The day-blind light shining in the huge windows of her hotel room sent Yang Lixue from a deep, cozy sleep to the waking world. A wide yawn escapes her plump pink lips and the last pieces of her dream floated away in the bright daylight surrounding her.
She groaned softly, the sound barely audible as she roused from sleep. She was about to close the blinds and continue her beautiful sleep, but something felt… off.
' Why do I feel like I'm being watched?'
The sudden, inescapable feeling of being watched made her scalp tingle, and she immediately jolted awake.
Yang Lixue's heart leapt in her chest as her eyes flew open, to meet the eager, wide-eyed face of someone sitting right next to her on the bed, watching her like a crazy hawk.
Yang Lixue froze for a moment, her thoughts scrambling to catch up with reality. She nearly let out a scream at the fright of seeing someone hovering over her so early in the morning, unannounced.
She picked up her pillow and immediately threw it in the direction with lightning speed.
The person immediately sat with her hands in the air, a large smile on of face as she signed It's me Lixue, Geez!
Then, recognition sank in. Of course, it was Xu Lian.
Yang Lixue lets out a breath but her heart still pounds in her chest.
She'd given Xu Lian the spare key to her hotel room in case of emergencies or practicality, knowing she wouldn't always wake up to the sound of someone knocking.
Being deaf made it difficult and nearly impossible to hear visitors, especially when she was deep asleep. And although Xu Lian had good intentions, Yang Lixue hadn't planned on her friend arriving this early — much less watching her like a curious cat awaiting its next pawn.
As excited as ever, Xu Lian pretended not to notice the startled and disapproving frown on Yang Lixue's face.
What is wrong with you?, you almost scared me to death!
Xu Lian didn't reply. The instant she realized Yang Lixue was now awake, she sprang into action, bouncing onto the bed like a child high on sugar.
Do you know about the Li Empire? Xu Lian signed and spoke at the same time, moving her hands rapidly, her voice almost out of breath.
Yang Lixue blinked, faintly attempting to clear her head of the last tendrils of sleep. She sat up straight, her red hair cascading over her shoulders as she rubbed her eyes. When Xu Lian's words finally sank in, Yang Lixue nodded blearily.
'Well, everybody knows the Li Empire.'
She sighed picked up her tablet and typed her reply : [ Yes I know about the Li Empire. They own everything in the business world. They rule the different segments of business, the gaming industry, furniture manufacturers, real estate apartments, penthouses, ramen brands, fashion brands, Record labels, and they own even my favorite snack brand.
For generations, the world has been governed by the Li Empire. Any deaf person or not knows and sees that.]
She handed the tablet to Xu Lian with an eye roll.
' Is this why she woke me up from sleep? To ask me a weird question?'
Xu Lian's eyes sparkled with excitement. She barely glanced down at Yang Lixue's answer and began her explanation.
"Well, they just posted something incredible! Their primary penthouse page just announced that they're renting out a penthouse for just twenty thousand Yuan! Can you believe that? "She stopped signing, pausing dramatically
The thing is, it's part of some special sales campaign, and it's for one lucky winner!
She continued her eyes lit up in excitement.
Yang Lixue cocked her head to the side and her brows knitted in confusion.
Her fingers froze as she signed calmly, That sounds too good to be true Xu Lian, Do you know how expensive the least expensive penthouse listing they have is?.
It's real! Xu Lian's hands signed insistently even as she spoke, pointing at her phone, her hair flapping wildly with each movement she made.
Look here, this is a message from their official account. This account posts all the available properties. It's legit, Yang Lixue!
Yang Lixue rolled her eyes still skeptical about the whole thing.
'Twenty thousand Yuan for one of Li Empire's penthouses? Even their most modest properties were worth far more. The jackpot was so absurd that it was laughable. '
Xu Lian let out an exaggerated sigh, 'It wasn't this sleepy girl's fault, after all.'
"Look at this!" She yelled, thrusting her phone into Yang Lixue's face.
Not really wanting to, Yang Lixue leaned in closer to the screen, her eyes still heavy with sleep scanning the post. It was right there in black and white. The post featured a stunning, sprawling penthouse with floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the city skyline, a contemporary open-plan living space, and chic designer decor.
And the caption proclaimed proudly:
[For one lucky winner: Rent this luxury penthouse for only ¥20,000! And this will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Apply now!]
The comments and reactions, millions of them, poured onto the page beneath the post. Others tagged friends, shared disbelief, or announced that they had already applied.
Yang Lixue returned her gaze to Xu Lian and her skeptical expression lightened. She signed slowly, Are we sure this isn't a scam?
Xu Lian shook her head . This is their verified page! There's no doubt it's real. And that offer is already going viral. She signed back with haste.
Yang Lixue couldn't resist. She leaned over and pinched Lin Xian's cheek tightly, prompting a muffled squeal from her friend.
"Hey!" Xu Lian screamed dramatically, rubbing her red face.
Yang Lixue giggled shrugging at her friend.
Just making sure I'm not dreaming, she signed, her lips curling up in a cheeky smile.
Lin Xian stuck out her tongue, I know you did it on purpose as revenge for scaring you earlier.
She waved her hands again and signed,
I already applied for the listing this morning as early as 5 a.m. They posted it at 4:54. Can you believe my timing? It's like fate!
Yang Lixue's jaw dropped, eyes on her friend in shock. You applied, and you didn't even tell me?! She signed
Xu Lian smirked mischievously. I wanted to surprise you and also, I knew you might be against the idea from the start, I'd rather die in your hands trying than not to try applying at all.
You're hopeless, Yang Lixue signs, part amused, part tired of her friend's craziness. Yet there was a glimmer of hope inside her. The mere idea of living in a penthouse, however briefly, seemed like a distant fantasy. But if Lu Xian had already applied, maybe — just maybe — they had a little shot at making that dream come true.
What happens now? Have they already chosen a winner? Yang Lixue pouted as she asked.
Xu Lian smiled, clearly loving the moment.
Not yet. But they will announce it by tomorrow. Until then, we wait — and dream.
Yang Lixue sighed and fell back against the headboard
. You're insane Lu Xin, she signed, though her lips turned upward into a slight smile as she watched her friend.
"Speaking of dreams," Xu Lian said, jumping to her feet and passing Yang Lixue the hearing aids on the table.
Yang Lixue winced at the familiar muted deafening scraping sound assaulting her ears before everything calmed.
" You good now?" Xu Lian asked calmly and Yang Lixue nodded.
" So, I was thinking we should gather things in case we win." Let's go shopping!"
Yang Lixue raised an eyebrow. Shopping? For what? She signed staring at her weird friend.
"For our new penthouse, of course! Xu Lian said dramatically as her eyes twinkled with enthusiasm. "We need to be ready. Plus, I'm starving. First room service, then shopping."
Yang Lixue chuckled softly, it was impossible to remain annoyed around her friend's infectious energy.
You're already acting like we've won, she joked.
"Manifestation is key!" Xu Lian proclaimed, striking a ridiculous victorious pose, then picking up the room service menu.
Placing her head back on the pillow, Yang Lixue stared at her fondly, letting out a small chuckle as she could faintly hear Xu Lian rattle off a long list of possible breakfast foods. It's moments like this that put her in the very lucky fortune of having a friend like Xu Lian in her rather bleak life.
Someone who made even the wildest wish an adventure worth trying.
After ordering a decadent spread of pancakes, eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit, the girls polished off their food with gusto
Lu Xian rattled on about the penthouse, detailing every inch revealed in the photographs as if she'd already set foot inside.
Yang Lixue watched her in silence her attention undivided, eyes lighting up with mischief as Lu Xian kept a visual weight to their dream life, where they lived in a place like that—high in the sky, above the noise and traffic of the city, in luxury and comfort and she imagined waking up to such serenity in the morning.
That was a world away from their present, but the idea was exhilarating all the same.