Chapter 9: Old Friends, Annoying Little White Lotus

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

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

Forget it. She has a family, relatives, and a background. How could I expect her to run away and go adventuring 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 stranded outside. This time, if Sasa goes home right away, she’ll be safe in the early stages. That’s not a bad thing. Why should I interfere?

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

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

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

“The flu might get a lot worse. I’m not sure about the details, but just don’t stay in crowded places. 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 missing a beat, 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 don’t 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’m saying?”

Chen Yisha felt that her roommate’s eyes were so deep and dark, carrying a force that made her believe every word. She nodded instinctively.

But Bian Changxi was still worried. She would never forget how, after struggling to survive together, Sasa was found by her family and, within half a year, was given away to a powerful man as a plaything. She tried to escape, was killed on the spot, and even her corpse was humiliated.

She only hated that she’d learned the news too late.

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

She sighed inwardly, patted Sasa on the shoulder, and, in a tone she didn’t even realize was almost parental, said, “Just be careful, always have a backup plan. No matter what happens, don’t act rashly. Try to get word out if you’re in trouble. If I hear about it, I’ll do everything I can to help you.”

Sasa felt a bit confused, but her eyes reddened with emotion.

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

Sasa helped pick it up. “Oh, it’s your first love’s photo. Last night you were hugging it and muttering in your sleep, 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 it. The photo showed a bright day with a light drizzle, under a big tree with lush green shade. A tall, handsome boy stood under an umbrella, glancing sideways, his white shirt as pure as snow, a gentle smile on his lips.

“Bai Heng…”

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

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 all adults, and with feelings like this, if you wait too long, it might be too late to fix things.”

Too late to fix things…

Yes, the Pacific 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, she was powerless.

Bian Changxi blinked, put the photo away as if nothing had happened, and said, “I know. I’m leaving now. 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 streamlined body, matte gray paint, and solid metallic look drew everyone’s attention.

A tall, long-legged young man swung off the bike. He took off his helmet, revealing stylish chestnut-brown hair, sharp, handsome features, and a sparkling diamond earring in his left ear, causing a stir in the crowd.

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

“She said on the phone she’s 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 bike, 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, there was a hint of cool indifference at the corners of the lips. No one noticed that when she saw the handsome guy, a trace of warmth flashed in her cold eyes.

But when her gaze landed on the beauty beside him, she frowned in disgust.

The handsome guy rushed over and tugged at the youth’s short hair, shouting in shock, “Oh my god, it’s real! Why did you cut it like this? What happened to you?!”

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

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

Bian Changxi raised an eyebrow and glanced at the handsome guy, Bian Kuang. He scratched his head awkwardly. “I 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. Most likely, Bian Wei had pestered him into giving it away.

She looked at Bian Wei.

Unlike the flirtatious socialite she remembered, who drifted between powerful men, Bian Wei was now just a seventeen-year-old high schooler—petite and curvy, a bit spoiled and willful, but dressed properly, the famous little princess 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 sister, probably 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 the Chen family, she herself was thrown out of their car in the middle of the night 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, arranged for people to harass and humiliate them both. In the end, she even framed 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 be better off. But not long after, he died—killed by this very woman.

Compared to Sasa, she felt even more guilt and pain over Bian Kuang’s fate.

The first thing she did after helping Zhu Yunhua gain power was to make Bian Wei, now famous in 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 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 widened as 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 reddened. She looked from one to the other, then stomped her foot and left in a huff.

Bian Changxi stared coldly at her retreating back. Bian Wei, you’d better behave yourself this time, or else…

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