Special Episode Timeline: A parallel world where Xu Lin did not go back in time to his high school years, did not gain a system, and continued living his own life.
Saturday Night, August 14, 2021 – Linshui City
In a small, unassuming restaurant, three young men gathered around a hot pot, chatting away.
One was tall, strong, and dark-skinned. Another, shorter but just as sturdy and tanned.
The last one had a scholarly demeanor—fair-skinned, handsome, almost like a refined "milk boy."
"Hey, hey, Xu Lin! Look at you, still the same pale pretty boy from high school!"
"Ma Zhiyu, you're one to talk! Weren't you just like me back then? Now you're as dark as I am."
"Li Bin, that's from selling fruit under the sun! You're just naturally black!"
"Hahaha, alright, alright." Xu Lin chuckled, passing them each a bottle of beer. He took a deep breath, glanced out at the moonlit sky with a hint of nostalgia, and said, "The last time we had a meal together was when we graduated high school, right?"
"Yeah, and we didn't even go to the last class reunion."
"Good thing we didn't. Nothing but people comparing themselves to each other. Other than those you're truly close to, where's the genuine friendship in that?"
Xu Lin threw in a casual complaint, then noticed a push notification on his phone. Scanning his surroundings, he suddenly realized something.
"Wait… is today Qixi Festival?"
"Yeah, you just figured that out?" Ma Zhiyu grinned, clearly amused by Xu Lin's cluelessness. This guy probably still didn't have a girlfriend.
"Ma Zhiyu, don't give me that look. If you had a girlfriend, you wouldn't be here eating with us tonight either."
Xu Lin shot back, making Li Bin burst out laughing. "We're all single here. Hanging out together beats going on dates any day."
"Yeah, but tonight we sleep alone while others cuddle up with their partners."
"I don't care."
Li Bin replied with a deadpan seriousness that made Ma Zhiyu drop the subject—it wasn't easy for Li Bin, having just gone through a breakup.
"By the way, Xu Lin, you've never even dated anyone, have you?" Ma Zhiyu quickly changed the topic, turning to Xu Lin.
"I don't date. Staying single my whole life sounds way more fun," Xu Lin said casually. Li Bin immediately chimed in, "And your parents won't murder you for that?"
"I know, I know. I'll take my time."
In truth, Xu Lin had little desire to date. Relationships were exhausting. His current lifestyle was far more carefree.
"Well, he's not wrong," Li Bin added. "Now that he's got some money, running his own business and enjoying life sounds pretty great. Finding a partner? Their personality might not even match yours."
As someone who had just ended a relationship, Li Bin wasn't entirely against staying single anymore—though the pressure from family elders was always there.
The trio continued chatting, reminiscing about their high school days, discussing how their lives had changed since graduation, and dreaming about the future. Even Xu Lin, who wasn't much of a drinker, ended up slightly tipsy. The clock struck 10.
"That's it for tonight…"
"Yeah, let's meet again soon."
"Sure!"
After their meal and drinks, the three went their separate ways, each returning to their own life paths. Beneath the neon lights of the city, they parted in three different directions. Who knows where the next reunion might take place?
"God, alcohol really tastes awful…"
Xu Lin unbuttoned the top few buttons of his shirt and took a deep breath.
Watching couples pass by, arm in arm, a certain someone's face suddenly came to mind.
"Forget it, forget it. No point dwelling on it. I hope she's doing well. Time to grab some shaved ice."
Turning around, Xu Lin headed forward. The bustling commercial street was noticeably less crowded than before, yet the lively nighttime atmosphere still lingered.
It made him feel a bit irritable, but for the sake of some shaved ice, he decided to push through the crowd.
A few minutes later, Xu Lin arrived at a busy intersection lined with food stalls.
Grilled squid, takoyaki, fried snacks, skewers, spicy hot pot, shaved ice—there were at least twenty or thirty different options.
Xu Lin spotted two shaved ice stalls and quickly walked over. As he got closer, he noticed that one of them was preparing to close.
"Young man, what would you like?"
"Aren't you closing up?"
"It's fine, it's fine. I saw you coming from far away—how could I not sell to you?"
The slightly weathered voice of the stall owner, a middle-aged woman, gave Xu Lin a warm feeling.
"Thank you, ma'am."
"Xiaoxiao, make one for him. What flavor do you want?"
"Apple, please."
"Apple!"
"Alright."
Xu Lin glanced over and saw a tall girl in a white outfit walk over to the shaved ice machine and begin prepping it.
Even though she was wearing a mask, Xu Lin could tell that she was very beautiful. Her fair skin and elegant demeanor added to her charm.
"Your daughter?"
"Yes. She just finished her master's degree and hasn't started working yet. She insisted on taking a short break, so she's helping me out."
"Your daughter is amazing."
Hearing the pride in the woman's voice, Xu Lin couldn't help but smile.
A few minutes later, the girl walked over and handed him the bag of shaved ice. Xu Lin quickly took it and then, out of nowhere, blurted out:
"Um… could I have your WeChat?"
Xu Lin didn't know what had gotten into him. He wasn't usually this bold. The girl blinked rapidly several times, clearly surprised.
Just as Xu Lin was about to turn around and flee in embarrassment, she nodded.
"Sure…"
Holding the piece of paper with her WeChat ID, Xu Lin suddenly felt like his drunken haze had lifted.
He walked about ten meters and turned back to look. The stall had already been packed up, and the family was loading everything onto a large tricycle. With a roar of the engine, the tricycle drove off into the night, gradually disappearing from view.
Xu Lin glanced at his watch—it was already 11 PM. He hurried to the side of the road, intending to hail a cab. Suddenly, he heard a loud shout!
"Hey, buddy! Help us stop him!"
Without thinking, Xu Lin stepped forward and stuck out his leg. A young man running at full speed tripped and fell to the ground. Two police officers rushed up and pinned him down.
"You thought you could run, huh?"
"Thanks, man!"
"No problem… but could you guys help me up? I think my leg…"
Ten minutes later, Xu Lin found himself at the local police station. The two officers went to interrogate the suspect while a young policewoman approached him.
"You really stuck your leg out to trip a fleeing suspect. Weren't you worried about breaking a bone?"
"Well, I figured if I didn't put some force into it, I wouldn't have been able to stop him."
"Let me take a look."
The officer crouched down and inspected his leg and foot. "It's not too bad, but you should apply some ointment and rest for a few days. No strenuous activity."
"Alright, thank you, Officer."
"When Officer Wang and the others finish, we'll arrange for you to get home."
"I can just call a cab."
"I'll take you. My shift just ended anyway."
At that moment, a crisp voice called out, and a confident, striking woman in a police uniform walked over.
"Captain Qin, are you going to take him home?"
"He helped us get the job done. Of course, we should give him a ride."
"Thank you, Captain…" Xu Lin was a bit surprised—she was so young to already be a captain, and she was stunningly beautiful too.
"No problem. Let's go."
As she spoke, she effortlessly helped him up. The two ended up close enough to touch, and Xu Lin's face immediately flushed red.
"Are you still in school?"
Qin Yunhe glanced at this shy young man and felt a bit amused. It seemed her charm was still working.
"No, I've graduated from college."
"My vehicle's over there. But it's just an electric scooter."
"Having a ride at all is great. Thank you, Officer."