The hidden safe in the original owner’s room—why was the password set to Luo Jingshu’s birthday?
Xiao Cheng stood frozen, staring at the scene before him, unable to process what was happening. He felt like he was one step closer to the truth, but couldn’t make sense of it.
Had Luo Jingshu and the original owner really never met?
Xiao Cheng licked his lips, his throat suddenly dry, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. He felt like a thirsty traveler lost in the desert, just waiting for the safe before him to bring some kind of revelation.
The contents inside were surprisingly simple—just a small black box, light enough to be held with one hand.
Xiao Cheng bent down to take the box, feeling a bit disappointed as it was so light, as if it were empty. But still, he opened it.
The next moment, what was inside completely shocked him.
His eyes widened, his breath became labored, and everything before him blurred. It couldn’t be!
Xiao Cheng gasped, his gaze fixed on the box’s contents, unable to look away for a second.
Inside the box was a plane ticket and a photograph.
The person in the photo was clearly Luo Jingshu, but his appearance wasn’t the same as any memory Xiao Cheng had of him.
In the photo, Luo Jingshu is wearing a light gray sweatshirt, holding a water bottle, and watering flowers. He faces the camera with a slight smile, and from this angle, he looks too perfect, almost unreal. His eyelashes are so long they could almost swing, and his whole aura radiates warmth and purity with an air of innocence.
It seemed he didn’t notice the photographer, focusing on watering the plants, his expression soft and tender, exuding a quiet, captivating charm.
Xiao Cheng stared at it, his fingers trembling, feeling his vision go dark, a metallic taste of blood in his mouth.
The Luo Jingshu in the photo looked older and more mature than the one he knew now. Xiao Cheng couldn’t even convince himself this was from an earlier time.
Then, he looked at the plane ticket underneath.
Xiao Cheng, in a daze, stared at the destination for a long time, feeling disoriented. It was an international flight to Rome.
Suddenly, he remembered that two months ago, he had prepared similar tickets, but he had torn them up with his own hands in the end.
Clearly, these items—both the plane ticket and the photo—were of great significance to the original owner.
Xiao Cheng carefully examined the ticket. When he saw the date, his tense nerves finally relaxed. He felt that the most improbable guess was about to be confirmed.
It was a flight scheduled five years later.
All the inexplicable things suddenly made sense.
Xiao Cheng thought he had always believed he was transported into this world just a few months ago due to transmigration.
But what if it wasn’t that simple?
Perhaps he had already undergone transmigration once before, with his previous self being born again. That would explain why Cheng Cheng, as a two-year-old, spoke that familiar line to He An.
As the eldest son of He An and Xiao Yu, his first several years had been the journey of his transmigrated self. There was never an “original owner”. It had always just been him.
That’s why the Xiao family had never suspected anything, because he had never changed.
He just didn’t understand why, as if time was rewinding, he was suddenly back five years ago, with no memory of his previous life, thinking he had only just transmigrated.
The photo and the plane ticket from five years later were the best proof.
His future self must have designed the necklace, which explains why he knew so much about it.
Xiao Cheng lowered his head, staring at the photo in the box. It was clear that whoever took the photo adored the person in it, judging by how tender Luo Jingshu looked.
Despite his reluctance to accept it, Xiao Cheng had to admit that whether it was his past self five years ago or his future self, he could never escape Luo Jingshu.
Perhaps, when he first saw Luo Jingshu by the pool, it was the influence of his future self, and that’s why he fell for him at first sight.
At this point, Xiao Cheng couldn’t help but curse.
Since he had already experienced a rebirth and was given a second chance, why didn’t the future him remind the present him not to fall for Luo Jingshu’s trap?
The plane ticket in the box alone made it clear—his future self would be hopelessly in love with Luo Jingshu, deeply and passionately, but it was unrequited.
Couldn’t take Luo Jingshu to Rome, but could at least take his photo?
Bah!
How could he be so pathetic?
Had Luo Jingshu cast some kind of spell on him?
Xiao Cheng was certain that his future self hadn’t realized Luo Jingshu’s true nature and had always seen him as a harmless, innocent person. Otherwise, he would never have become a licking dog.
Thinking about how miserable his future self must be, Xiao Cheng’s anger toward Luo Jingshu only deepened.
That bastard, not satisfied with toying with him once, came back for round two. What had Xiao Cheng done to deserve this? Why was Luo Jingshu so determined to make his life miserable, even in a new timeline?
That’s it. Xiao Cheng finally understood.
Luo Jingshu, that bastard, was also reborn.
That’s why Luo Jingshu understood Jiang Ying and the others so well, and was so clear about the business landscape and developments over the coming years.
The last time Xiao Cheng woke up, Xiao Yu sighed before him, saying that Luo Jingshu knew too much and acted with maturity and ruthlessness, unlike an 18-year-old boy.
But he wasn’t really 18—he had memories. He was 23-year-old Luo Jingshu!
Fuck!
Xiao Cheng recalled the words Luo Jingshu had said when he left earlier. Perhaps those words weren’t just about Xiao Cheng but also about himself.
Luo Jingshu had seen the necklace, so he instinctively thought Xiao Cheng had also been reborn like him.
But Luo Jingshu could never have guessed the transmigration aspect.
At least Xiao Cheng felt a little relieved.
Now both he and Luo Jingshu knew each other’s secrets, but Xiao Cheng’s big secret, the transmigration, hadn’t been exposed.
Xiao Cheng tucked the box away and locked it back in the safe.
He stared at the objects in front of him, his emotions so complex that he didn’t know how to express them.
The confusion he had always had was finally answered, but new troubles came with it.
Xiao Cheng didn’t know how to face Luo Jingshu. Although his feelings for him were real, the other person wasn’t worthy of his deep love.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Xiao Cheng thought for a long while, and then a thought suddenly flashed through his mind.
Could his situation now be summed up in one sentence?
After rebirth, my white moonlight has become my dog?
Strangely, he felt a bit of relief about it!
After all, this “white moonlight” wasn’t white—it was a pure black lotus.
Xiao Cheng rubbed his sore head, forcing himself to forget this disturbing thought.
Things from five years later showed up in this apartment. Did that mean something was off with this place?
Luo Jingshu taking the necklace might be because he wanted to figure out why it had appeared.
Xiao Cheng couldn’t help but feel that perhaps this apartment was the reason for his rebirth. Like in TV dramas, certain places might be at the intersection of time and space due to some mysterious feng shui or magnetic field…
He couldn’t help but laugh at himself, thinking his imagination was running wild. But then again, it wasn’t impossible—after all, if transmigration could happen, anything could.
It seemed like he couldn’t stay here any longer, or else he might wake up in some strange place again.
Xiao Cheng stood up, but suddenly felt dizzy. The sharp, throbbing pain in his head intensified.
He had been thinking too much tonight, and the truth had finally been revealed. His emotions were in turmoil, so the headache was only natural.
Supporting himself, Xiao Cheng left the apartment, and just then, he received a call from Xie Zhao.
Their family had no tradition of staying up for New Year’s, so Xiao Cheng hadn’t planned on returning at first.
But now, feeling down, he didn’t want to go home either, not wanting to worry his family.
If Xiao Cheng felt the most guilty after learning the truth, it was probably toward his parents and sister.
Because of his own actions, he had made his family worry about him. Just thinking about his previous avoidance and coldness made him want to punch himself.
He was so foolish.
He couldn’t tell who truly cared for him and who was just pretending.
He treats Luo Jingshu like a treasure, but in doing so, he hurts his family.
Xiao Cheng stood by the roadside, snowflakes falling again, dusting his hair with a light layer of frost.
“Senior?”
He hadn’t contacted Xie Zhao for a while, so when he heard his voice, Xiao Cheng was momentarily stunned.
“I just sent you a message. You didn’t reply.” Xie Zhao’s voice carried a barely perceptible hint of concern.
“Did I disturb you?”
He hesitated for a long time before calling. Xie Zhao wanted to wish Xiao Cheng a happy New Year, and even if he couldn’t see him, hearing his voice would be enough.
“No.” Xiao Cheng exhaled, and his breath turned into a mist in the cold air.
His voice was still hoarse, with a nasal tone.
“Happy New Year, Senior.”
There were other voices on the other end, and Xie Zhao’s voice returned after a couple of seconds.
“Xiao Cheng, are you sick?”
Xiao Cheng sniffled. His voice sounded fine to him, but to Xie Zhao, it came across as hoarse and low.
The boy he liked didn’t seem happy.
Xiao Cheng heard footsteps, and then the line went quiet. Xie Zhao’s voice was soft and gentle.
“Xiao Cheng, are you at home?”
Xiao Cheng looked up at the streetlights. In the hazy glow, the snow was falling harder.
He couldn’t help but close his eyes slightly.
“No.”
There was a brief silence from Xie Zhao’s side, and then he spoke softly, “Xiao Cheng, can we meet?”
“Is that okay?”
Twenty minutes later, Xie Zhao spotted Xiao Cheng outside a convenience store.
The young man was holding a cup of hot milk tea, turning and quietly looking at something in the distance. His expression was calm, as if his eyes weren’t focusing, simply staring into space.
“Xiao Cheng.”
Xie Zhao hurried up the steps.
Xiao Cheng turned to look at him. Probably due to the rush, Xie Zhao’s breathing was slightly labored, and a few snowflakes dotted his handsome face.
Xiao Cheng reached up and touched his left eyebrow. Not paying much attention, Xie Zhao casually wiped it away, still gazing at Xiao Cheng’s face.
“How come you’re here?”
Xiao Cheng seemed to smell a hint of hot pot from Xie Zhao’s body. Maybe he was just a little hungry and out of sorts, so he leaned in slightly and sniffed.
Xie Zhao stiffened, afraid to move, lowering his head and watching Xiao Cheng’s actions. He carefully asked, “Do I smell like something?”
Xie Zhao’s voice sounded a bit frustrated. He wished he had taken a shower before leaving earlier.
Originally, he had just planned to call Xiao Cheng to wish him a Happy New Year. But after hearing Xiao Cheng’s voice, something felt off, so Xie Zhao couldn’t ignore it and just had to come find him.
“It smells great, like beef hot pot,” Xiao Cheng said.
Xiao Cheng had been busy socializing all evening, hardly eating anything. He only had a bit of alcohol, and after everything that happened, he didn’t have time to eat. When he got the call from Xie Zhao earlier, he checked the time—it was already midnight.
Xiao Cheng was in a confused, conflicted state, much like when he had just transmigrated. He found everyone around him suspicious, always wondering if they, too, had entered the world like he had. Now, he was beginning to wonder if others had been reborn too.
After all, he wasn’t the only one who had been reborn—Luo Jingshu had too.
Could there be others?
Xie Zhao suddenly thought that Xiao Cheng’s expression seemed a bit strange. Could it be that there was something other than the hot pot smell on him?
“Are you hungry? Do you want to go have a hot pot?” Xie Zhao asked.
Xiao Cheng had just taken a sip of milk tea, which eased his stomach discomfort but also seemed to open his appetite.
“Didn’t you already eat?” Xiao Cheng remembered that it was New Year’s Eve. “Aren’t you staying up for the New Year?”
“I don’t have that tradition,” Xie Zhao replied. “I’ve eaten, but I don’t mind joining you for another meal.”
Xiao Cheng seemed like he wanted to say something more, but Xie Zhao reached out and gently placed his arm around his shoulder. “Let’s go.”
They went to a highly rated hot pot restaurant, which was especially busy tonight. The place was packed, but the lively atmosphere made Xiao Cheng feel a little better.
“There are too many people. Should we go to another place?” Xie Zhao suggested, worried Xiao Cheng might be hungry.
“No need, Senior. You sit here,” Xiao Cheng said, patting the seat next to him. Luckily, there was still a place to sit, so they didn’t have to stand outside in the cold.
Sitting there in silence was boring. Seeing that Xiao Cheng seemed a bit down, Xie Zhao cautiously asked, “Are you feeling down tonight?”
He had seen Xiao Cheng’s WeChat moments from yesterday, where he looked cheerful, spending time with his family. How could he suddenly seem so drained just a day later?
Xiao Cheng gazed at him quietly. “Because I suddenly discovered a big secret.”
Xie Zhao couldn’t help but chuckle, because Xiao Cheng’s tone made it sound like a joke, but he was still looking at him seriously, which made Xie Zhao feel amused.
“Really? What big secret did you find?”
Xiao Cheng then recalled Luo Jingshu’s question and lowered his voice. “Do you believe that someone, after they die, can get another chance?”
Xie Zhao was taken aback. “What do you mean?”
“Like… coming back to life?” Xiao Cheng said.
Xie Zhao thought for a moment. “It sounds pretty unscientific, but maybe something like that could happen. I don’t believe in it, but I still respect certain… mystic things.”
His expression seemed natural, and Xiao Cheng thought, either Xie Zhao was a really good actor or he had not been reborn.
Seeing Xiao Cheng’s troubled expression, Xie Zhao smiled, amused. “Is that what you’re worrying about?”
“Could the big secret you discovered have something to do with this?”
Xiao Cheng snapped out of his thoughts. He probably had lost his mind for a second, randomly talking to Xie Zhao about this. Would Xie Zhao think he was crazy?
“No, just forget I said anything.”
Xie Zhao didn’t take the conversation seriously. “If you’re confused about something, you can talk to me.”
Suddenly, Xiao Cheng thought of something and asked Xie Zhao, “Senior, why did you like me before?”
When Xie Zhao heard the question, his expression became slightly awkward because not only had he liked Xiao Cheng before, but he still liked him now.
If this question had come from someone else, it might have sounded a little cheesy, but when it came from Xiao Cheng, Xie Zhao felt like the other person truly wanted to know the answer.
“I can’t really explain the feeling. The moment I saw you, I just felt really happy.”
Xiao Cheng’s expression stiffened slightly. He looked into Xie Zhao’s eyes, a feeling of nervousness rising in his chest. “Are you saying it was love at first sight?”
Normally, Xie Zhao wouldn’t share such thoughts with Xiao Cheng because he knew Xiao Cheng didn’t like him. The more he said, the more pressure it would put on him.
But at that moment, the young man beside him was focused on him, and in those bright eyes, his own reflection seemed to be all that could be seen. It seemed like he was waiting for Xie Zhao’s answer.
Xie Zhao felt relieved and said seriously, “Maybe it sounds unbelievable to you, but when Jiang Zihe sent me your photo, I had a feeling, like it was destined, that I would definitely fall for you.”
!!
Xiao Cheng struggled to control his expression, but his hands, resting on his knees, tightened into fists.
Wasn’t this the same feeling he had when he first saw Luo Jingshu?
From the first glance, he felt a deep sense of affection.
Could it be that he met Xie Zhao five years later, and Xie Zhao is his pursuer?
Once the most difficult thing was out in the open, Xie Zhao’s tone lightened, perhaps because he didn’t see any discomfort on Xiao Cheng’s face. His heart was inexplicably filled with a bit of expectation.
“Actually, when I first saw you, I always had this sense of familiarity, as if I had seen you somewhere before.”
“Xiao Cheng, what kind of person do you think I am?”
Xiao Cheng’s heart grew more anxious with each of Xie Zhao’s words because he realized that Xie Zhao might have been influenced by emotions from five years later. However, Xie Zhao didn’t seem to be a person who had been reborn.
Could it be that his rebirth had affected the people around him?
“Senior, you’re a very warm and kind person.”
Xiao Cheng had always thought so, from their first meeting until now. Xie Zhao had helped him many times and had never shown a cold face in front of him.
Xie Zhao sighed, his tone becoming even softer, though with a hint of helplessness. “But I’m actually not as warm-hearted as you think, nor as familiar as you think.”
He had only given all the carefulness and gentleness to Xiao Cheng.
Xie Zhao licked his lips and tightened his grip on his clothes. “You…”
Would you be willing to give me a chance?
At that moment, Xiao Cheng suddenly remembered how Luo Jingshu had reacted when he found out he knew Xie Zhao. She had been especially intense, as if she was certain Xie Zhao liked him.
So, five years later, was Xie Zhao truly his pursuer?
Xiao Cheng suddenly felt like he had entered a strange loop.
Did the Xie Zhao from five years later fall in love with him first, and then, after his rebirth, influence the Xie Zhao from five years ago? Or did Xie Zhao like him even now, and five years later, nothing had changed?
Zhuang Zhou dreams of a butterfly, and the butterfly dreams of Zhuang Zhou.1This phrase is drawn from the Zhuangzi (also known as Chuang Tzu), an ancient Daoist text. It expresses the Daoist philosophical idea of fluidity between states of being, questioning the distinction between reality and illusion. Zhuang Zhou’s dream of being a butterfly and the butterfly’s dream of being Zhuang Zhou exemplify the concept of subjective reality, where identity and existence are in constant flux, and perception itself may be unreliable.
Xiao Cheng felt like he was losing his mind.
He covered his head, hissing in discomfort as he leaned back in the chair, feeling unwell.
Xie Zhao was startled, swallowing the words he was about to say. “What’s wrong with you?”
“I’m fine,” Xiao Cheng slowly opened his eyes to look at Xie Zhao, now finally understanding the source of Luo Jingshu’s hostility toward him.
Xie Zhao opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, they heard the waiter call their number.
His expression was complicated, likely already prepared for it, and his mood wasn’t particularly disappointed.
“Let’s go, let’s head in.”
Xiao Cheng hadn’t heard clearly what Xie Zhao had just said and didn’t realize that at that moment, Xie Zhao had intended to confess.
He gathered his strength, trying to soothe his stomach, thinking he would rest well and deal with things tomorrow.
Luo Jingshu definitely knew more than he did.
After all, Luo Jingshu had five years’ worth of memories.
As they ate, Xie Zhao sat opposite Xiao Cheng, helping him with food and taking a photo of their meal. He posted the photo to his Moments, which was visible only to certain people.
The last time they barbecued with Xiao Cheng’s roommates, Xie Zhao did the same.
He was so persistent in provoking Luo Jingshu.
Anyway, since Luo Jingshu didn’t like him, and he didn’t like her either, they both mutually hated each other.
Luo Jingshu hadn’t responded, maybe he hadn’t seen it, but Xie Zhao wasn’t in a hurry, slowly putting his phone away.
Xiao Cheng replied to messages while eating.
After realizing he was the original owner, Xiao Cheng felt much closer to the people in his Moments, and the sense of distance suddenly disappeared.
These were his friends and classmates.
Xiao Cheng sincerely wished everyone a happy New Year and joined in the fun, sending several red envelopes in the group chat.
His long-standing worries finally eased, and he could fully enjoy the lively and festive atmosphere. Even when people teased him, he responded cheerfully.
Until someone asked him if he was in a relationship, the group messages came in too fast, and Xiao Cheng was still replying to the previous question. So when his message was sent, it read:
[Someone: Xiao Cheng, are you in a relationship?]
[Xiao Cheng: Almost, almost!]
There were so many messages that Xiao Cheng got confused and didn’t even check which group he was in. After sending the message, he suddenly realized it was the big company group.
Bai Yiheng was in it too.
Xiao Cheng: …
He hoped Mr. Bai hadn’t seen it.
Unfortunately, the next second, he received a private message from Bai Yiheng: [Almost?]
Xiao Cheng vaguely remembered that the last time Bai Yiheng suggested being his fake boyfriend, his reason for refusing was that he didn’t want to trouble Mr. Bai and didn’t have anyone suitable for a relationship; Luo Jingshu wouldn’t believe it.
[Xiao Cheng: This is really a misunderstanding.]
[Bai Yiheng: So you don’t have a suitable partner yet?]
It felt like an awkward question to answer.
Xiao Cheng pondered how to dodge it, but Bai Yiheng sent the next message: [Happy New Year, are you at home?]
Xiao Cheng had just seen Xie Zhao ask the same thing, and now Bai Yiheng wouldn’t want to meet him, would he?!
[Xiao Cheng: Not at home.]
[Bai Yiheng: Out with friends for dinner?]
Xiao Cheng admitted it and sent him a picture.
Bai Yiheng zoomed in on the photo, and from the corner, he noticed a hand clearly belonging to a man.
He became thoughtful.
Feeling full and satisfied, Xiao Cheng had a rosy glow on his cheeks and bright red lips.
Most of the time, Xie Zhao’s gaze stayed on him, only occasionally lowering his head to serve him food.
Fortunately, Xiao Cheng hadn’t rejected him tonight.
Of course, it was more likely because Xiao Cheng was too focused on replying to messages, not noticing Xie Zhao’s actions.
After the earlier mix-up, Xiao Cheng was more cautious while replying to messages.
There were still many people waiting outside the hotpot restaurant, and Xiao Cheng, feeling a little tired, stood up. “Senior, let’s go.”
Xie Zhao stood beside him, touching Xiao Cheng’s shoulder. “Don’t rush, put on your coat first.”
Xiao Cheng glanced at him quickly but didn’t speak.
Once they went outside, the air grew suddenly cold, and Xiao Cheng rubbed his stomach. “Are you going home?”
“Let’s walk around a bit more,” Xie Zhao smiled at him, “It’s rare for us to be out together.”
In truth, it was rare for Xie Zhao to be alone with Xiao Cheng, and he wanted to savor this moment for as long as possible.
Xiao Cheng had always treated him as just an ordinary senior.
Xie Zhao treasured this opportunity immensely.
The two walked around the mall.
Although it was New Year’s Eve, the mall was still crowded, and Xiao Cheng could feel the simple happiness of families walking together.
Suddenly, he missed his family.
After walking for an unknown time, Xiao Cheng felt a bit tired and was about to suggest heading home when a familiar voice suddenly came from nearby.
“Xiao Cheng?”
Xiao Cheng instinctively turned around, and to his surprise, it was Bai Yiheng.
The man was wearing a long coat, his figure outstanding, standing there like a picture.
“Mr. Bai?” Xiao Cheng looked surprised. What was Bai Yiheng doing here?
Bai Yiheng walked over slowly. “What a coincidence, we met here.”
He smiled slightly, looking calmly at Xiao Cheng. “Just finished dinner with your classmates?”
That boyfriend-like tone…
Xie Zhao furrowed his brow, his expression tinged with displeasure.
Meanwhile, Luo Jingshu finally saw the Moments Xie Zhao had posted for him.
