Chapter 19

Chapter 19

After a lively late lunch, the group quickly scattered.

Xie Ping and Jiang Jun had been eyeing the wild fish in the pond. As soon as they were full, they grabbed fishing rods and buckets, rushed to the pond’s edge, plopped down on the rocks they’d picked out earlier, and began fishing in peace.

He Hongxuan was fascinated by the wildflowers nearby and pestered Tian Li to pick some with him. Xu Cui said she should show restraint, but once she sat down in her camping chair, she casually opened a game on her phone, her face full of joy and contentment.

Chen Chen was messing with the projector, while Bao Xiangchen and Qiao Yang felt the lunch barbecue was missing something and were studying the seasonings they had brought. Even Tang Fangfang found something to do, crouching by the pond’s edge in the shallow water, picking out smooth pebbles one after another to admire.

Only Tang Qiu looked around, not sure what to do for a moment.

She rarely had moments like this. Even after crossing over, she’d been using every minute to do something useful. Suddenly idle, Tang Qiu felt a little lost for a second.

She blinked, looking around at everyone. She wanted to continue refining her plan, but seeing the close pair of an adult and a child together, she felt a strange reluctance. She didn’t want to ruin this peaceful, beautiful vibe.

Tang Qiu wasn’t the most considerate person, but somehow, she felt it’d be awkward to walk over right then.

After thinking it over, Tang Qiu grabbed a camping chair and sat down, staring off at the thick forest not far away.

She was trying to remember—had she ever had moments like this before, where she didn’t have to think, be on guard, or stay alert?

Tang Qiu thought she wouldn’t remember anything at first, since most of her life had been about one thing: trying to get stronger to survive. But now, as she calmed down, one peaceful image after another popped into her head.

There was the time she got good grades and her parents applauded and celebrated for her. There was the time she finally learned to roller-skate, and her mom, excited and proud, kissed her forehead hard. There was also the time someone stuck chewed-up gum in her hair, and she got into a fight, getting her parents called to school—her dad, angry and worried, defended and comforted her. These scenes made Tang Qiu wonder about something: if the apocalypse in her world had never happened, what kind of life would she have lived? Would she have been like the original owner—top of her class in high school, still outstanding in college, and smoothly following her dream path after graduation?

She knew all this had already happened and there were no other possibilities, but Tang Qiu couldn’t help but fantasize.

She thought more and more, going deeper and deeper, until her sharp ears picked up the sound of slow footsteps approaching.

Tang Qiu sat up, alert, and looked over, only to find it was Qiao Yang. He seemed to have just washed his hands by the pond, shaking off the water drops before sitting down beside her. Without looking at her, he asked, casual, “What are you thinking about? Your case?”

Sure there was no threat, Tang Qiu leaned back, thought for a moment, and asked him, “Do you still remember high school?”

Qiao Yang replied, “Of course I do.”

Tang Qiu pressed on, “Then in your memory, what was I like?”

Tang Qiu had missed her own high school years. She hadn’t found any information or photos from that period in the original owner’s home. She’d always wanted to know what the original owner was like in high school, after junior high. It might also be the person she herself could have become.

Qiao Yang was a little surprised by Tang Qiu’s question. He turned to look at the person beside him and found Tang Qiu’s eyes clear and sincere, without any hint of flirting or testing. She just wanted to know, so she asked directly.

Qiao Yang felt embarrassed for overthinking. His expression turned awkward, and he covered it up by looking up at the distant sky before slowly remembering, “In high school… actually, before meeting you that morning, my memory was fuzzy. I only remembered your back and the crown of your head.”

Tang Qiu didn’t understand. “Weren’t we in the same class? How could you only remember my back and the top of my head?”

Qiao Yang found it a bit strange too and chuckled, “Maybe it’s because you were too hardworking and too outstanding in your grades?”

From Qiao Yang’s description, Tang Qiu slowly painted a picture in her mind of the high school era she had never experienced but belonged to the original owner.

“Tell me more,” Tang Qiu urged.

Qiao Yang sat up straighter and sank into his memories.

He wasn’t lying. Over the three years of high school, the most vivid impression he had was a back and the dark top of a head that was always bent down. Occasionally, he remembered scenes with Tang Qiu’s face—when she stood on the podium or the award stage at the front, calmly and rationally reading her speeches. The bright or dim sunlight would spill over her, blurring her features but creating a dreamy halo behind her, making her seem so far away, like no amount of effort could catch up.

For three years in high school, Qiao Yang had been chasing such a figure—the unshakable first-place student. He knew there were many like him in his grade, both boys and girls, all giving their all but always trailing behind her, never surpassing her.

Qiao Yang narrated slowly, and Tang Qiu listened intently. But after he finished, she asked another question, “Did I have friends? Close friends.”

Tang Qiu had had friends in elementary and junior high. They went to school together, did homework together, and attended interest classes together. But as the apocalypse came, those familiar faces gradually disappeared from Tang Qiu’s world, until only she was left.

After crossing over, Tang Qiu had wondered: in this world without an apocalypse, what had become of those former friends? Were they friends with the original owner?

But searching through the original owner’s home, she only found a few photos, all from childhood. There were contacts in the phone’s address book, but when she opened the chat pages, they were blank—no messages, no calls.

Qiao Yang thought for a moment and said, “There were some, but not close friends. You spent most of your time studying, doing practice papers, and participating in competitions. Your friends couldn’t keep up with your pace, and the time you spent together grew less and less.”

Qiao Yang put it gently, but Tang Qiu easily understood. The original owner was different from her junior high friends.

Tang Qiu didn’t ask why. Qiao Yang’s few words added another piece to the puzzle of the original owner’s life. She guessed that perhaps when the apocalypse happened in her world, some changes also occurred for the original owner in this world—maybe she found a gap in values with her friends, or maybe she discovered her own dream. They eventually diverged from the same path, going from a group to being alone.

Qiao Yang’s description was so vivid that Tang Qiu seemed to see that figure in her mind—walking alone on her planned path, focused and never stopping.

The only regret was that this path wasn’t completed. Tang Qiu had crossed over and couldn’t finish it for her. The only thing she could do for the original owner was to make those who killed her pay.

Tang Qiu rubbed her fingers and looked toward the new target and Tian Li’s direction. She saw that the two had finished picking flowers and were running over excitedly, holding hands.

Perhaps Tang Qiu and Qiao Yang were the only ones idle. He Hongxuan didn’t hesitate for a second and ran straight to them, holding up the flowers he had picked for Tang Qiu to see. “Auntie, look at the flowers I picked.”

A large bouquet of wildflowers was almost shoved into Tang Qiu’s face. She instinctively leaned back, then took a serious look and praised, “They’re really beautiful. Are you going to give them to your mom?”

“Yes,” He Hongxuan nodded vigorously. “Mom’s been working hard on her business trip. She likes flowers, so I want to give her flowers.”

Tian Li pretended to be angry and said, “Doesn’t your little aunt deserve credit for playing with you? I like flowers too, so why don’t you give them to me?”

He Hongxuan smiled ingratiatingly and said, “Little aunt, you’ve worked hard too. But Mom said you like pretty dresses more than flowers. I can’t give you a dress, but Mom can. When Mom comes back, I’ll tell her to buy you a dress.”

Tian Li had just been teasing the kid, but she didn’t expect such an unexpected answer. She was overjoyed and grabbed her nephew’s face, planting a big kiss on his forehead, then rubbed his head like a dog’s. “Good kid, little aunt didn’t spoil you for nothing. You’re amazing.”

The adults’ praise encouraged the child. He Hongxuan rolled his eyes, thought for a moment, and then looked at Tian Li pleadingly. “Little aunt, Mom won’t let me keep a cat. Can you let me keep one? We can do it secretly and not tell Mom.”

Tian Li immediately wiped the smile off her face, crouched down, and shook her finger seriously. “No, He Hongxuan. You’re a kid. Before you grow up, you can’t keep secrets from Mom. Even secrets with your little aunt aren’t allowed. If you really want to keep a cat, you can discuss it with Mom when you’re older, but you absolutely can’t do something like this behind her back.”

“Alright then,” He Hongxuan said without fuss, just hanging his head in disappointment.

Maybe the kid looked too pitiful. Xu Cui, who had just finished a game, was drawn over and said, “Xuanxuan, haven’t you been feeding the stray cats in your neighborhood all along? Even if you can’t bring one home, you can still play with them. Your little aunt said you just found a stray mother cat that gave birth to three kittens this morning. Before you grow up, you can watch those three kittens grow up. If you watch them grow, doesn’t that count as raising them yourself?”

The adult’s clever reframing comforted the child well. He Hongxuan perked up again, his eyes sparkling as he said, “Right! Those three kittens are so small, only as big as my hand. If I watch them grow up, they’ll be like my cats. As long as I don’t bring them home, Mom won’t scold me.”

He Hongxuan fantasized, his expression growing excited. “Then I can even sneak them to school. I have a classmate who loves cats too, but his mom won’t let him keep one, and there are no strays in their neighborhood. I can show him and even let him pet them.”

“That won’t work,” Xu Cui said, bending down to pat the kid’s head and explaining, “Kittens are too small. If you take them out, the mother cat will be scared and sad. You can only bring your classmate to see them, but you can’t take the kittens out to show him. It’s like you—if someone took you away without your mom’s permission, wouldn’t she be scared and sad?”

He Hongxuan nodded earnestly in empathy. “Yes, so I can’t take the kittens out. I can only bring my classmate back.”

“That’s right,” Xu Cui said with a smile, affirming him.

Having settled the kid, who happily began arranging the flowers and planning how to bring his classmate to see the kittens, Xu Cui praised from the heart, “Tian Li, your nephew is really well-raised. He’s sensible and obedient. Who usually takes care of him? How are the teachers at school? Which school does he go to? I have a niece who’s five, in kindergarten’s middle class. My brother is considering which school district to buy a house in. Is your nephew’s elementary school part of a combined elementary and middle school?”

Tian Li patted He Hongxuan’s head to let him play on his own and chatted with Xu Cui. “He goes to No. 29 Elementary. It’s only elementary, no middle school. But my brother-in-law’s family has a house in the No. 13 Middle School district, which has decent teaching quality.”

No. 29, Tang Qiu silently noted this important information. She found it a bit magical—the plan was going too smoothly. Without her having to speak, everything was developing as she had imagined.

The day-and-night camping trip ended without any major incidents. After descending the mountain, Tian Li strongly insisted on treating everyone to dinner to apologize for being late yesterday, but few responded. Everyone felt it wasn’t necessary, so the planned gathering was canceled, and everyone went home. Tang Qiu said goodbye to the group and jumped into her car, ready to leave.

Qiao Yang took a few quick steps to Tang Qiu’s car, waving to indicate he had something to say.

Tang Qiu rolled down the window and looked at him inquiringly.

Qiao Yang took out his phone and handed it over. "I forgot to add you. Can I scan your QR code?"

Tang Qiu considered for a second and readily agreed.

After adding each other, before leaving, Qiao Yang told her, "If you need any help with the case, feel free to call me. I'll do what I can. Same goes for anything else, whenever you need it."

Tang Qiu looked at him suspiciously, wondering if this guy was so enthusiastic because of her past self from high school—the person she used to be.

But seeing Qiao Yang's frank expression, neither awkward nor embarrassed, and meeting her gaze without shyness or avoidance, she ultimately decided she was probably overthinking it. She nodded and simply said, "Sure."

Qiao Yang watched Tang Qiu's car leave the lot, feeling oddly conflicted.

The silhouette was the same as in his memories, but the aura was worlds apart. If before, Tang Qiu gave Qiao Yang the feeling of someone who charged forward with unwavering determination, today's Tang Qiu had a sharpness, a hidden edge beneath her calm exterior. It made Qiao Yang feel like nothing could stop her.

Qiao Yang couldn't help but wonder: could studying law really change someone that much? Or had the severe injury she suffered last time caused this transformation?

...

Tang Qiu got home earlier than expected; it was only three in the afternoon. She called Coach Zhong and confirmed Coach was at the gym, so she went there and worked out for two hours. Afterward, she returned home to rest and organize her things. When the time was right, she used her item to transform into a cat and slipped through the neighborhood openly in her cat form, dashed toward the new target's neighborhood.

Tang Qiu had already mapped out the route via a navigation app. Although the journey was long, she was confident nothing would go wrong.

The main annoyance was the pedestrians along the way—men, women, the elderly, children—all trying to call her over by going "pspsps," and some even tried to grab her. Tang Qiu sensed no ill intent; they probably thought she was a stray and wanted to take her home.

Not wanting to hurt anyone, Tang Qiu dodged the best she could, finding it incredibly frustrating. She eventually had to stay off the roads and instead scamper along rooftops and walls.

Running while learning the terrain, Tang Qiu spent a lot of time reaching her destination.

By then, the sun had set, and the bright streetlights turned on punctually. It was Saturday evening, many people were still out strolling or playing. Tang Qiu avoided pedestrians, hiding in the shadows, darting through the residential greenery, occasionally climbing high to spot her target.

Persistence paid off; despite taking longer than expected, Tang Qiu finally found her target as planned.

Tang Qiu lay on a sturdy branch, looking around. She didn't see Tian Li, only He Hongxuan. He had on a thin blue jacket with Ultraman on it, and was darting in and out of the bushes as if searching for something.

Tang Qiu quietly tracked his movements, looking left and right, until He Hongxuan gave up and stepped out of the bushes onto the concrete path. After a moment's thought, Tang Qiu jumped down from the tree and deliberately made some noise to approach the target.

He Hongxuan was pleasantly surprised. He immediately crouched down, looking at Tang Qiu, trying to pet her while muttering to himself, "Are you Yogurt? No, Yogurt's fur color isn't like that. Are you Corn? No, Corn's paws aren't this white. Are you a new stray cat?"

As a cat, Tang Qiu sat at a measured distance from He Hongxuan—close enough without being too close. Whenever he tried to touch her, she darted away. When he pulled back his hand, she would edge closer. After several attempts, He Hongxuan finally accepted that this cat was hard to approach and withdrew his hand disappointedly. "Fine, fine, another standoffish cat. If you don't want to be touched, that's okay. Are you hungry? I'll take you to get some cat food."

He Hongxuan, unwilling to give up, made a quick lunge for her, but cats are quick. Tang Qiu twisted away easily and retreated to a distance before calmly sitting down.

He Hongxuan didn't want to give up but had no choice. He stood up and said, "I won't carry you, but will you follow me? I'll take you to eat."

Tang Qiu had no interest in begging for food. She just wanted to find out where He Hongxuan fed the cats every day, just in case, and also to know his exact address.

Since she was now a cat, Tang Qiu couldn't understand him; she just looked up with her big, round cat eyes fixed on him, waiting for him to lead the way.

He Hongxuan hesitantly took a few steps forward and looked back to see the kitten following him. He then walked steadily toward the back gate of the neighborhood.

Tang Qiu followed him through several turns. From a distance, she caught a jumble of cat scents.

The smell was foreign and hard to describe, but her cat instincts warned her that a few unfriendly cats were close by.

After the last turn, Tang Qiu saw the stray cat gathering spot from afar and froze.

She had never fought in cat form and wasn't sure she could win purely on instinct. If she were injured, it could mess up her plans. So she simply stayed put and observed from a distance.

This small area, though still inside the neighborhood, was completely out of the way. By the wall, several bowls were laid out—cat food and water. In the farther corner, there were cat shelters made from wooden boards and cardboard boxes. The cat smell floated out from these shelters.

Tang Qiu had noted the surveillance cameras along her route. There was one on a lamppost nearby, but it wasn't aimed at this spot; it monitored the internal path where people walked. So this little area was a blind spot.

Thinking back to what Tian Li said at the camp the day before—that the target fed the cats every morning without fail before school—and the death time predicted by Fate's Prophetic Eye, Tang Qiu was 90% sure that the life-threatening crisis for her target would happen here.

But since the time 8:02 a.m. was so precise, it was also possible the target was at home getting ready for school. To be thorough, Tang Qiu decided to confirm the target's exact address.

Tang Qiu had speculated that if the crisis happened at home, Tian Li might also be involved. Unfortunately, she had only drawn one Fate's Prophetic Eye, which only predicted He Hongxuan. If she had another one, it could confirm her speculation whether it predicted Tian Li or not.

While the cat (Tang Qiu) had paused for a few minutes, He Hongxuan had already walked quite a distance before realizing. Ignoring the strays that had come out of their shelters and were rubbing up against his legs, he jogged back to Tang Qiu, crouched down, and whispered, "What's wrong, kitty? Are you scared? Don't worry. Yogurt and Corn are nice cats. They won't bully you. If you're really scared, can I carry you over?"

He Hongxuan tentatively reached out, but Tang Qiu hopped away without letting him touch her.

For the first time, young He Hongxuan felt a sense of helplessness. He pulled back his hand and mumbled, "Fine, cold cat. Strange cat. Since you won't let me hold you, I'll bring the cat food and water over."

So Tang Qiu watched as He Hongxuan ran over, then ran back with two small bowls of cat food and water, setting them on the ground and gesturing for her to eat.

Tang Qiu naturally wouldn't eat. She even turned her face away, clearly refusing.

He Hongxuan found it amazing that a cat could refuse cat food. He tried several times, pushing the bowls around, but seeing that she wouldn't eat, he finally gave up. He muttered to himself, "Well, I guess it's not to your taste. There's fish-flavored food at home. Do you want some? I'll take you home to eat."

Although he was a child, He Hongxuan showed more patience with cats than many adults. Without any annoyance, he put the bowls back, took a moment to pet each cat, then returned to Tang Qiu and led the way. "Come on, follow me home. Mom and Dad aren't home, and my aunt is easy to talk to. She'll let you eat at home. Maybe if I beg her enough, she'll even let me keep you."

He Hongxuan was a truly remarkable kid. He was shy and quiet in front of adults, but with animals, he chattered endlessly. It was as if knowing animals couldn't understand or talk back gave him a sense of security to say whatever he wanted, including secrets.

He said worriedly, "Kitty, do you think I should tell my aunt? Lately, on my way to school, I keep seeing this man. He looks kind of scary. Haohao says no, but I feel like the man's always staring at me. He looks really fierce, but he never talks to me. Am I just overthinking it?"

Tang Qiu paused, tilting her round cat head to look at He Hongxuan. So, before the item was triggered, the target had already appeared.

This was another planned murder, just like last time. What really puzzled Tang Qiu was: what motive could anyone have to kill a kid who barely came up to her waist?

——————————

Author's Note:

Two chapters first. I'll write the third after waking up.

Thank you to all the little angels for your support. Every comment on this chapter gets a red envelope~ Love you all