Chapter 3: , Long Review 3: Reflections—The Stars Flicker and Shine

The book baby is fragile and needs your recommendations and favorites to protect it~(^_^)~

******

“What else can I do? Of course I’m leaving. But I’ll probably be back soon, so don’t worry.” Sasha opened her wardrobe in a dejected mood and started packing her clothes.

Bian Changxi watched her, wanting to say something but holding back.

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

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 Sasha and I ended up stranded outside. But this time, if Sasha goes home right away, she’ll be safe in the early days. That’s not a bad thing. Why should I interfere?

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

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

Chen Yisha was unnerved. “What’s going to happen?”

“The flu might get a lot worse. I’m not sure about the details, but just don’t go anywhere crowded. 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 without batting an eye, as if it were all true, staring into Sasha’s eyes. “I know your family has plenty of bodyguards, but they’re only human. They might not always follow your orders, and even the people closest to you might not be able to protect you in a crisis. In the end, your own strength is what matters most. Do you understand what I mean?”

Chen Yisha felt that her roommate’s gaze was deep and dark, carrying a force that made her instinctively nod.

But Bian Changxi was still worried. She would never forget how, after struggling through countless hardships together, Sasha was found by her family—only to be handed over to a powerful man as a plaything less than half a year later. She was killed while trying to escape, and even her corpse was humiliated.

She only hated herself for learning the truth too late.

But could she just come out and say, “Your family will hurt you”? After all, most of what she knew was hearsay. If she said too much, it might only make things worse for Sasha.

She sighed inwardly, patted Sasha’s shoulder, and spoke in a tone she didn’t even realize sounded like an elder: “Just be extra careful. Always leave yourself a way out. No matter what happens, don’t act rashly. Try to get a message out—if I hear about it, I’ll do everything I can to help you.”

Sasha was a little confused, but her eyes grew red with emotion.

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

Sasha bent down to pick it up. “Oh, it’s a photo of your first love. Last night you were holding it and muttering to yourself, and you forgot to 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 with lush green shade and a light drizzle falling from the bright sky, a tall, handsome boy stood holding an umbrella, his eyes cast down, his shirt white as snow, a gentle smile on his lips.

“Bai Heng…”

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

Sasha sighed. “If you still miss him, go find him. Two years ago, you forced him to America to protect him from your uncle, but now we’re all adults. And with feelings… if you wait too long, it might be too late to fix things.”

Too late to fix things…

Yes, the Pacific Ocean is so vast, so vast it’s hopeless. If she’d been reborn just one day earlier, she could have flown to him. But now, just like in her previous life, she was powerless.

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

At exactly noon, at the entrance to a farmers’ market on the outskirts of Jiangcheng, a heavy motorcycle roared up. Its sleek lines, matte gray paint, and solid metallic feel drew every eye.

A tall, long-legged young man swung off the bike. He took off his helmet, revealing stylish chestnut hair with long bangs, striking features, and a sparkling diamond stud in his left ear—causing a stir among the crowd.

A petite, pretty girl in a wide-brimmed sunhat hopped off behind him. She seemed used to the curious, admiring looks, her bright, grape-like eyes glancing around with interest. “Where’s Sister Changxi? Hasn’t she arrived yet?”

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

Under a road sign not far from the motorcycle, a slender, tall youth stood with arms crossed. Dressed in black sportswear and sneakers, with short, neat black hair, delicate features, and slightly pale skin, the corners of his lips curled in a cool, faintly aloof smile. No one noticed the fleeting warmth in his cold eyes when he saw the handsome guy.

But when his gaze landed on the beautiful girl beside him, he frowned in disgust.

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

Bian Changxi, now looking like a teenage boy, slapped his hand away. “It’s more convenient this way.” She glanced at the girl who’d followed, “Why is she here?”

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

Bian Changxi raised an eyebrow and shot a look at the handsome guy, Bian Kuang, who scratched his head sheepishly. “I let it slip.”

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, unless Bian Wei had pressed him for information.

She looked at Bian Wei.

Unlike the seductive socialite who flitted among the powerful in her memories, Bian Wei was now just a seventeen-year-old high schooler—petite and curvy, a little spoiled and willful, but dressed properly, the pampered darling of 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, probably because of her innocent, sweet appearance and irresistible charm.

But Bian Changxi felt a chill in her heart.

Back then, after Sasha reunited with her family, Bian Changxi herself was kicked out of the Chen family’s car in the middle of the night. She struggled her way to the Su City base and joined up with the Bian family. Bian Kuang treated her like family, always putting her first. Bian Wei, feeling neglected, tried to drive a wedge between them, and when that failed, she had people harass and humiliate them. In the end, she even framed them so badly they almost couldn’t stay with the Bian family.

It was then that Bian Changxi met Zhu Yunhua. After much hesitation, she left the Bian family to join Zhu Yunhua’s group, thinking Bian Kuang would be better off. But not long after, he died—because of this very woman.

Compared to Sasha, Bian Changxi felt even more regret and pain over what happened to Bian Kuang.

The first thing she did after helping Zhu Yunhua rise to power was to make sure the now-famous Bian Wei suffered a fate worse than death.

Those dark memories surged up again, and the hatred she thought she’d let go of threatened to return. Maybe the coldness in her eyes scared Bian Wei, who shrank 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 welcome you. Go home.”

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

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

Bian Wei’s eyes reddened. She looked from one to the other, then stomped her foot and left in a huff.

Bian Changxi watched her coldly. Bian Wei, you’d better behave yourself this time, or else…

She circled the motorcycle twice. “Not bad. Good maneuverability, plenty of speed, but it’s a bit loud. When did you get a Yamaha?”"