Finally, he reached Zhang Wei's house, just as the police vans were pulling up.
Lin Xiao ducked behind a nearby car, watching as officers poured out of the vans and headed towards the front door.
He could see Zhang Wei's parents looking out the window, confused and alarmed by the sudden arrival of the police.
Without thinking, Lin Xiao pulled out his phone and sent a quick, frantic message to Zhang Wei: "Police are here. Hide."
Lin Xiao knew this might compromise him, but he still did that.
He watched as the police officers approached the door, some of them already drawing their weapons.
Lin Xiao's mind raced as he tried to come up with a plan. He needed to find a way to help Zhang Wei without getting caught himself. The situation was dire, but he couldn't just abandon his friend.
As the police knocked on the door and began shouting orders, Lin Xiao crept closer, trying to stay out of sight.
As Lin Xiao watched from across the street, his heart sank at the sight of Zhang Wei's mother hurriedly opening the door for the police.
Panic surged through Lin Xiao. He quickly asked the system, "Is there anything I can do to help Zhang Wei?"
The system responded, [You can use Lil' Blackie's time ability to make Zhang Wei's brain go back 10 years. This will erase everything he knows about you and your investigation]
At first, Lin Xiao thought this was a good solution. But then the reality hit him: Zhang Wei would lose ten years of his life.
All his memories, experiences, and everything that made him who he was today would be gone. The thought was unbearable. He couldn't do that to his friend, but he also couldn't let Zhang Wei be hurt because of his own investigations.
Lin Xiao was stuck in a moral dilemma, his mind racing for another solution. He knew he had to act quickly.
"System, is there any other way to protect Zhang Wei without erasing his memories?" Lin Xiao asked desperately.
[The only other option is to confront the situation directly, but this carries significant risks] the system replied. [You could try to intervene with the police, but it might draw attention to yourself]
Lin Xiao clenched his fists, frustration boiling inside him. He couldn't let Zhang Wei suffer for his actions, but he also couldn't bring himself to erase his friend's memories.
"But if I don't do this, they might arrest Zhang Wei or worse," Lin Xiao thought, torn between his moral dilemma and the urgent need to protect his friend.
He glanced back at the house. The police were talking to Zhang Wei's mother, who looked increasingly distressed. Zhang Wei, still inside, seemed unaware of the imminent danger.
"System, are there any other options?" Lin Xiao asked, hoping for an alternative.
[None that would ensure your friend's safety as effectively]
Taking a deep breath, Lin Xiao made his decision. It was selfish, but he couldn't risk Zhang Wei's life or his secret being leaked.
"System, initiate skill-sharing," Lin Xiao whispered, feeling the familiar rush of energy as he accessed the abilities of Xiao Bai and Lil' Blackie.
First, he activated Xiao Bai's teleportation ability. In an instant, he found himself outside Zhang Wei's room window, the world around him blurring for a moment before solidifying again.
Peeking through the window, he saw Zhang Wei sitting at his desk, unaware of the chaos about to unfold.
Taking a deep breath, Lin Xiao then focused on Lil' Blackie's time reversal ability.
A faint glow emanated from his hands as he directed the power towards Zhang Wei. He watched in silence, hidden in the shadows, as the time-reversal took effect.
Zhang Wei's body shivered slightly, and then he slumped forward, his mind reverting to that of a five-year-old child.
Lin Xiao's heart ached at the sight, but he knew it was necessary to protect them all.
As the glow faded, Lin Xiao quickly teleported back to his original position outside the house. He crouched down, hidden from view, and waited.
After a few moments, the police left, looking confused and concerned. Zhang Wei's mother, still in tears, closed the door behind them.
Lin Xiao stood up, his legs feeling heavy. He had done what he had to, but the price was steep.
He watched as Zhang Wei, now with the mind of a child, wandered out of his room, looking lost and confused.
His mother rushed to his side, her distress turning into confusion and then into a nurturing, motherly instinct as she tried to comfort her now child-like son.
"Zhang Wei, I am sorry" Lin Xiao whispered to himself.
Feeling a mix of relief and sorrow, Lin Xiao turned and walked away. His steps were slow, each one heavy with the burden of his choice. He couldn't let this happen again.
As Lin Xiao walked back home, He knew he had to cover his tracks to ensure the police wouldn't trace anything back to him.
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his phone and navigated to his messages. Finding the thread with Zhang Wei, he quickly deleted the messages related to their investigation and anything that could arouse suspicion.
...
When he arrived home, the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the familiar streets.
Lin Xiao slipped quietly inside, greeted by the welcoming warmth of his home. His mother and sister were in the living room, engrossed in a television show.
"You're home early," his mother remarked, looking up from the TV. "How was your day with your friends?"
"It was fine," Lin Xiao replied, forcing a smile. "Just felt like coming back early."
He made his way to his room, closing the door behind him. Sitting on his bed, he took a deep breath and tried to process everything that had happened.
He had managed to protect his friend, but at what cost? Zhang Wei's life had been fundamentally altered, and Lin Xiao couldn't shake the guilt.
"I did what I had to," he told himself, but the words felt hollow.
His cats, sensing his distress, climbed onto his lap, offering silent comfort. Lin Xiao stroked them absently, lost in thought.
"System," he asked quietly, "will Zhang Wei ever recover those memories?"
[No] the system replied. [That kind of time reversal is permanent]
Lin Xiao sighed, knowing he would have to live with his choice.
He had safeguarded his secret and protected his loved ones, but the price of that safety was a burden he would carry forever.