Day 6 in the VR Simulation
Li Wei returned home that night, his body aching from exhaustion, his ribs sore from the fight at Song Wen's shop. Every movement felt heavier than before, his muscles stiff with tension. Yet, as he stepped inside, all thoughts of his pain faded at the sound of Mei's weak coughing from the bed.
She was getting worse.
Vincent felt Li Wei's chest tighten. The relief he had briefly felt after standing against Zhao Kun was gone. Victory meant nothing if Mei was still slipping away.
Li Wei walked to her side, his movements slow but steady, as though any sudden motion might shatter the fragile peace that remained in the house.
Mei looked up, her tired eyes scanning the bruises on his face, the dried blood at the corner of his lips. "You fought again…"
Li Wei nodded slightly, lowering himself onto the stool beside her bed. His expression was unreadable, but his thoughts were clouded with problems he could not solve.
Mei reached for his hand, her fingers trembling, her grip weak but determined. "You have to be careful… Every battle makes you lose something… even when you win."
Vincent felt those words settle deep inside Li Wei's mind.
Every battle makes you lose something.
Victory always had a price.
***
The next morning, Li Wei arrived at Huang's trade house, knowing full well that his actions the previous day had stirred conflict.
As expected, Huang sat behind his desk, fingers tapping against the polished wood. The merchant's expression was unreadable, but his patience was clearly thin.
"You ignored my instructions," Huang said, his voice calm but sharp. "Instead of handling Song Wen discreetly, you started a fight with Zhao Kun. Do you even realize what you've done?"
Li Wei met Huang's gaze without flinching. "I did what I believed was right."
Huang scoffed, leaning back in his chair. "Right? Right does not matter here, Li Wei. You think this makes you honorable? It makes you reckless."
Vincent felt Li Wei's frustration rising. He had saved a man, yet all Huang cared about was how it affected his business.
But Li Wei needed Huang. Without him, Mei's chances of survival were close to nothing.
Li Wei took a slow breath, controlling his emotions. "Zhao Kun was already targeting Song Wen. I stopped him, but now, he will come after me."
Huang's fingers stopped tapping. He observed Li Wei for a moment before smirking. "Good. That means you're useful."
Li Wei frowned. "What do you mean?"
Huang leaned forward, elbows resting on the desk. "Zhao Kun has been a problem for me, too. If he wants you dead, use that to your advantage. Turn him into the hunted."
Vincent understood the logic. Huang saw Li Wei as a weapon, someone who could weaken Zhao Kun's grip over the merchants.
If Li Wei succeeded, Huang would protect him—and Mei would get the medicine she needed.
But if he failed, it would cost him everything.
***
Li Wei returned to his shop, where Song Wen waited by the door, his expression full of anticipation.
"You saved my life," Song Wen said without hesitation. "Now, I want to help you."
Li Wei studied him carefully. "Help me?"
Song Wen nodded. "Zhao Kun will come back stronger. You need allies, not just Huang. I have connections with merchants who have also suffered under Zhao Kun. If we stand together, we can push him out."
Vincent recognized the shift.
Li Wei was no longer just a struggling trader. He was becoming a leader, at the center of those desperate to break free from Zhao Kun's control.
This was dangerous. But it was the only way forward.
Li Wei looked at Song Wen, then slowly nodded. "Gather your people. Let's talk."
***
That night, as Li Wei locked up his shop, his instincts whispered that something was wrong.
Then—it happened.
The doors crashed open, and Zhao Kun's men stormed inside, their boots trampling everything in their path. Shelves collapsed, crates shattered, papers flew through the air.
Li Wei barely had time to react before two men grabbed him, slamming him against the counter with brutal force.
Vincent felt Li Wei's breath escape him, the sheer impact forcing the air from his lungs. Fists rained down, crashing into his ribs, each blow sending shockwaves of pain through his body.
From the entrance, Zhao Kun walked in, his smirk twisted with satisfaction. "You think you can fight me, Li Wei? You think you can take the market from me?"
Li Wei spat blood onto the floor, refusing to answer.
Zhao Kun's face darkened, grabbing Li Wei's collar, pulling him close. "I could kill you now. But that would be too easy."
Vincent felt the shift in the atmosphere. What was Zhao Kun planning?
Zhao Kun leaned in, voice low. "I know what you care about. I know about Mei."
Li Wei froze, his body stiff with shock.
Vincent heard the silent scream inside Li Wei's mind. No. Not Mei.
Zhao Kun chuckled, his grip tightening. "You want to fight me? Fine. But if you lose, I take everything—including her."
Li Wei's breathing was uneven, his thoughts racing.
There was no way out now. No room for mistakes. No second chances.
He had started a war, and now, it was survival or death.
***
Li Wei sat on the floor of his ruined shop, blood pooling beneath him.
Zhao Kun's words echoed, louder than any punch he had endured.
"If you lose, I take everything—including her."
Mei.
Vincent felt Li Wei tremble, not from pain but something worse—fear.
This was no longer about protecting his business. This was personal.
Zhao Kun had crossed the line, and now, there was no turning back.
Li Wei wiped the blood from his lips and forced himself to stand. His ribs burned, his vision blurred for a moment, but his mind was clear.
Zhao Kun had to be eliminated.
Victory was no longer just about survival.
It was about making sure Mei stayed safe.
And for that—Zhao Kun had to fall.