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Chapter 86: No encounter
Hutaoli Community, Building 32, Unit 4, Apartment 203.
It was still the same unkempt otaku with a messy hairstyle, opening the door. It seemed like every time they met, the scene was copied and pasted, and he hadn’t even changed his clothes.
“Who are you looking for?”
“Is Ma Guangming here?”
The man shook his head, thinking he had the wrong door. There was no one by that name here.
Hei Wei maintained a serious expression and asked again, “Then who do you live with?”
The man was reluctant to answer, with a certain degree of vigilance. It was only when Hei Wei produced his ID and informed him that he was cooperating with the police investigation that the man quickly replied. There was a roommate, but his name wasn’t Ma Guangming; he was a short university student who wore glasses and had a lot of acne scars on his face. His nickname was “Zhu Mazi.”
This physical description was completely different from Cheng Zhenqing’s, and it was clear that it couldn’t be him without even meeting in person. After leaving Hutaoli, Hei Wei went to Lihui Garden and Fusheng Jinlong Garden. No one answered the door at Li Hui Garden, and Fusheng Jinlong Garden was nothing but an empty shell, even more dilapidated than before.
The door password didn’t work, and Hei Wei tried going to the garage, but he couldn’t find the back door to the underground passage. He had come and gone from here countless times before, but now he couldn’t even find the door. Had the underground basement disappeared?
Deep in thought, Hei Wei called Cheng Zesheng and asked him where he was and if he could come over.
When Cheng Zesheng heard that Hei Wei was coming, he was pleasantly surprised and quickly told him he was at the Olympic Sports Center, doing a rehearsal for sound equipment. When Hei Wei arrived, he should call, and he would send a staff member to pick him up. Fifteen minutes later, Hei Wei parked his car in the Olympic Sports Center’s parking lot. After taking a few steps, he saw a staff member waving at him. This person was wearing a cap and had a work badge hanging from their chest. As he got closer, Hei Wei realized that Cheng Zesheng had come out by himself.
“Aren’t you in rehearsal?”
Cheng Zesheng blushed and smiled shyly, his long eyelashes hanging down, and his lips forming a curved line. “I was afraid the staff wouldn’t recognize you, so I came up with an excuse to slip out.”
“Oh, very considerate of you,” Hei Wei said as they walked side by side. It was a good opportunity to have some alone time, so he subtly asked about their previous “interactions.”
“That night, I was being chased by fans and accidentally bumped into you. You helped me hide and told me to crouch down, pretending to comfort your girlfriend,” Cheng Zesheng said, his face turning red. “I didn’t expect it to be so useful. Afterward, I thanked you and exchanged numbers, and that’s how we got to know each other.”
While the initial meeting sounded somewhat similar to what Hei Wei remembered, the details were entirely different. This memory seemed like a version modified by Cheng Zesheng, and there was no mention of exchanging numbers or any such thing from Hei Wei’s perspective.
“Why were you there that night?” Hei Wei asked. “That street is close to the Hutali community, and your place is in the opposite direction. What were you doing there?”
He had hoped to hear the words “looking for someone” from Cheng Zesheng, but once again, he was disappointed. Cheng Zesheng explained that he was just bored that evening and went to a dessert shop he liked, but then he was accidentally spotted by fans.
Hei Wei sighed inwardly, feeling that his current situation was even more troublesome than when he was hiding and evading. First, he wasn’t sure if the loop had been broken, and second, the person who could provide the most help had disappeared, leaving him to figure things out on his own without a clear direction.
“So, who’s your manager now? Is it still Fang-Jie?”
Cheng Zesheng quickly shook his head, “I’m no longer associated with her. I don’t have a manager at the moment. I’ll consider it after the concert is over.”
Hei Wei smiled, “You’re quite a trouble magnet, aren’t you? This face of yours appeals to both the young and the old. But I can’t even remember why I suddenly went to that place. I’m getting old, and my memory isn’t great.”
“I thought you were coming to see me that night, but it turns out you were just passing by and tracking a suspect.” Cheng Zesheng scratched the back of his head. “But I’m glad you passed by; otherwise, I wouldn’t know what to do.”
“I was tracking a suspect all by myself? Didn’t I have any colleagues with me?”
“Yeah, you were alone, and you even climbed over a wall.”
“Oh, I see. Today, when I went to Fusheng Jinlong Garden, I almost had to climb over a wall too,” Hei Wei chuckled. “That villa area you mentioned, have you heard of it? The walls are quite high.”
Cheng Zesheng nodded, “I know about it. I have a property there, but it’s been empty without any renovations.”
Hei Wei pretended to have a sudden realization, “No wonder there were witnesses who claimed to have seen you in the community.”
Upon hearing that witnesses had mentioned him, Cheng Zesheng immediately asked how he could be of assistance, promising to do his best to cooperate. Hei Wei had this in mind and, after discussing the address, asked about the structure of that building and whether there was a basement or any other features.
“There’s a basement; it was given by the developer. But I haven’t had any plans to renovate it yet. I might use it as a storage room in the future.”
“Is there a passage at the back?”
Cheng Zesheng appeared bewildered, and Hei Wei could tell from his expression that there was no need to ask further. Well, there was no need to continue questioning. If Cheng Zesheng didn’t know and he couldn’t find a back door, then the escape route Cheng Zhenqing had used was likely non-existent.
“Do you have tickets for the concert with you? If not, it’s okay; I can have someone take you to your assigned seat.”
With Cheng Zesheng’s reminder, Hei Wei suddenly remembered that there was a concert scheduled for the evening. He had asked all the questions he needed to, and he was now looking for an excuse to leave. He looked at Cheng Zesheng’s bright, shining eyes, and the words he was about to say stopped in his throat.
Cheng Zesheng meant well, and his invitation was so warm. It would be quite impolite to pour cold water on it on the spot. Besides, Hei Wei had some things he needed to find out. So he nodded and decided to experience the world of high-class art.
Cheng Zesheng was in high spirits, with joy evident in his every expression. Hei Wei waved him off, telling him to go about his business while he found a seat in the lounge. He was alone in the lounge, and once the door was closed, Hei Wei propped up his legs and stared at the ceiling. His emotions gradually settled along with the curve of his lips.
It felt even more chaotic than in his dreams, accompanied by a vague sense of unease creeping into his heart.
Half an hour later, Cheng Zesheng came in with takeout from the hotel, and they had dinner together. He handed over a pair of chopsticks, and He Wei opened all the dishes, taking a deep breath: Great. Out of the five dishes, four contained ingredients he was allergic to, and only one, celery and lily, was safe.”
Cheng Zesheng was completely unaware, and he carefully observed He Wei. Seeing that he was only focusing on one dish, he mustered the courage to peel a shrimp and put it in his bowl. He Wei stared at the plump shrimp, and helplessly said, “Allergic.”
Cheng Zesheng paused, quickly retrieved the shrimp, and replaced it with a piece of sliced lamb. Hei Wei remained equally helpless, “…Still allergic.”
Cheng Zesheng was feeling quite embarrassed. “So, what can you eat without being allergic?”
Hei Wei picked up a piece of celery with his chopsticks. “I’ll stick with this.”
Cheng Zesheng, still looking embarrassed, took his chopsticks and looked apologetic. Hei Wei didn’t mind at all and enjoyed the celery and lilies. He even praised the restaurant for having good flavors.
“I’m sorry; I should have asked you first.” Cheng Zesheng lowered his head, feeling quite disheartened. He had been so excited to order the signature dishes that he hadn’t considered whether Hei Wei could eat them or not. Who would have thought that Hei Wei could pinpoint his allergies so accurately?
“Don’t worry about it; it’s just a matter of my own constitution. I’m not like most people, so you don’t have to accommodate me.” Hei Wei smiled. “But I can tell you’re good at taking care of people. Are you the only child?”
Cheng Zesheng nodded, saying he was the only child. He mentioned that there had been an older brother, but he had gone missing when they were both very young, and his parents had been searching for him for years without any news.
While sipping his soup, Hei Wei engaged in casual conversation about daily life. The topic eventually turned to firearms, a subject Cheng Zesheng knew nothing about. He maintained a polite smile and played the role of a good listener.
During this conversation, Hei Wei’s thoughts gradually sank, turning gloomy.
Cheng Zhenqing hadn’t disappeared; he had never existed in this world.
———
During the performance of the concert, although Hei Wei’s eyes were fixed on the handsome piano virtuoso on the stage, his mind was far from appreciating the art.
How could Cheng Zhenqing have vanished? He and Cheng Zesheng had recognized each other three years ago, and the time loop had only started recently. Why would his existence be completely erased?
If he wasn’t here, did the underground armory still exist? Had the gun used to kill Cheng Zesheng also disappeared?
The smooth and graceful piano music couldn’t dispel the troubles in Hei Wei’s mind. He rubbed his forehead, his brain filled with one question after another, making it impossible for him to focus on enjoying the concert.
The audience erupted in enthusiastic applause, and Hei Wei raised his head to see Cheng Zesheng standing up to take a bow. It was then that he realized a piano piece had just concluded. He joined in the applause, and after the applause died down, he propped his head up with his hand and continued to contemplate.
This concert had a special guest performer, a close friend of Cheng Zesheng in the piano world. While not as dazzling as Cheng Zesheng, this friend was also a talented piano virtuoso. They were facing each other on stage with two grand pianos, and midway through their performance, they suddenly stopped. The friend asked, “Zesheng, do you know the name of this piece?”
“A Brief History of Time.”
“I saw a video edit using this piece as background music, and at the end of the piano performance, a very strange time-space phenomenon occurred.”
“What kind of phenomenon? Time reversal?” Cheng Zesheng asked curiously.
The friend wagged his finger, saying, “No, no, no. Guess again.”
Cheng Zesheng guessed several answers in a row, all of which were wrong. He shrugged, “Regardless of what phenomenon it might be, it’s not real. Let’s respect science.”
Hei Wei suddenly raised his head: Respect science?
Laughter erupted from the audience, and on stage, Cheng Zesheng’s friend teased him, saying that he was a typical straight guy without much imagination.
Amidst the cheerful atmosphere, Hei Wei’s brow furrowed more and more, and he appeared increasingly anxious. The conversation he had with Cheng Zesheng earlier kept replaying in his mind. Why would such drastically different details appear in his memory?
The answer was becoming apparent—it was to fill in the logical gaps of all the events.
Anxious thoughts flooded his mind, turning from ripples into raging waves. Hei Wei’s heart was pounding heavily, and since Cheng Zhenqing didn’t exist in this world, what about Cheng Zesheng?
To maintain the consistency of this world, could there still be parallel worlds?
Hei Wei suddenly stood up, and the surrounding audience gave him odd looks, but he couldn’t care less. He quickly left the stadium and headed to Future Domain.
According to the normal schedule, it would be a few days before Chief Zheng notified him to pick up the keys and move. But Hei Wei couldn’t wait any longer. He needed to go to the apartment, the place where he had lived with Cheng Zesheng, right at this very moment. Only seeing it with his own eyes could put his mind at ease.
The streetlights flashed by like shooting stars outside the car window. After arriving at Future Domain, Hei Wei hurriedly got out of the car, not even bothering to lock it. Only a few scattered lights were on in Future Domain, and Hei Wei took the elevator to the fourth floor, following the corridor to the end where his apartment was.
401, 402, 403…
Hei Wei stopped in his tracks, staring blankly at the white wall in front of him for a long time.
He then turned around and walked through the entire floor, and eventually, he even checked the entire building. Finally, he encountered a janitor cleaning the hallway. Hei Wei grabbed her arm, his voice trembling as he asked, “Excuse me, how do I get to 404?”
“404? There’s no 404 here; there’s no apartment by that number.”
Hei Wei stood frozen in place, and the janitor had already left. He was left standing alone in the corridor, with a small, grayish light hanging above, casting a cold and desolate glow.
After a long while, he slowly walked to the end of the corridor. Before him was a blank white wall with no door that should have belonged to him and Cheng Zesheng. There was only a cold shadow cast upon it.
Parallel worlds, they didn’t exist here either.
The only connection between him and Cheng Zesheng had been severed.
Hei Wei extended his hand, caressing the wall. This world had no connection to him, which meant that Cheng Zesheng might be living a peaceful life there and Cheng Zhenqing might not have met a tragic end. The brothers might be living peacefully, completely free from their grim fate.
“Thud!”
Hei Wei pounded his fist against the wall, biting his lower lip tightly.
He had indeed saved Cheng Zesheng, but he hadn’t expected to lose him completely.
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