Chapitre 1: Seven men in her room
Qiping City, 8 pm.
The vibrant city unfolded before the luxurious hotel, bustling with people and cars crowding the streets. Within the confines of the hotel room, a woman with flowing black hair reclined on a plush sofa.
The room exuded tranquility, bathed in the gentle glow of soft lights, creating a warm and serene atmosphere. The lady looked calm with her eyes closed, enjoying a peaceful moment away from the bustling city outside.
However, that peacefulness didn't last.
"Are you just gonna lay there?"
Han Xuexin, who was about to succumb to her sleepiness, reluctantly opened her eyes.
"What took you so long?" She asked as she straightened herself from lying on the chair and rubbed her eyes. "If I'd known I'd have to wait for an hour for your ass, I would have just gone home myself."
When she checked her watch, it was quarter past eight o'clock. They had just finished a book launch and were in the Bliss Hotel's Function Hall. Han Xuexin, who hadn't gotten much sleep the night before, couldn't help but close her eyes as she waited for her Editor, Xu Yan.
"I had to finish some matters, Princess," The woman in front of her responded with a hint of sarcasm. Han Xuexin couldn't help but roll her eyes when she heard that nickname again.
She grabbed her bag, and both tackled the path towards the parking area of the hotel.
"It's quarter to eight, and you're already about to pass out. You better be spending your time writing your next book and not watching any drama series once again," Xu Yan stated.
"I just finished a book launch; can you spare me from your scolding for the moment Xu Yan?" Han Xuexin stressed as she got inside Xu Yan's car.
"I'm not scolding you. As an Editor, I had to follow up with your works. But I can't do that because you haven't written anything new as of now."
"I'm not in my best shape right now; I can't think of any plot."
"You have been telling me that reason for almost a month now. How can you be in good shape if you've been staying up all night? I can tell by the bags under your eyes that you haven't slept in at least a week."
"Hey," Han Xuexin exclaimed as she checked herself in the rearview mirror of the car, and she couldn't help but scowl when she saw how dark her under-eye is.
"I'm simply a little apprehensive about beginning the sequel of the villains because I've already forgotten the previous books, but I'll try to work on it."
"Then reread it, Gosh Han Xuexin, your readers are waiting for those sequels."
Han Xuexin nodded. 'Tales of Heart' is the book she just released recently. She knows that what Xu Yan has been doing is for her own good, but she really couldn't come up with a new story.
As she approaches her 25th birthday next month, Han Xuexin finds herself questioning the choices she's made in life.
A growing sense of something missing within her leaves her struggling to conceive a new novel.
This feeling of detachment from reality has been amplified for Han Xuexin. At the tender age of 17, she learned independence in the face of her mother's passing. Though challenging initially, she gained control of her life, especially as her written works started gaining traction and sales.
Having authored ten successful books that significantly contribute to her income, Han Xuexin recognizes her achievements. However, despite this apparent success, a lingering sense of unhappiness looms over her. As a result, she has turned to binge-watching drama series for almost a month, seeking an escape from reality.
"After I finished the sequels, I want to take a break from writing." She stated as she looked at the passing cars by the window.
"Talk to me about that once you've finished writing the sequel," Han Xuexin rolled her eyes with what Xu Yan said.
"Just drop me off at the convenience store."
Xu Yan looked at her trying to gauge her expression before nodding.
Just like what Han Xuexin said, Xu Yan dropped her off at the convenience store just next to her apartment. She bid her goodbye at Xu Yan and she was once again reminded to start writing the sequel.
"Xu Yan, at this point those words are already engraved in my brain." Han Xuexin exclaimed.
"Yet you still won't start."
"Just go already," Han Xuexin bid her goodbye once more and entered the convenience store.
She went around buying some snacks and some cans of alcohol.
After that, it didn't take her long before she got to the complex of her apartment which was on the 11th floor.
"That's weird," Han Xuexin mumbled, and her eyebrows furrowed.
"I'm sure I locked the door before I left," She muttered as she stared at the door handle that she just opened without entering the key.
She simply brushed it off and entered her apartment.
However, the next moment, the bags of groceries that were on her hand fell to the floor as her eyes roamed inside her living room.
There were six men sitting on her small set of sofas.
Han Xuexin struggled to form her words as she
asked in a quavering voice, "Wh—what—who are you?"
"Are you Celestial Snow?" One of the men asked.
Before she could answer, she felt a presence at her back. Just as she was about to take a step back and run outside her apartment, she heard a click.
Han Xuexin looked behind her only to see the door closed by another man wearing an all-black outfit with a hood.
'Is this some kind of a cult?'
She couldn't help but think so as her eyes shifted from one person to another.
"Wh—What are you guys doing in my apartment?" Han Xuexin disregarded her fear and asked, hoping that maybe they got the wrong person.
"The guy sitting on the arm of the long sofa scoffed, "Funny how you couldn't recognize us when you're the one who had written every single detail of us."
Han Xuexin's brows furrowed, not understanding what the man just said, "What in the world are you talking about?"
"Just tell her who we are," The guy behind her stated.
Han Xuexin couldn't help but shudder when she heard how cold and callous his voice is.
Just with that statement, she knew the guy behind her wasn't the type to beat around the bush, and it's best that she answered their question straightforwardly.
Han Xuexin gathered her courage and looked at them one by one, and as she went on, the more her heart sank with fear.
None of them appear to be simple.
Their presence is screaming not to mess with them or you could be meeting your ancestor the very next moment.
The guy sitting on the single sofa stood up.
Han Xuexin couldn't help but look at him from head to toe, and her heart skipped a beat when she noticed a sword hanging on his waist.
The guy extended his hand, and with his lips perked up in a twisted grin, he said, "Nice to meet you Celestial Snow, we're the villains in your novels."
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone