Chapter 291 - 126: The "Wild Dog" Line (Part 1)

Chapter 291: Chapter 126: The "Wild Dog" Line (Part 1)

The restaurant had bright, floor-to-ceiling windows, with a row of bamboo planted just outside. Peeking through the gaps revealed a style typical of a scenic lakeside eatery. The dining booths were even shaped like small fishing boats. A roll-up banner at the entrance advertised the establishment’s long history:

"Legend has it that during the Qianlong era..."

’What does this have to do with Emperor Qianlong’s southern tours? Aren’t we in the north?’

There were so many things wrong with it that even Zhang Shutong felt the urge to complain.

But he had no energy for that right now. He walked into the restaurant in a daze. It wasn’t too crowded—only four or five tables were occupied. The moment he stepped inside, he saw a beautiful woman with short hair waving at him.

"Over here! You’re finally here!"

’Oh, it’s Ruoping.’

A sense of warmth washed over Zhang Shutong. Ruoping wasn’t like that kid, Du Kang, who insisted on growing his hair long and tying it in a small ponytail. Zhang Shutong had almost failed to recognize him. He sat down in the fishing boat booth and asked:

"Where’s Qingyi?"

"Him? Working overtime, what else? He couldn’t fly back, so it’s just the three of us getting together." Ruoping rolled her eyes.

"He’s working overtime *again*?"

Zhang Shutong thought, ’Man, what is your obsession with overtime? Every time I come back, everything’s changed, but you’re still stuck working late.’

He smiled, about to say something, but was suddenly wracked by a violent coughing fit.

"Are you okay?"

Ruoping grabbed his hand in concern. Zhang Shutong froze for a second. ’Aren’t we being a little too familiar?’ he thought. ’Heroine Feng, you were never like this in the past.’ His coughing wouldn’t let up, and tears started to well in his eyes. Ruoping pulled a few tissues from a dispenser and handed them to him.

"Didn’t you take your medicine?"

’Looks like everyone’s really close in this timeline,’ he thought. ’You even know I have a fever.’

"I’m fine... just a little sleepy..."

He rested his forehead in his hand, a wave of irritation washing over him. He had a fever eight years ago, and he still had one eight years later. ’Can’t this thing just let me think clearly for a second?’

Ruoping told him the food wasn’t here yet, so he should put his head down and rest for a while.

Zhang Shutong nodded and rested his head on the table.

He was so drowsy. It reminded him of being on an IV drip in a hospital room. He couldn’t wrap his head around it—one moment, he was in an all-consuming blizzard, and the next, he was sitting in a warm restaurant.

He slowly came to a realization. ’Does this mean my mission is complete?’

Gu Qiuyan was saved.

The island had changed, too. Not by much, but it was a change for the better.

But how was he supposed to get back?

The thought jolted Zhang Shutong to his senses.

’That’s right, how do I get back?’

’The fact that I survived to see eight years later must mean I got through that night safely. That woman must have been dealt with.’

’But if the attacker is gone, how am I supposed to get back?’

His mind had been foggy until now. He had figured, since he was here, he might as well have a nice meal and chat with his friends. First, he’d find out what had happened over the past eight years. Then, at night, he’d run to the restricted area, wait for someone to stab him, and be sent back to his student days to finally start a new life. The problem was, the person who was supposed to stab him was gone. How was he supposed to get back?

Zhang Shutong lifted his head.

’Does this mean I’m stuck in the "present" forever?’

’This life doesn’t seem half bad. I’m on great terms with my best friends, I’m not cooped up at home in self-isolation... and I guess by dealing with the attacker, I never had to go to that temple and get that damn ability... So is this my life now?’

The moment the thought crossed his mind, his stomach churned. Ruoping stood up and patted his back. Just then, Du Kang returned.

"I asked you to keep an eye on him. What kind of job did you do? How’d he end up like this again?"

"I don’t know! He seemed fine before we got on the boat, he even had the strength to smile. But he woke up from his nap like this..."

"Did he catch a chill again?"

"I think... the window wasn’t closed. I went outside for a smoke..." Du Kang said meekly.

"You...!" Ruoping was furious.

"It’s not his fault. Don’t be mad," Zhang Shutong said, waving his hand dismissively. He wasn’t a child. Listening to them, you’d think he needed to be watched around the clock.

Zhang Shutong finally felt a little better. He knew something was very wrong here, so he forced himself to stay focused and said:

"I think I’ve forgotten some things since I woke up. Could you tell me everything, in detail?"

The two of them stared at each other.

"Amnesia?" Du Kang said.

"Should we go to the hospital?" Ruoping said.

"No, don’t worry about it. Just... let’s just say it’s amnesia for now." He pressed a hand to his forehead. "You two should remember, right? What happened on the night of December 9, 2012? I left Gu Qiuyan at the hospital and went somewhere by myself. I need to know exactly what happened after that."