The Secret Realm of Time, His and Her Life Through the Changes

Before we knew it, it had gotten dark, the streetlights came on, and the dim yellow light shone through the swaying branches onto the octagonal pavilion, making the already simple pavilion seem somewhat mysterious.

Wang Jie wiped his hands with a napkin, then leaned against a pillar with one hand, looked up, and focused his gaze on the octagonal roof.

The carvings and simple floral and bird patterns on the roof are faintly visible under the dim light, with smooth lines and lifelike shapes of flowers and birds.

Wang Jie doesn't know much about architectural art; he simply likes its antique charm.

“This quaint and elegant little pavilion is quite beautiful and cool. I used to pass by here often, but I never thought of coming in for a sit-down,” Wang Jie said.

"Then you're welcome to come and visit often," Jian Zheng said in a tone befitting a host.

“I come here often; this is my secret base. I found it first, and if anyone's going to invite Teacher Wang, it's me who invites them, so it's your turn.” Zhou Yanruo looked reluctant, as if her territory was about to be invaded by some unknown beast.

"Public place, public place, even if you find it first, it's not yours. Hehe... Little sister, don't get it wrong, it's none of your business. What secrets do you have? Tell your brother." Jian Zheng got a little carried away and even called her "little sister" in a glib way.

Zhou Yanruo was displeased and stood up, knocking the steamed bun that Jian Zheng was about to put into his mouth to the ground.

"How dare you talk like that? Who's your little sister?" Zhou Yanruo said angrily.

Seeing that Zhou Yanruo was truly angry, Jian Zheng also felt that his tone had been too frivolous. However, still concerned about saving face, he refused to back down and looked to Wang Jie for help.

"Hey, you be the judge. What did I say that made her so upset? We're older than her, so calling her 'brother' won't hurt her."

"You like to talk nonsense, but don't drag me into it."

“Okay, so you teachers and students are united against a common enemy, right? Aren’t you brothers? You’ve been bunkmates for four years in college.” Jian Zheng said exaggeratedly.

"Alright, alright, I apologize." Wang Jie laughed and punched Jian Zheng lightly.

Then he turned to Zhou Yanruo and said, "I'm sorry, Zhou Yanruo, Jian Zheng isn't usually like this."

"Who asked you to apologize? You didn't say anything." Zhou Yanruo felt conflicted about whether she accepted or rejected Teacher Wang's apology.

"Oh, I almost forgot, what's the date today?" Zhou Yanruo suddenly asked.

"Number 20, what's wrong?" Jian Zheng asked, forgetting their earlier bickering.

"Oh no, oh no, 'My Fair Princess 2' premieres today!" Zhou Yanruo jumped up.

"Yes, it's premiering today. How could I forget? My beloved Princess Ziwei! I have to hurry back to see my Princess Ziwei." Jian Zheng said and left immediately.

"Give me back my Princess Ziwei! Bah! You don't deserve that title. Princess Ziwei belongs to Erkang."

"Teacher Wang, I'm going home to see Little Swallow." After saying that, Zhou Yanruo rushed out of the octagonal pavilion and ran away.

In the blink of an eye, only Wang Jie remained in the octagonal pavilion.

He shook his head: "Naive."

……

Wang Jie brought back a book called "The World of Five Dimensions," which he read while sitting at his desk at home.

He had actually read this book. At the time, he couldn't find a physical copy, so he could only read a pirated ebook online, and he felt quite sorry for the author.

It is said that because the author was not famous, his first book did not print many copies.

The truth came out today: a lot of copies were printed but no one bought them. Only a very small portion managed to reach their little book market. What about the rest? Did they really burn them all for heating and cooking?

Wang Jie found it amusing; by sheer coincidence, he not only came across the author's book but also helped the author write a synopsis to promote and sell it.

I'm busy every day now, studying, taking care of my grandfather, and working to earn money to prepare for studying abroad. Although it's tiring, it's very fulfilling.

Being Wang Jie is better than being Shang Yibo. If he doesn't consciously think about it, he's almost forgotten about Shang Yibo, forgotten about his former self...

Wang Jie was awakened from his sleep by a muffled cough. He groggily got out of bed and went to the outer room to pour his grandfather a glass of water. He carefully walked to his grandfather's bedside and softly called out to him.

Grandpa was coughing so badly that he couldn't lie down at all; he was sitting and leaning against the headboard, breathing heavily.

Wang Jie: "Grandpa, drink some water and suppress your cough."

"Did I wake you up?" Grandpa took a small sip of water from Shang Yibo's hand.

"Let's go to Xida Hospital tomorrow and get an X-ray, at least."

"Don't worry about these things, just read your books. I know what I'm doing."

"Grandpa, if I don't go to see a doctor, I won't go to study abroad."

"Wang Jie, cough cough cough..." Grandpa called his name angrily, followed by another violent coughing fit.

"Don't be angry, don't be angry, don't worry." Wang Jie patted his grandfather's back and said anxiously, "Grandpa, actually I'm not..."

Grandpa waved his hand repeatedly, indicating that he had something to say: "Wang Jie, you've always been good at studying since you were little. Now that you're going to see the world, you can't just say you're not going. Cough cough cough... could you get me the 'licorice tablets' on the table?"

Wang Jie hurriedly went to the table, found a bottle of licorice tablets, and handed it to his grandfather.

Grandpa put two pieces in his mouth, which relieved the pain a little.

He shifted and sat up straight, looking at Wang Jie, and said, "Wang Jie, you've suffered a lot with me. Our family is poor, but we're not inferior to others. Didn't you say you'd give me a good life in the future? I'm still waiting. Are you going back on your word?"

"Cough cough cough..."

"Grandpa, stop talking and rest for a bit."

"Take the fan to your room. I'm afraid of the wind, so I don't sleep with the fan on at night. Close the door properly so my cough won't disturb you." Grandpa waved his hand and urged Wang Jie, "Go to sleep now, you have to get up early for class tomorrow. I'll be fine after a short rest."

"Okay, call me if you need anything."

Wang Jie stood up and opened the window a little smaller so that the night wind wouldn't blow directly on his grandfather.

He returned to his room, lay on his small bed, and stared blankly at a hawk appearing in the dappled sunlight filtering through the ceiling...

I haven't had time to think about how I got here.

The opportunity has come by chance, but will it also return by chance?

Who knows, being Wang Jie is actually quite good. Whether he can go back or not, he doesn't care now, because he can't face those things and those people even if he goes back.

At least for now, Wang Jie has family and friends; he needs them and they need him in return.

As for Shang Yibo, he was a rich kid who was abandoned by everyone and had nothing but money.

Shang Yibo, no, now he should be Wang Jie.

Wang Jie has always lived a very difficult life, giving it his all. His positive attitude towards everything and his ideals that he strives for are truly moving, making Shang Yibo feel ashamed in the past.

He wanted to know more about Wang Jie's past, but he was also concerned about his grandfather's feelings and health, so he never dared to bring it up directly with his grandfather.

Sometimes, when asked too many questions, Grandpa would shake his head mysteriously, sigh softly, and then make an excuse to leave when it came to key information.

The original owner, Wang Jie, had incomplete memories, which sometimes left Shang Yibo feeling helpless.

The fragmented memories need to be pieced together and analyzed by Shang Yibo to get closer to the original state.

This was confirmed several times in front of Jian Zheng, and the same thing happened with his grandfather.

Jian Zheng was alright; he always managed to find his own answer, attributing it to temporary amnesia caused by a week of unconsciousness. But it was different with Grandpa. He would often look at Shang Yibo with a complicated expression and then remain silent.

Shang Yibo was torn about whether or not to tell his grandfather the truth: he wasn't Wang Jie.

But wouldn't Grandpa be sad if he did that?

I came here and became Wang Jie, but where did Wang Jie go?

Shang Yibo faced the same situation, and he came here. Where did the original Shang Yibo go? Is he still in the same place?

If they didn't return to their original positions, would that pose a danger to Wang Jie? This question had been troubling him.

He dared not take the risk until he had figured it out.

As he gradually came to a clearer understanding of his current situation, an even bigger question filled his mind: why had he traveled to this place, and to the year he was born?

What is the mystery behind this? Is it some kind of special arrangement in the dark, or did something happen in this place that year that is closely related to him?

Are you staying here as Wang Jie?

Completely at a loss, Shang Yibo gradually fell asleep.