BAD ENDING : Burned to Ashes

In the room engulfed by flames, the crackling of burning materials echoed like the grim reaper’s call in the ears of those present.

Yet, the most endangered person refused to leave.

The man leaning against the wall, head bowed in despair, accused the women of their past actions.

Each word was a cry of anguish.

“I know I shouldn’t have ended things with you like that. I should have let you know the truth.”

“But didn’t we resolve this on the show? Why, after the show ended and my company grew, did you do this to me?”

“Don’t say it’s out of love. A cage in the name of love is still a cage.”

Fang Zhou’s voice was hoarse, his speech halting, as if the smoke had made speaking difficult.

The women’s hearts ached at his words.

They knew their actions were excessive, overstepping boundaries.

But they couldn’t help it.

The thought of never being with Fang Zhou was unbearable, extinguishing all reason, leaving only one emotion: to keep him, by any means necessary.

“Fang Zhou…”

“Shut up! Don’t speak!”

“Don’t apologize or say sorry; I don’t want to hear it!”

“Broken wings don’t regrow with a hunter’s apology.”

Qin Yun began to speak but was silenced by Fang Zhou’s firm rejection.

Smoke and fire enveloped the room, the heat suffocating everyone.

Sweat and tears mingled on their cheeks, and Chu Xinran sobbed, regretting her actions.

She never imagined the once gentle Fang Zhou, who indulged her whims, would defend his dignity so fiercely in such dire circumstances.

Had she known, she wouldn’t have conspired with Qiao Sisi to deceive him into the sea.

At least she wouldn’t drive the man she loved to seek death…

Now she understood how her family and friends felt when she harmed herself…

The shot she fired in her youth hit her now, painful and profound.

But there’s no remedy for regret.

Even the usually composed Qin Yun was shaken by Fang Zhou’s words, her mind buzzing as if ants were gnawing at her, causing intense pain.

Her hands trembled, reaching to help him, but he rebuffed her.

She realized Fang Zhou had regained his memory, but what horrors had he endured to break his indomitable spirit?

As a fellow sufferer, Qin Yun could guess.

What she’d buried in her heart, Han Xi had likely enacted.

A cornered rabbit fights back, and Fang Zhou was no different.

Once he set his mind, he never turned back.

Rescuing him would be difficult.

His voice, tinged with despair, said, “Go back; don’t try to save someone bent on dying.”

Qiao Sisi quickly interjected, “What about your sister? She’s still in the hospital!”

Fang Zhou’s lifelong wish was to see his sister healthy and normal.

In his darkest moments, only Fang Wenjing could save him.

Qiao Sisi, reflecting on her actions, realized he wouldn’t listen to apologies, so she tried to awaken hope.

Whether by deceit or persuasion, she needed to get him out.

But this time, even the sister card failed.

Fang Zhou laughed maniacally, like a moth to a flame, his laughter growing louder.

“Hahaha!”

“As for my sister, she’ll probably blame me for being useless… but it’s okay, as long as she’s alive, let her blame me.”

“I’m tired. Tell her I’ll be her brother in the next life.”

His final words seemed a curse, as he slid to the floor, motionless.

Beside him, burning sheets caught his clothes.

As his voice faded, a wardrobe collapsed, blocking the women’s path.

The burning curtains fell, igniting the wooden wardrobe, intensifying the fire.

“Ah!”

“Careful! Fang Zhou!”

Screams and shouts erupted, the women retreating in panic, fear spreading, casting a deathly pall over the room.

“Move aside!”

Han Xi stepped forward, using her extinguisher, the white mist reducing the flames.

But it was a losing battle; the room’s combustibles were too many, the wardrobe extinguished, but other items burned.

As they reached Fang Zhou, their condition was dire.

Carbon monoxide poisoning left them weak, minds sluggish.

Qin Yun’s hand fell short of touching him, landing on the floor.

Qiao Sisi, struck by a lamp, lost consciousness.

Chu Xinran, crossing the wardrobe, lost control, hitting the wall and fainting.

Only Han Xi, wearing a gas mask, reached Fang Zhou.

Her vision blurred, she saw a burning figure, unresponsive.

Tears streaming, she tried to extinguish the flames with her hands, blistering from the heat, ignoring the pain.

As the fire subsided, she removed her mask, trying to place it on him.

But as she did, smoke filled her lungs, suffocating her, rendering her unconscious.

Downstairs, security fought the fire with small extinguishers, panicked people fleeing, the cold wind fanning the flames.

As if saying, “Burn it all! Let it all burn!”

TLN : its still continue.