The fear of death enveloped Yue Feather. His so-called "courage," mustered just moments ago, vanished instantly. He even regretted rushing out—just to save a little girl he didn’t know.

It was mere impulse. Perhaps he’d wanted to prove to himself he truly had courage.

But at such a time, that "courage" was better called recklessness.

Gently put, it could be kindness.

A shadow engulfed Yue Feather in an instant. The screech of brakes still echoed in his ears.

Finally, the sound faded.

"Am... I dead?" Yue Feather murmured.

"Brother..." A timid voice sounded. Yue Feather looked down to see a small figure beneath him, trembling slightly.

This was the girl he’d just saved.

"Ah... seems... we’re okay." Yue Feather looked up. The street was chaotic. Pedestrians and vehicles surrounded them. The heavy truck had crashed into a streetlight, crushing a large dent into it.

"Xiao Qing! Xiao Qing!" A woman rushed anxiously through the crowd. She scooped up the girl. "Are you hurt? Are you okay?"

"Mom... I’m fine..."

"Don’t be so reckless next time..." The mother sighed in relief. She gently patted the girl’s back, then turned to Yue Feather. "Thank you... Without you, Xiao Qing would’ve been in real trouble..."

"Uh... I’m fine..." Yue Feather wouldn’t voice his regrets. He stood shakily. After facing death, his legs felt weak. He nearly fell but caught himself just in time.

"What happened? Is the kid okay?" The truck driver jumped down, shouting.

"Sorry... she’s fine..." the young mother apologized quickly.

"Well, glad she’s okay. Next time, watch your kid better," the burly driver said kindly. He dialed a number. The truck was undrivable; he needed a tow.

He’d meant to ask for compensation. But seeing their modest clothes, he swallowed the words.

The mother pulled out three hundred yuan as payment. It was far too little, but the driver accepted it silently.

Traffic police soon arrived to restore order. Calm returned. Except for a few fallen truck parts, it was as if nothing happened.

"Young man, thank you..." the mother kept thanking Yue Feather.

"No need... Well... since all’s fine, I’ll head home." Yue Feather touched the bandage on his left hand. It ached more now. He must have hit his arm when falling, reopening the unhealed wound.

"Here’s my card. I run an ice cream shop beside Zhongshan Park on Zhongshan Road. Come anytime—ice cream’s free."

"I couldn’t possibly..."

"A life’s worth far more than this."

"Ah... alright." Yue Feather took the card. He didn’t know if he’d go. Free ice cream tempted him, but he lacked the nerve to show up. Buying his own felt easier.

"Bye-bye, big brother~" The cute girl waved, blinking her big eyes. The scare hadn’t shaken her; she’d bounced back already.

She was lovely—double eyelids, lively eyes. Compared to Silver Bell’s monolids, which held quieter depths.

Not that Silver Bell’s eyes were unattractive. They just hid more emotions.

"Goodbye..."

The most comforting phrase was "a narrow escape." Nothing felt sweeter than surviving death. Only then did the world seem truly beautiful.

"It’s good to be alive..." Yue Feather thought, pushing open his door.

"Back already?" Silver Bell’s voice came. Simple dishes sat on the table. She’d waited awhile. Had he not saved the girl, he’d have arrived as dinner finished.

"Mm..."

"Why so messy?" Silver Bell frowned at his dust-covered uniform.

Yue Feather’s uniform was blue-and-white—mostly white with blue stripes. The most vibrant among the school grades.

Now it was gray, as if he’d rolled on the ground repeatedly.

"Well... on the way back... something happened." He recounted everything, omitting his regrets. Telling her felt like proving something.

At least, proving he wasn’t a coward.

"How could something so dangerous happen..." Silver Bell muttered reproachfully. She seemed lost in thought. After a long pause, she snapped back. "Sit. Eat."

...

I rested my chin, watching Yue Feather devour dinner across the table. My mind wandered.

A car accident like this never happened in my memories. Let alone saving a girl.

If it wasn’t from memory, the timeline was changing.

Because I altered history.

Changing history wasn’t easy. It sparked countless butterfly effects. This was likely just the start.

If my influence grew, would changes grow too?

Was this history self-correcting? Or just small shifts?

Or had I lived this before? A missing memory fragment?

I rubbed my temples. A flash of insight struck me. I’d grasped something.

"Yue Feather, what was that girl’s name?"

"Huh? Why ask now?" He swallowed his food. "I think... Xiao Qing?"

"As I thought."

"What is it?"

"Nothing. Eat."

"Aren’t you eating, Silver Bell?"

"Mm, not hungry. You finish first." I replied casually. Yue Feather’s face softened with gratitude.

What was he so moved about?

I pushed the thought aside, sorting the recalled memory.

Right. This wasn’t a timeline shift. I’d lived it before. The accident happened—I survived narrowly—but not now.

If I recalled correctly, it was three years later. Summer after high school graduation.

Not a new event, but its timing shifted. A sign of something.

If event timing changed, new events could emerge.

Proof the timeline had shifted.

I worried. Too many changes meant I couldn’t pinpoint events. Targeted plans were impossible; advance prep unrealistic.

You can’t guard against thieves forever.

What if I prepped a year, but the crisis hit in year five?

Time... truly the ultimate puzzle even great scientists couldn’t solve.

I’d go with the flow. Pray events followed my memories, shifts under a week.

Within a week, I could still prepare.

When my thoughts cleared, Yue Feather had finished. He’d left me the best dishes—even though I only cooked vegetarian food.

"Why not finish the mock chicken?" I asked.

"Ah... I’m full..." Yue Feather stammered.

Seriously. Lying right to me.

No one understood me better than myself. His expressions gave him away, especially when lying.

"You’re not full, are you?"

"I am!" He faked a burp but failed, smiling awkwardly.

"Eat it. I only need this much."

"If I eat it, none’s left for you."

"The broth’s enough. There’s stir-fried potatoes."

Finally, under my gaze, he finished the three mock chicken pieces. Ridiculous—he acted like I’d poison him.

I knew he cared. Unnecessary. I didn’t matter. Changing his life path did. Or rather, the future-me shouldn’t exist.

Besides, this girl’s body ate little. This sufficed.

For once, I was glad to be in a girl’s body. Food-wise, it was frugal. A boy’s body would starve on this—maybe wake hungry at night.

However, compared to this advantage, the drawbacks were far greater: little strength, poor stamina, and occasional chest pains. But the most terrifying thing was that I had never gotten my period.

I really hoped this body wouldn't have to deal with periods... I naively prayed silently to myself.

Of course, that was impossible.

I could only wish it would come later.