I was in a hurry to get home from my university. Everyday I had to passed through a shady community before arriving in my own apartment, my safe haven no matter how small it may be. So I had to walk fast as much as I can.

I'm at my senior year in the Journalism department but everyday is a survival I had to overcome ever since my mother died.

While I managed to nab a scholarship from the prestigious Mingde University, I was living in a low wage neighborhood. I was still living comfortable due to my mom's trust fund, but I don't want to waste that on some luxurious accommodation. As long as I have a comfortable roof and place to stay, I don't really care. Because the most important thing is that I'm still here and I had to live for myself.

It's not like my mom's trust fund will get me through all my college life. Ever since she died because of a hit and run accident, I was living off of what money she had left for me. Which was an inheritance she got from her grandparents way before she left home to have me.

Luckily I was able to do some part time online job on top of that.

My young mom, Shen Li Feng, estranged by her very own father, Shen Ming, the CEO of Shen Oil Enterprise because she refused to abort me. I wad an unwanted grandchild born out of wedlock. What a supportive dad she had.

She was impreganated by an evil man. She refused to tell me who that man was. The only thing she has to say about him is that he's dead. I don't know if it was literally or just figuratively.

But if ever he is still alive, I'd rather not know the man who had abandoned my mother in her most vulnerable state.

Just like I refused to acknowledge the existence of my so called grandfather who refused to help his daughter while she was fighting for her life in the hospital 7 years ago.

I can still remember, clear as yesterday, as I begged in the lobby of the Shen Enterprise. Asking for him to help my mom for even just a little bit of financial support for her operation. She suffered from a brain hemorrhage due to the impact she had incurred from the accident. The medical bill was getting higher and higher, as I tried to find a way to raise up the fund needed for her operation. I cried and cried in front of the receptionist and the other corporate workers who looked at me with complete disgust. Pleading for the money that was just a simple change in my grandfather's empire. There was no response, and I was dragged by the security like a ragged doll, out of the building. I went back to the hospital defeated, and terribly exhausted. Only to see the nurses running in and out of my mother's room. They kept saying 'Code Blue, Code Blue." There was no other family member to decide for her condition. I was still a minor and all I knew was that I wanted her to survive. I ran towards the room only to see my mom shaking all over, her eyes rolling back. The doctors and nurses rushed around trying to revive her. I heard she was having a seizure. I saw her take her last breath and the monitor indicating a flat line. The sound still fresh in my memory. I quickly went beside her and shook her hard in a desperate attempt to wake her. "Ma fight for me! Wake up! Ma! I still need you! You said you weren't gonna leave me! Ma!" I kept on screaming. The nurses tried to pull me back but I was having none of it. I collapsed near the bed of my mom, kneeling on the floor. The despair threatening to swallow me up. I didn't know what I was going to do now. I had no one, no one but myself. My hope, my life, was my mom. I looked at her to see her skin so pale, lifeless and slowly turning cold. No one was going to call my name once again in her sweet voice, "Yue Yue, you are my most precious blessing." And she was gone because of some accident and a father who refused to support her medical needs. Slowly one of the nurses covered her with a blanket and the doctor walked towards me, her eyes filled with pity. "I'm sorry Yue, we tried our best but your mom didn't make it. The bleeding inside her brain was too much, we could no longer save her even if we performed an operation." She said to me but it was like hearing it underwater. I was drowning and I was empty. I wasn't able to respond to her. I saw them clean her up and wheel her away into the morgue. I had no more voice but the tears kept on flowing in my face. Like a flood coming from deep within me. From that day on, I swore that whatever connection that I had with the Shen's are severed. They are all dead to me, the only thing that will make me keep my surname is for me to remember my mom. She deserved that despite the abominable fate her own family had given her. But I will never be able to forgive them. And I has sworn never to trust any men that I will encounter easily. They all failed me, there's no such thing as Prince Charming or Knight in shining armors. There are only monsters trapped in a human body. Jiaqi, my best friend since we were little happened to be on the same hospital that time since her grandmother was also confined. She and her mom ran towards me as they saw my condition. The doctor explained what happened, asking if they were a relative of mine. Mrs. Li knowing my family's situation took up the responsibilities for me. I felt the small arms of Jiaqi hugging me and Mrs. Li comforting me as well. But nothing could ease the pain that I was feeling. It was that aching hollowness deep inside me, clawing at my whole being. Ever since then the Li's adopted me into their family. Treating me like one of their daughters. They said I didn't speak for a few weeks, not even responding to their simple questions. It was only when Jiaqi's grandmother made a mooncake and handed me one that I was able to respond. I cried so hard that day, remembering the mooncake that my mom used to make for me. It was my favorite and I could no longer have the one that she makes. I no longer had a mother, I no longer had a family. But that was also the day I gained one, because the welcomed me with warmth. They were patient with me and showed me what a true family is. I owe everything to them. But by the time I was 18, I decided to move out and move back to where my mom and I used to live. A lawyer approached me, who was a close friend of my mom. She said that despite being estranged, my mom ensured that I also had a trust fund which will be given to me when I turn 18. She made sure what was left of hers were transferred to me. That was my new beginning, I didn't want to impose on the hospitality that the Li's had given to me. Although they said that I was already a part of them, I still had to move out and find myself. Because the day my mom died, a part of me also did. And nothing could ever fill the hole that she left. I could never trust or believe someone blindingly again. My mom used to say that my grandpa loves us, he just needed time. But that was an empty promise. I used to think that I had nothing left, but the Li's helped me recover some of it. I was still Shen Yue, but I could never return to who I was before.

I was still walking on the sidewalk, my musings interrupted by the sound of a gunshot. My heart rate doubled as my instincts signalled that I'm already in the part of the slum community where danger was always present.

I brisked walk only to see a man step out of one of the battered houses. I slowed my pace once again, not wanting to attract atrention to myself. From my point of view, it was clear that he was from the mafia. Mafias were common on this place, especially in this neighborhood. They wandered all over the place, threatening those who owe them money or simply showing the people who controls the place.

This man, judging from the way he looked was a member of it. I gasped as I saw blood staining his hands, he wiped it with a handkerchief. He then proceeded to wipe the silver gun he had used that was also marred with blood.

The gunshot probably came from him. I pulled my hoodie over my head, shielding my face away from the scene. People around here know better than to meddle in this kind of situation.

I sneakily threw a glance, checking to see who the man was. My eyes widened as I saw him. He looked extremely dangerous.

His eyes contained this glint that screamed domination. As if he owned the place. But the thing that shocked me was his face. For the sake of definition, he was handsome. Very handsome. With a defined jaw and nose, if he weren't part of the mafia, he could be an actor or even a model.

But people will surely shy away because of his eyes. It had that constant edge to it, telling you not to ever come near or else you'll surely die. He was tall and though he might be a bit thin than what I imagined a mafia member would be, his stature shows otherwise. He had this aura of lethality around him, always poist for an attack. He was the kind of man that one should never cross.

I was nearing their position when he hooked his gun to his back. He lit up a cigarette as he called out to the guy he was with.

"Xize, tell them to clean the fvck up quickly. I wanna get out of this place. I don't even know why we're wasting our time running after these rats." He said in a harsh voice as he smoked.

The guy called Xize walked towards the door, wiping some blood in the knife he was holding. I can't see his face clearly since he was only halfway out the door.

"The Don said it's for you to learn how things works. You should know by now, since you're taking over next year." He said to him.

"That old geezer better be good on his word. I fvcking hate running around like this. These rodents don't even deserve the bullets we put into their heads." He said.

"Well we need the information remember? So we have to work our asses off for it." He said going back inside.

I heard him scoff then stared at my direction as I passed by. My breath hitched as I tried to walk calmy, minding my own business. Not wanting to have the same bullet buried deep within me.

Luckily, the guy named Xize called out to him, getting his attention back.

"Dy! We found something!" He then turned back and went inside the house.

I finally got my breath back, running full speed ahead to my apartment not even looking back. It was only when I was inside that my knees weakened.

I just saw a murder crime and did nothing. Oh my God. This neighborhood will be the death of me. I know I kind of got used to the constant gunshot or people getting beaten up. But it was the first time I saw the actual murderers.

I was long warned by the landlord not to meddle when something like that happens.

"Don't ever squeak a word in the police. Those people control them too, one word from you and you'll be dead the moment you step out of the police station. People around here don't care, we are used to it. The mafias are the law. You can run but you can never hide so you better not waste your time. Don't even bat an eye, listen to me Yue. You'll be fine as long as you get out of their business." He said when I complained to him about a guy who was forcefully dragged out of his home by one of 'them'.

Business, meaning killing someone. Whether you're an enemy, a loaner or simply an overly curious bystander you die once you meddle.

And I was fvcking close awhile ago. A few more seconds of that guy looking at me and I might have a bullet hole in me by now.

A/N

Hi loves!

So now we are going to try out an AU. I don't know if you've notice it, but I love exploring different genres and Diyue is the perfect muse for such stories.

Yes muse, they're like a fountain of isnpiration for someone like me. I hope you guys like this story. There'll be loopholes so forgive me in advance.

This story is a mix of angst, romance and action. Some of the characters we dearly love will also make an appearance. ?

I know we're all suffering from Diyue thirst since the Inn has finally ended and our DiYue are taking on individual projects that will further cement their careers as actors. So let's keep supporting them in every projects they will take on.

I will keep waiting until their next project together, because even the universe conspires with us.

Let's keep on stanning such wonderful people.

Stan royals, stan classy!

jclaire101 signing off... ? ﾟﾌﾻ?