Chapter 4: The Night the Sky Shattered
"The world called him a miracle. But even miracles bleed."
The Grand Imperial Hall stood hushed in reverence.
Long Haochen stood beneath the floodlights, his black-and-silver robe flowing gently behind him, hair shimmering like a trail of stars. Around his neck gleamed the World Harmony Youth Laureate Award, the most prestigious accolade given to any young mind in the modern world.
He had just finished his performance of The Chronicle.
Nations wept. Royalty applauded. His name echoed in every language.
The announcer stepped forward, voice trembling with awe:
"Ladies and gentlemen, the youngest genius in human history—Long Haochen!"
Thunderous applause shook the hall.
Cameras flashed. The world watched live across oceans and time zones.
His sisters stood nearby, smiling quietly:
Pearl held her hands together, pride radiant in her composure.
Crystal had tears in her eyes, trying not to cry on live television.
Jade winked at him and mouthed, You did it, Starboy.
Emerald just stood still… heart full, gaze soft, journal clutched in her hand.
Haochen stepped forward, the microphone rising to meet him.
He pulled out a folded note.
A speech—simple, heartfelt, written for him by Emerald, with love in every word.
He opened his mouth.
But he never spoke.
A high-pitched ping echoed across the auditorium.
The massive LED screen behind him flickered.
Then went black.
Then—
BREAKING NEWS – CHINA – EMERGENCY UPDATE
A female news anchor appeared, pale, visibly shaken:
"We interrupt the global broadcast with tragic news. Moments ago, en route to a private celebration—Long family heads Madam Long Yuying and Master Long Tianrui—have been confirmed deceased in a fatal car crash outside Hangzhou city."
"We… we apologize for the timing of this report…"
The world froze.
The audience gasped.
Someone dropped a wine glass. It shattered like thin ice.
The microphone slipped from Haochen's fingers and fell with a soft, hollow thud.
He did not move.
He did not speak.
He could not even blink.
His parents… had been watching.
They were coming to surprise him.
He had begged them to rest.
He had said he would fly to them after.
And now—just like that—
They were gone.
Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed through the corridor behind the stage.
Two black-suited Long family bodyguards stormed through the curtains, whispering to Pearl. She didn't scream. She just nodded, then turned and grabbed Crystal's hand.
"We're leaving. Now."
Jade's face went white.
Emerald's journal slipped from her fingers.
And Haochen—
-Haochen was still staring at the screen.
His breath had stopped.
Pearl ran to him and gripped his wrist.
"Haochen," she whispered. "Come with me. We'll fall apart later. Not here."
His eyes were wide. Tears hadn't yet come.
He was still… frozen inside the moment he saw the word "deceased."
The guards opened a path. The orchestra stood, stunned.
The world didn't move.
Only the siblings did.
They left behind gold. Applause. Lights. Crowned halls.
And all that remained behind…
…was a microphone lying on the stage.
Still echoing the sound of something that had once been whole.