Too much...EVERYTHING WAS TOO MUCH!

Wen Ning liked to believe he was a level-headed person. Able to handle everything in stride and keep going, both the good and the bad.

Right now, that is not the case. He was ten seconds away from ripping his hair out from the roots!

Everything was going wrong!

He overslept cause he stayed up all night doing a science project, then said science project was destroyed by some asshole bullies (his cousins.)

Someone spilled juice all over a paper that he spent two months on, his sister was angry at his constant failures, he was yelled at by every single one of his teachers, he forgot his medications because of his rough morning, and he was harassed left, right, and center.

Wen Ning was utterly frazzled and fragile by lunch.

He literally couldn't take anymore. His face was red, blotchy, and puffy.

He didn't have his best friend or his boyfriends, and his sister was pissed at him. Wen Ning felt completely alone and had no support at all.

Right now, the previously mentioned trio should be at lunch. All Wen Ning wanted was to curl up in his lovers' arms because right now, he felt himself spiraling.

Wen Ning became overwhelmed, with increasingly dark thoughts and unsteady breathing. Everything was darker, grainy, and suffocating. He was wound so tight a single thing could shatter him.

Wen Ning needed support, he needed love, he needed someone not to hate him, he just needed-

"-Wen Ning? Ugh, obviously we're with him because he's available and convenient. He's great in bed, so he's perfect for a quick fuck. He's got a pretty face and a kind heart, as in no brain, and is easy to use. Give him a dashing smile, and he's all yours. He's pretty useless otherwise. Nothing deep, just a toy. Why else would we be with him? Right, Lan Zhan?"

"Mm."

Not that.

He really didn't need that.

He stared, wholly crushed at his now ex-boyfriends...

They've never even done anything...why would they lie about him like that...?

"Hahahaha! What a fucking idiot!" And apparently, his ex-best friend...And frankly, that was the last straw...he needed to leave.

The boy immediately pivoted, darted out, and simply ran until he was slammed into a locker. Wen Ning's head spun at the pain, and all he could do was whimper.

"Well, well, well...if it isn't Wen Ning. Where's the little piggy running off to~?" He glared at Wen Chao angrily and his little pitbull, Wen Zhuliu.

"I'm going home."

"HA! I think you'll have a hard time getting there."

Snap.

A vicious fist was slammed into the boy's stomach, causing him to hunch over and grab it, unfortunately in range for a kick to the face that sent him flying head first down the hall stairs.

Pain flooded his every sense.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA! To think such pathetic trash is in my bloodline. Allow me to do everyone a favor and erase it!!!"

Kick after kick and stomp after stomp sent Wen Ning's nerves alight in the worst way possible.

It hurt.

It hurt so much...

Wen Ning saw Wen Chao lift his foot, probably to stomp on his head or neck and kill him.

He'll never know because a purple cord wrapped around Wen Chao's neck and flung him over the stair rail, making him plummet to the bottom. Meanwhile, Wen Zhuliu's head was smashed into the rail, knocking him out good.

"...g...ing! ...n Ning! Wen Qionglin!"

Wen Ning slowly became aware of his surroundings and finally processed Jiang Cheng.

He saved him?

Gotta admit...didn't see that coming.

"God...are you okay...?" Jiang Cheng flinched, probably realizing that was a dumb ass question. Of course, he wasn't...

"Right...Wei Ying right...I...'m useless...I...have no worth..." Wen Ning knew he was babbling but was too broken to care. "He said what...? He...I'll kick his ass, I fucking swear..." He hid Wen Ning against the lockers.

He knew Jiang Cheng couldn't carry him; he had gotten hurt the other day during his training. "Don't move! I'll get Lan Zhan!"

Teal eyes watched as blurry purple faded.

Wen Ning made a decision, and it wasn't just sitting there.

Leaning against the wall, he slowly moved to his feet. He felt several messed up ribs protest, and every inch of his body wanted to kick his ass for this. He ignored it all and ascended the stairs.

Each step was more painful than the last...But it wasn't as painful as his own mind, so he kept going.

Finally, he reached his destination. Slowly opening the door, he was met with the roof. He wondered when the rain began. He saw it mix with snow, creating a slush—quite the strange storm.

Shame...he loved snowy days...

He made the slow hobble to the railing and, dragging himself over it, he gripped the edge. Wen Ning took a moment to mentally say his goodbyes, simply remorseful that he wasn't enough...that he was never enough...and that he wasted everyone's time.

As his hands released him, he was grabbed and yanked back up. He saw a struggling Nie Huaisang.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

"Everyone a favor...I heard what you all said...you don't have to tolerate me anymore...I know it's all been an act..." He gives his former friend a kind and gentle smile. "Find your happiness, and please watch over Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian..."

"NO! WEN NING YOU CAN'T DO THIS! YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!" His friend tightened his grip, but Wen Ning wasn't having it. Shoving the boy away, he fell.

He lost his jacket in the process.

However, he apparently underestimated Nie Huaisang's determination since said boy literally jumped after him.

He grabbed Wen Ning's shirt and glared at him, determined.

But this was Wen Ning's choice, not his. Huaisang's life has meaning; it has worth. He has people who need him, and Wen Ning won't let him risk his life for nothing.

Over no one.

Utilizing the last of his strength, he launched the boy back up onto the roof while kicking himself down.

He saw the turn. Suddenly, a gold cord shot at him, similar to Jiang Cheng's.

...It didn't reach...

Between him flinging Nie Huaisang up and the force sending him down faster, it couldn't grab him.

The storm was too loud to hear him scream at Wen Ning, but he knew he was.

Thunder roared, and lightning crackled across the sky. The wind is rough and violent. Barbatos must be angry.

Turning his head, he locked eyes with two figures. Soft teal clashed with liquid silver and molten gold.

He saw their face contort into his pure horror and fear. Wei Wuxian's beautiful eyes fill with tears as he tries to run for the window only to be held back. However, Lan Wangji looks ready to go out with him. There's nothing but pain and mortification on the usually subtle canvas of Lan Wangji.

For a split second, Wen Ning thought he was wrong until he realized that anyone would be horrified at seeing someone moments before death.

It's a natural reaction, nothing more.

So he turned away and closed his eyes, waiting.

"Wei Ying...Lan Zhan...I love you. Goodbye."

He felt a horrific, unbearable pain, both mentally and physically. Then, finally, blissful silence.

It didn't last.

Wei Ying huffed and grumbled as he sat in Lan Zhan's lap, waiting for Wen Ning.

His precious baobei!

His sweet little A-Ning!

His Bun-Ning!

"Oh! That reminds me! We almost beat this dude's ass in class! He walked up to me and was like, "I understand why your f*g ass would go for Lan Wangji, but why that other pipsqueak? Like no one in school gets it. They especially don't understand why Lan Wangji would have such low standards. You both can't actually like him!" And ooh, I almost cut him!"

Lan Zhan huffed, annoyed, "Wanted to, Wei Ying said no."

"You should've cut his ass, drop his name." He laughed at Nie Huaisang's pension for murder.

"I was so annoyed, but I really wanted to fuck with the dude, so I nudged and whispered my plan to Lan Zhan. He was grumpy but went along with it," Wei Ying snickered.

"So I was like, "Wen Ning? Ugh, obviously we're with him because he's available and convenient. He's great in bed, so he's perfect for a quick fuck. He's got a pretty face and a kind heart, as in no brain, and is easy to use. Give him a dashing smile, and he's all yours. He's pretty useless otherwise. Nothing deep, just a toy. Why else would we be with him? Right, Lan Zhan?"'

Lan Zhan repeated his answer, just as disgusted as he was earlier when he said it, "Mm."

"Hahahaha! What a fucking idiot!" Nie Huaisang was in hysterics, "He actually believed that shit?!"

"He fell for it, and so I was so proud to shut him down. "Wow, you actually believed that trash? So you do just believe anything. If you really think we feel that way, then you haven't been paying attention! Our baobei is everything to us! He's brilliant, talented, and the cutest little thing ever!"'

Wei Ying literally stood on his desk to make sure everyone heard him.

'"He'd be the first to lend a hand and the last to leave to make sure everything is okay! He's amazing at everything he does when he puts his heart into it! And he flourishes when he's confident in himself! He's the best player in every activity he does! If you truly believe Wen Ning has no worth, then bitch, you don't deserve his wonderfulness since you obviously can't keep up with him."'

Nie Huaisang practically howled in pride and high-fived him excitedly. "SPEAK THAT TRUTH BITCH! YASSS GURL!"

"Lan Zhan was radiating pride in that classroom and simply said, "Couldn't have said it better." And aiyahhh~! It was a sight to behold 'cause no one said shit else!"

Lan Zhan was clearly trying to hide a smirk and settled for a proud smile. "Mhm."

Lunch went smoothly until, wheezing and obviously exhausted, Jiang Cheng burst in limping.

"WHAT HAPPENED?!" Wei Ying was on his feet in seconds and rushed to him with Lan Zhan and Nie Huaisang not far behind.

He tried to help, but Jiang Cheng yanked Wei Ying to him by his collar, "WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU SAY ABOUT WEN QIONGLIN, WEI WUXIAN?!"

"What are you-!?"

"WHY DID YOU CALL HIM "USELESS?!"' That was all Nie Huaisang needed to hear before he slipped out unnoticed.

"I WOULD NEVER CALL MY BAOBEI THAT! WHO DO I LOOK LIKE, JIN ZIXUAN?!" He was thrown, but Lan Zhan caught him and growled.

Jiang Cheng refused to back down. "HE WAS BEATEN BRUTALLY IN THE HALLWAY AND BABBLING ABOUT YOU BEING RIGHT! THAT HE WAS USELESS, WORTHLESS! HE SAID YOUR NAME SPECIFICALLY! WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"

It hit Wei Ying like a ton of bricks, "He...He misheard me...! I was telling Nie Huaisang about an incident...he must've come in at the wrong part...wait-WHO THE FUCK ATTACKED HIM!?"

A scream was heard from somewhere in the hall, "SOMEONE'S ABOUT TO JUMP OFF THE ROOF!"

At that moment, something rapidly passed by the window, and they took the fuck off, terrified it was Wen Ning.

And, they realized it was...For as they ran, Wei Ying and Lan Zhan looked out the window and locked eyes with Wen Ning...

He did jump...

"WEN NING!" Wei Ying darted for the window, not giving a shit about the consequences, but was held back by a shaking Lan Zhan, who pulled him the rest of the way out as a sickening, squelchy THUD and CRACK was heard outside.

A gut-wrenching, ear-piercing scream was followed by it. The person was in fucking hysterics, and he couldn't blame them.

They made it outside and saw that Wen Ning landed a mere inch in front of...Wen Qing.

She just saw her baby brother die in front of her and was soaked in his blood...

She passed out, barely caught by a shaking Jiang Cheng, but Wei Ying barely noticed cause he flipped his fucking shit.

"WEN NING! WEN NING!!!! BAOBEI, WAKE UP! DON'T FUCKING DO THIS TO ME! WAKE UP! WAKE UP! NO NO NO! THIS IS ALL MY FAULT! I'M SO SORRY...I'm so sorry. Please come back, my baobei...don't leave us...don't leave us..." He sobbed in a complete breakdown and rocked with Wen Ning in his arms.

Lan Zhan fell to his knees, tears endlessly streaming down his cheeks. He was shaking and trembling, biting his lips bloody, trying not to scream. Trying to be strong for Wei Ying as he held him.

He could only try and hold on...be strong...

"CALL AN AMBULANCE! HIS HEAD IS BLEEDING!"

Snapping his head back, Jiang Cheng saw a boy stumbling down the stairs.

Nie Huaisang...

Gently laying Wen Qing down, Jiang Cheng ran to Nie Huaisang, who was soaked to the bone with his lips blue. He was shaking, and his hair was matted with blood. He was holding Wen Ning's...jacket...he was there?!

"I...failed..." He passed out, and Jiang Cheng fell to his knees, holding him. He focused on keeping the boy alive...

He couldn't lose someone else...he just couldn't...

Glancing at Wen Ning's body, he forced himself not to break. He had to keep it together...

He had to for them.

Wen Ning felt his senses slowly return to him, but he felt no pain.

Slowly opening his eyes, Wen Ning couldn't see anything. Everything was blurry, and he whimpered, afraid.

"Oh, here you go, dear!" Something slid on his face. Opening his eyes again, everything was clear.

They must've been glasses...but Wen Ning never needed glasses, so why...?

"Don't worry, dear, it gets everyone at first. This is pretty standard! Every reaper needs glasses."

"Reaper...? I don't..."

He was pulled to his feet and finally took in the person. They were quite pretty.

They had long red hair, bright green eyes, red glasses, silver skull earrings, a terrifyingly sharp smile, white button down, candy cane colored bow, brown vest with a black collar, black slacks with a chain hanging from it, red coat, black gloves, and rocking red and black heeled boots.

"My name is Grelle Sutcliff, darling! Pleased to meet you! I am one of your mentors!" Wen Ning shook her outstretched hands.

"I-I'm Wen Qionglin...I-I still don't quite..."

"Allow me to clarify for you then." Jumping startled, Wen Ning finally noticed the other person in the room.

His face was colder than Lan Zhan's but had the same silent fury.

He had side-slicked hair, bright green eyes, white and black glasses, a typical black suit right down to the business shoes, and black gloves. He looked like a butler, truthfully.

"Oh, William, stop being so cold!"

"Enough, now listen. Due to the act of taking your own life, you have been turned into a grim reaper. If you follow the rules and do well, then you will be forgiven and allowed to do what you wish with your life. Break the rules, and you shall be punished."

Blunt, to the point, and very frosty. Wen Ning gets the feeling he doesn't like him much.

"My name is William T. Spears. I am your other mentor." He glared at Grelle, "Get him ready."

He left, slamming the door behind him and making Wen Ning flinch, looking down.

He's been here 5 minutes and is already despised. "Don't mind him, darling, he's always grumpy. Now, let's get you dressed for the day."

He was taken to the most massive closet he'd ever seen. "Let's mix and match, ya!" Chuckling, he let himself be shoved inside, and by the time he stepped out, he felt...different.

He wore a black swallowtail strap-buckle sleeveless blazer vest, apparently from the steampunk section, a grey button down with sleeves underneath it, black wide-leg slacks, black and gold heeled boots with a Nie symbol on the side, white gloves with a Lan cloud symbol on the outside, and white glasses with a Wen sun symbol on the outside of each side.

He also learned that he, too, had bright green eyes. Apparently, it's a reaper thing, along with blindness. He was told to pick a pocket watch and chose a black watch with a red symbol on the side that he recognized for some reason.

Wen Ning was physically ready, but in every other aspect, he was a mess. Despite that, he let himself be pulled away without a fuss.

He saw an unimpressed William give a small nod of approval.

"You will need a weapon, practice, and to undergo training. When you pass your tests, you will officially be a reaper."

Wen Ning nodded in understanding, "Yes, sir." William looked at Grelle tiredly. "I wish you were this obedient."

"Never happening, handsome~!" William sighed in resignation; clearly, he already knew that.

"Let's begin."

In the hospital, three people sat beside two sleeping patients.

One was beginning to stir, honey eyes slowly open, groggy and unfocused. Then, they become sharp, and fear fills them as they snap around the room.

Horror and realization shadowed the boy's face as the truth became obvious...

It was all real.

He...just lost his best friend...the person that meant everything to him...over a mistake, and he failed to save him.

"I-I...I was so...close...I was so close...I had him..." He had him in his hands...how could he...?

A sob was wrenched from his body as he screamed in sheer anguish. "WEN NING!!!! YOU SON OF A BITCH! WHY DIDN'T YOU TALK TO ME!? TO US?! WHY-" He choked violently on a sob and wheezed. "-Why didn't you give us a chance...?"

He curled in on himself, a heartbroken mess. All he could do was cry.

Suddenly, he found himself in a warm chest and simply clung to them like a lifeline.

"Breathe...breathe...you're not alone..." He couldn't say, "it will be okay," because that's a blatant lie. None of this was okay...

None of them would be okay...

"I could've saved him...if I just held on, I could've..." No...

"Huaisang, no...don't do that to yourself...you will never come back from that...don't go there..."

He held him closer and rocked him.

Suddenly, hands gripped his collar and yanked him down. He saw fierce, borderline glowing honey eyes glare at him.

"Who. Hurt. Him?"

Ice-cold fear washed over him as those eyes cut into him. He couldn't say a word.

Nie Huaisang didn't like that.

"Either say it, or I'll rip it out of you bit by bit."

He nearly whimpered, "W-en...Chao and Wen Zhuliu..."

After a minute, those eyes softened, and he nodded. "Sorry..."

Jiang Cheng was gently let go and scrambled back into his seat, trying to process what the hell had just happened.

'You're fine. You're okay...you're fine, Jiang Cheng... You have to stay strong.'

He took a deep breath and nodded, sitting back by Nie Huaisang and holding him.

The door opened as two frantic older brothers ran in.

Nie Mingjue gently pulled Jiang Cheng away and pulled Nie Huaisang in his arms, worried. "I'm so sorry...I'm so sorry Nie Huaisang..."

Lan Xichen held his practically catatonic little brother and tried to bring him back.

He slowly did, only for the young man to see blood on his shoes and rip them off of his feet, scratching himself harshly in the process.

He was hyperventilating, then retching, then bolting to the bathroom and throwing up with Lan Xichen holding back his hair.

It seemed the dam was finally breaking.

Jiang Cheng turned to the completely broken, withdrawn, and beyond-catatonic boy beside him. Wei Ying hasn't moved a muscle or made a sound since they entered.

It's petrifying.

A soft voice filled the room.

"He's truly gone...isn't he...?"

All remaining eyes turned to the voice, even Wei Ying, which was a relief.

It was Wen Qing who must've woken up during the chaos.

"My...my didi...my sweet Wen Ning...And his last memory was of me angry with him over bullshit..." Tears slipped down her face as she quietly wept.

Wei Ying let tears slip down his face as he curled in on himself.

Jiang Cheng's never seen him so...empty.

The sky was dim. The room was cold.

Nothing seemed bright anymore.

Their sun was gone.

Wen Ning was defeated and crushed. He fucking ended himself to be free of failing people, but even in the afterlife, he ruins everything.

He has tried every weapon available, and he STILL can't do it!

However, even through his many failures, Grelle was patient with him. She never let him give up on himself...

He wishes he knew her when he was alive...

"Maybe the issue isn't so much you, but just these styles of weapons. I've been taking a look at the records of your lives."

Lives? As in more than one?

"You seem to be more proficient in long-distance weapons. We don't exactly have a bow and arrow or witch staff, but we do have something you can modify! A weapon you were also proficient in."

A red blur rushes past him, and he's left in confusion.

He sighed and shuffled to his feet, stretching. It's a good thing Wen Ning never tired quickly. Well mentally...

Despite his calm demeanor and pathetic body, he was always a little battery.

A teal gaze shifted to the high and enormous parts of the obstacle course. Grelle told him to take it slow, so she restricted him to the ground.

But....she's not here now, is she...?

Getting an impish smile, he grabs a bo staff and runs. He launches himself high in the air, using it as a pole vault.

He lands on the trampoline in the center and soars. Wen Ning never felt so free.

His hair whipped around him as he twirled in the air.

The gold on the bottom of his boots glowed, and he could run up one of the faux buildings. Grinning, he took off, jumping and flipping from building to building, sliding down them, and kicking off to launch across the room.

As he ran up, something caused a whole bunch of stuff to fall down at him. Using his arms to shield his head, he ran up, evading everything, but there were some things even he couldn't dodge. That's when his gloves helped him out with a blue glow, shielding him as he ran up.

A faint glow from his glasses shimmered before everything became sharper. It was only then that he noticed a figure running away.

Narrowing his eyes, he pursued them immediately. "GET BACK HERE!"

The person was fast, but Wen Ning was more agile and easily caught up to them.

He swung the staff, but they ducked and slid out under it. The fight was far too fast for him to see their face.

They were swift and limber, but Grelle's first lesson was hand-to-hand and bo training.

Wen Ning has always been able to pick stuff up quicker and was at his best when he didn't think.

It also helped that Jiang Cheng, Nie Mingjue, and Wei Wuxian trained him occasionally over their years together.

Just because he never used the skills didn't mean they weren't there.

Bo versus an extended tree pruner...? Interesting...

It also helped that he knew extensive anatomy thanks to his sister soooo, he swiftly jabbed at their pressure points, disarming them.

Swiping their feet from under them, he knocked them down harder with the staff and pointed it warningly at their face.

It was only then that he noticed...William?!

Every drop of color drained from his body.

"I-I-I-I-SO-NO-UM-PLEASE DON'T-OH MY..." He was trying not to faint.

"THAT WAS INCREDIBLE!" Both turned and saw a sparkling Grelle rushing to them.

"YOU LOOKED LIKE A SUPERHERO RIGHT FROM A COMIC BOOK!" She nearly tackled him and was positively animated.

"HOW DID YOU DO THAT!?" He blushed hard and became a stammering mess.

"Grelle, settle down; let's give him a minute and get back to the ground. I believe you finally found a suitable weapon?"

"Yes, sir Williammmmmmmm~!" She had hearts floating around her, and Wen Ning giggled at her antics.

William rolled his eyes, but Wen Ning saw a ghost of a smile—practice from Lan Wangji.

Now that he thought about it, he realized why they made him so...comfortable...

A sad smile formed on his lips.

It seems Grelle noticed his change in mood. She jumped in his arms, and he caught her yelping. "TO THE GROUND, MINION!"

Wen Ning laughed and did as instructed. Jumping off the building, they flew very high. So high Wen Ning had to curl in his legs as they went through the space between the light and ceiling and plummeted to the ground.

His boots lit up again, releasing a pulse when he was close enough to the ground. They bounce, and he twirls, landing like an ice skater on the ground.

"Huh, who knew Yuri on Ice dates would come in handy...?"

He set Grelle down on her feet, and she stumbled, looking at him amazed and excitedly.

"We haven't had someone unique like you in forever!"

William caught up to them and huffed, fixing his hair. "I agree. However, that doesn't change the fact that you shouldn't be here..."

Why the fuck was this man so bitter to him!?

"William. Enough." Both of them flinched at the venom in her voice.

"Fine." They followed her to a table with two strange black handles.

"Pick them up."

Looking at her, he nodded and grabbed both handles. A purple Yunmeng Jiang symbol formed on it and out shot two purple whips.

"Perfect! Now, these whips respond to what you need at the moment. Watch."

Grelle brought out a cut-out of a civilian. "Save them."

Bringing out a gun, Grelle shot at the cutout.

Instinctively, Wen Ning swung the whip, but it glowed and changed. Suddenly, the whip was no longer a standard whip, but it crackled and buzzed with purple electricity. As soon as it cracked and hit the bullet, it fizzled and burst into ash.

However, that's not what shocked Wen Ning; no, what shocked him was that he had successfully saved them! He finally found his weapon.

"PERFECT! I KNEW WE'D FIND THE ONE!" Grelle cheered and hugged him happily, which he gratefully returned.

Wen Ning finally felt ready to truly take on his reaper responsibilities.

Only then did the training begin, and it felt like it flew. With his previous fighting experience, he could pick up everything quickly. Ironically, he hasn't felt this alive in a very long time.

"HOW COULD YOU LOSE MY BROTHER'S BODY?! WHERE IS MY WEN NING?!"

The mortician looked guilty, knowing he couldn't soothe the poor woman. "For some reason, morgues have been constantly missing suicide victims...it's not just you; it's a huge issue we can't seem to solve."

"So what excuse do you tell grieving families?!"

Flinching, the mortician looked away, "Typically, they give the families fake ashes and move on, but...I couldn't lie to you...it's not right..."

All of them had a look of pure disgust and disdain. Wen Qing couldn't even stand it. Everything was just too much for her...too overwhelming.

She lost her sun, her light, her didi...and now she couldn't even give him the respect he deserved in the afterlife.

Wen Qing has never felt so miserable...the only thing tying her to this shitty planet was Lan Sizhui. He couldn't lose most of his remaining family in one week.

Yet...how can she bear to hear him ask again and again, "When is Ning-Shushu coming home...?"

It's just not something she can handle anymore. There's only so long a person can be brave.

Why wasn't she there for him? Why didn't she protect him? Why did she yell at him...? He died...and his last memory was of her being furious with him over something so...so...unimportant! So absurd...

Wen Qing is reaching her limit.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The door was nearly taken off the hinges as a figure burst into the dark room. "HUAISANG?!"

"NO, NO, NO, NO COME BACK! STOP! NO WEN NING PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!"

The boy was moving like he was fighting and about to fall off of the bed. He was screaming and sobbing and covered in bloody scratches from injuring himself in his sleep.

Rushing to the boy, the man dove and caught him as he fell. He pulled him in his lap and held him. "Huaisang...wake up...it's a nightmare...come back to me...come back."

The boy awoke with a gasp and a sob wrenched from his chest.

"Wen Ning!" He darted his head from side to side and dove for his phone, but his brother was faster. "He's gone, Huaisang..."

"NO! HE'S ALIVE! HE'S FINE! JUST LET ME-!" He was cut off by his brother, holding him tighter.

The young boy shook and wheezed before breaking down into heart-wrenching weeps and sobs.

He truly was gone. His best friend...just gone. The one time Huaisang wasn't overly observant. All because he misheard a conversation. All because Nie Huaisang wasn't faster. All because he didn't hold on tighter.

He's gone because of him.

And he died believing he was alone and unloved by the people who were supposed to cherish and uplift him.

He failed him.

Nie Huaisang didn't deserve to live.

SMASH!

"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU KILLED THAT BOY, YOU MONSTER!"

"ENOUGH! STOP IT!" A man shoved the woman back as his son sobbed on the ground, utterly broken.

"HOW CAN YOU DEFEND THIS TRASH!? HE KILLED THAT INNOCENT BOY!"

"HE DID NO SUCH THING! That poor boy came at the wrong time while already in a bad place. IF YOU WANT TO BLAME SOMEONE, PUT THE BLAME WHERE IT BELONGS!"

"I AM! I'M PUTTING ON THAT BEAST! THAT HELLSPAWN! HE RUINS EVERYTHING HE TOUCHES! AND NOW HE'S A MURDERER!"

The man has had enough of his wife's insolence. "Get. Out."

She stared at him, enraged. "Excuse me?"

The man poured every ounce of venom he could into his voice. "Get...THE HELL OUT OF MY HOUSE!"

That sent the woman over the edge, and she charged at Wei Ying, ready to attack him. A body flew protectively over the sobbing boy as a whip was brought down brutally.

Jiang Cheng.

A cord wrapped around her neck and yanked her back. The whip landed a mere centimeter from his protector's face and broke the floor.

"Don't you dare lay a hand on my children. We're done." Jiang Fengmian dragged her out of the room coldly.

Both children were left shaking and traumatized on the ground. Jiang Cheng looked at a pale, in-shock Wei Ying. "You didn't kill him, Wei Ying. Please don't listen to her! You didn't!"

"I...I did..." The only thing registering, echoing in his mind, was, "You killed him, you monster..." Then he heard nothing at all.

"Lan Zhan! Lan Zhan! Please, you have to eat! Lan Zhan, open the door!" Banging was heard on the door, but the teen refused to move, get up, and live while his lov-former lover could not.

He couldn't eat anymore all because of him.

He didn't say anything. He didn't interfere. He didn't notice him at the door. He wasn't fast enough. Hewasn'tHewasn'tHewasn'tHewasn'tHewasn'tHewasn'tHewasn'tHewasn't-!

What he was was a failure.

His stomach growled, his head hurt, and he felt weak and dizzy. He was tired...so so so very tired. But he couldn't sleep. His last memory of Wen Ning as he fell haunted his mind.

The look on his face, the injuries, the tears, the blood, everything...

He just wanted to be with Wen Ning. He couldn't live without him. How could he?

His heart was incomplete.

However, Lan Zhan understood Wen Ning at that moment...he wanted to die.

William pulled Grelle aside while Wen Ning was training.

"This is what I was afraid of." He showed Grelle his list, and new names were appearing.

"Well...we'll use this to teach him something new. Our lives as reapers are filled with us hurting rather than helping. This is our chance to do something good for once."

Frowning, he looked at the woman, "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying it's time to break some damn rules, for the right reasons this time, and make a change. Are you with me?"

This was insane. This was a horrible idea that could get them in monumental trouble.

And yet...

He looked at the boy, who was mixed with elation and great misery—the heartbreak and mourning on his face.

Then, to the woman who truly has changed for the better in recent years. He felt a swell of pride.

"Okay...let's do it." A mischievous, sharp shark tooth grin split his darling's face as emerald eyes twinkled.

"This'll be fun."