Lu Shizhen knew about leaving this world from the moment she came into it.
But as time went by, she gradually forgot about it.
Lu Shizhen once felt that leaving was both a near and a far thing for her, after all, in the original story, Xu Shiyue spent a lot of time leaving the original owner.
But she forgot that without her as a stumbling block, Xu Shiyue's return to the Xu family and departure from her would be much faster.
Her death was linked to Xu Shiyue's return to the Xu family.
Fate always seems to intertwine in strange ways; the joy Lu Shizhen felt when reading the original text has now turned into a sense of sorrow.
She stared at the crystal ball before her, its rose petals swaying silently, a warmth slowly spreading across her forehead hidden by her stray hairs.
That was a kiss from Xu Shiyue on her forehead.
On her birthday.
Couldn't she have taken her time?
Just hold on a little longer, until the end of the month, until her actual birthday.
She didn't want to use the original owner's identity; she wanted to be with Xu Shiyue using her own identity...
Let's get together and eat cake.
Lu Shizhen was silently thinking to herself when Qiuqiu interrupted her: "Host, recent data shows that your emotions are fluctuating drastically. I have to remind you that you should not have any attachment to or feelings for anyone here."
As if someone had read her mind, Lu Shizhen immediately looked up: "What did you say?"
“Recently, I’ve been monitoring your heart rate, especially when Xu Shiyue is around. Your heart rate is higher than normal, and your mood swings are also beyond the normal range.” Qiuqiu pulled up its statistical chart for Lu Shizhen. Different colored wavy lines rose and fell in the statistical table, like intersecting roller coaster tracks.
"I have done my best to stop this emotional change in you, but I don't know if, over time, the main system will see through my barrier program, detect your true changes, and punish you."
Qiuqiu's voice was more earnest than ever before, reminding Lu Shizhen word by word.
Lu Shizhen stared at the statistical chart in front of her, her gaze following the blue curve marked with Xu Shiyue's name as it rose and fell.
She never imagined that her heartbeat, when turned into data, would be so intense and direct.
She never expected that Xu Shiyue would score far higher than others on this statistical chart that recorded her feelings.
It was as if, without her knowledge, Xu Shiyue had gradually become the only person who could stir her emotions.
And this person, for her, seems to have changed from someone she simply liked at the beginning to someone who has become someone with a different meaning.
But what kind of existence could make her care so much about a kiss on the forehead, a word, or even the slightest touch?
Lu Shizhen frowned slightly, unable to understand the problem.
Or perhaps, they are afraid to face it.
At this moment, Qiuqiu's voice continued: "Moreover, the toothache you just experienced was just the beginning. The longer you stay in this world, the stronger your body's rejection of you will become. You should know what the consequences will be when the Lu family finds out that you are not the original owner."
"We are just completing a task in this world. Real life begins when the task is over. We have now reached the end. As long as you leave safely, you can have a healthy body and start a life that is completely your own."
"Xu Shiyue, the protagonist of this world, does not belong to the host's life."
The question that had been unanswered was thus dispelled by Qiuqiu's words.
Since it doesn't belong to us, there's no point in pursuing an answer.
Lu Shizhen understood everything Qiuqiu said.
Xu Shiyue has her future, her beautiful love, and she knew it from the very beginning.
She had already memorized the entire plot of the book perfectly. Every word she read secretly under the covers to avoid the nurses' rounds, and every tear she shed, was because of her love for Xu Shiyue.
What is there for her to be reluctant to part with?
She should be happy.
Xu Shiyue's life has not changed because of her; her future will be even brighter and more glorious.
With a loved one by your side, and children and grandchildren surrounding you.
As Lu Shizhen thought this, she silently looked at the fox in the crystal ball that didn't look like a fox, and suddenly burst out laughing.
The bright glass dome reflected the girl's downcast face, and on it were a pair of reddened eyes.
These eight words, though seemingly beautiful, felt like something had been etched into her heart.
It hurts so much, it hurts so much.
As if trying to ease the sudden pain in her chest, Lu Shizhen paused for a while before asking, "So, should we prepare to leave according to the development of the plot?"
Qiuqiu nodded, then shook her head: "Actually, leaving according to the plot development is the worst strategy. If the host designs to leave voluntarily, there will be a large number of points."
Upon hearing that there were tasks beyond the main mission, Lu Shizhen felt somewhat resigned: "But I've already completed the main mission, so what's the use of these points?"
"The number of points will affect the quality of the body the host can exchange for, unlocking different worlds for the host to choose from," Qiuqiu explained. "Furthermore, after completing tasks, the host will unlock the system shop, which refreshes daily and allows the host to exchange for any item. Points are the currency the host will use in the system in the future."
"Moreover, the host's current mission points are in a bugged state, and you really need a large amount of points that are not counted in the mission points."
This task sounds like a bonus question, but just like in an exam, bonus questions, though not counted towards the grade, are related to the ranking.
You always say you won't do it, but for various reasons you have to.
Lu Shizhen had longed for a healthy body for over twenty years; she desperately wanted a pair of legs that could move freely.
Without the torment of illness, without the need for a long-term indwelling needle in the wrist, and with the smell of sunshine far more pleasant than that of disinfectant.
It's almost time to win, are we going to give up?
"Qiuqiu." Lu Shizhen's voice was weak and low, like a stone thrown into the deep sea and falling continuously. "I hate your system so much."
The world seems to be forever cruel to Lu Shizhen.
She remembers having many friends when she was a child, but she has forgotten when and why she stopped making friends in the real world.
But now, she remembers.
She decided once again that she would never make friends again.
Since loss and separation are inevitable, it's better not to have them in the first place.
Anyway, she was all alone in the previous world.
The moonlight outside the window cast the girl's shadow on the wall; her small and thin shadow was pressed down by the dark night, shrinking together.
Lu Shizhen felt as if there was a barb on her body. The fishing god chose to reel in the line at the predetermined point, and the hook embedded in her flesh was tugging at her. She didn't know if it was her mouth or her heart, but she felt pain all over.
Logically speaking, an AI like Qiuqiu shouldn't be able to sense human emotions. However, when it saw Lu Shizhen with her bare feet propped up on the chair and curled up, its emotional state plummeted.
Not knowing what to do to make Lu Shizhen feel better, it simply fluttered its wings and landed on its host's head.
Its coiled tail was buried in its hair, as if comforting her.
Whether it was because the final exams were over and she could finally relax, or for some other reason, Lu Shizhen slept for a long time. When she woke up, the sun was already high in the sky, and it was almost noon.
Lu Shizhen didn't know when she went to bed yesterday, and she felt a little dizzy when she woke up.
She shuffled downstairs in her slippers and saw Aunt Sun cutting fruit. When she saw her come down, Aunt Sun immediately said, "Miss, breakfast has just been heated up. Please wait a moment."
Lu Shizhen didn't wait; she picked up a sandwich from the counter and took a bite.
She was hungry and finished the sandwich in a few bites. Looking at the fruit that Aunt Sun was still arranging on a plate, she asked, "Why is there more blueberry in this one and more strawberry in this one?"
"Miss Xu has been using her eyes a lot lately, so I added extra blueberries for her. And doesn't Miss like strawberries?" Aunt Sun said, as she finished preparing the two fruit platters.
"Oh." This was the first time Lu Shizhen had noticed Aunt Sun's attentiveness. Her eyes darkened for a moment, and she picked up two fruit platters as if possessed. "I'll go. I'll go back to my room now and take the fruit to Xu Shiyue. You don't have to make the trip."
Whether it was because the young lady was unusually considerate, or for some other reason, Aunt Sun's eyes crinkled with laughter, and she immediately nodded and said, "Yes, young lady."
Because of the heavy snowfall a couple of days ago, the whole world looked exceptionally bright.
Lu Shizhen, carrying a fruit platter, knocked twice on the door of the second-floor study, and pushed it open without waiting for Xu Shiyue's response.
The window facing the door let in all the sunlight, and the snow in the backyard covered the glass panes divided by the window frames.
Xu Shiyue was sitting upright at her desk, looking at documents. Her long hair was loose, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses sat on her straight nose.
This person has a fair and cool complexion. The warm gold color placed in front of her face adds a touch of gentleness to her coolness, but also amplifies the sense of distance.
The snowflakes surrounded her from behind, the transparent buttons on her white shirt reflecting light all the way down to her neck and chin, giving her a meticulous yet slightly roguish air.
Lu Shizhen paused slightly, not wanting Xu Shiyue to notice her unusual behavior, and then walked in: "Busy?"
Xu Shiyue nodded. "I'm looking at the renovation design drawings for the Maode Building."
Seeing Lu Shizhen walking towards her, she invited, "Want to come and take a look?"
Lu Shizhen was interested in anything related to drawing, so since Xu Shiyue had invited her, she joined in.
The black and white drawings meticulously marked the building's structure. Looking at them, Lu Shizhen couldn't help but say, "This place must be quite valuable, right? Every inch of land is precious, and it wouldn't be easy to renovate it."
“Yes.” Xu Shiyue nodded, seemingly still somewhat troubled, “but the whole building is already a bit outdated.”
“But actually, you can see that the overall framework of the building is still very solid. Why not just renovate the building walls?” Lu Shizhen looked around and some ideas popped into her head.
Not content with just talking, she pointed to Xu Shiyue and said, "Look, this area could actually be extended to create a circular shape. It would look much better than the simple circle we have now. What do you think..."
Lu Shizhen was very engrossed in her speech and turned to ask Xu Shiyue for her opinion.
But she stopped abruptly as she turned her head before she could finish her sentence.
The sunlight cast the girls' shadows on the wall, their blurred outlines overlapping.
Lu Shizhen's focused expression inadvertently shortened the distance between her and Xu Shiyue. With just a turn of her head, the tips of their noses almost touched.
His gentle breath carried a familiar fragrance to Lu Shizhen, and behind his clean glasses were a pair of calm, dark eyes.
The study in winter is filled with the warmth of the underfloor heating, and the gentle warmth gradually creates an ambiguous atmosphere.
The study was quiet for a moment. Lu Shizhen felt her face burning up again, and her heart was racing.
Lu Shizhen stared blankly at Xu Shiyue, then as if realizing something, she abruptly cut off her emotions, pulling her hand and her leaning body back, like a deserter who had lost all his armor.
"I'm not a professional, I'm just talking nonsense," Lu Shizhen said, her voice somewhat restrained.
Xu Shiyue thought Lu Shizhen was just shy, so she nodded in agreement and said, "In that case, why don't you come with me to check it out when I come back from the Xu family tomorrow? Let's see where we can make changes."
Lu Shizhen's eyes lit up with surprise and delight upon hearing Xu Shiyue's words.
She smiled and her eyes crinkled, but then paused for a moment.
The building's blueprints unfolded in her peripheral vision. Xu Shiyue's words reminded her of something, and her excited voice became a little deeper: "Okay."
Xu Shiyue had many thoughts, but she didn't notice Lu Shizhen's subtle change.
She watched the delighted surprise in Lu Shizhen's eyes and couldn't help but smile along with her.
"Then you go ahead with your work, I won't bother you anymore." Lu Shizhen said, placing the bowl of fruit she was holding next to Xu Shiyue. "Aunt Sun asked me to bring this. Remember to eat it no matter how busy you are."
“Okay.” Xu Shiyue nodded, watching Lu Shizhen’s retreating figure until the door was closed again.
But the wooden door was heavy and solid, and even though she watched Lu Shizhen leave, she couldn't see the stumble Lu Shizhen made when she stepped out.
The girl's legs suddenly became uncontrollable, her long, loose hair was thrown into disarray by the sudden change, and she almost knelt on the ground.
Qiuqiu detected that Lu Shizhen's body was out of control and immediately appeared. Its slender tail barely hooked around her arm and reminded her with difficulty: "Host, we can't delay any longer. You just lost 100 points, which is a new historical high. I also detected dozens of unexpected time points set by the main system."
Lu Shizhen's shoulders trembled slightly, and her taut arms showed prominent veins.
She barely managed to support her suddenly out-of-control leg with one hand, her eyes dim: "Qiuqiu, I think I've found a suitable place."
The weather forecast the day before predicted snow, but the morning was unexpectedly sunny and calm.
Yuanzi ran merrily in the still-unmelted snow, startling a sparrow that was picking grass seeds to eat.
No one saw a small ball with a wagging tail flying in front of it.
No one knew that this was the last time it would play with the little ball.
The gates of the Lu family villa opened early in the morning, and Xu Shiyue walked out of the villa wearing a black woolen short cloak.
Today is a big day for her. She has joined forces with the public security authorities and the court to prepare to return to the Xu family and deliver the final blow to Xu Shouxian.
Lu Shizhen, unusually, did not sleep in. She changed into a brightly colored outfit and went out with Xu Shiyue.
Xu Shiyue was somewhat surprised, but more than surprised, she felt happy.
She was going to take back what belonged to her, and Lu Shizhen even offered to give it to her.
Xu Shiyue thought Lu Shizhen was looking forward to the afternoon's inspection of the building, which was why she got up so early. Before getting into the car, she said to her, "I can finish things over there soon, so you won't have to wait long."
Lu Shizhen nodded and looked at the neatly dressed Xu Shiyue, saying, "Go quickly, don't keep the people from the procuratorate waiting."
Upon hearing this, Xu Shiyue gave Lu Shizhen a deep look.
Looking at the girl in the red dress, his dark eyes were filled with a tenderness that no one else had ever seen. "Okay, you should go back too. It's cold, so wear more clothes when you go to the building later."
Hearing Xu Shiyue say that, Lu Shizhen realized that she was indeed dressed a little too lightly.
The cold wind outside blew across the hem of her thin knitted skirt, the sparse knit fabric catching the wind.
As if Xu Shiyue's words were some kind of curse, Lu Shizhen belatedly felt a chill.
But she still didn't turn back, and said with a joking smile, "I have to watch you leave, otherwise I'll have come out here to freeze for nothing?"
Xu Shiyue smiled.
As if urging Lu Shizhen to hurry back, she got into the car without saying another word.
Just then, Lu Shizhen called out to her again: "Xu Shiyue."
Xu Shiyue shifted slightly as she got into the car: "What's wrong?"
"Take good care of yourself."
The winter wind blew, and the snow scattered on the treetops fell down in a soft rustling sound, as if another light snow had fallen in the yard.
Lu Shizhen looked at Xu Shiyue after the snow and said this.
Xu Shiyue suddenly felt that the world around her had become much quieter, and all she could see was Lu Shizhen's eyes gazing at her.
Fine snowflakes drifted down onto her head with the backdraft of wind. She didn't bother to shake them off, but they fell and melted in the car's warm air as she nodded.
"Don't worry, I'll meet you at the building soon," Xu Shiyue replied, gesturing for Li to close the door and leave.
The car started slowly, and the hot exhaust pipe left a trail on the melting pavement.
For once, Lu Shizhen disobeyed Xu Shiyue's words and stood at the villa entrance watching Xu Shiyue's car leave until it turned a corner and disappeared into the vast snowfield.
The vast expanse of white snow reflected the rising sunlight, casting an unreal brightness over the entire winter day.
Lu Shizhen suddenly remembered a long, long time ago—actually not that long ago—when Xu Shiyue secretly left her while she was at school.
That time, she used all her points to find Xu Shiyue.
So, will Xu Shiyue find her again?
But she doesn't have any points...
She didn't even know the system existed.
As Lu Shizhen was thinking this, Qiuqiu's panting voice interrupted her: "Host, just as we planned, the system has detected that Xu Shouxian's people are ready to use the same old tricks again."
"Ah..." Upon hearing this, Lu Shizhen looked up at the sky with a dull expression. The sun was shining brightly, but it couldn't penetrate her dim eyes. "The weather is really nice today."
"So the saying that the weather was bad before anything happened here is false."
Lu Shizhen spoke with a hint of emotion, her voice laced with a lazy rebellion.
Then she smiled, her eyes fixed on the sun: "It's also possible that I'm not the main character at all."
Compared to the Lu family's well-organized preparations that began early in the morning, the Xu family's old house was filled with chaos.
Black cars lined up in front of the old house. Xu Shiyue got out of the car. Besides Li, Luo Ji, who had a metal prosthetic leg, stood next to her.
The family members panicked when they saw the men in suits and ties enter, and Aunt Xu hurried to the main hall.
But Xu Shouxian was sitting calmly in a grand chair in the main hall, drinking tea, while a large group of people walked into the courtyard directly opposite.
Aunt Xu looked at Xu Shiyue, who was in the lead, and said angrily, "Shiyue, what are you doing? Why didn't you say anything before you came? And you brought so many people with you?"
Xu Shiyue didn't need to answer, so Luo Ji spoke for her: "Madam, I think the police don't need to give advance notice when arresting murderers, right?"
Xu Minjun, who had arrived with Aunt Xu, looked utterly bewildered and loudly questioned, "Xu Shiyue, what nonsense are your people spouting?"
“I don’t think it’s nonsense.” Xu Shiyue smiled and looked directly at Xu Shouxian. “What do you think, Second Uncle?”
Xu Shouxian didn't answer, but only sighed while holding his teacup, "You're really quick, Shiyue."
Xu Shiyue nodded slightly and said, "I learned all of this from my second uncle."
"Looks like I'm a pretty good teacher after all?" Xu Shouxian sneered, placing his teacup on the table.
“Yes,” Xu Shiyue echoed with a smile, “If it weren’t for Second Uncle, I, a junior, wouldn’t have become the head of the Xu family so early.”
Auntie was stunned by their back-and-forth conversation. She knew something bad was going to happen in the family, but she never expected it to be this serious. She broke down, yelling, "Xu Shiyue! We've already returned your things! Why are you trying to kill us all?! Xu Shiyue! You're utterly heartless!"
"Is that so? Am I utterly heartless?" Xu Shiyue's previously polite gaze suddenly turned icy. "Was my parents' death a natural disaster or a result of human cruelty? Am I utterly heartless, or is this just retribution?"
The once clear sky was now filled with thick clouds pushed in by the wind, obscuring most of the sunlight.
The entire old house was instantly shrouded in shadow, and a cold wind rose through the interconnected corridors and courtyard.
Xu Shiyue had barely finished questioning Xu Shouxian, and before Xu Minjun or anyone else could defend him, the police walked into the courtyard and said to Xu Shouxian, "Xu Shouxian, you are suspected of [illegible], intentional homicide, and falsifying evidence. Please come with us."
Then, the prosecutors presented Xu Shouxian with a document: "Xu Shouxian, this is an indictment against you for tax evasion and money laundering overseas. We will be liquidating several of your residences. This is the notice. Please read it carefully."
The situation changed drastically in just a few seconds. Aunt Xu, who had been hoping for the best just a moment ago, suddenly fell to the ground, and Xu Minjun didn't even have time to help her up.
Xu Shiyue watched as Xu Shouxian's wrists were cuffed with silver handcuffs, her voice several times colder than the winter wind that was blowing: "Second Uncle, your money-making schemes using other people's blood money have come to an end."
Xu Shouxian still had a faint smile on his face. He stopped just as he brushed past Xu Shiyue and said, "Shiyue, your uncle has one last thing to tell you."
Xu Shiyue stared coldly at the man without saying a word.
Xu Shouxian didn't remain silent because of Xu Shiyue's reaction, and said to himself, "You are more ruthless than me, but your hands are cleaner than mine, so you will lose much more than I do."
This statement doesn't make any sense; it sounds like a threatening curse.
Xu Shiyue's eyes remained cold as she looked at him and said, "Thank you for reminding me, Second Uncle."
"However, I think many things are not something a loser can see through."
"Is that so?" Xu Shouxian asked softly, as if questioning Xu Shiyue's words, or perhaps just making a casual remark.
The sound didn't linger between him and Xu Shiyue for long before it was drowned out by the clanging of handcuffs.
The sirens were louder and more satisfying than when they arrived.
Xu Shouxian was escorted into the car under Xu Shiyue's watchful eye, and the sound of Xu's second aunt's loud crying echoed throughout the old house.
Xu Shiyue's heart remained unmoved; she had been waiting for this day, waiting to witness this person being sent away with her own eyes.
She had cried helplessly like Aunt Xu and Xu Minjun, but all she got in return was a pitying look.
Even so, it's still fake.
She generously returned this false pity to Xu Shouxian's wife and daughter, magnanimously "forgiving" their incessant insults, and ordered people to take Xu's second aunt and Xu Minjun away to "properly" settle them.
With the departure of the two idlers in the main hall, the disturbed winter tranquility was restored.
Xu Shiyue's gaze followed the two people who were being taken away, endlessly gazing down the long corridor.
This old house was owned by the Xu family ancestors. When Xu Shiyue was a child, her grandfather often let her and her family of three stay here.
The winter wind blew through Xu Shiyue's hair, and her gentle voice seemed to be mixed with the old man's slow and kind laughter as his cane tapped against the floor tiles.
Xu Shiyue seemed to see herself as a child running out from the connecting corridor, with her mother supporting her grandfather as they chased after her, while her father cheered her on in a particularly "unfilial" manner.
The surrounding temperature was too low, and any slight warmth would become mild, causing Xu Shiyue's tear-filled eyes to gradually turn red.
She finally did it; she finally got all of her parents' things back.
And there's the house that Grandpa originally left to their family.
When Grandpa passed away, this old house was originally intended for Xu Shiyue's father, but because the eldest son interfered and Xu Shouxian turned against him, the house ended up in the eldest son's possession.
Not long before Xu Shouxian's power was waning, his aunt came to see Xu Shiyue, hoping that after she could bring Xu Shouxian to justice, she could return the things that originally belonged to their family.
Xu Shiyue could only laugh as she listened.
Why should she pay it back?
When his family was planning to divide the spoils with Xu Shouxian, why didn't they think about returning what they had divided to themselves?
Watching from the sidelines while reaping the benefits of others' misfortunes.
The coming and going of family ties is far too cheap.
The wind blew, shaking the snow off the eaves.
A wisp of snow fell on Xu Shiyue's hair, and her joy seemed to be extinguished like a flame suddenly extinguished. A chill ran up her spine, making her feel inexplicably uneasy.
Xu Shiyue's gaze remained fixed on that long corridor, and in a daze, the corridor she had walked through in her dream overlapped with it.
The little girl in the wheelchair was sitting opposite her, holding an apple, and for some reason, her face was full of tears.
Xu Shiyue didn't know what the little girl had gone through, but when she saw the tear stains on that little face, her heart ached.
It felt as if something inside her body was about to be dug out; the vague pain was not quite there, but it made her brows furrow.
Luo Ji, who was coordinating the search with the court, was about to say something to Xu Shiyue when he suddenly noticed her change and immediately became nervous: "Miss, what's wrong?"
It was this question that immediately pulled Xu Shiyue out of this unreal pain.
Xu Shiyue felt a calm in her heart, as if nothing had happened, and shook her head: "It's nothing."
"I think I'm a little tired." Xu Shiyue felt that she might be imagining things because she had been too tired these past few days, so she simply handed over the matter to Luo Ji. "You stay here and cooperate with the court's search. I'm going back now."
"Okay." Luo Ji nodded. After the last accident, she was much more composed. She instructed, "Miss, go back and get some rest."
"Okay." Xu Shiyue nodded and led Li back to the car.
For Xu Shiyue, there are many kinds of rest.
Sleeping is one method, seeing someone you like is another, and it's much more effective than the former.
As the car drove towards the building, Xu Shiyue was eager to meet Lu Shizhen.
From today onwards, she has everything: stability and power are both in her hands, and she can protect Lu Shizhen more than enough.
So telling Lu Shizhen that you like her is something you can start thinking about.
The time I arranged with Lu Shizhen was eleven o'clock, but it's only ten o'clock now.
Xu Shiyue did not urge Lu Shizhen to leave early. She just stared at the chat window between her and Lu Shizhen, silently clicking on the person's profile picture and looking at it for a while.
She seemed to understand what people often refer to as the sense of anticipation.
Unlike the long period of waiting for Xu Shouxian to fall into her trap in collaboration with Mr. Wang, she had a full hour of joyful anticipation while waiting for Lu Shizhen to come and meet her.
The bustling skyscrapers flashed past Xu Shiyue's car window; the morning rush hour was over, and the road was bustling with a quiet tranquility.
Immersed in anticipation, Xu Shiyue admired the tranquility, yet somehow felt a vague unease about the journey ahead.
Xu Shiyue felt that she might not be in a good state today, and she was always restless.
Thinking that she would be seeing Lu Shizhen soon, she simply closed her eyes and prepared to take a short nap.
The bodyguard car was parked in the rearview mirror, remaining relatively stationary compared to the owner's car. Xu Shiyue had already lowered her eyes and could not see Li's suddenly pale face in the passenger seat.
The sound of fire trucks rushed into Xu Shiyue's dream, and the warm air rushed onto her face.
She heard a cacophony of voices approaching from afar, and the familiar nightmare resurfaced in her mind.
Xu Shiyue loathed this dream of separation and struggled to wake up.
But when she woke up, she realized something.
Black smoke and flames filled the sky, soaking into the snow, like a nightmare breaking free from a dream, unexpectedly filling her vision.
The voice I heard in my dream wasn't a dream; it actually happened.
A gas leak occurred at a dessert shop downstairs in the building, and the explosion spread into a fire.
The crimson flames struck the fragile glass, shattering into pieces with a crackling sound.
As Xu Shiyue watched the car approach, it was as if something had shattered in her head, leaving her completely stunned.
The flames licked at her blank mind as if trying to devour her. By the time she managed to regain her composure, she had already dialed several numbers on the phone beside her.
The sheer number of these numbers was terrifying, yet also terrifyingly pale; all she heard was the unresponsive beeping of the other party.
That was a call Xu Shiyue made to Lu Shizhen on a whim.
But Lu Shizhen didn't answer a single one; the calm, mechanical announcement was as cruel as a knife.
wrong.
wrong.
She wouldn't come this early; it's not yet the time they agreed on. She must be on her way or changing clothes.
Yes, change clothes.
I don't take my phone with me when I'm changing clothes, so it's normal that I didn't receive the call.
Xu Shiyue tried her best to give herself a reasonable explanation, but the sound of someone knocking on the car door shattered all her illusions.
Li appeared before her with a troubled expression and called out through the window, "Miss Xu."
Xu Shiyue calmly looked at Li's pale and ugly expression, and forced herself to close the window.
In an instant, all sorts of sounds amplified and intensified, flooding into the car. Xu Shiyue watched Li's mouth open and close in her line of sight, and her brain buzzed, feeling as if she had been suddenly pushed into the water.
The whole world fell silent. The cries for help receded like the tide, and the world seemed to be sealed off by the sea. All that remained in her ears was Li's last confirmed message.
“Ms. Xu, the driver called fifteen minutes ago. You are inside and haven’t come out.”
Xu Shiyue opened her mouth slightly, as if she wanted to say something to Li, but her throat seemed to be blocked by water, and she couldn't utter a single syllable.
The cold wind blew against Xu Shiyue's ears and face, while the warm air from the car's air conditioning enveloped her, yet she felt a sense of suffocation.
Xu Shiyue didn't know what she was going to do, but subconsciously pushed open the car door and got out.
The flames had been extinguished by the cold winter water; there was no heat to be felt, only the sound of heels crunching on the ice.
As she walked, the sound of ice breaking echoed in her ears.
The pungent smell evoked her memories, pulling her into the accident scene that seemed on the verge of collapse.
Xu Shiyue wanted to get closer, but was pulled back by a force.
She turned around blankly and saw Lu Shizhen standing in her line of sight, wearing her red dress and looking at her anxiously.
"Miss Xu, you can't go in! Although the fire looks extinguished from the outside, it's still a gas leak, and there's a possibility of a secondary explosion!"
The joy in Xu Shiyue's eyes suddenly froze.
She watched as Lu Shizhen's mouth opened and closed, but the sounds that came out were completely wrong.
No, no.
This is not Lu Shizhen.
Xu Shiyue stared intently at Lu Shizhen's face in her line of sight, but that face changed to Li's amidst the surrounding chaos.
Her thoughts seemed to freeze, and her deep voice, unusually subdued, demanded of the person in front of her, "Where is Lu Shizhen?"
Upon hearing Xu Shiyue's words, Li gripped Xu Shiyue's wrist even tighter.
He knew what Lu Shizhen meant to Xu Shiyue, and said with difficulty, "Miss hasn't come out yet."
Suddenly, Xu Shiyue's usually calm eyes were filled with confusion.
She looked down at her wrist in disbelief; the hand holding hers was much thicker than Lu Shizhen's in her memory.
As if struck by something, Xu Shiyue's pupils trembled violently.
The person who pulled me back was not Lu Shizhen from the beginning.
Lu Shizhen didn't come out; she was inside from the beginning.
Wait for yourself inside.
right.
She's waiting for me inside.
She has to go and pick her up.
That's right, take her home.
go home……
Xu Shiyue kept agreeing with herself, and started walking again after stopping.
No one knew where such a thin body got such great strength. Li gripped Xu Shiyue's wrist tightly, feeling as if he could barely hold her back.
These days, Li has been by Xu Shiyue's side, watching her cold and composed demeanor, and her decisive and ruthless actions.
He had seen too many people lose their minds when they lost power, but he never thought that someone like Xu Shiyue would lose their mind.
But he was wrong.
He forgot about Lu Shizhen's existence.
What could influence Xu Shiyue was never rationality, but Lu Shizhen.
Li kept trying to persuade Xu Shiyue, but Xu Shiyue ignored him and insisted on going to the dark and collapsed ruins without any hesitation.
Seeing that he was about to lose control of Xu Shiyue, Li urgently shouted, "Miss Xu! You can't go in! What if you get hurt?"
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