As I stepped out of the hospital, the sky had just cleared.

The post-rain sun felt like the season’s most radiant girl—chasing away the chill, gifting the world light and rainbows.

Yet my heart remained heavy beneath the brightening sky.

My mind replayed every word Blue Excellence’s father had murmured in the hallway before I left:

“He was diagnosed with thalassemia as a child. Mild at first… but it worsened these past few years.”

“He dreamed of seeing the world beyond this city. I just wanted him to live like any ordinary kid—go to school, maybe even get into a top university to make the family proud.”

“Now I realize… only failures pin their hopes on the next generation to change their fate.”

“The stomach bleeding… he can’t eat solid food. Daily treatments cost thousands. We’ve borrowed from every relative we have, but…”

“The doctor says he has at most half a month left.”

Wearing the flat-brimmed cap Blue Excellence had insisted I take—supposedly pure French import—I headed to the rendezvous spot outside the hospital where 043 waited.

The cap felt premium, stylish, adorned with two red hearts like those street dancers often wore.

A gift from a boy facing death yet chasing his dreams. To me, it outweighed any treasure.

“043,” I murmured on our walk home, “what’s the point of living?”

From the corner of my eye, I saw 043’s shoulders stiffen slightly.

“Speak freely. I’m no delicate lady. Di and the others were just going through the motions.”

Compared to me—a nobody with minor coding skills—I knew a professional sniper like 043 carried deeper scars.

043 shook his head. “Luo Wei wants you at the entertainment complex.”

“Luo Wei?” The image of that impeccably suited, card-playing playboy flashed in my mind. “What does he want? I don’t even know how to gamble.”

“He said it’s just an invitation. Your choice.”

043’s tone stayed flat.

“Hmm…” I weighed it briefly. “Fine. I’ll go.”

I had nothing better to do anyway.

I needed to relearn this world.

I’d mastered *doing*—now I had to learn *being*. From those who danced closest to darkness.

First, be human. Then, act.

That truth held everywhere.

The entertainment complex buzzed far louder than last time when Di brought me here.

043 melted away instantly—likely wary of his boss Luo Wei.

Strange. No holiday today. Where did all these people come from?

The first floor throbbed with arcade machines and sports simulators. Boys straddled violent-looking motorbikes, punched boxing dummies, and slammed buttons on fighting games.

As one of few girls here—and unaccompanied—I drew hungry stares. Whispers crackled like static.

“Hey, cutie. Flying solo?”

“Wanna hang with us? Free fun!”

Three guys blocked my path within seconds. I waved them off gently. “Sorry. Meeting someone.”

This was the girl’s curse.

Boys could walk through places like this unnoticed unless they acted loud. But a girl? Especially one not ugly? She became prey for trash like this.

“Don’t be like that,” one sneered, stepping closer, cigarette dangling. “People to find anytime. We’re only here today. I’m tight with the owner—name your game.”

*Do I really look that bored?* I glanced down at my neutral-toned clothes. “I’m busy. Maybe another time.”

“Whoa, whoa!” He grabbed my arm as I turned. “Who’re you meeting? Some pretty boy?”

“Yeah! Little sis, don’t you know our boss is the best-looking guy in Black Dragon Society?”

“Play nice with him, and nobody here will touch you.”

*Why must idiots exist daily?*

I shook off his grip, patience fraying. “I said I’m busy. I’ll pass.”

*Considering you’re the owner’s ‘bro,’ I’ll let it slide.*

“Stop right there.”

I kept walking.

Footsteps pounded behind me. As a hand clamped my shoulder, I spun—a spinning back kick slamming into his chest.

*Thud.*

The guy—two heads taller than me—crumpled.

“I won’t say it again. I. Don’t. Have. Time.”

Silence froze the arcade. Even distant gamers stared.

No one expected a middle-school girl to drop a grown man.

“Little sis,” the ringleader growled, checking his friend before striding toward me. He peeled off his shirt, revealing coiled muscles and a snarling black dragon tattoo. “Didn’t your daddy teach you to leave room for others?”

“Guess today’s the day I show you flowers like you how to bloom.”

*Black Dragon Society?*

I almost laughed. Long Fei mentioned they weren’t just Black Snake’s faction—branches existed citywide. But school kept me from meetings. I didn’t recognize faces from other districts.

“Apologize now, little sister,” the tattooed guy challenged, bare-chested and smirking.

I shifted into a fighting stance. No words.

“Hell yeah! I like your style—no bullshit.” He cracked his knuckles, beckoning. “Come on!”

Forward step. Slide. Feint. I blurred past his guard, pivoting behind him—two sharp kicks to his ribs.

“What—?!”

He flew backward, crashing two meters away.

The crowd gasped again.

Truth was, those kicks barely hurt him. His muscle and guard absorbed most impact. He’d fallen from surprise, not pain.

As I walked past his groaning form, he pushed himself up, eyes wide. “You’re… Yi Yao? The girl who took down seven or eight Jiangnan Gang thugs alone?”

I nodded.

“Damn! My bad, my bad!” He scrambled up, dusting off his pants—voice suddenly honeyed. “Sis Yi Yao here to see the boss?”

“Yeah.” Seeing him move to follow, I added firmly: “I’ll go alone.”

Inside the elevator, swiping my card for B1, I still heard whispers outside.

Humans never change.

Survival instinct—we just dress it in fancy lies.

“Yo, Yi Yao.”

The elevator doors opened to Luo Wei lounging elegantly at a mahjong table, cigarette smoke curling around him.

“Card Brother.” I slid into the seat beside him, grabbing a soda. “What’s up?”

“How’re those twin blades treating you?”

“Good enough.”

At least I wouldn’t slice my fingers peeling apples anymore.

“Hmm.” Luo Wei tapped ash thoughtfully. “Come here every night around nine. I’ll teach you Card Clan techniques. Deal?”

“Card Clan?” I frowned. “A martial arts sect?”

“Hah! Call it that if you like.” He flicked his cigarette into the ashtray. “Truth is, my uncle should’ve led the Card Clan. After… *that incident*… he vanished. To hide from *them*, we rebranded as Black Dragon Society. Laying low until the heat dies down.”

*This just keeps getting messier.*

“The Card Clan can die out—but its skills cannot. Ice marked you S-tier potential. Personally? I want you to join us. If not… at least master our combat arts. It’s vital.”

“What makes Card Clan fighting special?”

“Looking damn good doing it.”

Luo Wei fanned out a deck of cards. In a blur, he plucked two—leaping up, he crossed his arms, then snapped them apart, striking a dramatic pose.

“This is the base stance. Girls can soften it—details don’t matter. What counts is the cards. Remember: Card Clan members stay elegant. Always. Even in death… we stand tall.”

He flicked a red Ace of Hearts. A whisper of wind—and before I could blink, the card split cleanly midair.

“This can slice through beer bottles. Imagine it hitting flesh.”

Holding a black Ace of Spades between his fingers, Card Brother smiled. “Now… picture it’s a knife.”