Chapter 3: Old Friends, Annoying Little White Flower

“How else can I do it? Of course I’m leaving. But I should be back soon, so don’t worry.” Sasa said dejectedly as she opened her wardrobe and started packing her clothes.

Bian Changxi watched her, wanting to say something but hesitating.

Forget it. She has a family, connections, and a background. How could I force her to run away and go on adventures with me like a stray dog?

Last time, the apocalypse came so suddenly that both the Bian and Chen families were too busy saving themselves to send help. That’s why Sasa and I ended up wandering outside. But this time, if Sasa goes home right away, she’ll be safe for the early stages at least. That’s actually not a bad thing. Why should I interfere?

Still, there are some things I need to warn her about.

“Sasa, I heard something—something’s going to happen tonight,” Bian Changxi said. “Make sure you get home before dark, and once you’re there, don’t go out again.”

Chen Yisha felt a chill run down her spine. “What’s going to happen?”

“The flu might get a lot worse. I can’t say for sure, but just don’t stay where there are crowds. Stock up on food, water, and weapons—if things really go south, you know how unpredictable people can be. Robbery, kidnapping… you need to be careful.” Bian Changxi lied smoothly, as if it were all true, staring straight into her eyes. “I know your family has plenty of bodyguards, but they’re just people too. They might not always obey you, and even your closest relatives might not look out for you in a crisis. No matter what, your own strength is what matters most. Do you understand what I mean?”

Chen Yisha felt that her roommate’s gaze was so deep and dark, it was almost impossible not to believe her. She nodded subconsciously.

But Bian Changxi was still worried. She would never forget how, after all the hardships they’d been through together, Sasa was found by her family, only to be given away as a plaything to some powerful man less than half a year later. She tried to escape, was killed on the spot, and even her corpse was humiliated.

She only hated that she’d found out too late.

But could she just come out and say, “Your family will hurt you”? After all, she’d only heard rumors, and saying too much might actually make things worse for Sasa.

She sighed inwardly, patted Sasa’s shoulder, and, without realizing it, spoke in a tone almost like an elder: “Just be careful, always have a backup plan for yourself. No matter what happens, don’t act rashly. Find a way to get a message out—if I hear from you, I’ll do everything I can to help.”

Sasa didn’t really understand, but was still moved to the point of tears.

Bian Changxi picked up her backpack to leave, but accidentally knocked over a stack of books. A photo slipped out from between the pages.

Sasa picked it up for her. “Oh, it’s a photo of your first love. Last night you were hugging it and muttering to yourself, and you didn’t put it away this morning, so I just stuck it in your book.”

Bian Changxi’s face went pale as she took the photo. In it, under a big tree lush with green leaves, a handsome, slender boy stood holding an umbrella in the gentle rain, his shirt white as snow, a faint smile on his lips.

“Bai Heng…”

A dull ache from years past seemed to crawl out of the cracks in her heart, clawing at her chest. For a moment, Bian Changxi’s expression crumbled.

Sasa sighed. “If you still miss him, go find him. Two years ago you forced him to America because you were afraid your uncle would hurt him. But now we’re adults, and with feelings like this, if you wait too long, you might never get another chance.”

Never get another chance…

That’s right. The Pacific Ocean is so vast, vast enough to make one despair. If she’d been reborn just one day earlier, she could have flown to him. But now, just like in her previous life, there was nothing she could do.

Bian Changxi blinked, composed herself, and put the photo away. “I know. I’m heading out. You should hurry too.”

At exactly noon, at the entrance of a farmer’s market on the outskirts of Jiangcheng, a heavy motorcycle roared up, its streamlined body, matte gray paint, and solid metallic look drawing everyone’s attention.

A tall, long-legged young man swung off the bike, pulled off his helmet, revealing stylish chestnut hair and striking features. A sparkling diamond earring in his left ear caused a stir among the onlookers.

Behind him, a petite, pretty girl in a wide-brimmed sunhat hopped off. She seemed used to the curious, envious stares, and her bright, grape-like eyes looked around with excitement. “Where’s Sister Changxi? She’s not here yet?”

“She said on the phone she’d already arrived…” The handsome guy looked around, then suddenly his eyes widened in disbelief. “Xiao… Xiao Xi?!”

Not far from the motorcycle, under a street sign, stood a slender, tall youth with arms crossed. Dressed in black sportswear and sneakers, with short, neat black hair, delicate features, and slightly pale skin, there was a cool, aloof air about him. The corners of his lips were faintly upturned, giving him a hint of coldness. But no one noticed the warmth that flashed in his eyes when he saw the handsome guy.

However, when his gaze fell on the beautiful girl beside him, he frowned in obvious dislike.

The handsome guy rushed over, grabbed the youth’s short hair and tugged. “Oh my god, this is real hair! Why’d you cut it like this? Did something happen?!”

Bian Changxi, looking like a boy, slapped his hand away. “It’s just more convenient this way.” She glanced at the girl following behind. “Why is she here too?”

Bian Wei walked up with a smile. “Long time no see, Sister Changxi! I bumped into big brother when he was picking up the bike. He said he was coming to see you, and I’ve missed you too, so I tagged along. You’re not mad, are you?” She pouted adorably.

Bian Changxi raised an eyebrow and shot a look at the handsome guy, Bian Kuang. He scratched his head awkwardly. “I kind of let it slip by accident.”

But Bian Changxi knew that, despite his rough appearance, Bian Kuang was actually very careful. She’d told him not to alert anyone, and he wouldn’t have if Bian Wei hadn’t pestered him for information.

She looked at Bian Wei.

Unlike the seductive socialite she remembered from before, flitting between powerful men, Bian Wei was now just a seventeen-year-old high schooler—petite and curvy, a little spoiled and willful, but dressed primly, the very image of a pampered daughter from high society.

She was the youngest daughter of Bian Changxi’s uncle, born to his second wife, and Bian Kuang’s half-sister. Bian Kuang wasn’t close to many people, but he doted on this little sister, mostly because of her innocent act and irresistible way of wheedling.

But Bian Changxi felt a chill in her heart.

Back then, after Sasa reunited with her family, she herself was kicked out by the Chens in the early morning a few days later. She struggled desperately to reach the Su City base, where she met up with the Bian family. Bian Kuang treated her like family, always saving the best for her. Bian Wei, feeling neglected, tried to sow discord, and when that didn’t work, she had people harass and humiliate them both, eventually framing them so badly they almost couldn’t stay with the Bian family.

It was then that she met Zhu Yunhua. After much hesitation, she left the Bian family to join Zhu Yunhua’s group, thinking Bian Kuang would have an easier time without her. But not long after, he died—because of this woman.

Compared to Sasa, she felt even more guilt and regret over what happened to Bian Kuang.

The first thing she did after helping Zhu Yunhua seize power was to make Bian Wei, now a famous figure at the base, wish she were dead.

Those dark memories surged up, and the hatred she thought she’d let go of threatened to return. Maybe the coldness in her eyes scared Bian Wei, who shrank back behind Bian Kuang. “Sister Changxi, why are you looking at me like that?”

Bian Changxi snapped out of it, withdrew her gaze, and walked toward Bian Kuang’s motorcycle. “I don’t want you here. Go home.”

Bian Wei’s eyes went wide. She looked to Bian Kuang for help. “Big brother!”

Bian Kuang glanced worriedly at Bian Changxi, not even sparing Bian Wei a look. He patted her hand. “Be good, go home first.”

Bian Wei’s eyes turned red. She looked back and forth, then stomped her foot and left in a huff.

Bian Changxi watched her go with a cold stare. Bian Wei, you’d better behave this time, or else…

She circled the motorcycle twice. “Not bad. Very agile, good top speed, though it’s a bit loud. When did you get a Yamaha?”

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