The cafeteria was bustling with people, no different from its usual lively atmosphere.
Yet Xia Miao couldn’t shake off an overwhelming sense of unreality. She even pinched herself discreetly, wincing at the pain—proof that this wasn’t a dream.
But she had clearly been sitting in her office just moments ago. How had she suddenly returned to her student days from ten years ago? And why did she inexplicably have a boyfriend now?
"Miao Miao, do you not have an appetite?"
The boy sat beside her, close enough that she could feel his presence. He knew her preferences so well that he had picked out all the green peppers from the dish, leaving only the meat for her.
Xia Miao forced a smile. "It’s nothing. I’m just not hungry."
Shen Chi’s voice was gentle. "You have classes this afternoon. Won’t you get hungry?"
"Probably not."
Xia Miao wasn’t used to being this close to someone she had only just "met" today, yet her body seemed to instinctively lean into his proximity.
For her, it was a conflicting sensation.
Her mind held memories of two separate lives. In the first, she and Shen Chi had never crossed paths—she had simply followed the usual path of studying, graduating, and finding a job.
In the second set of memories, she and Shen Chi had met in the library. They were in the same major, close in age, and had naturally grown close.
Now, they had been dating for three months. In that time, they had done everything typical young couples did—every moment, every memory vivid and real, creating a stark contrast to the first life she remembered.
Because of this, Xia Miao often found herself lost in thought.
Shen Chi seemed to think she hadn’t slept well the night before. He took her hand. "Rest early tonight. Don’t stay up late on your phone."
Xia Miao wanted to pull her hand away, but an ingrained habit made her hesitate.
In the end, she only ate a little, and Shen Chi finished the rest. Holding hands, they walked down the tree-lined path, drawing occasional glances from passersby.
After all, Xia Miao was the school’s undisputed beauty. Ever since rumors of her relationship with Shen Chi had spread, people couldn’t help but be surprised.
It wasn’t that Shen Chi was a bad person—he just wasn’t the type to be overly warm or expressive. Xia Miao, on the other hand, seemed like the kind of girl who’d want to be treated like a princess, showered with sweet words. Shen Chi didn’t seem like the type to indulge in that.
Xia Miao stole a glance at him. There were so many things she wanted to ask, but she feared that speaking up would make everyone think she’d lost her mind.
And honestly, if someone suddenly claimed they remembered a completely different life, wouldn’t she think the same?
"Miao Miao, do you want ice cream?"
Xia Miao blinked in surprise.
Before she could answer, he said, "I’ll get it."
Shen Chi was a man of action. He ducked into the nearby convenience store and returned moments later, unwrapping the ice cream and handing it to her.
He had bought the most expensive kind—the one she always loved.
As Xia Miao stared at the strawberry-flavored treat, memories flooded her mind—Shen Chi buying things for her, but also the times she had secretly watched him working part-time at shops outside campus.
Shen Chi wasn’t well-off.
She hesitated, unmoving.
Shen Chi bent down, leaning closer, and pressed a hand to her forehead. "Miao Miao, are you feeling unwell? You seem a little off today."
Xia Miao looked up, meeting his gaze. His dark eyes were clear and bright, every spark in them reflecting her.
"Miao Miao, are you hurting anywhere?"
She snapped out of her daze, lashes fluttering. "No, I’m fine."
Shen Chi still looked worried.
Xia Miao took a bite of the ice cream, her eyes curving into crescents. "See? I told you I’m okay. I should get to class now, or I’ll be late."
Shen Chi didn’t press further, though he seemed to sense a new distance between them. When he took her hand again, his grip tightened slightly.
They walked in silence until they reached her classroom. Shen Chi ruffled her hair. "Miao Miao, I’ll come get you after class."
Xia Miao nodded and stepped inside.
Shen Chi lingered for a moment, frowning at his hand. Normally, his girlfriend would cling to his arm, refusing to let go until the last possible second.
Xia Miao took a random seat, and a girl immediately scooted closer, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "Miao Miao, did you and your boyfriend fight?"
Xia Miao had forgotten many of her classmates’ names, but in this second set of memories, she could still recall them. Yet no matter which life she considered, she would never forget this girl’s name.
"Gao Xiaozhu."
The bubbly girl blinked. "Why are you calling me by my full name out of nowhere? You’re freaking me out—I’ll think you’re about to pick a fight."
Gao Xiaozhu had been Xia Miao’s college roommate and one of her closest friends. Even after graduation, they had kept in touch.
Xia Miao grabbed her arm urgently. "Does everyone know Shen Chi is my boyfriend?"
"Of course! He’s crazy about you, and you’ve never been subtle about it. Did you expect it to be a secret?" Gao Xiaozhu tilted her head. "Don’t you remember? On the first day you two started dating, you bragged about it to the whole class!"
Xia Miao searched her memories—and sure enough, the moment existed.
"Wait, are you really having relationship problems?" Gao Xiaozhu said, playing devil’s advocate. "Shen Chi is completely devoted to you. If you dump him, he might not survive it."
Xia Miao raised a skeptical brow. "That’s a bit dramatic, isn’t it?"
"Seriously? You don’t remember that time a lunatic tried to attack you, and Shen Chi stepped in front of you? He grabbed the knife bare-handed! The wound was deep enough to see bone, but he didn’t make a sound—just held you tight the whole time. Do you know how many girls swooned over that?"
Xia Miao froze.
The memory surfaced—a gloomy, rainy day, a man with a knife demanding she go with him.
And then Shen Chi, tall and unyielding, seizing the blade and shielding her in his arms.
She could still recall the scent of him, the sharp line of his jaw as he held her close. In that instant, her heart had raced uncontrollably.
