been with Honkai Impact 3rd for four years, finally witnessing its conclusion.

The protagonist group had experienced heart-wrenching separations and near-death trials, navigating far more harrowing twists and turns before finally nudging their imperfect world slightly closer to their ideal.

Those subtle yet unforgettable stirrings of the heart, the fervent emotions that once swelled in their chests, combined with the universal longing for beauty, made this a compelling story.

Kiana lifted a holographic image of her younger self, its accompanying soothing melody evoking years of memories. Like clear, gentle spring water flowing into a parched heart, it stirred a faint warmth within Bai Qi's icy, solitary soul.

If a story could evoke such lingering emotions and reflections even after it ended, perhaps it could be considered a decent one, he thought.

With that, Bai Qi exited the playback interface, glanced at the utterly illogical views, likes, and saves, and casually closed the pink app.

Stories were beautiful, but reality...

Well, reality was just reality.

Bai Qi stepped into the crowd, drifting aimlessly through the interwoven river of people, carried along by the city's relentless rhythm.

Bai Qi wasn't the kind of dashing protagonist that readers would swoon over, craving to step into his shoes. He was utterly ordinary, the kind of person you could lose in a crowd, the kind you'd pass without a second glance.

In this day and age, even exceptional looks alone granted access to resources far beyond the reach of the average person.

The bustling crowd remained the same monotonous backdrop, yet today, a subtle shift seemed to permeate the air.

Beneath a pillar in the subway station, an elderly man in a Taoist robe had set up what could loosely be called a makeshift stall.

There was no proper booth, of course, given the subway station setting. His "sign" was simply a light bamboo pole with a scrap of cloth tied to it, easily picked up and moved.

In front of him lay a red cloth, upon which rested a tablet displaying intricate diagrams of the Four Symbols, Five Elements, and Eight Trigrams.

Normally, Bai Qi would never strike up a conversation with a stranger for no reason. But the lingering warmth from watching Graduation Trip had left him in a mellow mood.

"Grandpa, your gear is surprisingly modern!"

"Hahaha, times have changed!" the old Daoist chuckled, stroking his white beard. "Young man, care for a fortune reading?"

Bai Qi glanced at the red cloth with the paper sign that read "Five Yuan Per Reading" and shook his head. "No, thanks."

What's the difference between this and just throwing five yuan away?

Five yuan is still money!

Having grown up in a single-parent household, Bai Qi had recently lost his only father in an accident, leaving him with twenty-eight mortgage payments on their old home.

Not a Shanghai apartment, of course.

His father had been an ordinary construction worker; even if they'd worked together for centuries, they could never afford property in Shanghai.

It was just a modest apartment in their small hometown.

Even so, it forced Bai Qi to tighten his belt, leaving virtually no room for entertainment.

Even Honkai 3rd was just a resource hog on his phone.

"Ah, well, meeting today must mean we're destined to cross paths. Come, this old Daoist will give you a free reading," the old man declared magnanimously, handing Bai Qi his tablet.

"More like you're bored out of your mind," Bai Qi muttered, tapping the screen.

The Four Symbols and Eight Trigrams began to spin.

"Ahem, ahem, don't put it like that! It's all about fate!" The Old Daoist cleared his throat, genuinely bored out of his mind.

After a dozen seconds, Bai Qi and the Old Daoist simultaneously leaned in to examine the Divination Sign that had materialized on the screen.

"This sign..." The Old Daoist tapped his fingers, narrowed his eyes, and recalled the direction Bai Qi had been heading. "Young friend, are you planning to travel north?"

The Old Daoist spoke with serene composure, effortlessly exuding an otherworldly, Daoist air with a wave of his hand.

"That's right."

"..." Bai Qi's overly nonchalant response left the Old Daoist slightly awkward. Couldn't you at least play along a little, young man?

Bai Qi stared intently at the Divination Sign. "So?"

"The sign indicates that metal energy is depleted to nourish the Xun wood. This means that traveling north will bring the assistance of a noble benefactor," the Old Daoist intoned melodically. "It's an auspicious omen."

"Oh? I don't think so." Bai Qi's expression remained impassive, but his words caused the Old Daoist's eyes to widen in disbelief.

"Grandpa, look at it this way." Bai Qi crouched down, nudged closer to the Old Daoist, and pointed at the Divination Sign.

"The upper trigram is Qian (Heaven), the lower is Xun (Wind). Metal on the outside overcomes wood on the inside, attacking from without and harming the self. This indicates a high risk of femur fractures, possibly from a traffic accident while traveling—a sign of bloodshed and calamity!"

The Old Daoist paused, momentarily bewildered. "...Huh?"

What the hell kind of divination is this?

"Young man, you actually understand this?" The Old Daoist leaned back in surprise, then scrutinized Bai Qi from head to toe.

"Just a little," Bai Qi admitted. I've read too many novels; you pick up a lot of useless knowledge that way.

"Grandpa, do you think I'm right?"

"Let me take another look," the Old Daoist said, lowering his hand from stroking his beard.

Bai Qi and the Old Daoist then engaged in a thorough discussion of whether the Divination Sign indicated "noble assistance" or "bloodshed and calamity." They explored the origins and evolution of their differing interpretations, ultimately acknowledging some validity in each other's perspectives. Then...

That was it. The subway arrived.

Bai Qi smiled his thanks, bid farewell, and departed, leaving the Old Daoist alone to continue pondering the Divination Sign.

It wasn't that Bai Qi completely disbelieved in metaphysics, but he typically maintained a 99% skepticism toward such matters, reserving only 1% for the possibility of truth.

It's important to remember that in probability theory, there are no absolute zeros or hundreds.

Even the spiritual energy revival often depicted in fantasy novels isn't impossible; it's simply so improbable as to be virtually nonexistent.

After exiting the subway station, Bai Qi scanned a Meituan shared electric scooter and headed toward his rental apartment.

Then...

Bai Qi got hit by a car!

Unfortunately, it wasn't one of those isekai-inducing trucks or dump trucks, and he didn't die either.

As for the specifics?

Bai Qi stared blankly at his bandaged left leg, a wave of pain washing over his entire body like a rising tide.

No way! I actually got hit?! Bai Qi cursed inwardly.

"You're awake."

The clear, melodious voice carried a hint of relief. Bai Qi froze, then shifted his gaze to the unfamiliar figure who had spoken.

Her delicate makeup, lightly applied, glowed like fresh snow in the sunlight. Silky hair cascaded down like a waterfall, contrasting sharply with her white knitted cardigan adorned with green accents that emphasized her slender, graceful figure.

Beyond her striking appearance, Bai Qi, with his unusually keen perception, also noticed her distinctive aura.

Yes, aura.

It might sound vague, but it was a tangible quality, undeniably present in reality.

For most people, it's easy to spot a college student mingling with working adults—the former sticks out like a sheep among wolves.

Her apologetic yet impeccably polite smile radiated gentle warmth, but beneath it lay an underlying sense of aloofness, like a flower on a distant peak.

This wasn't vulgar arrogance on display, but a genuine air of pride and nobility rooted deep within her, stemming from the confidence born of her privileged upbringing and family background.

"Who are you?" Bai Qi asked, raising an eyebrow, feeling none of the psychological unease one might expect when faced with a girl of her caliber.

Under normal circumstances, he would never have any interaction with someone of her social standing.

Though a young man, Bai Qi had zero interest in cars, barely recognizing common brands. The only car he knew was the king of the road: the Wuling Hongguang.

[TL Note: The Wuling Hongguang (五菱宏光) is often refered to as the most powerful vehicle on Earth in Chinese internet meme culture. Often exaggerated]

Yet he could easily guess that the car that had struck him was a luxury model worth over a million yuan.

Clearly, she was the culprit.

"My name is Gu Wu. This accident was entirely my fault, and I take full responsibility for all related matters. I will compensate you accordingly. I am truly sorry."

Gu Wu bowed deeply, executing a flawless apology.

In ancient urban novels, there were often melodramatic plots where wealthy second-generation villains would run people over and use their power to bully people after causing accidents.

But what was the reality?

Would compensation money even matter to a genuinely wealthy heir?

At most, it would be a few days' allowance.

Conversely, political connections and favors were invaluable resources, to be used with extreme caution.

Take the widely publicized barbecue stall assault incident—if her opponents had seized on that, the consequences would have been unimaginable!

Only a complete idiot would waste official resources on a trivial matter that money could resolve!

Gu Wu, raised with an elite aristocratic education, might not yet possess her parents' profound strategic vision, but she was certainly astute and well-rounded.

Moreover, with her father's political career at a critical juncture, she absolutely couldn't give his rivals any leverage.

Gu Wu wasn't an arrogant, unreasonable bully. The accident was genuinely her fault, and her apology to Bai Qi was sincere.

"We can discuss the specifics of the compensation later. For now, let's focus on your recovery."

Gu Wu's polite tone and impeccable manners were the hallmark of a true second-generation heiress.

"Bai Qi, right? How are you feeling now?"

The nurse and doctor behind Gu Wu stepped forward to examine him. Perhaps influenced by her presence, the nurse spoke with exceptional gentleness.

"The anesthesia should be wearing off soon. You might feel some pain..."

Bai Qi truthfully answered their questions about his condition and learned the extent of his injuries: multiple lacerations, two fractured ribs, and a comminuted fracture of his left leg.

Thanks to Gu Wu's swift action in getting him to the hospital and securing a professor-level surgeon, Bai Qi's condition wasn't as dire as it initially seemed. His left leg was expected to fully recover to normal function within six to eight months.

After the medical staff left, Gu Wu and Bai Qi discussed the compensation package.

The total amount, excluding the surgical fees and major hospitalization costs, came to 2.09 million yuan, covering medical expenses, meal allowances, transportation fees, lost wages, nutritional supplements, and compensation for emotional distress.

While this sum was insignificant to Gu Wu, her primary goal was to resolve the matter, not simply give Bai Qi money.

Therefore, within the scope of voluntarily accepting responsibility and offering compensation, one should minimize one's own losses as much as possible.

For Bai Qi, 2.09 million yuan was an irresistible sum. Moreover, if he signed the letter of understanding today, the funds would be transferred to his account by tonight.

Without much hesitation, Bai Qi made the choice most ordinary people would make.

While the compensation for a comminuted fracture might seem equivalent to getting beaten up, not everyone is a privileged heir.

Gu Wu had countless ways to avoid this financial hit, such as letting the insurance company drag out the process.

Gu Wu's demeanor suggested the letter of understanding was important to her, but Bai Qi knew nothing of her background and couldn't gauge its true significance.

For someone at the bottom of the social ladder, 2.09 million yuan was undoubtedly a fortune. Weighing all factors, Bai Qi readily signed the letter of understanding.

After instructing the hired caregiver to take good care of the patient and reiterating her apologies, Gu Wu turned and left with brisk, elegant strides.

Gu Wu was confident in her appearance and poise, but Bai Qi had shown no timidity or admiration during their interaction, which surprised her slightly.

If this were a scene from a domineering CEO drama, the line would undoubtedly be, "He's an interesting man."

But that was all it was—a fleeting spark of curiosity. Gu Wu and Bai Qi were from entirely different social classes, practically different worlds.

With the letter of release in hand, she would have no further dealings with Bai Qi.

The story of a wealthy heiress falling for an underdog only exists in fiction.

Is this what they call 'a helping hand from a noble benefactor'? How ironic...

Bai Qi silently watched Gu Wu's retreating figure, forcing a wry smile.

"Hah... never mind."

He exhaled heavily, his gaze shifting from the IV drip to the starless night sky. The dazzling neon lights of Shanghai painted the cityscape in vibrant hues.

Alone in the world, with no family or friends, Bai Qi cared little for his own life. Death might even be a release.

There was no resentment, only a touch of wistful resignation.

Even after deducting future medical expenses and other miscellaneous costs, the two million yuan would be enough to repay his father's debts.

Without food, drink, or shelter, it would have taken him nearly twenty years to earn that much.

Lying on the soft hospital bed, bathed in the silvery moonlight, the turmoil in his mind gradually subsided.

Huh?!

After the tumult of his thoughts subsided, Bai Qi's eyes abruptly snapped open in a rare moment of tranquility.

Something felt amiss.

Ever since his Awakening, a strange sense of detachment had lingered, so faint that it had eluded his notice amidst the bustle of the day. Only now, in the quiet of the night, did he recognize its tangible presence.

This wasn't physical pain, but a sensation emanating from the depths of his soul.

Tossing and turning, lost in thought, Bai Qi gradually drifted to sleep while trying to trace the source of this peculiar feeling.

To his astonishment, his consciousness remained crystal clear even after he fell asleep!

Guided by a mysterious force, Bai Qi's perspective rapidly ascended.

The hospital, Shanghai, China, Asia, Earth...

His viewpoint continued to expand relentlessly.

Earth, the Earth-Moon system, the Solar System, the Local Interstellar Cloud, the Local Bubble, the Gould Belt...

Distances beyond human comprehension, yet Bai Qi's consciousness remained lucid, protected by this enigmatic power.

The Orion Arm, the Milky Way galaxy, the Local Group, the Local Sheet, the Virgo Supercluster, the Supercluster...

Beyond the observable universe, spanning over 93 billion light-years, across single universes, leaping beyond the Multiverse, breaking through the barriers of the Multiverse...

...finally reaching dimensions of spacetime utterly incomprehensible to humanity!

Bewilderment and awe flooded Bai Qi's mind.

What's happening?

What's happening?

What's happening?