[October 7, 19:26, Nanyan Spring Mention, Haijing City]
Accompanied by the warm afternoon sunshine and the fragrance of flowers, the conversation between the two flowed smoothly. Yi Shi did not push too hard for Lin Heyu to suddenly accept those memories, and the topics they discussed did not fixate on cases or the concept of time. Yi Shi hoped that Lin Heyu would gradually discover the secrets hidden within, as perhaps that way, the memories would last longer.
Future Lin Heyu had said that their complete memories were opposite. The time when Lin Heyu’s memory was blank was precisely when Yi Shi had complete recollection. Now that he had found Lin Heyu, and they had met and gotten to know each other, it explained why when they met at the cemetery, Lin Heyu retained certain fragments of memory about him—it was something Yi Shi had to piece together himself.
“Has Zhizhi’s apartment been settled?” Yi Shi asked.
“Not yet. I’ve looked at the three apartments she picked, but no decision has been made,” Lin Heyu tapped the table with his fingers, “Are you staying in Nanyi for a long time?”
“Mhm, I grew up in Nanyi.”
“Which one do you think is better: Guiheme Apartment, Magic Cube Youth Apartment, or Chengshi Guesthouse Apartment?”
Two of those names were unfamiliar to Yi Shi, but he recalled the few days when Lin Zhizhi took care of him as a child. He smiled slightly, “Magic Cube Youth Apartment—the environment is well-maintained there, the property management is responsible, and they are strict about who enters. It’s a good place for a single girl to live.”
Lin Heyu nodded. “I thought the same. The surrounding facilities are good, and it’s close to Zhizhi’s company.”
Yi Shi rested his chin in his hand and said softly, “You treat Zhizhi very well.”
It was no wonder that when he had asked about Lin Heyu on the mountain, he mentioned that Lin Zhizhi was in an “unexpected place.” Indeed, Yi Shi never would have guessed that his foster mother was actually his sister.
Lin Heyu’s fingers lightly tapped the porcelain cup. Whenever he spoke of Lin Zhizhi, his tone became much softer: “Zhizhi is smart and lovable; it’s hard not to like her. I don’t have much of an artistic side, but she’s quite talented in art. I’m more introverted, but she’s lively and cheerful. She’s like a little sun that brightens the dark corners of life, and I treasure her presence.”
In Yi Shi’s mind were memories of his time as a vagrant. Zhizhi was kind and lovable, even though she barely had enough for herself, she would still help others when she could. The little girl had pure, innocent eyes, and when she smiled, her brows arched with joy. All the vagrants in that area liked her, envying the old beggar for having such a sweet and clever “granddaughter.”
“It’s getting late. I need to head back. Let’s chat again next time.” Lin Heyu stood up, smiling warmly, “It was nice meeting you. If you ever visit Haijing, I’ll treat you.”
“Sure.” Yi Shi stood up as well. The two walked downstairs, one after the other. As they approached the glass door, Yi Shi’s heart began to race. This was a bold attempt—what would happen when they stepped out of the café together? Would the world outside become the one he desired?
As Lin Heyu pushed open the glass door and the sound of wind chimes rang out, Yi Shi lightly grabbed his arm. They stepped out together. The street scene was both familiar and strange—familiar because of the bustling traffic and crowds and the iconic giant diamond at Pingju Square gleaming in the sunlight; strange because of the shops and storefronts that had changed. The largest sports brand store on the first floor was still under renovation. Later, Lin Zhizhi would bring Xiao Shitou to Pingju Square, and they would buy clothes from that very store.
Lin Heyu stopped and looked at the hand holding his arm, his gaze seemingly asking: “Is there something else?”
Yi Shi asked earnestly, “If I visit Haijing, would you really treat me?”
“Mhm, I will.”
“Everything included—food, clothing, shelter, and transportation?”
Lin Heyu was a bit taken aback by the question. Yi Shi’s pitch-black eyes stared firmly into his, the light in his pupils resembling scattered stars in a vast night sky—empty yet beautiful. Lin Heyu couldn’t help but nod, “Yes.”
Yi Shi smiled, pulling him forward. “I have time now. I want to go to Haijing.”
“…?” Was this planned all along?
Lin Heyu found himself “forced” to walk alongside Yi Shi. He glanced at the man beside him out of the corner of his eye. The lines of Yi Shi’s profile were perfect in the sunlight—his nose high, his eyelashes long, and the corners of his lips slightly curved, as if the breeze of spring in March was contained within them.
He could tell that Yi Shi had no ill intentions. Once a gentleman gives his word, it’s difficult to take it back. So that same day, Lin Heyu drove back to Haijing, actually bringing along this “friend” he had known for less than half a day.
———
The reddish-brown security door slowly opened. Lin Heyu walked in, flipped on the lights in the living room with a “click,” and placed the car keys on the shoe cabinet. He pulled out two pairs of slippers. “Come in. This is my home.”
Yi Shi followed him in. The simple yet elegant décor was exactly as he remembered it, with the furniture neatly arranged. The screen partition wasn’t fully stocked yet; a few small shelves were still empty, likely because Lin Zhizhi hadn’t finished furnishing them. Most of the photos on display were of Lin Zhizhi alone, including one where she was wearing a black gown, joyfully tossing her graduation cap into the air.
Compared to the cold, empty atmosphere last time, this time the moment the door opened, a strong sense of life hit him. The balcony was lined with thriving green plants, the TV cabinet was stuffed with snacks and nail polish, and a few colorful hair ties were randomly placed on the tea tray. The little feminine touches were scattered everywhere.
Lin Heyu rolled up his sleeves, folded the messy pink blanket on the sofa, put the misplaced remote back where it belonged, and took the half-finished glass of water to the kitchen. He moved back and forth, tidying the house with such practiced ease and without a single complaint, perfectly embodying the image of a responsible family man.
“Do you usually clean up the house yourself?”
“I used to be busy, so Zhizhi cleaned more often. Now that she’s not home much and I’m still busy, I tidy up whenever I have some free time.” Lin Heyu pointed to the room on the right. “Zhizhi’s bedroom isn’t convenient to stay in. Would you be okay sleeping on the sofa bed in the study?”
“That’s fine, however you arrange it.”
Lin Heyu boiled some water, while Yi Shi opened the cabinet and took out a can of Rougui oolong tea. Lin Heyu smiled and asked, “Do you like oolong tea too?”
“I don’t usually drink tea,” Yi Shi said matter-of-factly. “I just took it because you like it.”
Lin Heyu hesitated, then poured the hot water over the tea leaves. As the dried leaves were hit by the water, they swirled around in the cup before slowly unfurling, releasing a fragrant aroma. The two sat on the sofa and chatted for a while about oolong tea. Lin Heyu sipped his tea lightly, and being someone who didn’t like to beat around the bush, he asked directly, “What business brings you to Haijing? Is there something I can help you with?”
Yi Shi rested his elbow on his knee, propping his chin in his hand as he looked at Lin Heyu. “Take a guess. What’s my main reason for coming to Haijing?”
“…Me?”
“Yes.” Yi Shi’s slender, beautiful hand reached out and lightly rested on the back of Lin Heyu’s hand. “You forgot me, so I can only befriend you again and help you remember little by little.”
Though the words sounded casual, why did the atmosphere feel a bit…?
They sat side by side, gazing at each other. The steam from the two cups of tea swirled in the air, shrouding Yi Shi’s delicate, handsome features in a light mist, making him look even more mysterious and alluring. His cool hand still rested on Lin Heyu’s, and with this touch and closeness, Lin Heyu only needed to lean in a bit, and he could kiss his lips.
It must be because he’s been single for too long—he’s even starting to have wild thoughts about another man.
Lin Heyu gently pulled his hand away and automatically put some distance between them, clearing his throat. “Well, if you want to stay, go ahead. I’m also curious about what memories I’ve lost.”
That night, Yi Shi lay on the simple sofa bed, arms under his head, unable to sleep. He had already left his world, yet in his earlier memories, before he met Lin Heyu, everything had seemed normal—he went to work as usual, living his busy and monotonous life. This showed that his departure hadn’t caused any disruptions on the other side, meaning that the flow of time had adjusted itself. He could stay here with peace of mind.
Except for October 15th. That was the day he experienced memory loss, which meant something unusual must have happened. He would need to return to Nanyi on that day to figure out what had gone wrong.
The last reflection point was National Day on October 1st, a particularly special reflection point because the times aligned on both sides. So, he had followed Lin Heyu here, seamlessly connecting to the normal timeline. Tomorrow would be October 8th, the first day back to work after the holiday.
Yi Shi took a chart he had made from his pocket, with all the reflection points circled. He needed to choose the right point to achieve a perfect time alignment. Unconsciously, his mind filled with dates and numbers, and he felt a headache coming on. He began to miss the future version of Lin Heyu. If that version were here, he wouldn’t have to work so hard.
Besides, in that earlier moment, future Lin Heyu would surely have leaned in slowly and kissed him gently.
Yi Shi felt his ears burning and quickly shook his head to clear away those romantic thoughts. He folded the chart back up, stuffed it into his pocket, and forced himself to sleep, hugging the blanket.
The next morning, Lin Heyu got up before six, went downstairs for a morning run, and bought breakfast. The morning air was incredibly fresh, and after taking a deep breath, he felt instantly refreshed, with all his fatigue wiped away.
After standing in line for a few minutes at the pancake stand, he also bought some sesame cakes and tofu pudding. Yi Shi was from Jiangnan, so he would probably enjoy these.
The house was quiet. The door to the study remained closed. Lin Heyu knocked twice, but there was no response. He twisted the doorknob and walked in, finding Yi Shi still asleep. His short black hair was messily spread across the pillow, and one leg was sticking out, clinging to the blanket. He was sleeping completely defenseless.
He was lying on his side, wearing a short-sleeved shirt. His legs were slender but not fragile, and there was a large, shocking scar on his right arm. Lin Heyu frowned. The scar was so unsightly, harshly disrupting the smooth, porcelain-white skin.
“What are you looking at?” Yi Shi asked softly, eyes still closed.
Awake? Lin Heyu felt like he’d been caught in the act. “Nothing, I just wanted to wake you for breakfast.”
“Oh, I’m up.” Yi Shi sat up, propping himself up with one hand, his expression still lazy from sleep. His voice wasn’t as clear as usual, but slightly hoarse. “What were you looking at just now?”
Was that a little… playfulness? Lin Heyu covered his mouth and coughed lightly, his ears slightly burning. Fortunately, his darker complexion hid it well. He still responded with, “Nothing,” and turned to leave the study.
The days after the holiday were usually quite relaxed. Lin Heyu attended a few meetings and wrote some reports at the bureau before leaving work on time. Yuan Maoqiu pulled him aside, asking if he wanted to grab a drink, but Lin Heyu rejected him without hesitation. “You go by yourself. I have a friend at home waiting for dinner.”
“A friend? Have I met this friend?”
“No,” Lin Heyu paused, “I just met him.”
??? Yuan Maoqiu was even more puzzled. This was strange. Given Lao Lin’s introverted personality, how could he possibly bring a newly met friend home for dinner?
For a single man living alone, cooking a few dishes isn’t unusual. What’s surprising is being able to cook food that looks, smells, and tastes great. Lin Heyu was one of those rare types. After work, he went to the supermarket to buy a few simple ingredients. When he arrived home, the moment the door opened, Yi Shi put down his book and walked over. “You’re back.”
This familiar, casual tone made Lin Heyu feel as if they had been living together for years. What made him feel even more disoriented was that when he carried the groceries into the kitchen, Yi Shi followed, rolling up his sleeves and offering to help.
“Stir-fry the snow peas?”
“Stir-fry them with pork slices.”
“And the zucchini?”
“For soup.”
…
After asking about everything, Yi Shi took a small basket of vegetables to a corner and began removing the fibers from the snow peas with skillful precision. When Lin Heyu passed by, looking for frozen shrimp in the fridge, he glanced at Yi Shi and noticed that he was handling the task quite neatly, cleaning the peas thoroughly.
“Do you often cook by yourself?” Lin Heyu asked.
Yi Shi shook his head. “I don’t know how to cook, just how to prep ingredients. I used to help my… foster mother with the prep work. I’ve done this sort of thing a lot.”
“Foster mother?”
“Yeah, I’m an orphan, adopted.” Yi Shi looked at Lin Heyu. “Before I was adopted, there was someone who took care of me and protected me wholeheartedly. Later, he had an accident while working on a case. I want to find him.”
“Is this related to the explosion at the factory you mentioned?”
Yi Shi nodded. Lin Heyu thought for a few seconds and immediately noticed something off. “Wait a second. You said you were personally involved in that explosion case, but how old were you before you were adopted? That doesn’t make sense.”
Yi Shi smiled and leaned forward, his dark eyes locking with Lin Heyu’s. “Then why don’t you guess what’s going on?”
Lin Heyu couldn’t guess. They were too close, and he couldn’t focus.
Hurriedly, he grabbed the frozen shrimp and started preparing it in the water. After a moment, a hand reached over from behind, holding a basket of peeled snow peas.
“Thanks.” Lin Heyu put the snow peas in the sink. “Go sit down for a bit. It’ll be ready soon.”
Yi Shi’s head peeked out from behind Lin Heyu’s shoulder. He was about ten centimeters shorter, and the way he was sneaking a look reminded Lin Heyu of a curious little cat.
“You’re cleaning the shrimp veins too slowly like that.” Yi Shi’s hands covered Lin Heyu’s, guiding them. “You need to do it this way. Start by removing the head, and then pull the brain out with the vein in one go…”
Lin Heyu glanced at the shrimp in his hand, then at Yi Shi, and his gaze froze. Even though Yi Shi had delicate features and pale skin, there wasn’t a trace of fragility in him. Lin Heyu had always regarded him as a man, yet he found himself staring at him in silence for quite a while.
“If you devein the shrimp by cutting the back, it’s more complicated and time-consuming. This way is faster,” Yi Shi said with a smile. “My foster mother taught me this. Pretty convenient, huh?”
“…Yeah.”
Yi Shi tilted his head, still smiling, now with a hint of teasing. “What are you staring at?”
It was the second time that day Lin Heyu had heard that question. He quickly looked away, considering whether he should ask Yuan Maoqiu later if the introduction to the woman they mentioned last time was still on the table.
“Well, what were you looking at?”
“Nothing.”
“Were you looking at me?”
“…”
Yi Shi placed his hand on Lin Heyu’s shoulder. “If you really are looking at me, I hope you’ll always remember me.”
—
Author’s Note:
Yi Shi: I’m pulling out all the stops with my flirting skills in this lifetime.
If you look at the earlier parts of the story, everyone might feel that Lin Heyu was the more proactive one. Because from their interactions, Lin Heyu’s feelings were more obvious. But that’s from Yi Shi’s perspective. Now, switching to Lin Heyu’s point of view, it turns out it was Yi Shi’s initiative that won him over.
Their relationship is like a cycle, isn’t it? There’s no clear beginning or end, and it’s hard to tell who fell in love with whom first.
