Chapter Three: Reminiscence

Qin Yu remembered that in her previous life, when she woke up after falling down the stairs, it was December 1st, 2012. But last time she’d heard Xiao Meng say she woke up after being unconscious for three days; why had she been in a coma for a week this time? If that was the case, then there were only twenty-six days left before the apocalypse... In her past life, she had sacrificed everything for that man, who, with her jade pendant, flourished beyond belief, while she herself ended up dying, torn apart by the dead. Now, given another chance, she swore she would live better than anyone!

Wait—the jade pendant! Qin Yu quickly reached for her neck. Phew… Fortunately, it was still there. According to Li Mo, there was a vast space inside this pendant. She could use this time to gather as many supplies as possible—more supplies meant a better chance of survival in the coming apocalypse. But… how was she supposed to access the space? Damn it! Li Mo hadn’t told her… Qin Yu felt a stab of frustration. Having a treasure but not being able to use it, especially with the end of the world approaching, was truly unbearable.

Just as Qin Yu was considering whether she should recognize the pendant as its master with a drop of blood, like in the novels, the door suddenly opened.

"Xiaoyu, I brought you some porridge. Xia Cheng said you shouldn’t eat anything too greasy. When you’re better, I’ll treat you to a feast!" Xiao Meng’s sweet voice arrived along with the faint aroma of porridge. Qin Yu looked at Xiao Meng and nodded.

"Mm, he’s right." In truth, Qin Yu was starving. After experiencing the apocalypse, it had been ages since she’d eaten a hot meal. But she had to restrain herself. She didn’t know why, but she felt something was off about this second chance at life. Besides… that doctor…

"Xiaoyu, get well soon, so we can have fun together again. Xiaoyu, listen to me, just forget about that scumbag Li Mo. He hasn’t even come to see you once since you were hospitalized." Xiao Meng, distressed, watched her quietly eating the porridge. The fact that Li Mo hadn’t visited even once during Xiaoyu’s week-long coma filled her with anger. Wasn’t he just an illegitimate child? Who did he think he was…

When Qin Yu heard Li Mo’s name, her hand paused for a moment. She remembered now: the reason she’d fallen down the stairs was because a woman—madly in love with Li Mo and jealous that Li Mo loved her—had, in a fit of rage, pushed her during a quarrel. Li Mo loved her? What a cruel joke. Qin Yu finished her porridge and, touching her slightly swollen belly, sighed. How long had it been since she’d felt this full?

"Xiao Meng, I won’t think of him anymore, don’t worry. I’ll get well soon and roam the world with you," Qin Yu promised, but in her heart, she made a more solemn vow: this time, she would survive the apocalypse with Xiao Meng, never letting her die tragically at another’s hand as she had before.

"Mm, Xiaoyu, let me tell you..." Xiao Meng’s lively, cheerful voice continued beside her, but Qin Yu’s thoughts drifted to the Xiao Meng of her previous life.

When the apocalypse arrived last time, she and Xiao Meng had been together. They both awakened powers—Qin Yu with water, and Xiao Meng with fire, which was far more destructive. Back then, Qin Yu was obsessed with finding Li Mo, so the two girls fought their way through hordes of the dead. After finding Li Mo, Qin Yu devoted herself to him, while Xiao Meng constantly complained about him. Over time, the distance between them grew, until they were strangers. Qin Yu could still remember the look in Xiao Meng’s eyes—so full of disappointment and reproach.

Later, when she heard news of Xiao Meng again, she had already died, her body never found. The circumstances of her death were strange; it was said not to be the work of the undead, but of an organization. Beyond that, Qin Yu knew nothing. In her previous life, her position was limited, and her contacts few. Even at the moment of her death, she never learned how Xiao Meng had left this world.

In this life, she would never be foolish again—she would protect the ones she loved with all her might!