The Girl Who Restarted Time

Jin Xiangdong burst into laughter with her. “If we did not, that would probably be right!”

As he laughed, Lu Jia’er put away her smile slowly. “Actually, sometimes, I wonder what the success rates for experiments like us are? Out of everyone in the world, how many special people like us are out there? We respect science, advocate science and at the same time, revere science. However, for normal people, science should be scary when people as unique as us begin to appear in the world.”

Jin Xiangdong looked at her quietly as she went on, “I am conflicted. Before I met you, I found everything boring except psychology, which I was interested in. I would often feel alone. It was as if in the entire world, I was the only abnormal person. But upon learning that I am an AI and doubly so after I recovered my memory, while internally, I still find the facts hard to accept, I do feel lucky, for some reason. I feel lucky to have met Ian and to have met you!”

Jin Xiangdong stroked her cheeks as she mentioned Ian. “Jia’er, I will not force you to forget him because for you, he is someone special.”

Lu Jia’er did not deny it. “Yes, for me, he is someone special! Probably, for the rest of my life, there will always be a place for him in my heart. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Silly.” Jin Xiangdong’s voice was particularly gentle.

Lu Jia’er looked at him. “If it was him dressed up as Colin, he already told us not to believe in anyone. Do you think there is some underlying meaning to it?”

Jin Xiangdong replied, “If that was him, there is something I find confusing as well. The clue he left for you, it was the address to my home. Since he came here today, why didn’t he speak frankly about it?”

“It’s truly confounding!” Unknowingly, Lu Jia’er squinted. “Could there really be some clues or secrets hidden in your home?”

Jin Xiangdong was at his wit’s end. He shook his head. “Speaking of secrets, the biggest secret in my family is me! Because of me, whether before or after the surgery, I believe my father and sister have been under pressure and suffering in a way that people cannot even begin to imagine over the years!”

Lu Jia’er nodded. “I have not been with your family for long but I can tell that your father and sister love you dearly. Can I ask you a bold question?”

“Of course.” Jin Xiangdong said.

Lu Jia’er asked frankly, “I’m assuming that your father and sister are on good terms?”

When they were having breakfast this morning, while Jin Shengping and Jin Xianglan were both warm to Lu Jia’er, she could tell there was some coldness between the father and the daughter.

Jin Xiangdong did not hide from Lu Jia’er about this. “That is because of me.”

“Because of you? Can you tell me more?” Lu Jia’er was curious.

“I heard that the two of them had different views on my operation plan.” Jin Xiangdong used simple words to summarize it.

“Oh, I see. So their relationship worsened to this state?” Lu Jia’er asked.

Jin Xiangdong nodded. “Yes. Well, they are father and daughter anyways. Usually, they are very busy. That being said, they still care about each other but they keep that to themselves. They do not express their feelings naturally like they did in the past.”

Lu Jia’er nodded. “Since it is because of you, you must make extra efforts to help better their relationship.”

Jin Xiangdong looked guilty. “I have been trying to help. It’s just for the past three years, I have been staying in China and rarely come back home. I feel really guilty about that.”

Lu Jia’er patted his arm. “It is not my place to say anything. You must have tried your best!”

Jin Xiangdong grabbed her hand. “I should have done more!”

“Don’t say that.” Lu Jia’er comforted him. “It’s completely possible that their fall out isn’t entirely related to you.”

Jin Xiangdong was aware that Lu Jia’er was comforting him. This thought made him smile. “My father and sister like you so much. Maybe, you are the key to unlock the knots in their hearts.”

Lu Jia’er was glad to hear it. “If you are alright with it, I am more than willing to be that key.”

The two smiled at each other. Of course it pleased her to be able to get along with Jin Xiangdong’s family. In the meantime, Lu Jia’er’s mind was riddled with doubts.

Ian gave her instructions to come here. There must be more to it than just having her get along with Jin Xiangdong’s family.

For what reason had Ian made her come here?

Unconsciously, Lu Jia’er’s mind was weighed down. She urged Jin Xiangdong, “Go and take a shower!”

That tiny spark of worry was still captured by the attentive Jin Xiangdong. He fixed his eyes on her. Noticing that he was not going, Lu Jia’er pushed him, “Go!”

Jin Xiangdong stroke her cheeks and went to the bathroom.

Lu Jia’er heard water running in the bathroom. She took a seat by the bedside and saw two pictures standing on the nightstand. One of them was taken when Jin Xiangdong was in his youth and the other was taken a few years ago.

Lu Jia’er reached over and picked up the pictures. She checked them carefully. If the two pictures were to tell a story, then the title of the story should be, “The young man has successfully reached his blooming days”.

Yet, somehow, Lu Jia’er felt something was missing from the two pictures.

She stared at the two pictures for seven to eight minutes. Jin Xiangdong finished his shower and came out. He dried his hair with the tower and stepped to Lu Jia’er. “What are you looking at?”

Lu Jia’er raised her head. “Your pictures.”

Jin Xiangdong grinned. “Aren’t I handsome?”

Lu Jia’er burst into laughter. She did not praise him nor deny it. Pointing to the picture of the more grown-up version, she asked, “When was this taken?”

“Six years ago.” Jin Xiangdong took a look and replied.

Lu Jia’er nodded. She repeated his words. “Six years ago.” Something was bothering her.

Jin Xiangdong knew that Lu Jia’er would not have asked this question if she had no reason. “Is there anything wrong?”

“Yes, there is. You didn’t take another picture between those years?” Lu Jia’er wondered.

“During those years, I was in poor health. I did not like having my pictures taken. So, there are only pictures of me as a child and in the present day.” Jin Xiangdong said.

Lu Jia’er nodded again. “Oh, that explains it!”