Ashen Requiem - Chapter 38: The Sidekick and the Demon

“Hai Tang? She's just the Hai family's foster daughter. I was only playing around with her. How could I possibly take her seriously? She can't even measure up to my status!”

Upon hearing these words from Yu Heng's own mouth, Hai Tang finally realized how he truly saw her.

She had liked this person for over twenty years. They had grown up together since childhood, with her always looking out for him, from running errands and doing homework for him to handling company affairs on his behalf. He had always accepted her kindness but pretended to be unaware of her feelings.

Now, the words from his lips directly crushed Hai Tang's hopes.

From that day on, Yu Heng's shadow completely disappeared. Even his friends around him were surprised.

How could she let go so easily after following him for so long?

At first, Yu Heng was nonchalant. In his eyes, Hai Tang's world revolved around him, and she wouldn't be able to survive without him. But as time went on and he waited, she never came back. When he started to panic and wanted to look for her, he realized that he couldn't find her, no matter how hard he looked.

When they met again, his shadow was already entwined with someone else, and she had a radiant smile on her face.

Yu Heng's reddened eyes were filled with tears as he asked the girl who used to belong to him, “Tangtang, I was wrong. Can we go back to the way things were?”

Before the girl could speak, the man beside her stepped forward. His eyes filled with malice as he said, “I advise you to stay away from my wife.”

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At 20 years old, Su He married Mr. Jiang, a business tycoon with billions to his name, proudly hailed as a business mogul. Upon learning of this, people said that she, a country bumpkin lacking background and wealth, was merely a poor doctor with a beautiful appearance, unworthy of the esteemed Jiang family head. Gradually, however, people discovered that this 'poor doctor' with 'no background' was in fact the jewel of a prestigious medical family in the capital, an expert surgeon in the medical field, an heir to a medical research institute, and a mysterious designer... Everyone knew that within Mr. Jiang's heart, there was a cherished figure. As the four-year marriage agreement neared its end, the man handed her a document, his tone gentle yet assertive: 'Sign it!' 'A divorce agreement?' Su He asked, her eyes bright with unconcealed excitement and anticipation, having longed for a divorce. The man snorted coldly, 'Just sign it!' Not long after, Mr. Jiang reneged, stating: 'Since you've given birth to my child, you'll be mine for life!'

“Look at him,” someone snickered from a few rows over. “Smells like he sleeps in a dumpster.”“Probably does,” another voice added, louder this time. Nox just stared at his textbook, the words blurring. He had heard it all before.Then, Mark, one of the main reasons his life was a living hell, swaggered past his desk. Mark always had a smirk on his face. “Oops,” he said, not even trying to sound accidental, as a full cup of bright orange juice tipped over, splashing all down the front of Nox's already ruined shirt. The cold liquid soaked through instantly. Laughter erupted around the room. It was loud, clear, and mocking. Nox slowly looked up. His eyes landed on Ms. Joy, who was watching the whole thing. She had seen Mark deliberately pour the juice on him. He raised his hand, a small, tired gesture. “Ms. Joy,” he said, his voice flat. “He just poured juice on me. Are you just going to ignore it? Again?.” Ms. Joy looked at him, then at Mark, who was now theatrically wiping his hands. A small smile played on her lips. Then she chuckled. Just a little airy laugh.“Oh, Nox, don't be so dramatic. Boys will be boys, right Mark?” Mark puffed out his chest. “Yeah, Ms. Joy. He's just sensitive.” The class laughed even harder at that. Ms. Joy joined in, her laughter ringing out with theirs. Hearing them all, hearing her laugh, something in him finally snapped. It wasn't a loud break, more like a quiet, final click. He realized it then, with a cold, hard clarity. No one was coming to save him. No teachers, no police, no parents he never had. No one cared. If he wanted this to stop, he would have to be the one to stop it. He was the only one who could.His face remained blank, but his mind was suddenly very clear. He reached down slowly, his hand going into his worn-out school bag. The laughter died down a little as a few students noticed his deliberate movement, a strange stillness about him. He pulled out a gun.The classroom went silent. Utterly, completely silent. Mark's smirk vanished, replaced by wide, terrified eyes. Even Ms. Joy stopped laughing, her face paling. “What… Nox, what are you doing?” she stammered, her voice suddenly shaky. He didn't answer. He looked around at their faces, one by one. Fear. He saw fear now. Good. He was ready. He was going to make them all pay. He was going to end it, all of it.Just as he was about to raise the gun properly, a bright blue screen appeared right in front of his face. It was translucent, and only he seemed to see it. [Congratulations! You have met the requirements!] [1st Player Chosen!] [You have won the System!]

The Emperor had issued an official decree to appoint a successor to the throne—one who would become the next ruler of the empire.But instead of a direct appointment, the successor would be determined through a formal battle among the princes and princesses.A battle that would drag in many factions, overflow with conspiracies, claim countless lives, and reshape the entire continent... was about to begin.But among the contenders, there was one prince who had no intention of fighting—Nolan.Handsome, lazy, and utterly annoying, Nolan was well-known for the many unflattering titles given to him by those around him.Nolan: “Fighting to become emperor? Please... I just want to relax and enjoy life.”Rather than compete, he convinced his twin sister to fight in his place while he supported her from behind the scenes.Nolan: “My dear sister, I leave my future in your capable hands!”And with that, the prince’s journey toward a life of leisure—relying entirely on his sister—officially began.