"Do you want me to help?" Zhou Xiaoshuang asked.
"No need," I refused.
Then, the two of us finished our meal in silence.
I kept wondering whether, if Time could flow backward, I would exhaust myself trying to change history. When I saw Zhou Xiaoshuang again, I suddenly understood that no matter how history might change, we would always end up on the same path.
Zhou Xiaoshuang suddenly spoke up: "Is... is there something on your mind?"
I was startled; she rarely took the initiative to speak to me. I shook my head and smiled, saying, "It's nothing, just a bit tired."
"Oh." Zhou Xiaoshuang lowered her head and went back to fiddling with her phone.
I watched her, my heart full of questions. This girl—what exactly was she thinking?
After dinner, I offered to do the dishes. Zhou Xiaoshuang looked at me, a flash of surprise in her eyes. I smiled and explained, "You're tired today; you should rest."
Zhou Xiaoshuang didn't refuse, merely whispering, "Thank you."
I finished the dishes, returned to my room, and opened my laptop. Zhou Xiaoshuang's situation left me feeling uneasy, and I needed to think about how to handle it.
I opened a document and began writing my novel. In this story, I created a character who shared similar experiences with Zhou Xiaoshuang. I hoped that through this character, I could find the answer I was looking for regarding her.
As I wrote, I suddenly recalled Zhou Xiaoshuang's words: "Is... is there something on your mind?"
I was shocked. Did this character, too, have the same suspicion?
I stopped working and began to think carefully. Who exactly was this character? What was his story?
I remembered Zhou Xiaoshuang's gaze—a deep, questioning look, as if she were searching for something.
I decided to stop working and go find her. I needed to understand her story to find the story of my character.
I walked out of the room and saw Zhou Xiaoshuang sitting on the sofa watching television. I walked over and sat down next to her. Looking at her, I asked, "What is your story?"
Zhou Xiaoshuang looked at me, a flash of surprise in her eyes. She lowered her head, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "I... I don't know where to start."
I looked at her and offered an encouraging smile. Zhou Xiaoshuang took a deep breath and began to tell her story.
She told me she once had a happy family, until an accident took her parents away. Since then, her life had fallen to pieces. She tried hard to live, attempting to regain that past happiness, but it always remained out of reach.
Listening to her story, my heart was filled with emotion. This girl had been through so much. I looked at her and asked, "Why do you always bear it alone?"
Zhou Xiaoshuang looked at me, a bitter smile flashing in her eyes. She shook her head and said softly, "I'm used to it."
Watching her, my heart ached. Why was this girl always so strong?
I suddenly remembered someone who, just like Zhou Xiaoshuang, had borne everything alone. I looked at her, and a decision formed in my heart. I decided that I would help her; I would help her reclaim her lost happiness.
I looked at Zhou Xiaoshuang and said, "From now on, you will no longer bear it alone."
Zhou Xiaoshuang looked at me, a trace of confusion in her eyes. I smiled and explained, "I will help you. I will help you regain your happiness."
Zhou Xiaoshuang looked at me, gratitude shimmering in her eyes. She gave a faint smile and whispered, "Thank you."
I watched her, my heart full of resolve. This girl was worth everything I could give.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Zhou Xiaoshuang was startled; she looked at me and asked, "Should I go see?"
I nodded and stood up to open the door. A courier stood outside. He handed me a package and turned to leave.
I closed the door and returned to the living room. Zhou Xiaoshuang had already stood up, asking, "What is it?"
I picked up the package and handed it to her. She took it and began to unwrap it. I watched her, full of expectation.
Zhou Xiaoshuang unwrapped the package and looked up at me. A flash of surprise passed through her eyes, followed by deep gratitude. As she held the contents in her hands, tears streamed down her face.
I watched her, feeling a sense of fulfillment. This girl had finally found her happiness again.
I looked at Zhou Xiaoshuang and said, "From now on, you will live a happy life."
Zhou Xiaoshuang nodded through her tears. She smiled faintly and whispered, "Thank you."
I watched her, my resolve unwavering. This girl was worth everything.
I smiled and said, "I wish you happiness."
Zhou Xiaoshuang looked at me with gratitude in her eyes.
Chapter 6: Omens Before Rebirth... The Crevice in Time
After experiencing that strange spiritual journey, Li Qing felt as if his body were being wrapped in a warm power—an indescribable sensation, as though his soul had been cleansed anew. From then on, he began to dream frequently of returning to the past, of those times that had left him full of regrets.
In the summer of 2023, Li Qing lay in bed, staring at the ceiling as that familiar yet strange face echoed in his mind. He dreamt of returning to 2008, the year he had first stepped into society, the year he met the most important person in his life.
In the dream, he stood on a bustling street, watching the crowds flow by, his heart filled with anticipation and unease. He knew that at this moment, he would meet the person who would change his life forever. He longed to redo it all, to make up for his regrets, to grasp the happiness that had once been his.
Yet, there is always an insurmountable gap between dreams and reality. Every time he woke up and returned to the present, that warm power would vanish, replaced by a deep sense of loss. Li Qing knew he had to find a way—a way to return to the past to realize his dream.
In the days that followed, Li Qing began searching everywhere for information on time travel and reincarnation. He browsed through countless books, articles, and videos, but found nothing. Still, he did not give up; he believed that as long as he persisted, he would find a glimmer of hope.
Thus, Li Qing spent day after day in his search. Finally, in an ancient temple, he stumbled upon a tattered book. On its cover were the words: *The Way of Rebirth*. Li Qing felt a jolt in his heart; he knew he had found what he had been seeking.
He impatiently flipped the pages and read: "The Way of Rebirth lies in the awakening of the soul. Only by truly understanding one's past can one find the path to rebirth." Li Qing's heart stirred. He realized this meant he needed to find the path from within, rather than merely seeking a way to travel through time.
And so, Li Qing began to look within, to find his past, to find the time that had left him full of regrets. He began to revisit his history and contemplate his future. He knew that only by truly recognizing his past could he find the road to rebirth.
As the days passed, Li Qing's inner self underwent a change. He became more confident and resolute. He knew he had found the path of rebirth, and he only needed to keep walking along it to realize his dream.
The face he had seen in his dreams gradually became clear. He knew that face was the omen of his impending rebirth.
Li Qing's inner world changed drastically. He began spending more time alone, deeply reflecting on his past. He wanted to find the key moment that could restart his life. He knew that everyone had one or two decisive moments in their lives—moments that could change the entire trajectory of their existence.
Through constant self-exploration, Li Qing gradually realized that the rebirth he wanted was not merely reversing Time, but a complete spiritual awakening. He began trying to accept everything from his past, including his failures and regrets, because he believed every experience was a part of life and a cornerstone of the person he was today.
One evening, while Li Qing was deep in thought at home, his eyes drifted to an old photo album on the shelf. It contained photos of him and old friends, as well as records of moments he once deemed significant. A sudden, inexplicable urge to revisit those old times struck him.
Li Qing stood up and took the album. He flipped through it page by page, recalling many stories long forgotten by Time. In those stories, he saw his own growth and his own shortcomings. He began to imagine how he would choose and what he would do if he could return to the past.
Just as Li Qing was immersed in his memories, he felt a sudden dizzy spell, as if he were being pulled into a swirling vortex. His vision blurred, and when he opened his eyes again, he found that he had truly returned to the past—to that summer of 2008.
He stood outside a familiar coffee shop, the place where he and his first love had broken up. Back then, because of a moment of impulse and ignorance, he had missed the chance to reconcile with her. Now, he finally had the chance to do it over.
Li Qing took a deep breath and walked into the shop. He saw the girl sitting in the corner; her face was still familiar, her eyes filled with a trace of anticipation and unease. He knew this was his moment to change fate.
Without hesitation, he walked straight to her. This time, he would not let the opportunity slip through his fingers. He sat opposite her and spoke in a tone of greater maturity and understanding. He told her his feelings and expressed his hopes for the future.
As Time passed, the relationship between Li Qing and the girl slowly improved. He learned to listen, to understand, and to love. This time, he did not make the same mistakes.
In the days that followed, Li Qing began trying to rectify the regrets of the past. He returned to the workplace that had once left him feeling defeated, using his wisdom and experience to handle the challenges. He no longer feared failure, for he knew that every failure was a valuable experience.
As Time moved on, Li Qing's life became more fulfilling and meaningful. He was no longer a man lost; he had found his direction and his goals.
In a moment of carelessness, Li Qing discovered a crevice in Time. Through that rift, he saw his future self—the self he had once dreamed of. He knew he had found the path of rebirth and was moving steadily toward that destination.
Li Qing's story tells us that rebirth does not necessarily mean reversing Time; it is the awakening and growth of the soul. When we can accept and cherish everything from the past, we can find new vitality in the present and move toward a brighter future.