## Green Valley Psychiatric Hospital

In the bustling halls of Green Valley Psychiatric Hospital, a hefty man named Chen Wei, standing at 180 cm and weighing 200 catties, munched on snacks while sharing his bizarre dreams with Dr. Liu.

"Doctor, do you think parallel worlds exist?" he asked, his mouth full of potato chips. "In my dreams, I meet another Chen Wei on a planet called Frostland. Two months ago, in 2056, an unexpected ice age struck suddenly. The temperature plummeted to -70°C, freezing many alive!"

Dr. Liu listened attentively as Chen continued. "The cold came overnight, turning the city into a frozen wasteland! I was lucky—I had hoarded food at home. For a whole month, I survived while others turned into ice sculptures. I even lost 30 pounds!"

Chen’s eyes widened with excitement as he recounted the horrors that followed. "Just when I thought it couldn't get worse, meteor showers rained down from the sky, igniting everything in flames! I watched helplessly as my crush, whom I adored from afar, was consumed by the fire."

His voice trembled as he described the chaos that ensued: earthquakes, tsunamis, acid rain, and volcanic eruptions. "The world fell apart! Water and electricity were gone; food rotted away! For two whole months, I scavenged for anything—roots, bark, even bugs!"

He shuddered at the memories. "Those disgusting things were my only sustenance! It was humiliating to realize how far people could fall—like my former classmates who once looked down on me."

"Last night," he continued with a haunted look in his eyes, "I dreamt of a zombie outbreak. The dead rose again due to some unknown virus! I hid in a dark basement, enduring hunger and loneliness while the world outside crumbled."

Dr. Liu adjusted his glasses and jotted down notes. "Chen Wei, your situation is quite complex," he said after a pause. "I suggest you stay here for observation."

"I'm not sick!" Chen protested.

"Of course," Dr. Liu replied calmly. "Every patient believes they are fine. You may be experiencing excessive fantasies due to stress or perhaps too many online novels."

Chen's expression hardened. "But Doctor! My dreams are continuous! Each time I return to that world—it’s always the same apocalypse! The details are vivid; I remember everything clearly!"

Dr. Liu sighed and wrote down his diagnosis: **Schizophrenia, deep paranoia**. "I understand your frustration, but it’s essential to address your mental health first."

Chen felt a wave of despair wash over him as he left the office with his diagnosis in hand.

Outside the department, his girlfriend Mei Ling waited impatiently. When she saw him approach with the diagnosis paper in hand, her expression shifted from concern to disdain.

"Let me see that!" she snapped, snatching the paper from him.

"Schizophrenia? Deep paranoia?" She scoffed loudly. "You really have lost it!"

"Mei Ling..." Chen started but was cut off.

"Let’s break up!" she declared coldly.

"Zixuan, please..." he pleaded.

"There’s nothing left to say," she replied sharply. "We should part ways peacefully."

Chen felt his heart sink as she continued her tirade. "I didn’t mind your flaws before because you had potential—at least you looked decent! But now? You’re just a fat loser with no future!"

Her words stung like daggers. Chen knew he had changed drastically over the past few months—not just physically but mentally too.

"Give me another chance!" he begged desperately. "I’ll start losing weight right now! Just give me a few months!"

Three years ago seemed like a distant memory when they first met at Jiang University during orientation week. Back then, Chen was confident and admired for his talent—handsome and athletic with a knack for singing that captivated everyone at their welcome party.

But as their relationship progressed, Mei Ling's true nature emerged—she often belittled him under the guise of motivation. “You’re not good enough,” she’d say after comparing him to other boys who showered their girlfriends with gifts.

Chen had cut ties with friends and classmates out of fear of her jealousy; he deleted contacts from his phone to keep her happy. He became increasingly isolated while trying to please her.

Now standing before her in this moment of rejection felt surreal—a culmination of three years spent trying to be someone he wasn’t.

"When will you grow up?" Mei Ling continued relentlessly. "We’re graduating soon! Have you even thought about your future? What will you do after college?"

Chen felt overwhelmed by her questions—postgraduate exams? A job? He had no answers.

"I used to overlook your shortcomings because we were young," she said dismissively. "But now? You have no connections and no prospects! You’ve delayed my youth long enough!"

As she stormed off, Chen stood frozen in place, grappling with the reality of his situation—the weight of her words heavy on his heart.

Amidst the chaos in his mind and life, he realized that perhaps it wasn’t just about losing weight or dreaming of apocalypses; it was about reclaiming himself from the shadows of someone else’s expectations—a journey that would require more than just determination but also self-acceptance and courage to change.

"Mei Ling, you were the one who pursued me first. Why do you think I delayed you? Wasn't it you who led me on?" Chen Wei confronted her, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

"You're bringing this up again? Are you done yet?" she snapped, rolling her eyes, her impatience evident.

"Why do you always dwell on the past? I was blind to think you were talented and handsome!" she retorted sharply, her voice rising with indignation.

As she continued her tirade, Chen felt a strange detachment wash over him. "After spending time together, I realized you're just selfish—stingy, fussy, and never considerate. You only buy gifts after I remind you!" The words slipped out before he could stop them, each syllable laced with a mix of anger and disappointment.

"What did I get in return for my love?" Mei Ling's voice dripped with sarcasm, her disdain palpable.

Chen fell silent, grappling with her accusations. Three years of effort, hundreds of thousands spent on her whims, and now he was being painted as the villain? The weight of their shared history pressed down on him like a heavy fog.

"Got it!" he finally said, clarity dawning amidst the chaos of emotions swirling within him. "So this is how you see me. Fine, I won't bother you again."

Relief washed over Mei Ling's face at his acceptance of their breakup. She had wanted this—an easy exit without guilt. Her expression shifted from anger to satisfaction as if she had been waiting for this moment.

"Good!" she replied curtly, a hint of finality in her tone. "I don't want to say anything harsh, but I've moved out of the apartment. The lease ends soon."

She pulled out her phone and deleted his contact right in front of him. "No more communication." Each tap on the screen felt like a nail in the coffin of their relationship.

Chen had expected heartbreak but felt surprisingly liberated instead. The fear of losing her had stemmed from his isolation; now he felt free. The shackles that had bound him to her were falling away, and he could finally breathe.

"Maybe those two months of nightmares prepared me for this," he thought, reflecting on the emotional turmoil that had plagued him during their final days together. "Compared to the apocalypse, what's a breakup?"

He smiled unexpectedly, feeling lighter than air as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

"Look at that fat guy! He's smiling after being dumped! What a weirdo!" whispered a passerby, their judgment echoing in his ears but failing to penetrate his newfound sense of freedom.

Just then, a sleek Porsche 718 pulled up beside Mei Ling. She climbed in effortlessly, and Chen's heart sank as he recognized the driver—Chu Chen, the notorious playboy known for his charm and reckless lifestyle.

"So it was all an act," Chen thought bitterly as he watched them drive away. The familiar license plate number burned into his memory like a brand. In that moment, he realized the truth—he had been living in a delusion, clinging to a relationship that had long since soured.

With newfound determination swelling within him, he vowed to reclaim his life. "I'll lose weight and find my own happiness," he promised himself fervently. The world outside was bright and full of possibilities; it was time to embrace them.

As he walked away from the scene of their breakup, Chen reflected on what had just transpired. The vibrant colors of the city seemed more vivid than ever before; each step felt lighter than air as if he were shedding layers of regret and disappointment with every stride.

He recalled the moments they had shared—the laughter that once filled their apartment now replaced by silence and resentment. Their dreams seemed so intertwined back then; now they felt like distant memories tainted by bitterness.

Chen's mind wandered back to their early days together when everything felt effortless and exciting. They would explore new restaurants or take spontaneous weekend trips to nearby towns. But over time, those moments became overshadowed by constant arguments and unmet expectations.

He remembered how Mei Ling would often complain about trivial things—how he never cleaned up after himself or how his cooking skills left much to be desired. At first, he brushed it off as harmless banter but soon realized it was more than that; it was a reflection of deeper issues festering beneath the surface.

The realization hit him hard: **he had changed** for her—molded himself into someone who constantly sought approval rather than embracing who he truly was. He had sacrificed parts of himself in an attempt to make her happy while neglecting his own needs.

As Chen continued walking through the bustling streets filled with people going about their daily lives, he felt a surge of determination coursing through him. **This was his chance** to rediscover himself—to reclaim his identity outside of their relationship.

He envisioned himself hitting the gym regularly—sweating out the frustrations and insecurities that had plagued him for so long. He pictured himself pursuing hobbies he'd abandoned—painting again or learning to play guitar—the passions that once brought him joy now buried under layers of doubt.

With each step forward, he could feel the heaviness lifting from his chest—a sense of liberation washing over him like a refreshing breeze on a hot summer day.

As night fell over the city skyline illuminated by twinkling lights, Chen found himself standing at a crossroads—both literally and metaphorically. He could either continue down this path toward self-discovery or allow Mei Ling's departure to define him forever.

Taking a deep breath filled with resolve, he chose the former; **he would not let this breakup be the end** but rather an opportunity for growth—a chance to become someone better than before.

In that moment of clarity amidst uncertainty, Chen smiled brightly at the world around him—a world filled with endless possibilities waiting just beyond reach if only he dared to grasp them.

With renewed purpose guiding his steps forward into tomorrow's dawn—a blank canvas ready for him to paint anew—he embraced this journey toward self-love and happiness wholeheartedly knowing that brighter days lay ahead if only he believed in himself once more.

## Back to the Rental House

As Chen Wei returned to the rental house, he was met with an unsettling silence. Mei Ling's belongings were gone, leaving behind only traces of their shared life. He had never considered himself mentally ill; his thoughts were clear, yet the dreams felt so vivid that he questioned reality itself.

It was 9:30 PM when he finally collapsed onto the couch, exhaustion washing over him. He drifted into a restless sleep filled with memories and regrets.

When he opened his eyes again, it was 9:30 AM. The cold air hit him like a shock, and he exhaled a cloud of mist. His stomach twisted painfully, reminding him of his hunger. With only half a bottle of mineral water and a moldy piece of bread left in the basement, despair began to creep in.

"Just take a sip," he told himself. "A beautiful dream will eventually wake you up." He thought back to the dream where Mei Ling had broken up with him and realized it might be for the best. "She's not worth my lingering thoughts."

With resolve, Chen ate the last of the moldy bread and gulped down the remaining water. He needed energy to search for supplies; starving in this basement was not an option.

"I have to go out today," he decided firmly. "Without food and water, I'll die sooner or later." The colder weather might slow down any lurking zombies, making it a good opportunity to venture outside.

Dressing warmly, he wrapped himself tightly and armed himself with a kitchen knife and some wires before leaving the basement quietly. Large supermarkets would likely be empty by now; survivors had probably swept them clean long ago. Instead, he would search individual apartments for anything left behind.

"I've learned lock-picking skills," he recalled with a hint of pride. "Who knew they'd become essential for survival?"

As Chen approached Building 7, anxiety mixed with determination surged within him. The distance between Building 7 and his own was short—less than thirty meters—but every step felt heavy with uncertainty. He moved cautiously, holding his breath as he slipped into the building.

The elevators were out of service, so he took the stairs, starting from the fifth floor to avoid drawing attention from any potential zombies on lower levels. Before unlocking each door, he listened intently for any sounds inside.

In this post-apocalyptic world, danger lurked around every corner. Reports of cannibalism among survivors had surfaced; desperation had stripped away humanity's veneer. As he climbed higher, Chen reflected on how quickly society had crumbled—his once vibrant community now lay in ruins.

After checking several apartments with no luck, Chen finally found something under a bed in room 1805—a piece of wedding candy! He stuffed it into his mouth greedily; in this bleak existence, even candy felt like a feast.

"Delicious!" he exclaimed through tears of relief as he savored the sweetness that momentarily lifted his spirits.

Feeling rejuvenated by the sugar rush, Chen continued his search on the 19th floor. He approached room 1901 cautiously and pressed his ear against the door for a full minute before determining it was safe to proceed.

With nimble fingers, he picked the lock and heard a satisfying click. "Ten seconds! I'm getting better at this," he thought with a smirk as he prepared to enter.

But just as he opened the door, chaos erupted. An ugly zombie lunged at him from within, its bloody mouth gaping wide as it charged forward. Reacting instinctively, Chen slammed the door shut just in time but felt its head push against it desperately.

"Not today!" Chen shouted as he brandished his kitchen knife and swung at the creature's forehead. After twenty exhausting strikes, the zombie finally fell still.

Breathing heavily on the ground afterward, Chen realized this was his first kill since everything had changed—his heart raced not from fear but from adrenaline. Half a month ago, he had fought another survivor over food; killing that man had been an act of survival too.

As he lay there catching his breath, something caught his eye—a small white crystal glimmering amidst the remains of the zombie's head. It was about the size of a marble but emitted an enticing aroma reminiscent of rice.

Curious and hungry again, Chen picked up the crystal and tossed out what remained of the zombie before closing the door behind him to resume searching for supplies.

Inside room 1901, luxury surrounded him—a stark contrast to his dire circumstances. The decor was opulent; gold bars gleamed on one shelf while an impressive collection of imperial green jadeite sat nearby.

"Great," Chen muttered sarcastically to himself as frustration bubbled up inside him. "In such a rich place, I can't even find food! What good are these gold bars and jade if I'm starving?"

With renewed determination, Chen pushed deeper into this lavish apartment—he needed to find something substantial before leaving empty-handed again.