Chapter 1: Prologue - The Apocalypse Revelry

On December 31, 2012, the rumored end of the world, the sky was covered with dark clouds, pouring down heavy rain as if a hole had been torn in the heavens. The lights of Beijing's capital shone brightly but seemed dim and hazy in such a moment, exuding a sense of eeriness and ominousness.

In a garden community between the Third and Fourth Ring roads in Chaoyang District, Chen Jin lay in his warm, spring-like bedroom, engrossed in reading a vibrant work by Master Huang Yi, "The Stormy Lover." He occasionally made sounds of amazement or envy.

The room's furnishings were simple yet cozy. Of course, one could also call it shabby; after all, Chen Jin wasn't wealthy. He had scraped together funds for this house, living frugally for many days, all for a nest in Beijing – a bit of face when mentioned and occasionally a place to bring his parents for a vacation, to put their minds at ease. After all, which parent doesn't wish for their child's well-being?

The sound of a sliding door interrupted the silence. The bathroom door next to the master bedroom opened, and a charmingly cute young girl emerged, wearing an oversized white T-shirt barely covering her hips, revealing long, pale legs that gleamed alluringly in the air.

Seeing Chen Jin engrossed in his book, the cute girl pouted and playfully scolded, "Hey, uncle, why are you reading that old book again?"

Chen Jin, a 31-year-old from Chongqing and a drifter in Beijing, had a tough journey. He lingered in the so-called entertainment circle, moderately successful at best. Although he and the superstar Chen Kun, also from Chongqing, were worlds apart, Chen Jin did have one thing in common with him – a handsome face, commonly referred to as a 'pretty boy.' However, his acting and singing skills were just mediocre. The world was full of pretty faces.

Despite his bleak prospects, novels were a cheap pastime that Chen Jin could afford, particularly the warm, fantastical stories by Master Huang Yi, his favorite.

The young girl, Zhang Xiaomo, just turned eighteen, came from a wealthy family but had a rebellious nature. Despite her innocent appearance, especially after a shower, her makeup could be quite startling when she was out, particularly in entertainment venues.

It was either idol worship or love at first sight when Zhang Xiaomo met Chen Jin at a social gathering. It wasn't until Chen Jin saw her without makeup that their relationship quickly turned intimate.

Scandals were common in the entertainment industry, with many notable examples. However, Chen Jin maintained his integrity despite his lower-tier status. His relationship with Zhang Xiaomo started with physical attraction but soon developed into love. He even considered settling down with her.

As for scandals, Chen Jin wished for them but knew they required three things: fame, sensational news, and a dedicated PR team – all of which he lacked as a third-tier actor and singer.

His ordinary relationship with Zhang Xiaomo, a typical rich second-generation girl, wasn't sensational enough to attract media attention, unless he paid a hefty sum to entertainment editors.

As for paparazzi, they were busy following celebrities. Why would they bother with a third-tier nobody like him?

Chen Jin and Zhang Xiaomo's affectionate nicknames for each other mirrored their age difference. She always called him 'uncle,' while he referred to her as 'girl,' adding to their intimacy.

Despite their age gap and open-mindedness, their maturity levels differed. Zhang Xiaomo let her golden-brown hair, her last sign of wildness, cascade freely over her shoulders. Without waiting for Chen Jin's response, she quickly jumped into bed, snuggling into his arms with a mysterious gleam in her eyes, either crazy or expectant, "Uncle, the end of the world is coming. Do you have any unfulfilled wishes?"

Chen Jin, familiar with her after nearly a year, put down his book, pinched her nose, and chuckled, "Do you have some mischievous idea?"

Biting her rosy lips, she pretended to be innocent, which was just one facet of her personality, the other being playful and wild. "I heard it's cool to welcome the end of the world or the New Year in revelry with someone you love..."

Chen Jin nodded but was still puzzled, "How do we revel? We didn't prepare, and you said you didn't want to go out..."

Zhang Xiaomo pouted, "Uncle, you're so silly. On such a day, of course, I only want to be with you!"

Chen Jin seemed to understand, "With the rain getting heavier, you wouldn't want me to go out now to get supplies, would you?"

As he was about to get up, she pressed him back down, giggling, "No need, uncle. Having you is enough." Her cheeks flushed with charm, her eyes seductive. Her slender fingers trailed down his abs, grasping him suggestively.

Chen Jin finally got it. Glancing at the clock, he was astonished, "Really? We still have an hour and a half?"

"That's what makes it a revelry!" Zhang Xiaomo excitedly exclaimed, "You're not going to say you can't, are you?"

Chen Jin grinned, "But isn't it a bit early now..." Zhang Xiaomo giggled and flirted, "Uncle, you can do it!" She slid under the covers, skillfully liberating Chen Jin's restless part, taking it in her mouth.

At that moment, Chen Jin deeply missed the legendary blue pill.

In the final minutes of the rumored apocalypse, the battlefield moved from the bed to the window, as per Zhang Xiaomo's suggestion. Despite the heating, the windowsill was chilly. Zhang Xiaomo lay on the pillow, moaning softly, while Chen Jin stood behind her, grasping her arm and slender waist, passionately striking her smooth, round buttocks. The intense scene was enough to set blood racing.

Suddenly, the TV, turned up loud, began a thirty-second countdown. Like a dramatic portrayal of the apocalypse, the stormy sky erupted with lightning and thunder, overshadowing all other sounds.

This spectacle made Chen Jin reconsider their location, recalling the old saying about not standing near windows during a storm. But before he could react, a massive lightning bolt lit up the sky, striking fearfully close.

Zhang Xiaomo's scream was drowned out by the thunder. The room turned stark white, and when silence returned, she lay on the floor, either passed out or struck by lightning, though the absence of burn marks suggested the former.

However, Chen Jin was nowhere to be found in the room. Had he been vaporized by the lightning? Another oddity was the disappearance of "The Stormy Lover," which had been knocked to the floor during their revelry, leaving no trace or damage to the carpet.