Chapter 294 - 127: The "Stray Dog" Timeline (Part 2)

Chapter 294: Chapter 127: The "Stray Dog" Timeline (Part 2)

"What about your girlfriend? Why haven’t you brought her over for us to meet?" Ruoping asked Du Kang.

"The time isn’t right. When it is, I’ll call you guys to give her your stamp of approval."

"Don’t. I’d rather not have her get jealous of me again."

"Let her get jealous. We’ve known each other for years, from middle school through high school. How long has she been in the picture?"

The two of them were laughing and joking, but Zhang Shutong realized something wasn’t right.

’When did Du Kang get a girlfriend?’

’Hasn’t he always had a crush on Lu Qinglian?’

But now wasn’t the time to talk about girlfriends; he had almost gotten sidetracked. He felt a bit better physically and remembered his earlier question.

’Why did I develop an anxiety disorder after a trip to the temple?’

’Perhaps this is the key to this timeline.’

But Du Kang had said he went alone, and they didn’t know what had happened. ’If that’s the case, the only one who might know is "her."’

"Do any of you still have Lu Qinglian’s contact information?"

He interjected.

But the cheerful atmosphere from just a moment ago suddenly froze.

The two of them turned to look at him at the same time.

After a long silence, Ruoping spoke, her tone complicated:

"Shutong, we... we came here today to attend her funeral."

Zhang Shutong suddenly covered his mouth.

’Damn it, not again.’

The familiar heart palpitations struck again, followed by the intense burning sensation of stomach acid rising into his esophagus. This time, Zhang Shutong couldn’t hold it back. He quickly turned to the trash can and threw up, but only bile came out. Du Kang stood up and patted his back as Zhang Shutong gasped for air, still unable to believe the news.

’Lu Qinglian is dead again?’

’Why did she have to die again?’

’Wasn’t the long-haired woman dealt with?’

’And why did she still die eight years later, on the exact same day!’

The inside of the trash can was a mess. A moment ago, the restaurant had been peaceful, filled with elegant guzheng music and the faint aroma of food. But now, only the sour smell of vomit remained. A few tables of customers turned their heads at the same time, and a waiter hurried over.

Zhang Shutong had no time to pay them any mind. He just felt like his own mind was a complete mess.

Because the first thing he thought of wasn’t the cause of Lu Qinglian’s death.

It was—

’I can’t go back anymore!’

This meant her death was now an established fact.

’So what on earth have I been doing all these years?’

If leaving Lu Qinglian on the island in the "cold-blooded timeline" was for the sake of returning to the past, then what about this time?

He sank weakly back into his chair. Just then, Ruoping spoke up:

"You... you’ve forgotten even this? Then what was the point of everything you’ve done all these years?"

Zhang Shutong didn’t know what it was all for, either.

Last time, it was to find clues about the killer, which resulted in the three tattoos.

But this time?

Gu Qiuyan had clearly been saved.

’What am I still searching for?’

’A way to save Lu Qinglian?’

But he hadn’t been able to do a thing.

Zhang Shutong heard Ruoping’s voice suddenly choke up. He was at a loss. ’Did I do something terrible again this time, like last time? Did I hurt someone?’

But before Zhang Shutong could speak, he saw that the look in Ruoping’s eyes wasn’t anger, but pity.

"Then... then what was the point of putting yourself through all this for all these years, ending up in this half-dead state? Now you don’t remember anything. It was one thing when you wouldn’t tell us, but if even you yourself don’t remember, then all these years, all these years..."

Her voice grew thick with emotion as she spoke. Du Kang pulled out a tissue and handed it to her, quickly trying to comfort her.

"It’s a good thing. Isn’t this a good thing? Since he’s forgotten everything, it’s like a fresh start. Listen to me, Shutong. Tomorrow, you’ll move in with me. I’ll take you to a doctor first. We can talk about everything else after you’re better."

Zhang Shutong opened his mouth, then closed it again.

The waiter had already arrived with their food.

Du Kang quickly tried to smooth things over:

"Alright, alright, let’s eat first. We can talk after we’ve eaten..."

But no one was the first to pick up their chopsticks.

...

「By the time they finished eating, it was already one in the afternoon.」

Ruoping hailed a cab, and the three of them headed to the funeral together.

Zhang Shutong sat silently in the back seat. He finally understood why they were eating at the mall today. It was because he had arrived on the island two hours earlier than before.

Du Kang helped him out of the taxi, and Zhang Shutong could now confirm just how terrible his physical condition was.

To say he was so frail he could be blown over by a breeze was no exaggeration.

Now, he stared blankly at the sky, suddenly unsure of what to do or where to go from here.

’Should I go offer a white envelope before Lu Qinglian’s memorial portrait, and then go to the restricted zone at night to try my luck?’

’It would be best if I could return to eight years ago, but what if I can’t?’

He didn’t even have the strength to walk to the restricted zone by himself now.

Zhang Shutong discovered a laughable fact: he couldn’t even lean against the railing on Lake Ring Road by himself for a while like he used to, because the wind outside was too strong. The moment it blew on him, his head would start to ache.

In the end, Zhang Shutong entered the funeral home one step at a time. The unsettling funeral music was like a constant, low whisper. Once again, in front of the mourning hall, he saw the woman sealed within a black-and-white photograph.

Supported by Du Kang and Ruoping, he gave three bows. He wanted to say something, but he didn’t know what.

Finally, Zhang Shutong’s gaze fell upon a small stone tablet.

"I think it’s her tombstone. The people on the island all chipped in to buy it. It’s not supposed to be displayed here, but there was nowhere else to put it, so they’re making do for now."

’A tombstone.’

Zhang Shutong stared at the tombstone, lost in thought for a long time.

’That’s her tombstone.’

’So where is my tombstone?’

’Or is it just like that saying... just keep running until you rot?’

"I’m going to the outer hall for a bit," Zhang Shutong said in a low voice.