Chapter 43: It turns out he had disliked me for a long time.

The walls of the room were covered with photos of her older brother.

Close-up shots, candid shots from daily life, and even random snaps from her phone—all of them were printed out and pasted across the entire room.

Only like this did she feel that Lin Mo-gege had never left.

She was still very small, but she had learned to stand on a stool.

She would imitate Lin Mo-gege, carefully preparing breakfast and dinner.

She would sleep in Lin Mo-gege’s room.

The quilt that Lin Mo-gege had used, she never washed it, since it didn’t look dirty.

She would often flip through the photos with Lin Mo on her phone, even though, when she looked up, the room was already filled wall-to-wall with Lin Mo’s pictures.

Oh, right, her grades were getting better and better. In the blink of an eye, half a semester had passed. The school leadership told her that if she wanted to go to the same Campus as Lin Mo, her grades were still just a little short.

Her only entertainment each day was looking at the photos. Other than that, she refused all social interaction, devoting all her time to studying.

She wanted to find Lin Mo.

She thought, given enough time, things would get better.

Whenever she felt like this, she would paste a few more of Lin Mo-gege’s photos on the wall. Over time, there were tens of thousands of them, so many that some spots had several layers, building up a thick stack. One time, a few Female Classmates from her Class came over, wanting her to hang out. But as soon as they stepped into Yaoxi’s Home and saw the densely packed photos, they were stunned.

Frightened, they found an excuse and fled in panic.

Behind her back, everyone said Yaoxi wasn’t normal.

Not normal?

Yaoxi didn’t understand.

How was she not normal?

She had sent messages to Lin Mo—countless messages—hundreds in a single day at first.

But Lin Mo-gege never replied.

The next day, she sent more.

Then the third day, and the fourth.

She kept up a pace of hundreds of messages every day for more than a month.

Lin Mo-gege didn’t reply, but she knew Lin Mo could see them. That was enough.

Finally, one day, Lin Mo-gege replied. Even though there weren’t any gentle words in the message, there was a hint of helplessness: “Phone bills are expensive. You send messages every day. Aren’t you tired?”

Yaoxi’s eyes turned red, but her face was all smiles and sweetness: “I’m not tired.”

Before long, Lin Mo-gege replied again: “Here, add me on Feixin. Message me as much as you want.”

And so, Yaoxi added Lin Mo on Feixin, immediately sending a voice message: “Lin Mo-gege, is everything okay over there?”

“Lin Mo-gege, Xixi listened to you. I’m working hard at my studies. I’ll come find you.”

“Did you know? The room is covered with your photos, Lin Mo-gege.”

“Oh, I almost forgot. Here’s today’s.”

She sent over a dozen voice messages in a row.

Staring intently at Lin Mo-gege’s profile picture.

“You’re sick.”

That was it.

Yaoxi was happy. Very happy. Even though her brother said she was sick, and others said the same.

But if longing was an illness, she would be sick forever.

Until she recovered.

Or, until the illness got even worse.

It didn’t matter.

She didn’t keep messaging—because she had already achieved her purpose.

She looked at Lin Mo-gege’s photo and smiled sweetly.

“If… I could meet you again…”

“Lin Mo… gege…”

A smile of pure sweetness lit up her delicate face, two dimples blooming at her cheeks: “System, Time Reversal.”

【Time Reversal.】

【Location: Public Graveyard.】

【Simulation Points Consumed: 150 points.】

【Note: Time Reversal cannot change established facts. You can make different choices, but reality will not change according to your choices. Confirm you want to simulate?】

【Begin simulation.】

【That day, you arrived at the Public Graveyard very early. He was surprised that you came an hour ahead of time. You two stayed at the graveyard for a long time, recounting all your childhood experiences together.

Later, you went to a famous street-side DIY phone case shop. You mysteriously told him to close his eyes. He handed you your favorite orange soda, looking reluctant, but you noticed a faint smile at the corner of his lips. You told her to open her eyes.

Dun dun dun dun.

He seemed to like it very much, and his eyes showed a tender look that said ‘Xixi has grown up.’ You stuck out your tongue at him, hoping he didn’t notice your little secret. Actually, Xixi was the one standing right in the middle.】

Yaoxi looked at the words on the screen and smiled sweetly.

【You two returned home. After dinner, you ran to his room to tell him about the funny things that happened in Class.

But when you leapt onto his bed as usual, you found someone you’d never seen before sitting there. He was very tall, his expression cold. Of course, he was even more handsome than the most handsome boy in your Class. That’s what you thought in your heart, but still not as good as your brother, so you said so.

Who are you? you asked anxiously.

I’m Lin Mo.

He looked at you coldly, his face very serious. Then he spoke word by word: “For the next while, I’ll be transferring to a new school.”】

【Simulation Points are not enough to change established facts. Would you like to use more Simulation Points to attempt another Time Reversal?】

“Continue.”

【Time Reversal.】

【Location: Home.】

【Simulation Points Consumed: 300 points.】

【Begin simulation.】

【Lin Mo-gege! Happy birthday!

You were secretly glad you didn’t miss your brother’s birthday because of unfamiliar Uncles and Aunties.

Your small body blocked the entrance of the building.

Though Uncle and Auntie suggested adopting both of you together.

But you only wanted Lin Mo-gege. You didn’t want to go to anyone else’s house.

This was your home.

Gege! Happy birthday!

You smeared a huge dollop of cream on Lin Mo’s face. He chased you and tried to feed you jam you didn’t like. You became a little tabby cat. The place was full of laughter and cheer, as if you two could go on like this forever.】

【But in the end, he still left.】

【Simulation Points are not enough to change established facts. Would you like to use more points to simulate again?】

“Continue.”

【Time Reversal.】

【Location: Home.】

【Simulation Points Consumed: 500 points.】

【Begin simulation.】

【“I hope… I don’t really have any wishes… Hmm… Uncle and Xixi stay safe? And also, to remember who I really am… That’s about it.”

That’s what he said.

Xixi, it’s your turn.

You looked at Lin Mo-gege, then at Dad, your childish face declaring bravely, “Xixi will become super amazing! I’ll protect Dad! I’ll protect gege! Always, always! We’ll all stay together! Never apart!”

You noticed Lin Mo-gege’s surprised look.

His eyes were shining.

Dad saw it and ruffled Lin Mo-gege’s hair, laughing as he said, “A real man, huh? What are you crying for, little rascal! Isn’t that embarrassing!”

“Who’s crying! You’re the one crying! I just got sand in my eyes!”

“Oh? Is that so! Come on, let’s eat cake!”】

Yaoxi opened her mouth, wanting to say something.

But as the words reached her lips, a coldness surged through her heart, blocking her throat so she couldn’t make a sound.