Chapter 1: Introduction
The wind was cold that day.
Dust drifted through the streets of Black Stone City as merchants shouted, children laughed, and horses pulled expensive carriages through the crowded roads.
The city was alive.
But not for everyone.
At the edge of the street, beside a broken wall stained with dirt and old rainwater, sat two children.
One was a boy around eleven years old.
His hair was messy, his face was covered in dirt, and his clothes were so torn that they barely covered his body.
His name was Xiao Chen.
Beside him sat a little girl no older than five.
Her face was pale.
Her lips were dry.
Her small body trembled weakly from hunger.
She wore an oversized robe that Xiao Chen had found and wrapped around her to keep her warm.
Her name was Xiao Mei.
She leaned against the wall with weak eyes.
"Brother..."
Her voice was so soft that it was almost impossible to hear.
Xiao Chen quickly turned toward her.
"What is it?"
Xiao Mei slowly lowered her head and held her stomach.
"I am hungry..."
The moment he heard those words, Xiao Chen felt like someone had stabbed a knife into his chest.
They had not eaten in two days.
For the past few days, Xiao Chen had gone around the city begging for scraps of food, but most people either ignored him or chased him away.
He looked at Xiao Mei's weak face and forced out a smile.
"Wait here," he said softly. "Brother will get food for you."
Xiao Mei gave a tiny nod.
Xiao Chen slowly stood up.
His legs felt weak.
His stomach hurt from hunger.
But he could not stop.
He looked around desperately.
Then he saw a fat man walking down the street.
The man wore expensive robes, golden rings, and soft leather shoes.
In his hand was a half-eaten meat bun.
Xiao Chen's eyes lit up instantly.
That bun was enough.
Even if it was only half, it was enough.
Without hesitation, Xiao Chen ran toward the man.
"Sir!"
The man frowned as Xiao Chen grabbed tightly onto his leg.
"Sir, please..."
Xiao Chen looked up at him with pleading eyes.
"Please give us something to eat. My little sister is starving. She has not eaten in days."
The man looked down at the dirty boy holding onto his robes.
For a moment, Xiao Chen thought the man would help.
Instead, the man's face twisted with disgust.
"You little filth," the man spat. "You ruined my appetite."
Before Xiao Chen could react, the man threw the half-eaten bun onto the dirty ground.
Then he stepped on it.
Crunch.
The bun was crushed into the mud beneath his shoe.
Xiao Chen froze.
His eyes stared at the ruined food.
That bun could have saved Xiao Mei.
"Please..."
His voice trembled.
"Please do not do this..."
The man's eyes turned cold.
"Let go of me, filthy animal!"
Before Xiao Chen could even speak again, the man lifted his leg and kicked him hard across the face.
Pain exploded through Xiao Chen's cheek.
His small body flew backward before crashing onto the ground.
People nearby only glanced over for a moment before walking away.
No one helped.
No one cared.
Xiao Chen slowly pushed himself up.
Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth.
His cheek burned with pain.
But he did not care.
The only thing in his mind was Xiao Mei.
He quickly stumbled back toward the wall.
"Xiao Mei!"
The little girl was still sitting there.
But her eyes were slowly closing.
Her breathing had become so weak that it was barely there.
Xiao Chen dropped to his knees and quickly pulled her into his arms.
"Xiao Mei, look at me."
The little girl slowly opened her eyes.
They were watery and weak.
"Brother..."
Her voice was tiny.
It sounded like it could disappear at any moment.
Xiao Chen held her tightly.
Tears filled his eyes.
"I am sorry," he said, his voice shaking. "I am sorry. I will beg more. I promise I will find food. Just do not sleep. You are going to be okay."
Xiao Mei looked up at him quietly.
Her small body felt colder and colder in his arms.
She was only five years old.
She had not even gotten the chance to truly see the world.
She had never worn beautiful clothes.
She had never eaten delicious food.
She had never slept in a warm bed.
She had never had toys.
All she had ever known was hunger, cold, and pain.
Her tiny hand slowly reached up and touched Xiao Chen's face.
"Brother... do not cry..."
The moment Xiao Chen heard those words, his heart broke.
He hugged her even tighter.
"I am here," he whispered. "I am here."
Xiao Mei weakly leaned against his chest.
Her small fingers slowly loosened around his clothes.
"Brother..."
Her voice became softer and softer.
"I am not hungry anymore..."
Then her eyes slowly closed.
Her hand fell limply.
And her body stopped moving.
Xiao Chen froze.
For a moment, he could not breathe.
"Xiao Mei?"
He gently shook her.
"Xiao Mei, wake up."
No response.
"Xiao Mei..."
His lips trembled.
He gently tapped her small face.
"Do not sleep... please do not sleep..."
But she never answered.
Her tiny body had already gone cold in his arms.
The world around Xiao Chen suddenly became silent.
He could not hear the people.
He could not hear the merchants.
He could not hear the horses.
The only thing he could see was the lifeless little girl in his arms.
Then a heartbreaking scream burst from his mouth.
"XIAO MEI!"
Tears poured endlessly from his eyes.
He held her small body tightly against his chest as his entire world shattered.
And at that moment...
Hatred was born inside Xiao Chen's heart.