My name is You Xingxue.
Due to my socially anxious and introverted personality, I didn’t make a single friend throughout the 12 years of elementary, middle, and high school.
At first, some of my classmates invited me to hang out, but because of my social anxiety and nervousness, I turned them all down.
At some point, I found myself completely alone, and over time, I even got used to being by myself.
My mom works as a low-level employee at a moderately sized company.
My dad used to work at a construction site for the Yan Xing Group, but after an accident on the job, he became paralyzed from the waist down.
The entire burden of supporting the family fell on my mom’s shoulders.
With this in mind, I decided I wanted to change myself...
So, I asked my mom to take me to the beauty salon she frequented. I swapped out my ugly black-framed glasses, ditched my old braided hairstyle, and put on a clean, stylish outfit.
Perhaps it was because I had good natural features, but after the makeover, I looked stunning.
At the very least...
I managed to make some friends because of it.
.....
.....
"Rose Love."
In a noisy private room, the table was filled with countless bottles of alcohol and drinks.
Three men and two women were trying to persuade a girl sitting alone on the side couch.
This girl had long, flowing black hair that cascaded over her shoulders. She had ditched her old black-framed glasses, revealing You Xingxue’s clear, captivating eyes.
Her eyes were deep and bright, like a serene lake, with a glimmer of starlight shining within them.
Her facial features were well-defined, and her fair skin had a subtle glow.
Her outfit was simple yet elegant, exuding a youthful charm.
At that moment, she was holding a glass of alcohol in her hands.
She hesitated, glancing at the drink and then at her friend, Xiu Min, who was sitting on the couch, cuddling with a man. "Xiu Min, do I really have to drink this?"
"I’ve never had alcohol before. What if...?"
Xiu Min, a woman wearing a mini skirt and heavy makeup, was sitting in a man’s lap. Hearing You Xingxue’s words, she waved her hand dismissively. "What are you talking about, Xingxue? We’re all adults here. What’s the big deal about having a drink?"
"Come on, Xingxue~ Just give it a try~"
"Besides..."
Xiu Min pretended to be upset. "I brought you out to have fun and introduced you to so many friends. Are you really going to disrespect me like this?"
As soon as she said this, the others in the room started egging her on. "Yeah, You Xingxue, if you’re Xiu Min’s friend, then you’re our friend too."
"If you don’t drink this, does that mean you don’t want to be friends with us?"
You Xingxue panicked and quickly shook her head. "No, no, that’s not what I meant!"
She looked down at the full glass of alcohol in her hands, struggling with her decision.
Xiu Min was her good friend. She wouldn’t do anything to hurt her.
Even if I get drunk, I’m sure she’ll take me home.
Yeah, that’s right...
Amid the cheers and encouragement from the group, You Xingxue slowly raised the glass to her lips.
After drinking this...
She closed her eyes, held her breath, and downed the drink.
I’ll have four more friends!
The burning liquid flowed down her throat, and You Xingxue felt her stomach churn. Her face gradually turned red.
Drinking didn’t seem as hard as she had imagined.
In no time, she had finished the entire glass.
She set the glass down, her vision slightly blurry.
Her body felt warm, and it was oddly comforting.
You Xingxue rubbed her face and instinctively looked over at Xiu Min. "Xiu Min, I finished it...!!"
Before she could finish her sentence, her eyes widened in shock.
Xiu Min, the friend who had brought her out, was now fully engaged with the man on the couch...
And not just her—the other friend Xiu Min had brought was also getting intimate with another woman, doing things You Xingxue had only ever seen in videos.
"What... what are you doing?!"
You Xingxue started to feel uneasy. She tried to stand up, but her body felt weak, and her mind was foggy, as if she were about to pass out.
Only now did she realize that the drink had been spiked.
Why? Why would Xiu Min do this to me?
You Xingxue stared at Xiu Min in disbelief, her heart filled with fear. She recalled how Xiu Min had enthusiastically invited her out, saying she wanted to introduce her to many friends.
At the time, she hadn’t suspected anything, though she did find the place called "Rose Love" a bit strange. Still, she had followed Xiu Min inside.
But... but why...
Just then, the third man, who had been silent the whole time, stood up.
He had been fiddling with something on the table—a syringe of some sort.
Now, he walked over with the syringe in hand.
He smirked at You Xingxue, licking his lips when he saw her beautiful face. "Hehehe! Xiu Min, the quality of the girls you bring just keeps getting better!"
"Mmm~ Of course... Just make sure I get a bigger cut this time..."
"Don’t worry, I’ve got you."
The third man grabbed You Xingxue’s arm. "Relax, you’ll feel amazing soon."
You Xingxue had a vague idea of what was in the syringe, and terror gripped her heart. She struggled desperately. "No... no, stop! Why are you doing this?!"
She turned to Xiu Min, her voice pleading. "Xiu Min, help me! Please, make him stop! I’m begging you!"
Deep down, she still held onto a sliver of hope that Xiu Min was still the friend she had known.
But Xiu Min, who was now placing a small pill on her tongue, looked at You Xingxue with disgust. "Huh? You’re so annoying!"
Hearing this, You Xingxue’s face turned pale, and her heart sank like a stone. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
They had been such close friends, sharing so many good times together. They had confided in each other, shared their joys and sorrows. She couldn’t understand why Xiu Min had turned into this.
Xiu Min sneered at her, her eyes filled with disdain. "You country bumpkins should know your place."
Her voice dripped with contempt. "Do you know how much I hate your fake innocence? Always acting like you don’t know anything!"
Xiu Min’s words pierced You Xingxue’s heart like needles. She didn’t know what she had done wrong, why Xiu Min hated her so much. Tears streamed down her face as she begged, "Xiu Min, I don’t know what I did to upset you. Why are you doing this? Weren’t we good friends?"
Xiu Min’s expression darkened, her voice filled with rage. "Good friends? Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of ‘friends’ to keep you company soon."
With that, Xiu Min turned away, refusing to look at You Xingxue anymore.
Seeing this, You Xingxue felt her heart shatter into pieces. She didn’t know what to do, overwhelmed by the pain and despair.
Why...
Why is this happening?
The third man grabbed You Xingxue by the hair, forcing her head up, and pressed the syringe against her neck. "Stay still. You won’t resist for much longer."
As the needle drew closer, the light in You Xingxue’s eyes dimmed.
"Hey, boss! You’re finally starting! I’m ready to record!"
Another man held up his phone, aiming it at You Xingxue and the third man.
Seeing this, You Xingxue’s despair deepened.
Why...
Why is this happening to me?
The drugs in the alcohol made her body grow hotter, and her limbs became weak and unresponsive.
It’s over... Everything’s over...
At this moment, You Xingxue knew exactly what cruel fate awaited her. Her body trembled uncontrollably, her heart filled with endless fear and despair. Tears welled up in her eyes.
She looked over at Xiu Min, who was now lost in her own pleasures, and recalled how Xiu Min had approached her, promising to be her friend.
Now, the true face has been revealed, so ugly, so repulsive.
For some reason.
The weak her, at this moment, seemed to regain strength, as a surge of resentment filled You Xingxue's heart.
She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging deep into her palms, as if only this could slightly alleviate the pain within her.
However, her body involuntarily went limp, and her fists gradually loosened.
She felt so powerless and helpless, at the mercy of fate.
You Xingxue silently closed her eyes, waiting for the violence that was about to befall her.
I’m too weak... I don’t even have the strength to push away the person in front of me.
Who will save me? No one, absolutely no one knows what’s happening here.
And just at that moment.
A low yet seductive voice entered You Xingxue’s mind.
【Do you want... to gain power?】
The sudden voice made You Xingxue freeze.
【Do you want... to kill these filthy people?】
The voice asked again.
You Xingxue confirmed it wasn’t her imagination.
Gurgle~!!
No one noticed, but the entire room began to seep with a thick, black, viscous liquid.
Every corner was enveloped by the black, sticky substance.
【Do you want... to change yourself?】
When the voice appeared for the third time.
You Xingxue didn’t hesitate for a moment, choking out a cry, “I do! Please, help me!!”
【Your wish is granted~】
The next second, to You Xingxue’s shock.
Splat splat splat!!!
Thud!
Splash~~~!!
As if the world had frozen and skipped frames, everyone in the room except You Xingxue.
Their heads... suddenly exploded, scattering flesh and blood all over the room.
A rain of blood erupted, and this horrifying scene unfolded before You Xingxue’s eyes in an instant.
The man who had been pulling You Xingxue’s hair slowly collapsed, half of his body falling to the ground.
Gurgle~ Blood continuously gushed from the gaping hole where his head had been.
You Xingxue’s pupils constricted sharply, and she raised her hands to cover her face.
Her entire body was drenched in blood.
“Huh...”
She let out a sound that held no meaning, a low, guttural noise, as if forced from her throat. It was eerily clear in the silence.
Her eyes widened, and she stared blankly at the corpses scattered across the floor, her body trembling uncontrollably. Her breathing grew rapid, like a frightened bird.
She tightly covered her mouth with her hands, trying not to scream. Her heart raced, as if it might burst out of her chest.
But...
She should have been terrified, so why...
At this moment, in this environment, she felt an inexplicable excitement, her cheeks gradually flushing, her body heating up. She was certain it wasn’t due to any drugs.
You Xingxue’s eyes were glued to the corpses in the room, as if admiring pieces of art.
【Don’t】
She told herself in her heart, don’t look, don’t think.
But her body wouldn’t obey. Her eyes couldn’t tear themselves away from the corpses.
She felt her body growing lighter, as if she were about to float away...
Why... why is this happening?
A twisted smile gradually formed on You Xingxue’s lips. She covered her face, but through the gaps in her fingers, her sickening gaze was revealed.
So happy... so excited... What is this feeling...?