"Xiaolin, think about your parents, why do they work so hard?"

Jiang Chen turned his gaze back to me, speaking persuasively.

"Isn't it all for you to get into a good university?"

Suddenly, a wave of dizziness hit me.

Fragmented images flashed before my eyes.

My father's tired face.

My mother's sighs late at night.

They smiled with exhaustion, humbly inviting others to dinner.

...

Those images pierced me.

My mind felt like a radio unable to find a station.

The harsh buzzing sound echoed between my ears.

"Xiaolin, as long as you take this small pill, everything will return to normal."

"You will become the pride of your parents, achieve good grades."

"Have an incredibly bright future."

Jiang Chen's tone was gentle as he extended a hand towards me.

A small white pill lay on it.

"Don't be afraid, it won't harm you."

"By next summer, these bugs will die on their own."

"It won't affect your future in any way."

Jiang Chen's face drew closer to mine.

"Be good, Xiaolin, take it."

His voice seemed to carry a certain magic.

It made me forget my fear, and I involuntarily reached out.

I picked up the pill.

"Xiaolin, don't listen to him!"

Song Yun's voice was like a thunderclap.

It jolted me awake.

Song Yun tore off the worm on his head, struggling to reveal half of his face.

He looked like he was enduring immense pain.

Gritting his teeth, he grimly said to me:

"Xiaolin... you must believe in yourself..."

"You can definitely do it..."

"Remember... this is your world..."

Then, Song Yun raised his hand.

It was then that I noticed he was holding a pen.

Jiang Chen hesitated for a moment, as if guessing Song Yun's intentions, a hint of panic flashed across his face.

But Jiang Chen's actions were still a step too slow.

Without hesitation, Song Yun plunged the pen into his own eye.

The worm on his head seemed to react, thrashing wildly.

Song Yun's body was stained red with blood.

As he collapsed to the ground, I felt an uncontrollable wave of sorrow in my chest.

Only Song Yun's low voice continued to buzz in my ears.

Almost simultaneously,

A tearing pain surged through my mind.

The space before me shattered like a broken mirror.

Countless black cracks appeared.

Each crack displayed a different scene.

There was me hiding under the covers reading a novel.

Me playing games with friends.

Me sitting in a movie theater.

It was as if...

Behind all this lay another space.

I seemed to vaguely understand the meaning behind Song Yun's final words.