Chapter 16 : Once upon a time, there was a roadside
Thus, finding meaning in life became her other immediate task.
Even if it meant using her current identity to help her past self…
“Does the other me really exist…?”
All answers would reveal when she returned to that familiar campus.
For now: prepare to face it.
Back in her room, she took out Dad’s gift—a brand-new iPhone.
Magically, this seemed the first mobile device this body ever touched.
The old Xu Jiu was apparently quiet, uninterested in anything—truly a caged bird, pure and naive.
Gleaned from side questions; authenticity pending.
But it gave new insight into herself.
“Maybe… try contacting him…?”
First thing: download QQ, log into old account.
ID and password correct—but she forgot phone verification.
No original number.
She’d hoped to peek at her current state; stuck glaring at security.
“Path blocked…”
“So annoying… why phone verification.”
Still, useful: confirmed original self existed here.
Avatar and ID from high school—timeline intact, no surprises.
“Fine, just knowing helps.”
“Create new account… wait, sixteen without QQ?”
Speechless, but relieved—no prior memories meant no password issues.
“Confirm… bind…”
“Should work… zero friends.”
Empty list felt alien.
Her reclusive circle—where to start?
Or… add past self?
Would he accept? No convincing lie ready.
If they later exchanged contacts and noticed…?
Wait—why hide from past self?
Fingers froze on screen.
A question never considered.
The one person she could fully trust—yet she hesitated.
“…”
“Can I really trust completely…? Believe everything without thinking me crazy…?”
“Huu, why obsess… haven’t even contacted.”
She felt paranoid—rushing unnecessary.
“Xia Yu…”
“Do you sense the crisis coming?”
Calendar check: this time, past him probably part-timing.
His family wasn’t rich—worked for college funds and girlfriend gifts.
Yes, he had one—long-term.
Planned university marriage.
Then a bastard intervened.
Never expected years-long girlfriend to dump pre-college entrance, citing “not suitable.”
Hilarious—years together, gone.
What were her efforts?
Never even kissed—thought himself principled.
Later realized: spineless.
But that alone? Just sad.
What broke her: next day, girlfriend announced with now “good brother” Xu You.
She remembered: all bros messaged concern—overlapping circles, news spread.
She replied none—got drunk escaping collapse.
“Wuu… I’ll kill you, bastard Xu You…”
“Wait—I’ll make you taste my pain. Never forgive!”
Old memories surged; defenses shattered.
Life spiraled—rock bottom, roadside trash.
Whole school mocked; parents, learning secret dating, scolded—ignoring son’s deepest wound.
College entrance ruined by mindset; left home, drifted north.
Until truck ended delivery-run life—absurd, tragic finale.
Her past: weak heart toyed by fate.
Laughingstock anywhere—she admitted uselessness.
But no forgiveness.
Bamboo-horse betrayer or love-stealer Xu You—given redo, both would regret!
“Baby, who made you cry? Tell Mommy…”
“N-Nothing…”
“Your brother?”
She shook head, inwardly wishing yes.
“Ai, this worries Mom… others might target your softness.”
“Don’t want my baby hurt—Mom would ache more.”
“Wuu…”
She couldn’t hold back—buried in Mom’s arms, cried freely.
As a man: shameful.
Now a girl—why bear it all?