Chapter 6: Future Sister

Time rewinds to the afternoon.

After entering the internet café, Meng Zhi didn’t play games.

He methodically contacted over a dozen people, chatting with them all afternoon. All sorts of people, including the private detective Chen Xinya had hired.

…Chen Xinya was on her first rebirth. Meng Zhi wasn’t.

He was well-versed in rebirth.

Though his system gave him no cheats beyond tasks and rules, rebirth itself was a powerful enough advantage.

Through countless loops, Meng Zhi had learned how to seize control of his life quickly.

First, money.

Then, connections.

Finally, information.

With these, Meng Zhi could gain enough power within the summer after the college entrance exam to steer his life.

No need for billionaire-level wealth—that would draw attention and hinder his mission. He just needed enough to avoid being held back by poverty or lack of resources.

It sounded complex, but Meng Zhi had walked this path many times. Earning money, whether through Bitcoin or stocks, was second nature after so many rebirths. Connections were built from past lives; he didn’t need to dig for contacts—he knew them already.

Like the private detective, Wang Rui. Meng Zhi first met him in the first life when Chen Xinya hired him for the tracking app.

In later lives, whenever Meng Zhi needed discreet help, he’d turn to Wang Rui.

It didn’t matter if Wang Rui didn’t know him. Money was enough.

This time, Meng Zhi sought Wang Rui out, paid him, and asked one question:

“Did a high school girl contact you today?”

The affirmative answer made Meng Zhi slump wearily into the café’s chair.

…As expected.

His worst fear had come true.

The first confirmed reborn person was Chen Xinya.

She was indeed reborn.

Honestly, Meng Zhi wanted no more entanglements with her. It wasn’t that she wasn’t good—he simply lacked the courage to face her again.

He’d planned to coast through this life, giving up on everything.

But the damned system, as if reading his mind, threw in a new task and rules.

Now, with Chen Xinya confirmed as a reborn person, her behavior was already diverging from what he knew. Even installing a tracking app—something she did years into their marriage—had happened years early.

…And she was just the first.

The thought of countless future complications made Meng Zhi briefly consider ending it all to restart.

Pointless.

The system had anticipated that. Suicide would only reset him to May 20th. Without completing the task, he’d never escape the cycle.

“Sigh…” In the café’s chair, Meng Zhi rubbed his temples.

‘Stay calm, Meng Zhi.’

The worse things got, the calmer he needed to be.

What did he want?

To coast through this life. No more saving others. Just live quietly, do what he wanted.

And, just in case, hide his reborn identity.

Next question: What did Chen Xinya want?

As a reborn person, she’d died in despair over their shattered love and marriage. This time, she’d likely try to preserve and perfect their relationship, crafting her ideal flawless romance. Her eager, proactive behavior yesterday hinted at that.

Fine. Let her do what she wants.

Her perfect love didn’t exist. Since he’d decided not to get involved this time, her efforts would fall flat.

If she wanted to chase him, let her. Meng Zhi didn’t care anymore.

He’d rather play CSGO than deal with her.

After a busy afternoon, he played a few rounds, then, seeing it was near school dismissal time, logged off and returned to Chen Xinya’s house.

“What? Your phone broke?”

“Yeah.” Fresh from the shower, Chen Xinya looked stunned as Meng Zhi sighed dramatically. “Bad luck, huh? Dropped it, and now the screen’s cracked like ice.”

Chen Xinya examined his phone, distressed. “Can… can it be fixed?”

“No point. Might as well get a new one. This thing’s years old anyway.”

“Huh?! A new… one?”

“What else?” Meng Zhi glanced at her casually. “Fixing the screen’s pricey. Cheaper to replace it.”

“No way, right?”

“Nah, it’s fine…” Chen Xinya lowered her head, hiding her disappointment.

How could this happen?

She’d just installed the tracking app.

Now she’d need another chance to get to his phone.

But it was fine. Meng Zhi was staying at her place. Even with a new phone, she’d have opportunities during meals or showers—

“I’m going home.”

“…Huh?”

Chen Xinya stared at him, dazed.

“What’re you looking at…” Meng Zhi scratched his head, looking away. “Can’t exactly stay here, a guy and a girl alone. Not appropriate.”

“I thought it over. My parents are divorcing sooner or later. I can’t avoid it forever. Might as well go back, talk it out, and clear the air before the exam.”

“But—” Chen Xinya tried to speak, but Meng Zhi was already grabbing his bag and heading to the door.

“No big deal. We live in the same complex, just a few steps away. Come find me if you need me.”

“See ya.” With a wave, Meng Zhi pushed the door open and left.

Chen Xinya’s mouth hung open, her hand grasping at the air, then falling limp as the door closed.

The light in her eyes faded with it.

Meng Zhi’s house was indeed just steps from Chen Xinya’s, in the opposite building.

At his doorstep, he took a deep breath, bracing to face his parents. He pulled out his key and opened the door.

“Dad, Mom, I’m—”

His voice caught in his throat.

In the familiar living room, his parents sat silently across from each other. The scene wasn’t surprising; they’d been like this, wordless, for a long time.

What shocked Meng Zhi were the two others in the room.

One was a heavily made-up woman, still striking. He knew her—his father’s new partner, his future stepmother.

Beside her was a girl in a T-shirt and jeans, earphones on, a cap over her short, neat hair.

She looked up at Meng Zhi, flashing a bright, clean smile with a hint of mischief.

“You’re… Brother Meng Zhi, right?”

“First time meeting, huh? I’m your future sister. My name’s Feng Xiyao.”

“Just call me Xiao Yao, Brother Meng Zhi.”