When Li Weiyi woke up again, she heard the long-absent sound of birdsong. Looking at the familiar villa bedroom before her, her mind replayed the scene of last night’s collision.

The intersection, the crowd, the blinding lights, the black large SUV, and a fleeting glimpse of a man in black.

She even felt that this collision was more violent than any before. She wondered what had changed.

She sat up and looked at the time on her phone: July 11, 2014, Friday, 9:00 AM.

Two weeks before Zhang Moyun’s death.

She immediately called Zhang Jingchan, but it rang for a long time without answer. She frowned slightly and went out to find Wu Xinhui watching television: “Mom, where’s Dad?”

“He’s at the company, of course.”

“He didn’t go on a business trip out of town, did he?”

“I think he said he’s going to Beijing this afternoon.”

If she still couldn’t reach Zhang Jingchan, Li Weiyi planned to go find Zhang Moyun alone. Fortunately, Zhang Jingchan called back soon: “Where are you?”

“Home. What about you?”

“School.”

Li Weiyi was just thinking that no wonder he didn’t answer, when he continued: “Today’s final exam. The teacher won’t allow anyone to take leave.”

Li Weiyi: “…Then what do we do?”

“There’s half an hour until lunch break. I’ll come over right away. Wait for me at home.”

Li Weiyi waited for a while, then got up and went to the desk to look through Zhang Jingchan’s backpack and class schedule. There were only two elective classes in the afternoon. She sent a text message to the class monitor with the single ponytail and big eyes to request sick leave. She also looked over the weekend homework for each subject, but only glanced at it before tossing it aside.

She came here to accomplish something important, not to do homework.

She saw a familiar notebook, smiled slightly, picked it up and flipped through it. On certain pages she found her own familiar handwriting—the young Zhang Jingchan had actually kept it.

Under this notebook was another one. Li Weiyi casually opened it.

It looked like a diary. Li Weiyi didn’t want to pry and was about to close it, but a glance at the content made her freeze.

“May 14, 2014, Sunny.

Today is the first day I’m waiting for you. I’ve decided to record some of my feelings during these 8 years, and when we meet on January 13, 2022, I’ll show you this diary.

I wonder if you’re good-looking? You must be beautiful. If you weren’t a great beauty, why would I like you?”

Li Weiyi understood—Zhang Jingchan had taken his message to himself seriously last time. The 19-year-old Zhang Jingchan took it to heart. This matter probably couldn’t be shared with anyone, so he could only confide in his diary.

He had actually started waiting.

Li Weiyi’s heart ached as she hurriedly read on.

“May 19, 2014, Sunny.

Got first place in the department again on midterms. I’m so excellent—are you attracted?

May 24, 2014, Cloudy.

Another girl confessed to me today. Honestly, she’s quite pretty and considerate—my type. If I wasn’t waiting for you, maybe I would have said yes. Hahaha, just kidding. Don’t hit me when you read this later.

May 30, 2014, Rainy.

So annoyed today. There’s a professor for one class who’s verbose, lectures poorly, and likes to humiliate people in class. I argued back at him. The whole class applauded. Hey, isn’t your boyfriend cool?

June 4, 2014, Sunny.

I calculated—still have to wait 7 years and 7 months.

June 15, 2014, Cloudy.

Dad’s been really busy lately. He even tentatively asked my opinion on soybean futures. I really dislike this kind of speculative behavior from him, so he stopped asking me.

Do I really have to wait until 2022 to meet you?

June 22, 2014, Rainy.

Come, let’s chat. Are you from the south or north? Tall or short? Do you like spicy food? What’s your job? What do you like about me?

I’m so excellent, you probably like everything about me.

June 29, 2014, Sunny.

One more week. As usual, after two months, I’ll be possessed by the female ghost again. So scared.

…

That girl is you, right?”

By the time Li Weiyi read this line, tears had already blurred her eyes. She didn’t know what was wrong with her—her heart felt both warm and sour. Just as she was about to read on, her phone rang.

It was Zhang Jingchan: “Come downstairs.”

Li Weiyi immediately put the diary back in its place.

Wu Xinhui, who was doing her makeup at the vanity table in the master bedroom, only saw her son rush past like a gust of wind. She called out: “Are you eating lunch at home?”

Li Weiyi didn’t hear and had already run downstairs. Wu Xinhui laughed and walked to the window, surprised to see the young girl who had captivated her son two months ago appear again. Her son ran up to her with a silly smile on his face like a puppy dog. The young girl was quite reserved, smiling faintly as she opened the Ferrari’s passenger door for him. Her son plopped right in.

The young girl started the car with clean, efficient movements while her son sat obediently… Wu Xinhui’s eyebrows twitched. Her son normally wouldn’t let anyone touch this car, but today he eagerly let the girl drive it. Truly one thing conquers another… She laughed helplessly.

“Madam.” Sister Liu the housekeeper stood behind her.

“What is it?”

Sister Liu hesitated before saying: “Mr. Li… came again.”

Wu Xinhui’s expression changed. She stammered for a moment before asking: “No one saw him, right?”

Sister Liu lowered her head: “No. As soon as he knocked, I brought him to the small living room to avoid the neighbors seeing.”

Wu Xinhui frowned: “Tell him to leave! Stop harassing me!”

“Alright.”

But Sister Liu had only taken a few steps when Wu Xinhui called her back: “Wait!” She looked conflicted: “Never mind, I’ll go see him and tell him myself.”

Wu Xinhui entered the small living room and closed the door. Sister Liu silently cleaned in the living room. After a while, as she carried the mop past the small living room, even through the door she could hear the argument inside growing more heated.

“Impossible! Don’t do this, I gave you money. Li Yilin, you can’t do this!”

“I love you… but I still love you!” the man shouted.

Gasping sounds, collision sounds, crying sounds, all mixed together.

Sister Liu’s eyes suddenly widened. She gripped the mop handle tightly, then suddenly walked quickly away from the small living room.

——

Li Weiyi and Zhang Jingchan went directly to Fuming Group, to Zhang Moyun’s office.

Compared to their last visit, the atmosphere in the company had clearly changed significantly. Everyone looked anxious, with restless and uneasy emotions surging in the air. Some employees looked at them strangely too.

Zhang Moyun had just finished a meeting and stood by the window deep in thought. When he turned and saw the two of them, his expression was dazed.

Compared to two months ago, his temples had turned significantly whiter.

Li Weiyi felt her heart ache and called out: “Hello, Uncle.”

Zhang Jingchan’s lips moved, his voice slightly hoarse: “Dad.”

Zhang Moyun placed his teacup on the desk. His expression froze momentarily, then he looked up at them with a smile: “So I still died?”

Li Weiyi couldn’t bear to speak. Zhang Jingchan met his gaze and nodded.

Zhang Moyun’s expression was calm: “Come, why are you standing at the door? Both of you come in and sit.”

Li Weiyi said: “Uncle, this time we’ll definitely save you.”