Vol 2 Chapter 4: The Gears of Fate

Liu Changqing was feeling gloomy.

After maintaining a horse stance for nearly an entire class period, his legs ached with dull pain on his way home after school.

Pushing his old single-bar bicycle with stiff movements, Liu Changqing wore an expression of deep frustration.

He had every reason to feel this way.

In his memories, after resigning from his company and returning to his hometown, he had scolded a girl secretly photographing him on the subway, only to face his mother's relentless matchmaking pressure upon arriving home.

Having suffered from his father's toxic influence since childhood, he never sought a partner even after graduating college.

To be precise, he couldn't be bothered.

Working overtime daily on design projects until his hair nearly fell out left no time for romantic nonsense. Having grown accustomed to single life, he instinctively resisted when his parents suggested arranged meetings.

After making up an excuse to reject his mother's chosen match, Liu Changqing retreated alone to his room.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in a school restroom.

Surrounded by classmates doing their business.

Complete confusion.

Utter bewilderment.

After hurriedly cleaning himself with notebook paper, Liu Changqing fled like a criminal, ignoring the calls from others.

He then squatted in a secluded corner, questioning his entire existence.

From the memories surfacing, this body shared his name - Liu Changqing.

Second semester of tenth grade.

He also realized this wasn't the world he knew - historical figures had changed, and the era seemed decades behind.

The antique bicycle before him proved it.

He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen such a single-bar model.

With legs already sore from the horse stance, he attempted to mount the bicycle stylishly after leaving school...

Only to collapse from exhaustion, his groin smashing painfully against the crossbar.

Clutching himself, he crouched whimpering against a wall for what felt like hours before the pain subsided.

He ended up walking the bike home instead of riding.

His memories remained fragmented.

Beyond his parents' names and basic life history, the clearest recollection was of a girl named Li Wanran.

Liu Changqing had always avoided female interactions.

This time would be no different.

Wouldn't peaceful wealth-building be better?

This thought slightly lifted his spirits.

This was the golden era - just wave your arms at the right moment and you'd soar with the winds of opportunity.

Make money now, enjoy luxuries later.

The fantasy nearly made him chuckle aloud.

His amusement died at the crossroads.

Glancing left then right, he hesitated - his memories suggested turning left, but muscle memory pulled him right.

The conflict resolved quickly - he chose to follow instinct and turned right.

What Liu Changqing didn't know:

This detour led directly to Li Wanran and An Yuanyao's usual route home.

His body's original owner had stalked this path frequently.

After some distance, most students had dispersed.

Passing an alley, Liu Changqing heard commotion inside.

He paused.

Glanced back.

Several boys surrounded a girl with a bicycle.

Lewd laughter mixed with their words.

Liu Changqing couldn't tolerate such scum.

These delinquent types disgusted him most.

He started parking his bike, shouting into the alley:

"You there..."

"Scram!"

"..."

The retort died in his throat.

Four against one.

He'd be pulverized in a fight.

After a frozen second, he quickly pushed his bicycle away.

This abandonment plunged An Yuanyao deeper into despair.

Trembling, she clutched her handlebars while ducking her head.

Her fear only excited the boys more.

One reached to touch her face.

An Yuanyao recoiled, frantically batting at the advancing hand.

Her resistance fueled their aggression.

Exchanging grins, the four closed in.

Meanwhile...

Liu Changqing hadn't gone far when he spotted a skinny boy crouching near the alley mouth.

The youth white-knuckled a brick.

Liu Changqing's eyes lit up.

He rushed over, snatched the brick.

Abandoned his bicycle with:

"Lend me this!"

Before the boy could react, Liu Changqing charged back toward the alley brick in hand.

Everything happened too fast.

Li Chongming stared dumbfounded as the stranger stole his brick.

Who...was that guy?

——————————————

Li Wanran panicked.

The moment Li Quanzhang parked, she burst from the car toward the familiar alley.

The alarmed driver gave chase.

Sprinting at full speed, Li Wanran arrived breathless at the alley entrance...

And froze at the scene before her.

Only two figures remained:

An Yuanyao.

And...

"Liu Changqing..."

His name escaped her lips unconsciously.

Blood streamed from Liu Changqing's nose where he'd been punched. He tilted his head back to stem the flow while An Yuanyao supported him anxiously.

Hearing the voice, Liu Changqing lowered his gaze to the alley mouth.

Seeing Li Wanran's heaving chest and conflicted expression...

"Hey, got any tissues? Need to stop this bleeding."

"..."

"Wanran..."

An Yuanyao noticed Li Wanran too.

Pale and disheveled from the ordeal, she clung to Liu Changqing's arm.

Before more could be said, Li Quanzhang arrived.

Seeing An Yuanyao supporting the dark-skinned boy, he immediately intervened with questions.

Li Wanran stood motionless.

As if struck dumb, she stared at An Yuanyao's hands gripping Liu Changqing.

Their contrasting skin tones burned into her vision.

The explanations to Li Quanzhang became distant noise.

Her world narrowed to their moving lips.

Why...

When...

I was first...