Lin Fang’s hometown, Qiyue County, didn’t have a train station. To take a train, one had to go to the neighboring city of Xinqi, and there was only one daily train passing through Xinqi to the provincial capital.
The train station had a VIP waiting room where, for five yuan, one could enjoy a much more spacious environment than the regular waiting area, with access to television, hot water, and early boarding privileges. When Qin Yi and Lin Fang coincidentally met again in the VIP waiting room the following evening, Qin Yi felt only a fleeting moment of joy before being consumed by torment.
Watching Shangguan Linqing’s attentive care for Lin Fang, Qin Yi had the strong urge to beat Shangguan Linqing senseless. Sitting beside Lin Fang and doing those things should have been him. In his original world, he wouldn’t have hesitated to eliminate Shangguan Linqing, but here, he couldn’t.
Qin Yi and Lin Fang happened to sit facing each other, separated by a wide aisle. The “Brother Sun” Lin Fang had mentioned—Sun Siyuan, who had driven her and Shangguan Linqing to the station—would coldly and deliberately walk between them whenever Qin Yi tried to talk to Lin Fang or even just glance at her. It was clear he was interfering and harbored hostility toward Qin Yi.
Though Sun Siyuan maintained an expressionless demeanor, Qin Yi could sense from subtle cues that his relationship with Lin Fang wasn’t merely friendship, as Lin Fang had claimed.
The only consolation for Qin Yi was that, despite Lin Fang’s easy laughter and apparent closeness with both Shangguan Linqing and Sun Siyuan, her words remained polite, and there were no further intimate gestures, as if she were deliberately maintaining distance. Qin Yi could see Shangguan Linqing’s disappointment and resignation.
Lin Fang and Shangguan Linqing had booked their sleeper tickets in advance. Qin Yi, deciding to take the train on a whim, could only get a standing ticket. After boarding, he reluctantly parted ways with Lin Fang and squeezed into the crowded seating carriage.
Throughout the journey, Qin Yi longed for an excuse to approach Lin Fang, but he restrained himself. It was nighttime, and no matter how much he missed her, he couldn’t disturb her rest—he remembered how much his Fang’er loved to sleep.
The seating carriage was packed. When the train arrived, Qin Yi struggled to disembark, while Lin Fang and Shangguan Linqing, exiting from the sleeper carriage, were already nearing the ticket checkpoint. Qin Yi hurried, hoping to exchange a few more words with Lin Fang—or at least steal a few more glances—before leaving the station.
Just as he was about to reach her, Lin Fang had already passed through the exit. A voice called out, “Teacher Lin, over here!”
“Dr. Xiao? What are you doing here?” Lin Fang’s voice carried surprise and delight.
Qin Yi looked toward the exit and saw the man Lin Fang had referred to as “Dr. Xiao” waving at her with a smile. “Oh, I heard from my brother yesterday that you’d gone home and were returning today. I had to come to work, so I timed it to pick you up on the way to school.”
“Thank you, Dr. Xiao. I appreciate the trouble.” Lin Fang walked ahead while Shangguan Linqing carried two suitcases behind her. The three of them headed toward the parking lot.
“Xiao Guanpeng!” In his urgency, Qin Yi called out to the cheerful doctor.
Dr. Xiao turned and, spotting Qin Yi at the exit, exclaimed happily, “Qin Yi? Where have you been? You took this train too?”
Qin Yi caught up to the trio, inserting himself between Xiao Guanpeng and Lin Fang before replying, “I was on a mission near Teacher Lin’s hometown.”
“Oh? So you were together?” Xiao Guanpeng sounded surprised.
“Sort of. Let’s get in the car first—I’m exhausted after hours on the train.” Without waiting, Qin Yi strode to the parking lot, found Xiao Guanpeng’s car, and took the front passenger seat.
After Shangguan Linqing loaded the luggage into the trunk and Lin Fang and Shangguan Linqing got in, Xiao Guanpeng took the driver’s seat, chuckling as he started the car. “You’ve been out of the hospital for two years, barely saying a word, and now you’re suddenly chatty. If I’d known a trip to Teacher Lin’s place would thaw you out, I’d have recommended you go there ages ago.”
Qin Yi threw a playful punch. “Teacher Lin is in the car—watch your language.”
Xiao Guanpeng dodged with a laugh, turning to Lin Fang. “Don’t mind us, Teacher Lin. Qin Yi and I grew up together—we’re used to speaking freely. After his near-death experience two years ago, he turned into an ice block. Seeing him act like his old self again got me so excited I slipped up.”
Lin Fang smiled. “No need to censor yourselves on my account. I like seeing people interact naturally. Wearing a mask all the time must be exhausting.”
Her words left the two men in front feeling conflicted.
The lively Qin Yi of the past had been his true self, but now, with Qi Biao’s soul inhabiting Qin Yi’s body, he had spoken more in these few minutes than he usually did in days. He just wanted to divert Lin Fang’s attention from other men, wishing she’d see only him. Besides, if he really switched careers to become a lawyer, staying silent wouldn’t work—he’d have to force himself to adopt Qin Yi’s old personality to keep up with his Fang’er.
Xiao Guanpeng, who had always presented himself as refined and cultured in front of Lin Fang, now realized his efforts had been in vain—she had seen through him all along.
Shangguan Linqing, who had been gloomy since leaving the station, now felt oddly pleased. He knew how perceptive Lin Fang was—honesty was the best policy with her. Any attempt at deception would fail; it was as if she could read minds.
Had Qin Yi known Shangguan Linqing’s thoughts, he would have scoffed. His Fang’er was naturally sharp and sensitive—she noticed even the slightest change in someone’s demeanor. But his current body was too different from his original form, making it impossible for her to recognize him through familiarity alone. He’d have to find another way.
Once Qin Yi decided to open up, his words flowed more smoothly, gradually adapting to his former self. He wasn’t exactly cheerful, but he managed the occasional smile.
With his facade exposed, Xiao Guanpeng dropped the act, cracking jokes throughout the ride—though only he seemed truly amused, while the others merely humored him.
From their conversation, Qin Yi learned that Xiao Guanpeng, now a senior doctor, had met Lin Fang through her passion for teaching.
Xiao Guanpeng had a much younger brother, Xiao Yapeng, a clever but mischievous eighth-grader. Spoiled by their parents, his grades had slipped in middle school. Unable to discipline him themselves, they hired a college tutor.
After moving to the provincial capital, Lin Fang had coincidentally rented a closed-down arcade near her school, converting it into a diner called “Colorful Star Eatery,” staffed by fellow students and chefs trained by her parents.
One weekend, Xiao Guanpeng visited an old high school friend—also Qin Yi’s classmate—at the art college, bringing Xiao Yapeng along. His friend treated them to a meal at Colorful Star Eatery, where they found Lin Fang playing Go with a classmate. After watching her win several rounds, Xiao Yapeng challenged her—only to lose every game. Frustrated, he hurled a handful of pieces to the ground before Xiao Guanpeng stopped him.
Hearing the commotion, the chef rushed out, scoffing, “Our little boss may be a student here, but back home, she’s taught more students than you can count. You’d need decades to beat her.”
Xiao Yapeng, unconvinced, begged his brother to play. Even Xiao Guanpeng, once hailed as a prodigy, lost by a few points. Other onlookers took turns, all defeated.
Stubborn, Xiao Yapeng demanded Lin Fang tutor him, vowing to outsmart her. Whether he succeeded was evident from Xiao Guanpeng’s praise for her teaching.
Now ranking among the top in his grade, Xiao Yapeng obeyed Lin Fang unquestioningly—her authority far surpassing that of his parents and brother. If Xiao Guanpeng failed to deliver Lin Fang to school today, Xiao Yapeng would make him pay.
At the art college gates, Lin Fang and Shangguan Linqing got out near Colorful Star Eatery. She invited Xiao Guanpeng and Qin Yi for breakfast, but both had work—especially Xiao Guanpeng, who had to drop Qin Yi at the police station before heading to the hospital.
Once they left, Xiao Guanpeng asked, “So, what did you do to upset Miss Ji? Just days ago, Xiao Fei said Ji Xiaorong would follow you to the ends of the earth, but last night, my mom said she’s sworn to ruin you.”
Qin Yi admitted, “I’m just tired of it. After years of messing around, I want to settle down with someone.”
Xiao Guanpeng laughed. “So your two-year silence was soul-searching? Who’s the unlucky girl? Let me vet her for you.”
“You know her,” Qin Yi said slowly. “We’ll be rivals.”
The car screeched to a halt. Xiao Guanpeng stared at him. “Don’t tell me it’s Teacher Lin.”
“Yes,” Qin Yi said firmly. “It’s her.”
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