5 Chapter 5: Money Saves Lives

"...I guess I'll just die, then."

Yun Hao's breaths lingered inside the house as he grabbed the bundle of rope from the drawer before proceeding towards the chair that he placed in the middle of his house, proficiently tying the rope into a loop as he did so.

And without even looking up, he expertly threw the other end of the rope on the wooden railing of the roof of his house. He then stepped on the chair, quickly tying up the rope and securing it, tugging it to make sure that it won't slide or fall off.

There were already dents and marking on the wooden beam, obviously made from the rope putting pressure on it even before. Yun Hao nodded in satisfaction as he confirmed the tightness of the rope.

And after a few seconds, he once again let out a sigh before fixing the collar of his uniform, making sure the rope won't crease it as he placed the noose around his neck.

Yes…

...This has been Yun Hao's daily routine ever since the accident. He was so used to it that he could probably do it with his eyes closed. Truly, a dreadful thing to get used to.

But even then, not even once he pushed through in killing himself. After all, he still had the love of his life, Angela. She was the one thing that has kept Yun Hao from ever finishing this grim routine of his.

But it would seem even that… was an illusion. From her not visiting him in the hospital, from her not even showing her face once even as Yun Hao visited her apartment building… He should have known, really. He should have known that something was going on.

Yun Hao closed his eyes as he took in a long and deep breath that completely drowned the house. There wasn't anything holding him back now, he thought.

He has lost everything.

His parents.

His future.

His friends.

And now… his lover.

Everything, gone.

Yun Hao then released the breath that he was holding on to as he opened his eye. Eyes which were now full of resolution as they reflected the rusts and holes of his dilapidated house. He then slowly lifted his foot, but as he was about to take a step towards death, something caught his eye.

"..." He squinted his eyes as he looked back at his desk, only to find another bundle of rope inside the opened drawer, waving at him as a part of it hung outside. Yun Hao let out a slight hum of confusion as he tapped his neck repeatedly, trying to feel if the noose he made was still there-- and it was.

The rope that has been his companion throughout these trying months was still peacefully wrapped around his neck and connected to the ceiling.

What… exactly was happening? Yun Hao's mind started to jumble as he tilted his head. Completely confused, he decided to confirm if it really was another bundle of rope. He approached his desk, forgetting the fact that a rope was currently tied around his neck.

"!!!"

"Ughk… gah… kuk!"

Gravity.

Yun Hao was quickly taught the lesson of gravity as it pulled him down, the rope tied around his neck tightening due to his weight. His body started to wriggle, his legs panicking to find the only chair in the house, instinctively struggling to step towards life.

A gurgling noise started to fill the entire house as Yun Hao began to croak. It was as if a fire was being ignited inside his lungs, his chest feeling even tighter than the rope in his neck. It was as if a truck was currently being pressed on his chest.

Finally, his left leg was able to step on the chair. But alas, his right leg kicked it away.

Yun Hao thought that he was ready to die, but now that it was happening, his body seemed to be craving for life. Perhaps it was just a defense mechanism, but his mind too, wanted him to live.

But alas, the only thing that was welcoming him now was death as Yun Hao could feel his vision slowly starting to fade. The rope was tighter than ever before, already threatening to snap his neck and hastened his death.

And for some reason, it keeps on tightening even as Yun Hao was no longer resisting it. Yun Hao then heard a light clanging noise echo throughout the house. He could not be bothered by it, after all, his life was already slipping away.

But then, it happened again.

And again.

...and again.

And soon, the reason why the rope around his neck kept on tightening revealed themselves-- coins.

The rope on Yun Hao's neck kept on tightening because of the added weight to his pockets, which were now suddenly bloated. Gushing out hundreds of coins endlessly as if a raging waterfall.

And soon, when his pockets could no longer bear the weight of the coins, it ripped. And like a dam that blew up, the coins that were gushing out like a waterfall became even more enraged. The coins quickly covered the floor of Yun Hao's humble abode, it wasn't hard to fill it, as it was small in size, after all.

Yun Hao's house was like a pool being filled with water. And soon, the soles of his feet were finally able to feel resistance as Yun Hao found himself being able to breathe again. He quickly loosened the noose around his neck and started coughing vehemently.

Endless clanging noises filled Yun Hao's ears as he started to crawl on top of the coins that suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

It took minutes before Yun Hao recovered from his panic and started breathing normally again as he laid his back on the coins. Yun Hao was about to close his eyes, but before he could do so, his house made of thin sheets of metal started to shake.

"W… what now?" He whispered.

And as if fate was answering him, the thin door of his gave in and opened up like a domino tilting towards the ground.

"!!!"

Yun Hao found himself suddenly being dragged outside of his house, rolling along with the coins that suddenly littered and filled half his house.

"Just… just where did all these coins come from?"

Yun Hao's breaths started getting heavier as he finally realized the situation he was in. He grabbed one of the coins before standing up, raising it towards the light of the moon to see if they really were coins.

And it was. He picked up another one from the ground, only to confirm that it was also a coin.

"..." Yun Hao stared at the coin for a very long time, only to drop it on the ground as his mind was trying to process everything that happened.

Yun Hao then turned his head towards his house, which was now missing a door. And instantly, he dropped to coins that were in his hand as his jaw almost dropped along with them.

Coins… almost an unlimited number of coins impossible to count filled almost half of his house. Enough coins that he was able to save himself from hanging.

"W… what the fuck?" Were the only words that could come out of Yun Hao's trembling lips.

Yun Hao could only stand there, his eyes, reflecting the thousands of coins shining in the moonlight.

Suddenly…

...He found himself surrounded by money.