GBT Chapter 102

Jiao Bai fell back into bed. Li Jue’s protagonist halo was truly powerful. At this time, allowing his male second lead to have memories of the first timeline was like sending charcoal in the snow, a glimmer of hope, a turning point.

Wait, something’s not right…

Jiao Bai logged into his account and looked at the first of the four groups.

This Lifetime’s Fate [Soulmate] 0/1.

Cen Jingmo was listed.

Previously, no matter how much Jiao Bai thought about it, he couldn’t understand how Cen Jingmo, who had only had one proper encounter with him in the car, could consider him a soulmate. The relationship was simply too inexplicable. Now, he seemed to be able to sort out a reason.

The nickname in the group note was a one-sided recognition from a friend, not a mutual feeling.

And a soulmate represented someone who shared the same path.

Jiao Bai speculated that Cen Jingmo didn’t only possess memories from tonight, but had them before entering the group.

That was precisely the reason Cen Jingmo entered the first group.

Why? Because when Cen Jingmo remembered the first timeline, he would recall Li Jue revealing information about his older brother from his hometown. Someone who should have died long ago was instead circling among several major families, stirring up so much trouble, failing to die and still living in the Qi family.

To Cen Jingmo, Jiao Bai’s existence was too abrupt, like a fireball. The trajectory of his passage would burn away everything, leaving no trace of the original appearance.

Cen Jingmo assumed that Jiao Bai was able to avoid the original dead end because he also possessed memories and knew the future, which was why he regarded him as a so-called soulmate. Were they two small boats in the sea of fate?

This line of reasoning made logical sense.

Otherwise, Jiao Bai really couldn’t think of a reason why Cen Jingmo’s gossip score exceeded 50, he entered the group so quickly, and he considered him a soulmate.

Jiao Bai deleted those few photos that resembled a reunion from a century ago, a tragic love story. Since they were both soulmates, Cen Jingmo shouldn’t mess with him for Li Jue’s sake, right? He thought of something and entered Cen Jingmo’s World House.

He saw the message on the blackboard in the World House, addressed to himself in the next life:

1: Meet Xiao Li Jue before Shen Er An, my love. I think our meeting was without calculation.

2: Don’t fight with Shen Er An, nothing is more important than Xiao Li Jue.

3: When the opportunity presents itself, I must immediately let go of everything from the Cen family, relinquish power and glory, and take him away.

Of these three points, the first half of the first point couldn’t be achieved, but the second and third points were still options, there was still time.

The opportunity had arrived. His lover had already been successfully rescued. If he didn’t run now, when would he?

Did he still want to compete with Shen Er An like in the first timeline?

In the question and answer mode behind the blackboard, when asked whether he would prefer to relive his next life or this life, Cen Jingmo chose the latter.

He had the chance to relive his life, and he remembered the first timeline before any mistakes had occurred. Heaven’s favor had rolled to his feet, waiting for him to reach out and pick it up.

Now, he was only one word away from making up for his regrets and achieving fulfillment: Leave.

Take Li Jue with him.

Jiao Bai threw aside his phone, which he had been clutching until it was warm. Cen Jingmo had a heart condition. The comic described his fingertips as having the scent of medicine. His constitution was already weaker than most ‘gongs’. How could someone like that, lacking self-awareness, insist on vying for power and love? It was no wonder he died young, during his youth.

Unless Cen Jingmo was an idiot, he wouldn’t repeat the same mistakes.

After this thorough analysis, Jiao Bai felt much more at ease. He hoped Cen Jingmo would quickly comply with his first timeline’s obsession, give the Cen family to Shen Er An, and move abroad with Li Jue.

His phone rang. It was a call from Shen Er An.

“Jiao Bai, I can’t find out how Cen Jingmo met Li Jue. There’s no trace of it,” Shen Er An’s tone was heavy. “I’m worried he’s going to take revenge for Li Jue. He’s not in a convenient position to deal with me, so it’s highly likely he’ll come after you.”

Jiao Bai touched the bandage on his forehead: “I’m aware of the situation.”

“Don’t investigate the entanglement between those two anymore, it has nothing to do with you,” he added.

Shen Er An was sitting in the corner of the balcony: “About sending…”

“Don’t send it,” Jiao Bai said. “Now that Li Jue is with the Cen family, let’s not interfere.”

“Alright,” Shen Er An responded.

Jiao Bai clicked his tongue softly. The collision had been effective: “I heard you were injured during the day. How are you?”

“Fake news,” Shen Er An said. “I’ll be ‘recuperating’ for a while.”

Jiao Bai was too lazy to ponder the schemes of the business world. Shen Er An, however, took the initiative to explain the plan to him.

There was a senior member of the Shen family who disapproved of Shen Er An and wanted to take his position.

Shen Er An was using the pretense of being injured to give him an opportunity to act. Once he had gathered the other dissenters within the Shen family, Shen Er An would eliminate them all in one fell swoop.

Jiao Bai didn’t have much of a reaction after hearing this.

The voice on the other end of the phone was a bit muffled: “Do you think what I’m doing is boring?”

“A little,” Jiao Bai said truthfully. He was purely a fan of melodramatic romance, so he would skip over the business plots, too lazy to watch.

Shen Er An chuckled: “Is Uncle Qi not next to you?”

“He’s taking a shower, hiss…” Jiao Bai bit his tongue and gasped in pain. Just as he was about to explain that it was a standard room with two beds, Shen Er An abruptly said goodbye and hung up.

The bathroom door opened, and Qi Yi Liao emerged with a cool mist around him. The young man on the bed was facing him, a white quilt messily piled around his waist, his bathrobe loosely tied, and soft strands of hair nestled against his pale neck.

Hearing his footsteps, the young man covered his mouth and looked over with furrowed brows. His thick, upturned eyelashes fluttered, and the corners of his downward-sloping eyes were red and glistening, like beautiful shattered glass had been kneaded in.

Qi Yi Liao’s breath hitched, his brow furrowing. He gave Jiao Bai a helpless, almost resentful look, then turned and retreated back into the bathroom.

Jiao Bai: “…???”

Back at the villa, Shen Er An lowered his head and caressed his phone.

“Er An, you shouldn’t have revealed your feigned injury to outsiders,” Tan Jun’s voice echoed in the living room. He hadn’t been to work recently, staying at his residence to recover. He had made a special trip over just over ten minutes ago.

Tan Jun walked slowly, his shoes dragging on the floor: “Furthermore, the plan to cleanse the Shen family’s internal affairs should not be discussed.”

Shen Er An was preoccupied with his worries and didn’t respond.

It wasn’t until Tan Jun mentioned that Qi Yi Liao had come to South City without Zhang Zhen and the others, presenting a golden opportunity.

Shen Er An slowly turned his head, his eyebrows and eyes, which were extremely similar to the previous leader of the Shen family, shrouded in darkness, obscuring his emotions.

“Er An, I know you value Jiao Bai as a friend,” Tan Jun sat down on the brown sofa in the living room, sweat beading on his forehead. “But those who achieve great things are invariably lonely. The path to success cannot be paved with sentimentality.”

Shen Er An’s shoulders, no longer as youthful, emerged from the shadows: “Uncle Tan, don’t force me.”

A wry smile appeared on Tan Jun’s gaunt face: “If I hadn’t promised your mother, the weeds on my grave would be taller than me. Er An, I hope you understand that we share the same goal. I am here to support you.”

Shen Er An stood up and positioned himself in front of the railing. Above him were the stars, and before him was the spring night wind. Behind him was the bright, upscale hall, yet he felt as though he was trapped in a crevice, gradually being squeezed and deformed.

Inescapably deformed.

“Qi Yi Liao has been in business for many years, always handling things with ease. He is not excessively aggressive, but he is also not weak, his grasp is just right. If he dares to come here, he won’t be unprepared,” Shen Er An said calmly.

Tan Jun pondered: “We can first hire some people from the underworld to test the waters.”

Shen Er An’s eyes flashed with an image of the wound on Jiao Bai’s forehead. He moved his thin lips: “Uncle Tan, I only want to deal with the Cen family.”

Tan Jun said: “Eliminating the Qi family will allow you to gain more leverage. At that point, the Cen family will be nothing to fear.”

In the next instant, he softened his tone: “Don’t you want to fulfill your mother’s last wish as soon as possible, Er An? When the opportunity arrives, smart people know what to do.”

Shen Er An closed his dark eyes: “Qi Yi Liao is not Shen Ji. He is not enslaved by any desires. He is clear-headed, and can advance or retreat as needed…”

“He has a weakness, and he even brought it along this time. It’s the perfect opportunity to strike,” Tan Jun’s voice echoed from the living room.

Those words were like a massive blade that severed the drifting air currents and floating dust.

It was as though the entire world had been struck by a storm.

Shen Er An turned to face the living room. He took a restrained breath, looking coldly at Tan Jun: “Jiao Bai came to South City for my sake. I know better than anyone how much he hates this city. He was willing to make this trip, even with his injuries, to persuade me. He doesn’t want me to be trapped in hatred.”

Li Jue was merely his personal hatred, the Cen family was the greater vengeance, involving his mother and grandmother.

If Jiao Bai were to find out that he was beyond saving, with no way out…

Wouldn’t he feel that all the words of advice, all the actions, all the spilled blood had been for nothing?

The young man on the balcony lacked experience and was too easily led by emotions. His pained expression caused Tan Jun to have a momentary lapse, unconsciously softening his tone: “We only want Qi Yi Liao’s life. We won’t harm Jiao Bai.”

Shen Er An’s eyes flickered, his face devoid of color: “I promised him last year at Lan Mo Mansion that I would no longer use him, that I would no longer involve him. I’ve gone back on my word repeatedly. What face do I have to see him again?”

Tan Jun looked up at the lights on the ceiling, and said softly: “You are unaware. I did everything behind your back.”

“No…” Shen Er An took half a step back, his back hitting the railing. The night wind entered his collar in gusts, freezing his blood. “I don’t agree!”

“If you dare to move against Jiao Bai behind my back,” Shen Er An’s head began to throb, “I won’t have a single friend left, Uncle Tan.”

He spoke with the pleading and grievance of a child who didn’t want to lose his playmate, yet his expression was terrifyingly grim, his teeth chattering. It was an uncompromising warning.

Tan Jun took out a worn-out watch and gently stroked it: “On my way here, I learned of Old Master Chu’s passing. Chu Dongshan will either persuade his elder brother to deal with the Cen family, or he will use his elder brother’s child to threaten him into giving up his position. He will definitely confront Cen Jingmo for Li Jue’s sake. It’s also possible that those two will form an alliance first to deal with us.”

“Er An, the business world is in chaos again. We need allies,” he said.

Shen Er An’s head throbbed even more. He grabbed the railing for support, his lips turning white.

“Let’s let go of tonight’s opportunity. But you need to use your relationship with Jiao Bai to make him stand on your side. Behind him is the Qi family,” Tan Jun schemed. “We can prepare suitable articles for the media to publish, creating the impression of a friendly partnership between the Shen and Qi families…”

Shen Er An’s vision gradually blurred. He fell straight forward onto the ground, unconscious.

Shen Er An was rushed to the hospital. Tan Jun guarded him like a pillar of support.

“I mentioned before that the location of a fragment in the patient’s brain is quite dangerous. It can’t be removed through surgery, only conservative treatment is possible.”

“Don’t let his emotions fluctuate too much.”

…

Shen Er An was dreaming.

In his dream, he was at Cheng Mountain, still a young boy of a few years old. His mother woke him up, washed his face, and helped him put on new clothes.

His mother buttoned his coat, patted his clothes, and pinched his frozen red nose with her rough hands. Her weak face was filled with smiles as she said, “Our An An is going to have a new home.”

“No, I don’t want to go down the mountain, I don’t want a new home…”

…

Jiao Bai learned about Shen Er An’s treatment abroad from Qi Yi Liao. He couldn’t get in touch with Shen Er An.

Fortunately, although Tan Jun used hatred to bind Shen Er An, he was also one of the people who most wanted him to live, especially before the great revenge was taken.

The temperature gradually rose, and bees came to the courtyard of Lan Mo Mansion, buzzing among the vines.

Jiao Bai insisted on rehabilitation every day, writing, and learning foreign languages. By May, he was no longer using a wheelchair, but he still walked slowly and couldn’t run.

During the time that the Shen family’s leader was out of the country, after a period of internal strife, Chu Dongshan became the head of the Chu family. He no longer seemed to be the playboy he once was, but was instead secretly biding his time and sharpening his skills.

The Cen family was surprisingly peaceful, as was the business world.

Yu Ling hadn’t contacted Jiao Bai, nor had Yu Xiang. Jiao Bai wouldn’t actively seek out the brothers, to avoid them being trapped by the melodrama.

In mid-May, Jiang Yan transferred 8,800 to Jiao Bai.

Jiang Yan sent a blowing-heart emoji: The 1.2 million you lent me, plus interest, I’ll pay it back in installments, okay, darling.

Jiao Bai didn’t care. The fact that Jiang Yan could pay him back meant that the debt was already cleared, which was a good thing.

Even though the band was still struggling.

Jiang Yan was willing to nurture his dream and never wanted to give up, so Jiao Bai didn’t have much to say.

Jiao Bai asked Jiang Yan how the pursuit of Cullen was going.

Jiang Yan sent a photo. It was a picture of two shadows embracing, strangely cliche, and strangely romantic.

Jiao Bai: You caught him?

Jiang Yan: No, this is the cover of the song I’m releasing. From now on, I’ll only let my career fuck me.

“…”

Just as Jiao Bai was thinking that the protagonist shou’s shattered body must be almost healed after two months, news came online.

The Cen family’s young master was getting married, causing many fans to burst into tears.

Jiao Bai hadn’t searched for the gossip about the wealthy families on Weibo, but when he did, he realized that they all had supertopics.

Financial supertopics.

Shen Er An’s supertopic had the highest ranking, with tons of fans, comparable to a celebrity. Being beautiful, strong, and tragic was a surefire recipe for popularity.

Next was Cen Jingmo, that fair-skinned and red-lipped young master. His marriage announcement exploded on Weibo, with an outrageously high level of attention.

Not only supertopics, but there were even CP pairings.

Qi Yi Liao was being paired with everyone, all of them matching with him.

Mature, elegant, and mysterious was a versatile combination.

Jiao Bai had the illusion of returning to his previous life. As he browsed Weibo, he kept muttering “What the hell?”

After browsing for half a day, Jiao Bai finally found Cen Jingmo’s bride-to-be. The girl was wearing Lolita fashion, biting her finger, and staring longingly at… the milk tea that had fallen on the ground.

Wasn’t that Li Jue in drag?

Jiao Bai looked at it again and again with a frown. How could Li Jue be so silly?

“Young Master Bai, the Cen family sent an invitation,” Qi Er strode into the green and shady area.

This was the forest nook that Master Qi had designed for Young Master Bai, a place where he could breathe fresh air and get a little bit of diffuse light, perfect for someone with skin problems to curl up in and read or sleep during the summer.

Jiao Bai was lying in a wicker chair, flipping through the gilded invitation.

Groom: Cen Jingmo.

Bride: Wang Yu.

Tsk tsk, Cen Jingmo could have taken his Xiao Li Jue to get married abroad and live in their own world. He didn’t know what his plan was in making such a loud fanfare in the country.

Yu Ling’s activity level still hadn’t broken 50. Was the trigger Yu Xiang, or Cen Jingmo?

Jiao Bai was very annoyed. He hooked a branch that was blowing onto his shoulder, tore off a green leaf from it, and shredded it little by little along its veins.

After tearing it apart, Jiao Bai got up and went back to the house. He took out a bowl of ice cream from the refrigerator and walked to Qi’s company while eating it.

This time he really didn’t have any purpose, he simply wanted to pick up Qi Yi Liao from work.

Bullshit.

He wanted to attend Cen Jingmo and Li Jue’s wedding.

These days of having to roll around in melodrama were about to be over. He just needed to hold on a little longer.

Weighed down with worries, Jiao Bai finished the ice cream and burped a chocolate-flavored burp. He told Qi Er to park outside the supermarket.

He couldn’t go empty-handed. He had to buy something to bring.

Qi Er watched Jiao Bai selecting a fruit basket, and he pulled a face as he notified his boss.

Before he could even type the whole message, his phone fell onto the back of his foot, and then rolled onto the gravel path.

Young Master Bai was looking at the flowers at the entrance of the supermarket.

Young Master Bai picked up the flowers.

Roses, they were roses!!!

Qi Er picked up his phone and quickly called his boss.

He had to go straight to the top floor later, he couldn’t let the company employees see this.

Jiao Bai didn’t know that Qi Er was spreading the gossip in the group chat. He was squatting in front of the flower pile, picking roses, one or two at a time.

There were several different colors of roses, and Jiao Bai picked one of each, rejecting any that were slightly wilted.

It was the first time he was giving flowers in two lifetimes, so he had to be serious about it.

“Student, how many do you want to buy?” The owner came over and asked.

Jiao Bai pulled down his mask, revealing his flushed face: “Is there a promotion?”

“One rose is eight yuan. If you buy more than sixty-six, I’ll round off the price for you,” the owner said affably.

“Sixty-six roses, that’s too many, it would be too noticeable in my hand, like a proposal, that’s too high-profile, I don’t need that,” Jiao Bai muttered to himself, continuing to search for pretty roses.

“Proposal?” The owner was good at picking up on keywords. “Then sixty-six won’t do. Ninety-nine has a better meaning.”

Jiao Bai: “…”

“Are you buying them for your family?” the owner suggested. “Flowers are more sincere when the person involved buys them.”

“I’m buying them myself,” Jiao Bai said.

The owner’s eyes were a bit strange: “You’re getting married early, student.”

Jiao Bai wanted to vomit blood.

Footsteps came from inside the supermarket aisle. Someone wanted to pass by Jiao Bai and politely said, “Could you please move aside?”

Jiao Bai shifted his body. A pleasant fragrance wafted into his nostrils. He subconsciously looked up and saw an unfamiliar face.

It was a very gentle man.

He had never seen him before, but there was a strange sense of familiarity.

The man walked step by step to the counter to pay. Jiao Bai glanced at him again. Just as he was about to retract his gaze, he suddenly gripped the roses tightly. A thorn had pierced his finger.

Jiao Bai didn’t even bother to wipe the blood bead that oozed out. He quickly checked his account list and went straight to the fourth group.

→ Unforgettable [The Most Familiar Stranger] 1/3.

The “Hundred” series profile picture was lit up, with a harp seal’s paw icon at the edge of the profile picture.

Jiao Bai squatted in front of the flowers, motionless for a long time.

The man had already paid and was about to leave with his shopping bag. Looking closer, one could see that one of his legs was not very nimble, he had a slight limp. Seeing that Jiao Bai was staring straight at him, he asked in confusion, “Hello, is there something wrong?”

Jiao Bai slowly stood up, his knee bones cracking. He pulled at the corners of his lips, smiling maliciously and strangely: “Hello.”