The cycle begins to repeat itself today.

"I've already finished eating..."

"Ah."

I nodded, stood up, took my plate and chopsticks, and walked towards the waving cart. Ye Yuqing followed behind me, and we walked over together, put the plate and chopsticks back, and then went downstairs via the exit stairs. She was in a bad mood, but I didn't have any good ideas, nor could I control her. The only good idea I could think of was to use the same old trick again.

I went to the convenience store next to the cafeteria, bought myself a bottle of water, and wasn't sure if Ye Yuqing wanted an ice pop, so I turned to face her.

What do you want?

"Ah... I can buy it myself."

"No need, it's still a gift for you."

I stopped looking and tossed her the cold bottle of mineral water I was holding. She caught it in a fluster, and I grabbed another bottle before paying. She probably didn't want an ice pop or anything, but she probably wouldn't refuse water.

After paying, I unscrewed the bottle of mineral water and took a sip. I don't usually bring water from home to school, so now I have to pay for it. But it wasn't a big expense, and bringing water from home would be quite a hassle, so it's fine this way.

I glanced at Ye Yuqing, who was lost in thought again. It didn't seem right to just leave quietly like this, so I called her name. She snapped out of it and looked at me.

"Thank you, here's your money back..."

"no need."

It was only two or three yuan, I didn't care. I walked towards the teaching building, and Ye Yuqing followed me up. I noticed that she was still holding that bottle of water, without opening it.

Aren't you going to drink?

"I……"

"Whether you drink it or not is your own decision, but if you don't drink it, it will just go to waste. If you don't like this, I won't send you these next time."

"no……"

"If you can meet my requirements, I'll give you something else next time. As for that bottle of water, just drink it; at least I hope you will."

Although it wasn't expensive, and the decision of whether to use it was ultimately Ye Yuqing's, it still felt a bit wasteful to have something I gave her go to waste. I bought her this bottle of water hoping she would drink it, especially since the weather is still quite hot. However, she seems to have a habit of keeping things given to her, even if they aren't particularly suitable for preservation. But considering that I'm currently one of the closer people to her, perhaps my actions might have some influence on her.

Ye Yuqing responded to my expectations and unscrewed the mineral water bottle. I was quite pleased that she was obedient, so I smiled at her and continued walking towards the teaching building. Ye Yuqing didn't say a word as we walked up the stairs, but she finally spoke again and called out to me just before we entered the classroom.

I turned to look at her. She was holding the mineral water bottle in both hands, and part of it was already deformed from being squeezed.

"I will definitely get good grades."

Yes, you will.

I nodded to her. She seemed to only have that one sentence to say, and after she finished, she seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and smiled shyly. Seeing that she didn't have anything else to say, I turned and walked into the classroom. Because of the corner, I almost bumped into someone who was coming out of the classroom, but luckily I stopped in time.

I looked at the other person, and they were looking at me too. When the class monitor saw it was me, they simply said a brief apology and then hurriedly left. They probably had something urgent to attend to. I didn't really care. Ye Yuqing did complain a couple of times, but nothing happened, and in the end, she just let it go.

This afternoon at dinner, Ye Yuqing came with me again. This time she was much faster than before, although she didn't look too good while eating, probably because she choked a little. I concluded that she was still bothered by this.

Chapter 53 The Fallen Body

I stayed at school until the evening break, and the whole day went peacefully, so the last bit of worry in my heart dissipated. I was worried that something might go wrong, but judging from today's events, Ye Yuqing, who was the most likely to experience problems, was actually in good condition and didn't exhibit any overly agitated behavior. Although she still has some issues, they aren't significant and can be gradually corrected in the days to come, so I'm not too worried about it.

After evening self-study ended, I packed my bag. Ye Yuqing quickly packed hers as well, then stood up and waited for me, probably planning to walk home with me. Normally, although there's a part of the route that's different—the side road leading to her house that I don't need to take—the rest of the way is the same. I didn't mind her actions, and honestly, walking with her for a while was a bit of a novel experience, since I'd always gone home alone before.

Although I still have many questions for her, this matter is in the past, and my enthusiasm for exploring her past has waned somewhat. After all, it's still an external matter for me. While it hasn't completely disappeared, it's no longer a high priority. Perhaps I'll explore this issue again if I have the chance later, but for today, I really want to rest.

Regarding Ye Yuqing's matter, there are currently no noteworthy clues, or rather, some clues are beyond my current ability to explore. For example, there's information about her past experiences and the current state of her parents. These are things I simply cannot investigate, yet they are essential information for understanding Ye Yuqing's true situation. Without understanding these two points, my current actions are essentially meaningless. I cannot determine whether Ye Yuqing's current state is genuine or an act; believing her is merely wishful thinking on my part. However, using subjective assumptions as evidence is clearly foolish. I've reserved my assessment of her, chosen to maintain the status quo, and currently, there are no more clues worth investigating.

Perhaps I'll be able to meet her parents later, but getting the information I want from them will be difficult; my current position presents a significant obstacle. Although I've anticipated this problem, I haven't even met Ye Yuqing's parents yet, so these questions are out of the question. Perhaps other breakthroughs will come later; I don't think it's necessary to prepare for contacting Ye Yuqing's parents in advance.

I stood up and said to her, "Let's go." She nodded and followed about a step behind me. She was still the same as always. I didn't expect to change her mindset in just a day or two; I'd just let things take their course for now. I had no experience or knowledge of psychological issues; all I could do was try things out slowly and make some small changes as I went along.

Nothing happened as we walked downstairs from the classroom. Ye Yuqing walked in silence; she probably wouldn't start a conversation, and neither would I. I had no questions for her at the moment, so I simply remained silent and continued walking. We passed the school's forecourt, the main gate, the street selling goods and food, and the pedestrian bridge, until we reached our parting point. I was going to turn left; that would be the same route I took from home to school that morning. Ye Yuqing's house was on the right, and from here on, we wouldn't be walking together anymore.

"I'm leaving."

I said something to her, then turned and walked towards the left path. After taking only two or three steps, I felt a familiar voice behind me. I turned around and saw Ye Yuqing still standing about a step behind me, her head down, not looking at me. I stopped. I thought she had something to say, but after waiting a few seconds and realizing she wasn't going to speak, I began to think that her continued following me wasn't to say anything. I can't even really guess what a "normal" person is thinking, so how could I possibly know what was going through Ye Yuqing's mind at this moment, when she wasn't quite normal? I asked her directly.

Is there anything else?

"I……"

She opened her mouth, hesitant and stammering, still lacking the courage. I continued to wait patiently, but my patience was wearing thin. I looked at her; she seemed to sense some pressure and finally spoke.

Goodbye.

Did she hesitate for so long just to say these two words?

"Okay, see you at school tomorrow."

I couldn't understand it, but I still chose to respond to her. What I understood even less was that when she received my reply, which was essentially just polite talk, she flashed a bright smile. I'd seen that smile many times before, and although I had no proof, I still subjectively believed it was genuine, which was the part I couldn't comprehend the most. However, I didn't want to dwell on such a trivial matter any longer. I nodded to her and turned to continue walking in the direction I'd intended. After walking about ten steps, I glanced back again. Ye Yuqing was still standing there, looking in my direction, but she wasn't following me anymore. I figured she wouldn't go back even if I stayed, so I decided to leave.

I don't know if Ye Yuqing stayed there after I left, went home, or did something else, but that's none of my business right now. I walked towards home, my eyes meeting scattered lights and quiet darkness, everything exactly as I remembered. I quickly arrived at the entrance to my residential complex and started walking. The path wasn't long; I finished it in a short while.

I continued walking, when suddenly I heard a slightly familiar sound—a slow, rhythmic sound. I wondered what it was, but then I felt the sound behind me rapidly increasing in frequency, becoming heavier, and drawing ever closer. Without warning, my body reacted as if on high alert. I quickly twisted my head back, trying to see what was rapidly approaching, but I only managed to complete half of that action.

My body was thrown to the ground by a tremendous force from behind. The sudden impact made me dizzy. I felt like I hit my head, or my nose, or my chin, but none of that mattered. What mattered was a familiar sensation, centered on my heart, spreading to my limbs. I felt my clothes on my chest become sticky and damp in a familiar way. Even though I couldn't see it, I knew—I had been pierced by something again. And it wasn't over yet. I felt the object piercing my body being quickly pulled out, only to be pierced again, pulled out again, and pierced again…

I tried to struggle, but found myself powerless, unable even to make a sound. Something, or perhaps someone, was pressing down on me, and my consciousness was gradually fading into darkness. Before the complete darkness descended, I heard a sentence—

"Go to hell! Go to hell, go ......"

Chapter 54 The Reverse Blade

My consciousness wandered in the darkness. I tried to open my eyes, only to find myself surrounded by familiar darkness. I wasn't at the intersection on my way home, but rather on the street near the school store, a street I passed almost every day. What I saw was the same ordinary scene I saw every day. I stood there, feeling as if I were falling into an abyss. I felt even breathing becoming difficult. I hadn't completely given up, even though I understood what had happened to me. But I hadn't completely given up. Those twenty-four hours that had vanished like bubbles were just something I had imagined… I didn't want to admit it.

I took out my phone to check the time, but the result made me almost cry out in despair.

September 12th, 10:17 PM. My time was once again turned back twenty-four hours. My hand began to tighten involuntarily, as if I were about to crush my phone.

Why? Why am I back to today? I asked myself this question, but found I wasn't as confused as I thought. Yes, I knew perfectly well why I had suddenly returned to this time from tomorrow night—I was dead. I was stabbed in the heart from behind again, and not just in the heart, but the pain of being stabbed countless times seemed to linger within me. My heart was pounding incessantly. I had once again fallen into the abyss of death, and then climbed out of it again, in a way and for a reason I didn't know, returning to the day before I died. I stood there, my heart filled with a chill that was the complete opposite of the sweltering heat, and a raging fire that drove me to madness.

My life has been taken away again, my heart pierced once more, and I've died an inexplicable death once more. No, I didn't die an inexplicable death. I lowered my head slightly, suppressing my emotions, and continued forward. If I remember correctly, what I'm doing now shouldn't have changed.

"Come with me."

I gave Ye Yuqing my orders in a slightly hoarse voice. I no longer had the energy or the rationality to maintain a relatively calm demeanor. I came to a small path leading to the school's back gate. This was an unpaved path connecting the main road and the back gate, a path paved by the residents long before the school was built. However, the back gate had long been closed by the school for safety reasons, so this path had naturally fallen into disuse for me. Otherwise, I could get to the classroom a few minutes faster. Now, it was a path that no one would ever use again.

I turned a corner, and there was no one left to see; even the light was faint, coming from a great distance. I stopped, turned around, and raised my right hand, gripping the woman's neck. I slammed her against the wall with all my might. I was much stronger than her, and because it was a surprise attack, and I used all my strength, I easily pinned her against the wall. The smooth, nauseating touch and the feeling of her writhing against my skin were nauseating. I used all my strength, as if her life were utterly insignificant. No, her life truly was insignificant to me. The only thing I wanted to know, the only thing I cared about, was this—

"Why? Why are you able to take someone's life so easily and without mercy? Why? Why!"

I questioned her, staring into her eyes with furious glares. I gritted my teeth and continued to exert force. I wanted revenge, I craved retribution, I wanted to kill this person who had once again taken away my right to live, to return everything she had given me—that was all I was doing now. Ye Yuqing struggled, grabbing my right hand with one hand, trying to pry it off, but her strength waned, and I could barely feel her will to resist. Was she dying? The thought flashed through my mind. But then, I realized the reality was different from what I had imagined. Ye Yuqing, this woman, she had actually given up resisting. Her face was contorted in pain, her whole body struggling unconsciously, the instinct for survival was on full display. Her eyes seemed filled with sorrow as she looked at me, but how could she resist me with only one hand? How dare she resist me with only one hand?

I saw what she was holding in her other hand—because of the dim light, I could only see the more prominent colors, but I recognized it immediately: it was the popsicle I had "just" bought for her. She just held it like that, without any force, without any intention of letting go. What was this? What was this? Was she looking down on me? My anger surged again, but I couldn't find a way to vent it. I was so angry I wanted to roar, but I couldn't even manage to do that.

I released my grip on her, and she relaxed completely, leaning against the wall and sliding down to sit in the corner, coughing incessantly. I reached into my backpack with my right hand, quickly finding what I was looking for and pulling it out. I looked at the short sword; it had pierced my heart once, twice. I threw it in front of Ye Yuqing, mocking her.

"You want to kill me? Come on, stab me from the front with that thorn, kill me. Pick it up and kill me, come on!"

Why kill me? What did I do wrong? I just wanted to live an ordinary life, to do nothing, to be like everyone else, just living an ordinary life. Why kill me? Why?

I watched as Ye Yuqing just coughed, huddled against the wall, not even reaching for the short sword I'd thrown in front of her. My anger was completely uncontrollable.

"What are you doing? I told you to pick it up! Pick up the sword and kill me. Is that so hard? Huh?"

I saw her finally reach out towards the sword on the ground. For some reason, I felt joy, and a little bit of anticipation. She grasped the hilt and drew the short sword.

Yes, that's it. Pick up the short sword, draw it from its sheath, and stab it toward my heart. It's that simple.

Contrary to my expectations, she held the short sword, but the tip wasn't pointing in my direction; it was pointing in the opposite direction. Ye Yuqing held an ice pop carefully to her chest with one hand, while the short sword in the other pointed at her chest. The tip had pierced her clothes, leaving small stains of blood, just like when I was stabbed, though in slightly better condition. She looked at me, let out two rapid sobs, and cried out in a tearful voice.

"I do not want it!"

Then he forcefully stabbed it into his heart.

I was shocked by Ye Yuqing's suicide attempt, and also shocked by my own action of knocking the short sword from her hand. I no longer knew what I was thinking, nor what I wanted to do.

The only thing I realized was that I was a complete and utter waste.

Chapter Fifty-Five: The Order to Commit Suicide

I stood there, the pent-up anger in my heart subsiding because it couldn't be released. Of the countless thoughts that flashed through my mind, only restlessness lingered. I didn't know what to do next, what to do next. I stood there, staring blankly at the dark, gloomy surroundings. I heard some sounds. I looked down and saw it was Ye Yuqing's voice. She was huddled in a corner, her head buried in her legs, sobbing softly. Her appearance only fueled my restlessness. The person who had killed me time and time again was right in front of me, yet I couldn't bring myself to take revenge. What kind of person was I? In this respect, Ye Yuqing was at least much better than me.

Being able to resolve to kill someone is a kind of decision-making and action, something I thought I possessed. But now it seems I don't have anything to envy. Watching her sob softly, I felt a pang of pity. My mind flashed back to what she had told me at her home—the bullying by her friends, the subsequent treatment she received, and the absence of her parents when she needed them. These were the things I was thinking about. These were probably lies, just excuses to buy time, a plan to kill me when I wasn't looking.

But then I remembered the night she first tried to stab me. I remember she was crying and doing things I couldn't understand at all. I started to wonder again, was she really the kind of person capable of such ruthlessness? I felt more ridiculous than ever before. Ye Yuqing, the person directly involved, hadn't said a word, yet I had already prepared an excuse for her. In a sense, my death wasn't entirely unjust.

I took a few steps to the short sword I had knocked away, bent down to pick it up, and then turned to walk towards Ye Yuqing. She probably wasn't just crying; as I approached, she shrank even further away from me. I was probably terrified of her. Once again, I began to doubt whether she had the courage to pick up that short sword again and kill me. With this question in mind, I walked to Ye Yuqing's side and sat down against the wall next to her. I held the short sword, examining it closely—this was the second time I had seriously scrutinized it.

“Hey, Ye Yuqing. Tell me, why didn’t you kill me? Like I said, don’t try to lie to me, I know what you’re thinking.”

Only after I finished speaking did I realize that I must have said those words to her later, when I went to her house. She probably wouldn't understand now. But whether I agreed or denied, she didn't answer. I couldn't help but glance at her; she was still keeping her head down. If this continued, the conversation couldn't continue. I shifted slightly, extending my right hand towards her face. I didn't care much about such trivial things anymore. Squeezing between her cheek and arm, my hand felt soft and slightly damp. I used my strength to help her lift her face. I saw her eyes brimming with tears and her lower lip tightly bitten. She looked more pitiful than I had ever seen her before.

I feel a little uneasy, but I haven't forgiven her for everything she did to me, even though that incident hasn't happened yet.

"Stop crying, you'll kill me again later anyway, won't you?"

She didn't speak, but the head I had lifted quickly shook itself, then she remained silent. I chuckled softly.

"Don't lie to me. This short sword, isn't it the tool you bought to kill people who get in your way? You already knew I followed you from outside the school to the school, and you also knew I knew you would go up to that rooftop tonight. To you, I should be considered a complete nuisance, and you have plenty of reasons to exclude someone like me. I know what you want to do and what you are going to do. I can't do anything. I'll just sit here and hope to talk to you before I die."

I looked at her and told her everything I wanted to say, hoping she could understand me and how I felt. Of course, I wanted to live, but if I had to live in constant fear, with someone suddenly killing me, then I felt there wasn't much joy in living like that. Living just for the sake of living—the simpler things are, the harder it is for me to do them. Perhaps choosing to get involved with her was the biggest mistake I ever made; someone like me shouldn't have crossed paths with someone like her.

"...I won't do such a thing." Ye Yuqing sniffed, tears still streaming down her face. "You're all I have left. Whatever you want to do to me, whatever you want me to do, I'll do it. But killing you is something I can't do. I really can't."

Her sobs grew louder and louder, tears streaming down her cheeks and onto my fingers. I didn't know if what she said was genuine; I still believed she was the one who killed me twice, and I knew her words weren't worth believing. But looking at her face, at her pitiful expression, I instinctively felt she wouldn't do such a thing. The rational part of my mind had vanished. I wanted to know if what she said was a lie or the truth.

"Since you say you'll do whatever I want you to do..."

I took the short sword again, but this time I handed it to her and placed it flat in front of her.

"You should kill yourself."

I looked into her eyes and felt her body tremble involuntarily. Just as I was about to expose the lie she had told me, she picked up a dagger. Now, with me beside her, the dagger in her hand, and her life at stake, it was undoubtedly a perfectly plausible reason for her to kill herself. I waited for her to point the sword at me. As I expected, she drew the dagger. But unlike what I anticipated, she once again pointed the sword at herself.

"...I will, I will do as you say. Please don't be angry..."

Chapter Fifty-Six: Unrecked Trust