Chapter 1: The Last Day in the City
Liang Chen sat on the bench in the park, watching the people pass by. He liked this quiet spot. It was his favorite place to think after work. Today was just ordinary. He finished his shift at the small shop, packed up his things, and headed out.
As he walked home, he saw her again. Ying Yue. She was standing near the corner, her eyes fixed on him. She always watched him like that. Liang didn't understand why, but he kept walking.
Ying Yue was strange. She was pretty but intense. Sometimes, she would smile softly. Other times, her eyes looked like they were searching for something—something only she knew.
Liang quickened his pace. He was used to her following him, but today felt different. Like she was waiting for something.
He reached his apartment building and unlocked the door. As he stepped inside, he felt a strange chill. The air seemed colder than usual.
He tossed his bag on the table and sat down. His phone buzzed. A message from his friend, Xiao Wei: "Are you free tonight? Let's grab dinner." Liang replied, "Sure. See you at 7."
Suddenly, a soft knock sounded at his door. Liang frowned. Who could it be at this hour?
He looked through the peephole. It was Ying Yue.
His heart skipped a beat. Why was she here now?
He hesitated, then slowly opened the door. "Ying Yue? What are you doing here?"
She smiled, but her eyes looked serious. "Liang, I need to see you. Just for a moment."
He stepped back. "You shouldn't be here. It's late."
She stepped inside without waiting. "I just want to talk."
Liang sighed. "Okay. But only for a little while."
They sat down in the small living room. Ying Yue looked at him carefully.
"I've been watching you," she said softly. "You're the only one who understands me."
Liang looked uncomfortable. "Ying Yue, you're nice, but following me everywhere isn't normal. You should get help."
She shook her head quickly. "No. I only want to be with you. Always."
Liang rubbed his face. "Ying Yue, I don't know what to say. I'm not interested in that kind of obsession."
Her eyes flickered with emotion. "You don't understand. I can't lose you. Even if it's strange, I'll do anything."
Suddenly, the room flickered. The lights dimmed. Liang blinked, feeling dizzy.
When he looked again, everything was different.
Liang opened his eyes.
He was no longer in his apartment. Instead, he stood in a strange forest. The sky was dark, filled with stars he'd never seen before.
"Where am I?" he whispered.
A voice behind him made him jump. "Liang?"
He spun around. There she was—Ying Yue. But she looked different. Her clothes were strange, like they belonged to another world.
"Ying Yue? How... how did you get here?"
She looked at him with a strange smile. "I came too. Just like you."
Liang stared. "What do you mean? You came through the same thing I did? That's impossible."
She nodded. "It's not impossible. We're connected. I've always known it. I followed you because I needed to be with you—no matter where you go."
Liang stepped back. "This isn't real. This has to be some dream."
Ying Yue's eyes softened. "No, Liang. It's real. We're really here. I've come for you, because I won't let you go."
Liang looked around. The forest stretched endlessly. Everything was strange and unfamiliar.
He took a deep breath. "Okay. If we're really here, then what now?"
Ying Yue reached out her hand. "Now, we find a way back. Or maybe… maybe we find a new life here."
Liang hesitated. He was a realist. This was crazy. But somehow, he felt he had no choice but to follow her.
"Fine..," he said finally. "Let's see where this takes us."
Ying Yue smiled. "Good. I'll never leave you."
Liang looked at her, feeling both scared and curious. He didn't know what this new world held. But one thing was certain—his life was about to change forever.