The Girl Who Restarted Time

In the blink of an eye, it was the start of the school year. B University’s campus was bustling with activity as numerous students that had successfully persevered in their studies despite years of hardships. Here, they were going to have to face a new and unknown world of Academia.

Lu Jia’er’s colleagues followed the expected daily routine while she spent her days busy and worried. Although she did not experience the same whirlwind of dizziness as the incoming freshmen, she was just as lost. She no longer had the same sense of confidence regarding what she knew about her own world.

She hated this feeling. That being said, she had no way, whatsoever, to fight back. Luckily for her, Jin Xiangdong had been with her. Recently, he had been taking her to places they visited before to recreate their time together. Apart from enjoying the quality time together, Lu Jia’er was well-aware that by doing so, Jin Xiangdong was attempting to trigger her memory and consciousness. Sadly, the effect was miniscule. She would at times have some faint moments similar to deja vu, but that was it.

This matter had become the biggest conundrum for her and Jin Xiangdong.

“The signing ceremony for the cooperation between our psychology department and BUA Technology will be held next week. Little Lu, you’re the person in charge of the project, so you will be the point of contact for everyone else.” Professor Han Yi, the department head, was acting as chairman for this meeting.

Lu Jia’er, who was lost in her thoughts, did not hear this. Li Lin, who was next to Lu Jia’er, poked her leg gently.

Lu Jia’er came back to her senses and responded to Professor Han Yi. “Alright!”

Professor Han Yi looked at Lu Jia’er and added, “If there’s anything you need help with, please let us know.”

Lu Jia’er nodded. “Yes!”

After the meeting, Lu Jia’er and Li Lin left together.

“Jia’er, why do I have the feeling that you have been preoccupied since the new school year began?” Li Lin was curious.

“Have I?” Lu Jia’er tried to deny it.

“It is rare for you to drift off in a meeting!” Li Lin smiled.

“I was just distracted.” Lu Jia’er replied without thinking.

Li Lin gazed at her. “You must be under a lot of pressure.”

Lu Jia’er knew what Li Lin was referring to. “I am fine.” Lu Jia’er gave a lukewarm anwer.

Li Lin chuckeld. “You are so outstanding. Especially now that you have become the youngest person on campus to be in charge of a research project.”

Of all the people in charge of individual research projects at B University, Lu Jia’er indeed was the youngest one. During the past couple of days, many of her colleagues had been discussing this matter and many of them had congratulated her in person.

But on hearing her say this, Lu Jia’er produced a bitter smile! She was outstanding! Previously, when she didn’t know that she was an AI, she would be able to enjoy this sort of compliment. But it was ironic now. As a matter of fact, she was just a marionette. What was so outstanding about her?

“I heard that you took in patients for psychological counselling over the summer.” Li Lin changed to another topic.

“Yes!” Lu Jia’er said softly.

Li Lin looked at her. “With you there, Professor Han Yi’s research center will be jammed!”

Looking at Li Lin with this smile, Lu Jia’er went into a trance. She remembered when she and Li Lin met before.

Every time Li Lin wore this smile, while she seemed to be natural, her smile hid many underlying meanings.

Lu Jia’er was staring at her. Li Lin waved her hand in front of Lu Jia’er’s eyes.”Jia’er, Jia’er!”

Lu Jia’er came back from the trance and said to Li Lin, “The fact that I am the person in charge of this research project has nothing to do with Professor Han Yi.”

Li Ln’s expression changed. She pretended that she could not understand what Lu Jia’er was referring to. “What?”

“The fact that I am the person in charge of the research project has nothing to do with Professor Han Yi. Do not read too much into it!” Lu Jia’er reiterated.

“Jia’er, did you misunderstand something?” Li Lin was forcing a smile.

“Lin, your micro-expressions cannot lie.” Lu Jia’er said.

Li Lin felt awkward. “Well… Jia’er, don’t get me wrong!”

“Did I really misunderstand?” Lu Jia’er retorted with a question.

The corners of Li Lin’s mouth twiched. “Fine, I did over-think this matter. But I am not alone. Many people think so.”

Lu Jia’er was surprised by Li Lin’s honesty. The former stared at the latter for a few seconds.

Li Lin was a bit nervous. “Jia’er, are you mad?”

“No.” Lu Jia’er gave a calm reply.

“I am glad! I’ve actually always admired you. So naturally… I am a little bit jealous of your success.” Li Lin said.

“Just a little bit jealous?” Lu Jia’er questioned.

Once again, Li Lin was embarrassed. Then, she changed her answer. “Fine, I am very jealous of you!”

A few seconds later, Lu Jia’er said, “Thank you, Lin!”

Li Lin was startled. She looked at Lu Jia’er with confusion. “Jia’er, you have been acting odd recently.”

Lu Jia’er stopped staring at her and said slowly, “Just recently?”

“What do you mean?” Li Lin was puzzled.

“I used to…” Lu Jia’er was about to ask what Li Lin used to think about her. But eventually, she withdrew her remark. “Nothing.”

Li Lin gazed at her, baffled. Lu Jia’er smiled at her. “Lin, I will let you in on a little secret.”

“What secret?” Li Lin asked.

“I can read people’s minds.” Lu Jia’er said, with a smile.

Again, Li Lin was startled. Then, she broke into laughter. “You can read people’s minds! I am sorry. From now on, I will not overthink your relationship with Professor Han Yi. Never again!”

Lu Jia’er smiled. As a matter of fact, Li Lin did not understand her and just thought of her remark as a joke. But she had to thank Li Lin. Because of the expression Li Lin wore just now, an idea came to Lu Jia’er’s mind.

After she parted ways with Li Lin, Lu Jia’er took her teaching plan and went to the lecture theatre for her class.

As usual, attendance of her class was high. Lu Jia’er, who had always been attentive in teaching, was a bit distracted during this class. In her mind, she was picking out all the inconsistencies in her memory and combing through them. That idea became more and more tangible in her mind.

As the school bell rang, Lu Jia’er ended the class immediately. “Class, see you next time.”

“Professor, I have some questions!” Some students stood up.

“I have other things to tend to. If you have any questions, send them to my email.” With that said, Lu Jia’er picked up her teaching plan and left the lecture theatre.

A moment later, Lu Jia’er had gotten into her Cayenne. She was calling Ian from her phone.

This time, Ian picked up quickly. “Jia’er!”

“Ian, it is time for you to restore my mind-reading function.” Lu Jia’er went straight to the point.

“Jia’er…” Ian sounded conflicted as he said her name.

“I knew it. Even if I am an advanced AI, I cannot be this simple!” Lu Jia’er stated

“Jia’er, you are too smart.” Ian exclaimed.

“I am just an AI created by you no matter how smart I am.” Lu Jia’er retorted.

“Jia’er!” Ian sounded helpless.

“Please restore my original functions.” Lu Jia’er repeated her request, her voice cold and detached.

“Jia’er, are you sure?” Ian asked with resignation.

“Isn’t this a setting you gave me?” Lu Jia’er replied with a question.

The man on the other end of the line fell silent for a few seconds before Lu Jia’er continued, “I’ll go home first.”

The word “home” stung Ian’s heart as the sound reached his ears. It took him a while to answer, “Okay.”

Twenty minutes later, Lu Jia’er had returned to Jin Xiangdong’s villa.

Lu Jia’er asked Ake, “Ake, do you have a camera here?”

Ake replied, “Professor Lu, what are you going to do? I can activate my video-recording function now!”

Lu Jia’er waved her hand. “I want a camera!”

Ake blinked. “The camera is in the study. I will go get it for you!”

Soon, Ake returned with the camera. Lu Jia’er turned on the camera, chose video function and handed it back to Ake. “Ake, hold this and record me.”

Ake did as he was told, holding the camera as it filmed Lu Jia’er.

Lu Jia’er took a deep breath and sent a message to Ian.

A few minutes later, Lu Jia’er, who was leaning on the couch, opened her eyes slowly. She had had a similar feeling before, the last time was when she woke up after the car accident.

Lu Jia’er turned to look at Ake. “Give me the camera, Ake.”

However, Ake did not give a timely response. Lu Jia’er stared at Ake with confusion. “Ake?”

Only now did Ake give a response and looked at Lu Jia’er with googly eyes.

“Ake, the camera!” Lu Jia’er repeated.

Ake stepped to her and handed her the camera.

Lu Jia’er wanted to check the video to see what exactly happened when she passed out. However, there was nothing on the camera.

She checked a few times, but nothing!

Immediately, Lu Jia’er felt frustrated. Ake asked with concern, “Professor Lu, is something wrong?”

“Nothing!” Lu Jia’er shook her head.

Ake blinked. Then, Lu Jia’er stood up and walked to the door.

“Professor Lu, are you leaving again?” Ake followed her.

“Yes, just a moment!” Lu Jia’er replied.

Lu Jia’er drove her car away. She could hear the sounds of everyone’s minds clearly starting from the moment she met the property administrator at the gate of the villa.