Feng He stares at the doctor in bewilderment, slowly blinking a few times.

“What does he mean, 5 months to live?! This is out of nowhere.”

Feng He had come to the doctor for what seemed to be a bad cold. For days, Feng He had a horrible cough and shortness of breath, causing it to be hard to work at the office. Feng He tried most over the counter medications, but none of them worked, including at-home remedies as well.

Feng He was just looking for stronger medication, expecting it to take 10 minutes at most. But the next thing Feng He knew, he was in the x-ray room, with doctors looking to see if it was pneumonia.

But what they saw was not fluid, but masses in Feng He’s lungs. 3 large ones located in his left, and 2 large ones in his right, with little masses scattered all throughout. The masses had been causing the shortness of breath and his coughing.

The doctors had immediately begun testing what had caused the cancer to metastasize in his lungs. They had quickly learned that he had bone cancer as well. Feng He was told that it was stage 4 and even though Feng He did not really know what that meant, he knew that it was bad.

Feng He stared, “But, I’m only 23, I can’t die yet! I still have things to do, things to see!”

The doctor sighed, slightly shaking his head, “I’m sorry. While most who get cancer are older, many young people get cancer as well. We can try treatment here, but it would only give you a little more time. You could also go home and rest. Enjoy the time you have left. It’s up to you.”

Feng He’s mind raced, “Cancer? How could I have cancer? What should I do?”

Feng He began to weigh his options. If he got treatment, he could get a little more time to do things he has never done. But, the treatment would likely hinder his ability to. If he did not receive the treatment, however, he would have less time, but be free during that time.

Feng He decided that he wanted to just rest at home. He doctor nods. This isn't the first time he has seen young people not want treatment. As the doctor grabbed the discharge papers, Feng He just stared at the floor, not knowing what to do. After finishing the paperwork Feng He began the short trip back home.

Feng He didn’t have the time or money to travel or finish school. He also does not really have any family to spend his little time with. His only family is his cousin, Liang Long, which he fell out with a few years back due to an argument over what to do with their aunt’s remains.

Feng He looks at his reflection in the window of a bookstore. “How could this happen to me?”

Feng He reached his apartment, a small building at the edge of town. Unlocking the door, Feng He rushes in and collapsed on his bed, making it creak under him.

Feng He stares at nothing in particular, thinking of what to do with the time he has left.

“Try skydiving? No, too expensive. Maybe write a book? No, I’m not talented enough for that.”

Feng He’s eyes land on his phone, “Maybe I can try to Google something?”

Feng He searches and searches the web. The only thing he can find that is feasible is reading a long book to try and escape his life. After some more searching, Feng He comes across an interesting book.

“The Grand Cultivator of Unusual means solves a murder“

The book follows a grand cultivator whose father was murdered and with his sworn brother, they go and find the murderer to avenge him.

The main character, Huang Bingwen, uses an ancient way of cultivating, not used by others in many millennia. His sworn brother, Xue Lan, has been with him since they were disciples at the sky sect, the Shixing Huan sect.

They swore that they would protect each other, with Xue Lan coming back with Huang Bingwen to the Guangshan Huang sect when they finished their studies instead of returning to his own sect, the sea sect, the Qingying Lan sect.

The story starts with them finding his father’s dead body in his office and going off to find the murderer. The man that murdered Huang Bingwen’s father was Liao Shi, from the mountain sect, the Qintou Shi sect. Liao Shi hoped with the loss of Huang Bingwen’s father, Qintou Shi would be able to advance higher in standing and maybe be able to take over as top sect eventually.

But Huang Bingwen finds Liao Shi, killing him and avenging his father. Unfortunately, Xue Lan dies protecting Huang Bingwen, keeping his promise they had made before.

The story was a long read for Feng He, spanning over 350 chapters of traveling, everyday life, and adventure. It took him almost 3 weeks to read! Feng He always had trouble reading as a child, and it seems it was still the case. Though, for Feng He, it was a great story to escape to. He didn't mind that he had already lost 1 month of his life. Feng He could live through Huang Bingwen and Xue Lan’s lives and adventures.

Feng He even cried when Xue Lan died. Feng He wanted for Xue Lan and Huang Bingwen to make it out together. The chemistry between Huang Bingwen and Xue Lan was something Feng He longed for.

Feng He always wanted to have a relationship as strong as Huang Bingwen and Xue Lan’s. The mutual trust and understanding of one another between Xue Lan and Bingwen was something Feng He felt everyone would want.

It did not need to be romantic or anything, a friend, a brother, it does not matter. It was the one thing people would look for in life, including Feng He.

As the sheets of Feng He’s bed shifted under him, Feng He looked up at his ceiling in thought.

“Why should I let this cancer take me. I should die by my choice. I have lived my life making my own choices, and that isn't going to change now!”

Feng He’s mind was made up, and once it was made up, there was nothing that could stop him.

Even as an adult, Feng He was just as stubborn as he was as a young child. Feng He never let anyone tell him what he could and couldn't do, often making rash decisions without putting much thought into it.

Feng He grabbed a bottle of sleeping pills he had used in the past off of the nightstand. Feng He had used the pills before due to a slight bout of insomnia. Feng He wanted to go painlessly, like going to sleep. Feng He knew that if you took enough sleeping pills, there was a chance it could kill you in your sleep.

Before Feng He took off the cap, he thought of what his life had amounted to. He tried to think about what his greatest accomplishment was, but was unable to come up with anything.

Feng He often got in trouble with the people around him due to his personality. More than once, he would get into petty fights with co-workers or family members. He was never very open with others, not really having any friends, and never went out. It never bothered Feng He though. He enjoyed being alone in his thoughts. He never felt he needed friends to be happy. He was happy walking in the park alone or eating out by himself. He was happy with his life.

Feng He shook his head, “There is no use in worrying about things like this anymore. It doesn’t matter how I lived my life. I was happy and content. And I’m going to die happy.”

Feng He opened the bottle, little blue pills plopping into his hands. Tilting his head back, he washed them down with some tea. Sighing, Feng he went into the kitchen to prepare his last meal.

Feng He made the one meal that always comforted him, chicken soup. Feng He’s mother had always made it for him when he was upset or sick. Knowing that after taking the medications, he would not have that much time, Feng He grabbed a can of premade soup and warmed it up.

Though not as good as his mother’s, or any homemade soup, it still did the trick for Feng He. It made him happy to be able to have a bit of his mother with him. Eating chicken soup made him feel like his mother was right next to him, telling him everything would be OK.

With a full stomach and happy heart, Feng He laid on the bed, snuggling into the warmth of the pillow below him.

As he slowly drifted off, Feng He wondered if he would dream his last night. Feng He’s eyes began to flutter. Unable to stay awake anymore, Feng He gave up fighting the sleep. Peacefully, Feng He went off into the abyss.

[Welcome newcomer!]

“What the fuck?”

A sweet, yet somewhat detached voice spoke suddenly in the quiet to him.

Feng He opened his eyes and saw a little white light floating in a dark, empty, room.

Feng He looked around, “Hello? What’s happening?”

[This is the Human Incarnation Wish System, aka project HOPE.]

Feng He heard the voice coming from the light in the middle, and asked sarcastically, “Why is your project name hope? The letters in your name don’t spell hope.”

[I am called HOPE for I give hope to others. It is also a code name to refer to me as. Much easier than my full name or trying to pronounce H.I.W.S, don't you think?]

Feng He quietly laughed into his hand, “Who knew a system would have such strong feelings?”

[Please refrain from laughing. I find the situation you are in as serious.]

Feng He suddenly stopped laughing, realizing something, “Wait, am I dead? Shouldn’t I be dead? Maybe I haven’t died yet and I’m just dreaming.”

Feng He reached over to his cheek and gave himself a hard pinch. He yelped in surprise as his nails dug into his skin. It meant for sure he was not dreaming. But if he wasn’t dreaming, then what’s going on?

[You have died, but you are now being given a second chance. As I have said, I am the Human Incarnation Wish System. I reincarnate those who wished for a better life.]

Feng He stared deeply into the white light, “You will reincarnate me? Will it be back on earth?”

[No. Once a soul leaves a plane, it can not re-enter that plane. But, we will create a plane specifically catered to you to give you the life you hoped you would have had. By reading the wavelengths of your soul, we are able to do this.]

Feng He thought for a moment, putting his hand to his chin. “Create a new plane? Hmm… Maybe killing myself was a good thing. I now have a second chance. But, how did this thing get a hold of my soul? Furthermore, how can it create a whole new universe just for one person? The amount of energy needed alone would be incredible.”

Feng He turned to the side a bit, not wanting to look at the light anymore. He then began to speak slowly, “How can you do this? How did you get my soul? Is this a program by the government?”

[Unfortunately, I can not answer those questions for you as they are classified. But I can say that this is in your best interest. Many have come before you, and many will come again. Now let us see what we do for you.]

The light shifted from white to orange, most likely to show it was scanning his soul.

[Scan complete. The system has chosen the best plane for you. Would you like to continue?]

A screen appears in front of Feng He with two glowing buttons.

Yes in green, No in red. Feng He went to click one of the buttons but found that he couldn't bring himself to choose one option or the other.

Feng He stared intensely at the screen in front of him, "What should I do? Do I want another chance?"

Feng he looked up, "What happens if I click yes?"

[You will be transported to the world chosen specifically for you. You will have the second chance you deserve.]

Feng He turned back, "What kind of world is it? Will it really be good for me?"

[I have never been wrong before. Many have had the same doubts as you, but have found themselves happy in their new lives.]

"Will I be reborn as a baby, or will it take over from here?"

[You will be reborn as you are now. You may look different and may be in a different time, but you will still retain your age and memories of your past life.]

Feng He thought this through. he saw that he would have a second chance. He would still be him but will become a different man. For some reason, this didn't bother Feng He. Even if he has a different name or different looks, he would still be him.

Feng He's finger hovered over the Yes, shaking slightly. "*OK. Let's do this*"

Feng he tapped the button and a new screen popped up, saying "Thank you for choosing H.I.W.S. We hope you enjoy your new world!"

[You will now be transported to your new world. I will be available for help at any time. Just think about me or call out HOPE. Thank you for choosing H.I.W.S! We hope you enjoy your new world!]

A different voice rang through the room, announcing "Now transporting subject number 457 to world 6789."

Suddenly, the orb started to go in circles around Feng He, gaining speed each time around. The wind began to pick up, tossing Feng He's hair up and around. The orb grew larger, blinding Feng He with its bright blue light.

Feng He began to panic slightly, "Wait, what's...?!" But before Feng He could finish, he was met with darkness.