I was reborn.
After being cruelly murdered by Shen Zui, I was reborn.
My father lay in a pool of blood as Shen Zui, hidden under a black raincoat, drew out his bloody knife.
Then, as if awakening from a nightmare, I found myself not lying next to my father.
To be precise, at this moment, I, who should have also been a corpse, was not lying in the blood pool —
I stood by the roadside, restored to my eighteen-year-old appearance.
1.
Dressed in my high school uniform, the backpack on my back was heavy.
I confirmed my rebirth as a miserable senior because of that old, broken phone.
The date displayed was April 20, 2015.
The day the nightmare began.
A loud "bang" jolted me back to reality, and as I stared at the collided bicycles, my brain buzzed.
The black Cadillac, with a license plate that was all too familiar.
It was my dad's car.
I felt weak in the knees as the sounds of people's screams and the rushing traffic blared around me.
Watching my father stagger out of the car to check on the other driver, then sit down in panic on the ground.
"Dead… someone's dead…"
He retreated, mumbling incoherently.
"What a tragedy."
"Looks like drunk driving."
I wanted to rush over to comfort my panic-stricken father, but my legs felt as if they were filled with lead, immovable.
The accident from the past still happened, before I could react, unfolding before my eyes.
Siren sounds grew closer as the ambulance arrived, but the driver was already dead.
I watched as uniformed officers pushed my father into a police car, and doctors in white coats covered the deceased with a sheet.
Minutes passed, and traffic resumed its flow.
Across the crowd, a young man's eyes fixed on me intensely.
His expressionless face sent a chill down my spine.
It was Shen Zui.
The victim's family member killed by my father, the murderer who later cruelly killed my father and me.
The him from back then had witnessed the entire accident unfold.
No wonder, after so many years, he still found us to avenge his deceased father.
2.
I was called to the police station to see my father, and somehow Shen Zui was also brought there.
"This kid's really wild; while his dad was involved in a car accident, he was fighting with someone in the alley nearby!"
"I offered to take him to the hospital to see his dad one last time, but he refused, insisting on coming with me."
An elderly officer walked in, apparently on the phone with someone.
I turned my head, looking at Shen Zui.
He was watching me, his eyes dark as ink, devoid of any light.
"Mu Ci?"
Suddenly, someone behind me called my name.
Startled, I turned around, my face going pale.
Seeing my reaction, the police officer calling me showed pity, softening his tone, "Shall I take you in?"
"Okay."
I nodded, following him into a room.
My father was caught drunk driving leading to a fatality and was arrested on the spot; being sued and sentenced was already the best outcome we could hope for.
"Your father did something wrong and must face the consequences, don't worry, dear Ci."
My father seemed to age a decade in an instant, shaking his head as tears uncontrollably fell.
"The person I killed was the pillar of his family, and he has a son younger than you."
"I don't know how long I'll be sentenced for, but I'll figure out the compensation; when it's ready, give it to the boy in person."
My father had said the same thing in my previous life.
But at that time, I was most rebellious and didn't do as he asked, leaving the matter to the lawyer instead.
Recalling Shen Zui's gaze earlier, I couldn't help but wonder if his later transformation was partly my fault.
Breaking out in a cold sweat, I promised my father repeatedly, "Dad, don't worry! I'll definitely hand over the money personally."
3.
When I left the police station, Shen Zui was already gone.
No one knew where he went; I asked the police for help, but they dismissed me, citing protocol.
Eventually, it was my dad's lawyer who found me and gave me an address.
"This is Shen Zui's home address; your dad asked you to take this money there."
It was the compensation ordered by the court; my dad had sold almost everything we had to scrape together the amount.
I stuffed the brown paper bag into my backpack, taking several bus transfers before finally reaching Shen Zui's home.
A suburban mansion, through the large iron gate, I could glimpse the densely shaded garden inside.
The gate was unlocked, and several luxury cars were haphazardly parked in the courtyard.
"Shen Zui?" I called out, mustering my courage in the garden.
But there was no answer.
Not only the garden door but even the mansion's main door was open, and I could even hear the heated arguments inside if I listened closely.
I hugged my backpack and slowly pushed open the mansion's door.
"Shen Zui, holding onto such a large fortune as a minor isn't ideal. Why don't you give the money to me, your aunt, for safekeeping, and then you can live well with your aunt?"
"What's this talk about taking the money and then dumping the kid on us?"
"Dumping? Of course, we'd still give you money each month!"
"Who needs your monthly money? That wealth was left by my brother, and I'm not keeping it all!"
"And the kid?"
"The kid... can live with us in turns. Besides, he's already a big kid and can take care of himself."
Shen Zui sat on the sofa alone, silent as the others debated his fate as if he was a mere ball to be kicked around.
I hid behind the living room screen, feeling awkward for eavesdropping on someone else's private matters, unsure whether to stay or leave.
"Mu Ci," Shen Zui suddenly spoke up among the crowd.
His voice was cold, dressed in black, his sleeves adorned with mourning bands.
Everyone quieted down, following Shen Zui's gaze to me.
"Isn't that the murderer's daughter?"
"What's she doing here today?"
"Today's the day for the compensation execution!"
A few women howled and rushed towards me.
Startled, I reflexively backed away, tightly protecting my backpack on my chest.
4.
Shen Zui pushed their hands away from my backpack.
He exerted great force, his knuckles turning slightly white, causing them to cry out in pain.
"Best take yourselves away before I lose my temper," he said, then released his grip.
Despite being only a fifteen-year-old, his presence inexplicably instilled fear from deep within.
I watched the others warily glance at Shen Zui before scampering out of the villa, harboring a desire to leave as well.
But then Shen Zui turned to me, his tone cold, "What are you doing here?"
As if we had known each other for years.
I extended the backpack towards him, "This is the compensation money my dad asked me to deliver."
"And… I'm sorry."
I'm sorry.
These were indeed the words I should say on behalf of my father, but in my previous life, I had not said them to Shen Zui in person.
Seeing Shen Zui's situation now, losing his father and being mistreated by relatives, I felt even more regretful.
Hoping it wasn't too late to apologize now.
Shen Zui didn't respond or take the heavy backpack from my arms.
He just coldly glanced at me, expressionless, "I don't need any compensation money."
He stared into my eyes, his gaze piercing, causing a numb sensation in my scalp, "I want you."
A siren went off in my mind, a sense of unknown fear filling my brain, almost instinctively turning to run away when Shen Zui suddenly reached out and grabbed my neck.
His fingers were ice-cold; I tried to shout for help but couldn't utter a word.
"Why are you running?"
Shen Zui's questioning resonated in my ears.
"Guilty conscience?"
I trembled but kept some semblance of rationality, "My dad has already admitted his mistake and paid the price."
"If you're unsatisfied, you can continue to appeal. Please don't make things difficult for me…"
It's not my fault for being cowardly even after living twice; Shen Zui as a murderer was too memorable.
The fear was inevitable.
Shen Zui scoffed disdainfully, "You think I'm lacking money?"
He wrapped his arm around my neck from behind, forcefully made me survey the mansion's interior with his aggressive posture.
"Do you think I lack money?"
5.
"No… you're not lacking money." I couldn't suppress my shivering.
Then why, if not money, are you doing this?
Couldn't be that you want to take my life right after we met?
This thought hastened my words, "Then you certainly can't be impulsive. If you kill me, all this wealth would just benefit those shameless relatives of yours."
Given Shen Zui's obvious disdain for those relatives, with no assurance, I tried to bring them into the equation to save my life.
Forced into Shen Zui's embrace, shivering, I was incoherent due to the nerves.
Shen Zui raised an eyebrow, "Who said I'm going to kill you?"
His face had a semblance of amusement, observing my sweat-drenched profile, slightly curving his lips.
If not for my life hanging in his hands, I might actually have blurted out how handsome he looked.
"What did you mean by earlier?"
Feeling no intent of murder from his words, a huge weight seemed to lift off my shoulders.
"You stay with me here." Shen Zui matter-of-factly stated.
"Impossible!"
My immediate rejection visibly darkened Shen Zui's expression.
He looked intimidating, and though I instantly regretted my impulsiveness, I didn't plan on changing my mind.
"Not possible?" Shen Zui echoed my rejection, his gaze growing colder.
I wanted to nod, but Shen Zui's cold gaze deepened.
I mustered courage, "There's no such arrangement, we've already prepared the compensatory money for you, your request is unreasonable."
"Moreover, considering our differences as male and female, do you understand the concept? How could I possibly live with a killer... a little kid?"
My face was full of resistance, but to Shen Zui, it seemed insignificant.
He released me, not showing any signs of softening.
"My family's wealth is immeasurable, but who knows? Maybe one morning you go to school and by evening it's all gone. Is this something your father can solve with a sum of money?"
I hadn't expected Shen Zui's simple statement to sway me.
His relatives didn't look like easy opponents; without a doubt, they could easily invade and claim his home the moment he steps out for school.
"Then how did you manage in your past life without encountering me…"
I turned away, muttering under my breath.
Shen Zui continued to watch me, "Of course, you could also outright refuse and leave me to fend for myself."
So, in his past life, Shen Zui ended up being ousted by those relatives because he didn't have my help?
Chased out of his home and ended up homeless?
Becoming homeless and then recalling my father as the root of it all… thus deciding to come to my house to kill him?
This sequence of inferences had me sweating coldly.
"Made up your mind?" Shen Zui was growing impatient.
6.
In the end, I yielded to Shen Zui's "threat."
After all, it's crucial to preserve my own life.
But greater surprises were still to come; Shen Zui and I ended up attending the same high school.
"How could you possibly…"
I stood downstairs, holding a breakfast tray with a burnt fried egg.
Shen Zui was adjusting the same school uniform as mine, glancing at the fried egg for a moment, "Such swill is best prepared for yourself."
He spoke and descended the stairs, towering a full head above me.
I couldn't respond to his insult in time, grabbing my backpack and keeping up with Shen Zui's steps, "You're fifteen; shouldn't you be in grade 9?"
"I skipped grades." Shen Zui answered as if it was the most natural thing.
"When did you skip grades? I had no idea!" Shock widened my eyes.
"Last semester ended."
That was months ago, meaning it was before I changed my actions.
So in my past life, Shen Zui was also my high school junior?
This guy was actually around me for a whole year?!
I was taken aback, goosebumps covering my skin, my forehead breaking into a sweat.
Shen Zui was already at the car, one hand on the door, turning to look at me, "Not getting in?"
Of course, I'm getting in!
No matter how much I regret it now, at this moment, I still had to grit my teeth and bear it.
His house was an hour's drive from school; not riding with him meant running to the bus stop miles away to catch a bus.
As for my compliance, Shen Zui knew nothing.
He just seemed in a good mood seeing the expression of impending doom on my face.
No significant reaction, but I could tell he was pleased.
Yet at this point, where was my mind to ponder whether he was happy or not?
I slumped in the car, leaning against the door as if wishing to hide myself away.
Shen Zui glanced at me, remaining silent.
And I was thinking, "This is it; life's not going to be easy from here on."
7.
The mental preparations I made the night before were demolished in a second the next morning.
Just the thought of a woman, years removed from school, preparing again for college entrance exams was already dread-inducing. Now, I had to always be wary of this "Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome" potentially throwing a fit at school...
Truly, a tragic human drama.
"You can't skip grades consecutively."
Seeing me silent, Shen Zui, sitting beside me, suddenly spoke.
What did he mean by that?
"Otherwise, I could've directly joined grade twelve."
Shen Zui's statement made me hastily put up a smiling face, "Being in grade ten is fine."
He looked at me seriously for a moment, "You seem unhappy."
I forced a smile, "Not at all."
Shen Zui observed my face a bit longer, then turned his gaze outside the window, "Then it's settled."
What's settled?
Or did he intend to join me in grade twelve?
Don't think just because you're smart you can disregard the years of hard work others have put in. Who do you think you are?
I argued internally, but outwardly I dared not show any sign.
But reality proved how naive I was — those with brains indeed might ignore others' efforts.
Shen Zui's exceptional grades not only allowed him to skip grades but also to outshine everyone by topping the class, a full thirty points ahead of the second placer.
Upon hearing this news, I was so astonished I nearly spilled my drink.
After inquiring, I realized that Shen Zui's reputation had preceded his arrival at our high school.
"Our director mentioned he's the first new student in years to enter through grade skipping, and he's incredibly good-looking!"
Good-looking with such a gloomy facade?
What's happening to girls' taste these days?
"I heard he wanted to join grade twelve directly, but the principal refused."
The principal indeed is formidable, granting me a breather.
An opportunity for my continued survival.
As I indulged in these thoughts, the conversation unexpectedly shifted in my direction.
"Shen Zui also had it rough; his dad passed away a few days ago."
"Passed away? How's he going to live? I heard he's already without a mother."
Without a mother… my face turned sour, my mouth opening but words failing to come out.
The gossiping classmate glanced at me, then snapped irritably, "What's wrong with being motherless? Does that make someone inferior?"
His gaze was unmistakable, touching a raw nerve within me.
Everyone tactfully avoided further discussion about mothers.
"Right, I saw Shen Zui being dropped off by a luxury car this morning."
"I saw it too, and there was a girl with him."
8.
Hearing this, my heart skipped a beat.
I silently turned and quickly walked away.
Next time, I must be more cautious; if students find out my dad caused a fatal accident and I'm living with Shen Zui, surviving my final year of high school would be unthinkable.
But time for such concerns was rapidly running out. In the days that followed, besides fully preparing for the college entrance examinations, I faced another monumental task.
Taking care of Shen Zui.
More precisely, ensuring Shen Zui took the right path and didn't entertain thoughts of killing my father.
This task was so arduous that filling out exam papers felt like a leisure activity.
However, Master Shen was utterly unappreciative.
I went out of my way to prepare various breakfasts, but he simply passed by without a glance.
I rushed to the canteen at noon to secure the tastiest braised pork ribs, yet he didn't show up for lunch.
And when I ordered dinner ahead of our return home, a suddenly appointed housekeeper had already prepared the meal.
"Shen Zui, do you have something against me?" Frustrated by his attitude, I decided it was time for a heart-to-heart.
Unexpectedly, he responded by thrusting a stack of new test papers into my hands, "A gift."
Gift?
Handing a senior student a set of high school entrance exam papers as a present, I couldn't discern if he was mocking me or serious.
"Why give me a gift?" I grimaced.
"Today's your birthday." Shen Zui replied matter-of-factly.
Ah, birthday.
I was about to joke with him, hoping to bridge some gap between us, but the word "birthday" shattered my mood.
"As a child, we were poor, and my mother left with a wealthy man soon after I was born."
"My dad struggled to provide for me, so I never celebrated birthdays."
Shen Zui glanced at me, remaining silent.
Surprisingly, I found myself confessing things I had always been too ashamed to voice, and upon realization, my face flushed with embarrassment.
"No big deal if we don't celebrate it." Shen Zui's casual response seemed more comforting than any console, prompting me to open up further.
"My mom left us shortly after I was born because we were poor."
"My dad had to endure a lot to raise me, so I never had a birthday celebration."
Shen Zui tilted his head slightly, watching me, but said nothing.
Astounded by my own openness, I blushed even more at revealing such deeply kept secrets.
"It doesn't matter. I don't celebrate birthdays either," Shen Zui declared with the kind of teen angst that seemed out of character for the little terror I knew him to be.
I glanced at him curiously.
Perhaps because my gaze was too probing, Shen Zui grabbed my chin, forcing me not to look at him.
Despite his seemingly rough action, there was a gentleness to his touch
