Chapter 13: Clock in the opposite Direction

Stuffed and satisfied, Meng Zhi stepped out of the hotpot restaurant. It was nearly two in the afternoon.

Even as they left, Feng Xiyao clung to him like glue, chattering nonstop about this and that.

“…So, Brother Meng Zhi, you’re living alone now?”

“It’s fine. I like it. Saves me from renting.”

“But isn’t it lonely? Hey, I don’t want to stay at home either, so maybe—”

“Don’t even think about it.” Meng Zhi shot her a flat look. “I’ve got the exam in a few days. No one’s disturbing my study time.”

Feng Xiyao stuck out her tongue, still holding his arm, leaning sweetly against his shoulder.

“Brother Meng Zhi… do we have to take the exam?”

“No choice, really,” he said absently. “In this world, without the exam, what options are there? You’ve gotta take it too.”

Feng Xiyao opened her mouth but said nothing.

…She hadn’t taken the exam.

In her last life, unable to stand the suffocating senior year, she’d only attended a few days before skipping school to sing at bars.

Her mom and Meng Zhi’s dad were newly married, traveling abroad, so when teachers called, they reached out to Meng Zhi for help.

But he didn’t push her back to school.

Seeing how much she hated it, he let her stay at his rented place near his university.

Days, he’d attend classes while she slept or gamed; nights, she’d perform at bars, and he’d be her audience.

When their parents returned, they nearly had a fit, but she refused to take the exam, choosing instead to run away with Meng Zhi.

They fled to a new city, cut ties with everyone, and started a strange, fresh life.

Even now, Feng Xiyao didn’t regret it. If she’d forced herself through the exam, she might’ve never run away with him.

Being with Meng Zhi was worth everything.

“Sounds nice.”

She stretched lazily, her tone glum. “College means you can skip classes, join clubs, meet all sorts of flashy, pretty girls…”

“Meanwhile, I’ve got another year of hell at school.”

Meng Zhi offered halfhearted comfort. “It’s just one year.”

“Don’t make it sound so easy… It’s a headache just thinking about it.”

“If it’s that bad, don’t take it.”

Feng Xiyao froze mid-step.

“You’re free, right? If you love music and your band that much, go for it. Plenty of people skip the exam. No one says you have to take it to live.”

He kept muttering. “Your life’s in your hands.”

“Don’t let others sway or drag you along. We’re just small fry shaped by the times, but at least we can decide our own shape.”

He took a few steps, then noticed she’d stopped, staring at him. He turned. “What?”

“Nothing…”

Feng Xiyao hid the flood in her eyes, taking a deep breath to rein in her emotions, then flashed a bright smile.

“Speaking of which, you’ve got some free time lately, right, Brother Meng Zhi?”

“Huh? I said I’m studying—”

“Just one evening won’t hurt.”

She laughed lightly, her short hair and bangs framing her flushed face, glowing in the sunlight. “Our band’s got a gig the day after tomorrow. Wanna come?”

“I—” Meng Zhi started to refuse, but she grabbed his hand, blinking rapidly, her long lashes fluttering with cute, coy charm, utterly disarming.

After a pause, he nodded reluctantly.

“…Just one evening.”

“Yay!” Feng Xiyao hugged him tightly, then skipped ahead a few steps, turning at the crosswalk to wave. “Thanks, Brother Meng Zhi! I had so much fun today!”

Her voice drew passersby’s stares, making Meng Zhi half-laugh, half-cringe. He waved back casually.

When her figure vanished across the street, he looked away, dazed, then lowered his head.

…Her scent lingered on his shoulder where she’d hugged him.

Her embrace was still soft, warm, comforting.

Meng Zhi admitted, when she hugged him goodbye, he’d almost hugged her back instinctively.

He knew she hadn’t taken the exam in her last life.

He knew music and rock were her life, how free and joyful she was with her band.

In that life, he’d gone with her to bars and livehouses, helped her book studios, contacted record labels, even got a manager’s license.

Sometimes, after a gig, her throat dry and hoarse, she’d skip water to jump into his arms for a kiss.

Other times, exhausted and hungry back at their rental, she’d skip eating instant noodles to straddle him, peeling off his clothes.

Meng Zhi admitted, a vibrant girl like her didn’t belong in the slow grind of school.

She belonged on stage. Under spotlights.

Growing wild in everyone’s gaze.

Sometimes, he wondered if, without him, she’d have soared in her music career.

Become a famous band star, touring cities, maybe even sharing stages with her idol bands.

He couldn’t say. Maybe she’d have given up music entirely.

He didn’t want to meddle in her life again but didn’t want her to abandon her dreams either.

Would this life be different?

He didn’t know. Didn’t care to think about it.

Obsessing over every detail was exhausting, especially when every life forced him to.

This time, he’d decided to live for himself.

At least get through the exam safely.

On the way home, Feng Xiyao’s steps were light, her lips curved, humming Reverse Clock* unconsciously.

“Shuttling through the frames of time, the clock moves backward.”

“Back to the moment I loved you, frozen but unfaithful.”

The exam… such a youthful word.

But youth.

It’s the damnedest thing.