GBT Chapter 135

“Achoo–”

On the bus, Jiao Bai covered his mouth and nose and sneezed. He rubbed his nose, thinking Qi Yi Liao must be missing him.

At the next stop, a wave of people got on, and the bus became crowded. Jiao Bai moved towards the back, his heel got stepped on, and half of his shoe came off. Before he could pull it back, he was pushed forward by a force from behind.

“Damn.”

Jiao Bai cursed as he turned his head. His face was livid and his expression irritable, but he still managed to steady a boy who was being jostled about. “Easy there.”

The boy thanked Jiao Bai. His delicate face was a little sweaty, and he looked…

Somewhat like Li Jue.

Jiao Bai was seeing things from “Chen Wang’s” perspective, so he couldn’t show any signs of recognition. To him, the boy was just a stranger. He released the boy, stood on his own, and faced the window.

Bus 129 went to the university town and Mingyuan Mountain. Usually, there were hardly any empty seats, but tonight it was especially crowded, with the aisle packed.

For the third time, Jiao Bai caught the boy stealing glances at him. He seemed to want to say something but didn’t know how, as if waiting for Jiao Bai to finally ask him. The faint scent of contrived melodrama made his eyelid twitch. He glanced around the car, taking in each person’s head. Could these people who got on at the last stop be actors hired by Qi Yi Liao?

If that were the case, it meant Zhang Zhen had told Qi Yi Liao about encountering him.

But,

Was Qi Yi Liao going to such lengths to test him?

Gradually, people started “bothering” Jiao Bai in various ways, as if trying to force him to reveal his true self. Jiao Bai ignored them all. He rode to the terminal station, got off with a dark expression, and stood on the platform, examining the shoe prints on his feet, the dirt on his trouser legs, and the slight ache in his tailbone.

Forget it, forget it. Qi Yi Liao didn’t know that he *was* the body, not just a soul that had possessed it and been sealed.

Jiao Bai squatted down, grabbed his dirty trouser leg, and used a tissue to wipe the sticky juice off his ankle. To outsiders, his ankle had no tattoo, but in reality, he had rubbed the firefly’s wings almost raw.

The next second, Jiao Bai’s movements paused almost imperceptibly. He sensed keenly that he had entered the range of a nearby camera.

Qi Yi Liao should be showing up soon, personally providing him with an opportunity to expose himself, right?

He had no classes for the first two periods in the afternoon. Jiao Bai bought a drink, sat on a park bench, took a couple of sips, and sent a message to Zhang Zhen.

-Mr., I’ll transfer 200 to you first. I might have to wait a bit before I can pay you the rest.

Zhang Zhen didn’t reply.

Jiao Bai transferred 200 over, leaned back against the bench, and looked at the sky. Just because Qi Yi Liao was suspicious didn’t mean Zhang Zhen was too.

Whether a character on the barrier card was from the upper class or possessed a stunning appearance, unique temperament, or outstanding academic achievements, one of the three would work to Jiao Bai’s advantage. However, his current appearance didn’t have any of those. If someone could recognize him at first glance, or feel familiar with him at first sight, or recognize him with both eyes, then that could only mean they had gone through countless lifetimes, with their souls branded together.

Jiao Bai finished the last of the drink in the bottle and prepared to stroll around, creating opportunities for Qi Yi Liao’s people to perform. The phone in his pocket rang. It was “Star in the Sky” again.

This time, Jiao Bai answered.

“Chen Wang, I called you last night. Why didn’t you answer?” It was a young voice, with a hint of arrogance.

“I didn’t notice. My phone malfunctioned,” Jiao Bai said. Who was this person? Chen Wang regarded him as a star in the sky, someone to be looked up to.

“Forget it, I don’t have time to talk to you. I’ll transfer the last three thousand I owe you in a bit,” the person said. “Send me back that pen of mine. Then we’ll be even.”

Jiao Bai didn’t have Chen Wang’s memories and didn’t know the details. He put the phone on his lap and rolled up the sleeves of the white shirt he was wearing. “Pen?”

“You lost it?!” The person’s emotions spiraled out of control. “Didn’t I tell you when I borrowed money from you last year? That was my dad’s keepsake. I left it with you as collateral until I paid you back all the money. Then I was going to ask you to return it…”

Suddenly, a low, domineering voice came from the other end: “Hang up the phone and stand by the window.”

Jiao Bai quickly said, “The pen isn’t lost. Send me the address, and I’ll mail it to you in a couple of days.”

“Beep, beep, beep–”

Jiao Bai tsked playfully. “Star in the Sky, CEO’s words.”

He estimated that it would take at least three to five hours for Star in the Sky to catch his breath and send him a message. But to his surprise, the message came in less than an hour. So fast.

That’s right, the old cow was tired.

“West City, Chai Zhou District…” Jiao Bai read the address. It was in the same city. Might as well go take a look. If he went, Qi Yi Liao would receive the news and investigate him.

Chai Zhou District was the most backward district in West City. Star in the Sky’s address was even more remote. Jiao Bai endured for a few days. When Star in the Sky impatiently called again, asking him if he had sent the pen yet, he finally took the subway on Friday night and transferred to several buses.

Jiao Bai was afraid there would be restrictions, but surprisingly, everything went smoothly. It seemed that Chen Wang had also done this sort of thing while he was alive, sneaking off to see Star in the Sky. Jiao Bai’s actions were in line with Chen Wang’s character.

The roads were dirty and narrow, and the air was murky. Jiao Bai’s shoe stepped on rotten vegetable leaves. He finally managed to scrape it off, only to step in a puddle of fish guts.

During the day, there would be stalls on the road, but the garbage wouldn’t be cleaned up in time. The dim streetlights seemed to be enveloped in a layer of foul odor.

Star in the Sky’s address didn’t specify a house number, only a building in a residential area. Jiao Bai asked several people and finally turned into a pitch-black alley. He walked inside. A dog was barking somewhere, a male homeowner was teaching his child homework, and the sound of mahjong could be heard…

Jiao Bai stopped. Someone was coming from behind. The footsteps were so clear. It wouldn’t be Qi Yi Liao or his people, would it?

The person entered the alley, and the barrier card in front of Jiao Bai lit up.

Feng He: Twenty-three years old. Chen Wang’s classmate from junior high to high school and the object of his affection. Proud and aloof. A student in the Architecture Department of South University. Last year, he was scammed by a classmate while trying to raise money for his father’s surgery. He was abused and imprisoned by a sexual pervert. He found an opportunity to escape at the end of last year. In a state of despair due to his injuries and disabilities, he met his true love, and from then on, his life had a purpose.

This character. His name wasn’t mentioned in “Broken Wings.” Every time he appeared, he was just called Little River. So his surname was Feng.

The story’s nodes had also changed a bit.

Jiao Bai hid in a hidden corner and watched Feng He pass by. The barrier card’s bright light made his eyes blurry, and he followed him unconsciously.

Damn it, this stalking must be the influence of “Chen Wang.” This Chen senior actually used to stalk people.

Feng He was carrying fruit and noodles, walking quickly, as if someone was waiting for him at home and he couldn’t wait to get back.

Jiao Bai recalled the news he saw on the day he transmigrated and wondered. Feng He’s stomach was flat.

Nonsense, of course it was flat. This wasn’t a world where men could give birth. So, who was the pregnant woman in the wet market? Was it completely fake news?

“Honey!”

Feng He’s shout rang out in front of him. The two words were coated in hot, sticky sweetness, completely lacking the arrogance from the phone.

Jiao Bai glimpsed a light coming on in front of a small courtyard gate. A tall figure with unsteady steps walked out from under the doorway. He caught the rushing Feng He, retreating and leaning against the doorframe.

“Did you come out to meet me?”

“Yeah.”

“…”

The two of them chatted about daily life, accompanied by sticky, watery sounds.

Jiao Bai scratched his sweaty forehead a few times, sweeping his bangs up to let the night wind blow on it.

In the first playthrough of “Broken Wings,” Shen Ji, in his early forties, met Feng He. The timeline was correct, neither early nor late. Only their first meeting had changed.

In the comic, Shen Ji still had power at that time, unlike now, when he was just a businessman who had fallen from the pyramid. When he had first fallen, his enemies had wanted to take revenge on him, but after a few years, those people were too lazy to use resources to find him because he wasn’t even an opponent anymore. They weren’t on the same level. Even mocking him would be giving him face.

In the year that Jiao Bai had been in a coma, Feng He’s rebellious spirit was gone. He had finally taught Shen Ji what love was. He had accomplished something he hadn’t been able to do in his previous life.

This BE CP from the original story was, at this stage, HE.

Shen Ji pinned Feng He against the wall and kissed him, constantly protecting the back of his head.

Feng He grabbed Shen Ji’s hand and placed it on his own waist, only to suddenly realize that he had retreated. “What’s…”

Seeing Shen Ji looking in one direction, Feng He’s heart sped up, and the color drained from his face. “Honey, is there someone there?”

“Who’s there? Come out!” Feng He shone a flashlight over.

Jiao Bai stood in the light.

Feng He recognized him, shocked and angry. “Chen Wang, what are you doing here?”

Jiao Bai: “I…”

“I used to consider your self-esteem and didn’t make things clear. I hoped you would have some self-awareness, but you’re so good at it. Now you’re even stalking me. Disgusting!” Feng He’s regular features were covered in frost.

Jiao Bai touched his nose. It seemed that his crush had been noticed by his object of affection long ago, but the window paper hadn’t been broken. Now it was broken.

“Bring the pen,” Feng He said, approaching with the flashlight.

Words appeared on the barrier card.

Jiao Bai’s eyes widened. Damn! The barrier card actually had Chen Wang’s wishes on it?!

Such an important juncture, and the little assistant hadn’t mentioned a word.

Jiao Bai gritted his teeth in anger. If he hadn’t stumbled upon this by accident, he wouldn’t have known when he would have discovered it.

“I’m sorry,” Jiao Bai said, suppressing his agitation, reading the words on the barrier card.

Feng He didn’t speak.

The words on the barrier card changed. Jiao Bai turned into a mouthpiece, continuing to read softly, drawn into the perspective of a humble admirer. “Are you happy?”

Feng He turned to look at the person under the doorway.

“Is that person good to you?” Jiao Bai asked again.

“He’s very good to me,” Feng He turned his head, saying stiffly. “I’m also very happy. You don’t need to worry about me.”

Water droplets fell on the barrier card, landing on the corner of Jiao Bai’s eye, as if he was crying. “If I died, would you be a little sad?”

Feng He frowned. “Chen Wang, what are you up to?”

“I remember your dream was to be an architect. You’re only in your early twenties, and your life is just starting. As long as you want to, you still have a chance to pursue your dream, to have a dream,” Jiao Bai said, saying something not on the barrier card. After Little River followed Shen Ji, he still drew drafts.

Feng He was stunned. He had dropped out of college in his third year, and his life’s trajectory had become unfamiliar. He had forgotten what his dream was. Now that it was brought up, it was like waking up from a long dream.

After the rustling sound of a plastic bag, a pen was handed over. Feng He took the pen. Because of what he had just said, he seriously looked at Chen Wang for the first time. “We’re not on the same path. Don’t waste your time on me. With your ambition and positive attitude, you’ll definitely have your own happiness in the future.”

When Feng He finished his last word, the brightness of the barrier card dimmed a bit.

–As if the deceased had found peace.

“Little River, go inside.” Shen Ji came over, pulling Feng He toward the yard, cold and forceful but with gentleness. “Don’t come out without my permission.”

Feng He whispered, “It’s okay, I’ve already resolved it. Don’t you…”

The door closed in front of him. Shen Ji rubbed his neck a few times and strode toward the cheeky youth, saying contemptuously, “My person, is that someone you can covet?”

Shen Ji reeked of alcohol, and so did his clothes. He was a drunkard.

Jiao Bai ignored him, and Shen Ji kicked him.

Shen Ji was poor and down on his luck, and he often used alcohol to vent. His body wasn’t as strong as before, but he was still more than capable of dealing with ordinary people.

Chen Wang was short and skinny. Jiao Bai was restricted by his illusion and couldn’t dodge.

Jiao Bai had prepared himself to be beaten, but when that kick came, he stepped back, raised his foot, and tried to block it.

This was Jiao Bai’s reflex action. He thought he would be banned, but surprisingly, he succeeded.

Shen Ji’s foot was kicked away. His no longer upright back tensed up, like an old lion whose territory had been invaded by house cats.

The next moment, Shen Ji’s bloodlust froze.

Was the person in front of him changing shape?

Shen Ji shook his head and looked again. The figure in his eyes seemed to have grown taller. He met a pair of familiar but unfamiliar eyes.

“You… you are…” A name seemed to escape Shen Ji’s unhealthy lips, and the muscles of his aged face trembled, as if he had seen a ghost.

Jiao Bai looked at the flickering barrier card. This was a sign that it was about to expire.

“Bang!”

The courtyard door was slammed shut, and the lime on the door wall fell rustling.

Tsk tsk.

Jiao Bai chuckled as he walked back, his mind filled with Shen Ji’s fleeing figure. He walked and checked his phone, needing to hurry or he would miss the last subway.

A car was parked next to the platform at the entrance of the alley. Jiao Bai glanced at it casually, then his feet stopped moving.

Qi Yi Liao leaned back in the driver’s seat, his thumb hooked on the steering wheel, stroking it casually. His gaze penetrated the car window, brushed past a spicy hot pot paper cylinder stirred up by a gust of wind, and struck Jiao Bai directly.

The bus chugged to a stop.

Jiao Bai’s figure moved. He wanted to stay but couldn’t, because “Chen Wang” wouldn’t not get on the bus when it arrived.

A light rain mixed with the wind. Qi Yi Liao got out of the car.