An Unexpected Encounter

Days swiftly passed.

In the following days, even though Yang Luo was bedridden, he managed to conjure up numerous strategies.

Firstly, he exposed the situation through online communities.

Yang Luo posted on various apps such as Weibo, Zhihu, Douban, Xiaohongshu, Bilibili, Douyin, etc., explaining how he was diagnosed with a terminal illness and was threatened by his company to resign.

Initially, he believed the power of online public opinion would restrain the company, hoping they would be willing to discuss terms with him.

However, before his posts could create a stir, he found all of his posts were removed and his accounts were banned.

Reason: "Spreading false information and negatively affecting social morale."

Suddenly, Yang Luo remembered something from his time in the company. He overheard the operations and planning departments mention that the company invests billions every year in PR to maintain its image...

At that time, he didn't take it seriously. But now he wondered—

Were those billions of PR money used here?!

With no other options, Yang Luo took on the role of a forum poster, registering and posting on various forums, and discussing his situation under unrelated popular topics. He would end each post with: "Please help share my story, thank you!"

Despite his best efforts, his accounts and IP addresses were eventually banned. The daily stress made his condition worse, with intensifying chest pains. However, maybe his relentless effort got noticed because the company finally raised their offer.

"80,000. How about that?"

His team leader casually proposed over the phone.

"This is the highest I can go within my authority. Anything more, and even if I agreed, the internal auditors wouldn't."

This time, Yang Luo pondered for a long time.

Finally, clutching his chest, he reluctantly agreed.

"Alright."

...

Using the temporarily granted intranet access, he logged onto the employee website and submitted his resignation. The company quickly approved it, even waiving the one-month notice. The speed was astonishing.

"They're in such a rush?"

Yang Luo bitterly laughed.

It's just like big corporations. Less than three hours after his resignation, a bank message notified him that 80,000 had been credited to his account.

Ironically, an advertising text followed: "Diversify your investments, XX Bank helps you achieve financial freedom..." It felt like dark humor.

Ignoring the message, Yang Luo turned off his phone and approached the resident doctor to be discharged.

"Do you really want to leave the hospital?"

The doctor in the office looked at him in surprise.

Yang Luo's face was pale, and he could hardly sit still, but he leaned against the wall and nodded firmly.

"But... do you know that our hospital's surgical skills are top-notch? For cases like yours, if the surgery goes well, you could live another five to six years. With the best imported drugs and a healthy lifestyle, you might even live seven to eight years or more!"

"The best imported drugs..."

Yang Luo gave a weak smile.

"Doctor, do you know?

The biggest terminal illness in this world is poverty."

Seeing his determined eyes, the doctor hesitated for a while but eventually nodded, signing the discharge form.

"Discharge approved."

...

Yang Luo returned home from the hospital.

All he had with him were some painkillers, emergency medicine, and his mobile phone. Nothing else.

To call it "home" was a stretch; it was merely a rented room.

He had bought a house, but it was still unfinished due to its distance from the company and lack of funds. It was just a raw space. Therefore, he continued to live in this place, which was only three subway stations away from his company.

He had lived there for eight years.

Looking back, it felt like a lifetime ago.

What had he truly gained in these eight years? Yang Luo pondered this, showing a desolate smile.

All the posts he made were deleted, and his accounts locked.

He had no ties to the company anymore.

Apart from the company, he had no familiar places or friends in this city.

Working for Shengyi made him find a place in this lonely city and also exhausted him, eventually leading to his downfall.

He had never felt this clear-headed.

Nor had he ever felt this desperate.

He checked his bank account. With the recent severance, he had a total of 180,000 yuan.

— And then there was that suburban house. He had mortgaged it through an agency a while back. Even though the mortgage wasn't fully paid, the agent had found a buyer who could clear the debt for him.

However, after everything, he'd only have 530,000 yuan left.

"530,000 yuan?"

Yang Luo smiled wryly.

He remembered that he had paid a down payment of 1.2 million yuan, not to mention that the property's value had been appreciating.

"...Well, at least I'll get the money. I can't pay the mortgage anymore, and my parents can't help. If payments stop, I'd be left with nothing."

Now, Yang Luo seemed to have come to terms with everything.

"Let it be. A total of 710,000 yuan will be enough for my parents to live on for many years!"

...

Everything was settled.

A few days later, Yang Luo arrived at Qingyuan River on the outskirts of Qingxia City.

The breeze on the bridge was gentle, and the sunlight warm. Yet, few people were around.

It was an old part of the city, long abandoned and seldom visited.

Standing on the bridge, Yang Luo stared at the shimmering water. He had to muster all his strength to grip the railing and prevent himself from collapsing.

Every breath caused sharp pain in his heart, and his vision began to distort.

"The cancer cells are probably starting to metastasize."

Yang Luo thought.

"...But it's about time."

Yang Luo recalled the timed call he had set up for his parents, expecting that they'd hear it after his departure from this world.

"…Dad, Mom, I've failed you as a son. I'm about to leave you both.

"I've been diagnosed with cardiac sarcoma, a malignant tumor, terminal.

"…The company gave me no substantial compensation. They laid me off with just 80,000 yuan. Shengyi is a place that exploits its workers… But by the time I realized this, I was already drained.

"Mom, Dad, I've left all the money to you, a total of 710,000 yuan. The bank card is in my room, its address is… The card number and password are…

"…Don't worry, after my death, the police will likely investigate. There's also a letter in my room's drawer, with the same content as what I've said…"

"…I'm sorry, Dad, Mom."

The sunlight shimmered golden on the water's surface.

If he jumped, he would surely stir up a golden ripple, wouldn't he?

Yang Luo stared entranced.

His body leaned heavily on the railing, slowly teetering forward.

Yet, in that moment, a strange sound interrupted his thoughts.

A deep, almost guttural sound, unlike any human voice.

"Do you wish to end your life?"

"Yes,"

Yang Luo whispered back softly.

"I have an incurable disease and will die soon anyway. Why continue living?

"…Might as well end it sooner, at least I can leave some money for my family."

"What if there's hope to cure your illness, even a chance to transcend human limits? Would you take it?"

The voice inquired, devoid of emotion.

"Transcend human limits…"

Yang Luo chuckled.

"Just curing the illness… is already more than I could ever hope for, let alone becoming something 'transcendent'?

"…If I could, of course, I'd want to."

With dry eyes, Yang Luo glanced around.

The bridge was empty, devoid of people or objects.

Yang Luo resignedly shook his head. The voice was probably just a figment of his imagination.

Bracing himself, he climbed over the railing and jumped toward the river.

— This was where his life was supposed to end.

However, at that instant, a colossal shadow appeared in his blurry vision.

— It was a soaring black eagle!

As Yang Luo plummeted towards the water, in his startled vision, he saw the shadow swooping towards him. Simultaneously, a drop of bright red light shot from its mouth, embedding itself into his body!

The next moment, Yang Luo plunged into the river.

Inside the icy waters, an immensely burning force erupted within him.

Simultaneously,

An authoritative voice, as if belonging to a deity, echoed in his mind:

"—I offer you this opportunity!"