Star Eyes Beyond the Shores of Time - Chapter 3

Off the island—finally off the island.
And her mood wasn’t nearly as terrible as she had imagined!

A bright blue sky, birds chirping, flowers scenting the air. There was a ferryman waiting, and enough living expenses for a month. Compared with leaving the island, Tong Yuxun was far more afraid of drinking that potion meant to restore her memories.

With an oversized travel bag strapped to her back, she followed along step by step…

It truly felt like Columbus discovering the New World—ten long years gone, and the world outside had changed beyond recognition. Towering buildings like a forest of steel, sprawling ports thick with ships, strange new vehicles small and large, and in the distance, a highway interchange circling the city like a colossal serpent…

She had long dreamed of seeing the world. At this moment, how could she possibly remember the lonely old Master Xing left behind on Shadow Island?

Meanwhile, Xing Laoye was shivering as he swallowed a pill, curled up on his bed, sneezing hard.
“A-choo—! That damned girl! So much delicious food, all seafood… My gout is acting up… ah… ahhh my leg…”

He had sworn she would leave before she could curse him again—yet here he was, struck down in her absence.
A tragic fate indeed…

Tong Yuxun raised a hand and squinted toward the sun through the gaps of her fingers.
“The sunlight out here really is brighter… I’m free at last…”

As she walked, she observed the bustling port—fishermen counting their catch, piles of shrimp and crab leaping and scuttling across the ground, everyone busy in their own world.
Lively as it was—none of it belonged to her.

She didn’t even know which way was north or south. What would she eat? Where would she wash up? Would she be sleeping in the streets tonight?

“Old Zhang! How’s the catch today?”

“Fantastic! Later I’m delivering to that rich Tu family in the west villa district. The madam is pregnant, craving oysters and shellfish. I’ll send some fish too to make more money.”

“Hah! Big order, eh? Try to score more buyers in the rich district!”

“Ha! I’m just an old geezer—what charm do I have? Rich folks don’t even let me near their gates…”

“Oh? Then who’s your middleman?”

“A young lad who joined us a month ago as a porter. And I tell you, I’ve met all kinds—proper looks, heroic looks, delicate looks—but never have I seen someone this ridiculously handsome. Even in work clothes he looks like a star! No wonder he’s bewitched the rich ladies—each one ordering from me just to see him. And his strength—like a hero in ancient legends! They insist he deliver everything personally. Fortune fell right into his lap!”

“Old Zhang, you’re exaggerating again. Two shots of cheap liquor and your brain’s gone foggy, eh? Where is this mythical guy? I’ve never seen him.”

“He’s mysterious and aloof. Hardly speaks. Works or sleeps on that rock by the shore. Look—over there.”

Old Zhang pointed, and Tong Yuxun—idly listening to the gossip—followed his gaze alongside the man he was speaking to.

She didn’t know if it was the gathering sunlight, the edge of the wind, or the horizon of the sea—but in that instant she felt as if a moment became eternity.

There—lying casually on a stone—sat a lone figure.
Tall, well-built, outlined with a cool, distant elegance.
He didn’t seem to belong to this world—like something had shattered, and he had slipped through some barrier and fallen here by mistake.
An unreal existence.

A strange, aching sense of broken familiarity washed over her—tears flooded her eyes without warning.
She knew him…
And yet her mind was a blank sheet!

Suddenly, the fisherman’s companion strode forward and slapped the young man’s shoulder.
No reaction.
He tried again—still no response.
Another—still motionless.

The old man panicked—had the cold wind killed him? He shakily reached out to check for breath—

In that very moment, his arm twisted back, nearly dislocating.
“Ow—ow! Let go! It’s me, Uncle Zhang—time for deliveries!”

The youth sprang to his feet. Instantly, the two middle-aged men beside him seemed dwarfed by his height.

A black hoodie hid most of his face; only thin lips and a sharp jawline revealed themselves—cold, distant, keep-away painted across every line.

Tong Yuxun and the fisherman craned their necks—completely missing his features.

“Sorry. I fell asleep.”
Those low words brushed the air—soft, hypnotic, magnetic.

Without thinking, the three of them trailed after him.

Soon, Old Zhang realized something was off.
“You little girl—why are you tagging along? Men are going to work! Don’t you have any shame?”

Tong Yuxun blurted out, “I’m here looking for a job! I don’t fear hardship, don’t need pride or face—if I don’t make money because of such trivial things, how will I survive?”

“This is men’s labor—hard work! You’re delicate as tofu, what are you butting in for?” the companion scoffed.

Before she could even plead for that tall youth’s rescue—she was shoved so hard she fell flat on her face.
And when she scrambled up—the three men had vanished.

She sighed.
Better secure a place to stay first…

So she entered the riverside town—lined with shops, a KTV, a mega-market and a parking lot.
Plane trees shed leaves overhead.
A woman’s shaky singing drifted from a plaza nearby:

Hazy, blurred… as if another lifetime…
Regret unspeakable, heart shrinking in shock…

She recognized the song—“Blue and White Porcelain”—an old hit.
Was fashion really nothing but a cycle, looping back again?

She squeezed through the crowd of dancers to the front.

Onstage was a striking woman—crop top, belly piercing glinting, a model’s figure, flawless makeup. Her eyes shimmered, lashes fluttered, lips soft with a natural cupid’s bow.
Not the face of plastic surgery—distinctive beauty.
Her short chin had a delicate dimple in the center—an alluring “W-shaped” chin.

Tong Yuxun suddenly felt plain and dull in comparison.

The performance ended. The woman turned to her livestream camera:

“Hello, darlings, I’m your baby Qi Yuwei! Twenty-nine, still single and waiting for love!”

“That song was my confession to a man. I’ve chased him for a year—he’s never once looked at me. My heart has died… This Qixi Festival, I’ll livestream my desperate confession. If he rejects me—that day will be my memorial! Mark my oath in bl00d!”

With a dramatic flourish, Qi Yuwei produced a small knife and slashed her wrist—swift and fluid.
Gasps erupted—thankfully only a few drops of bl00d.

“No sincerity! You think that’ll summon him? If you want drama, make it real!” someone heckled.

“Yeah! And are you sure he’s even watching your livestream? Cause a real scene—call the police—that’ll be news!” cackled an old auntie.

“Qi Yuwei, your singing sucks anyway. Anything to get famous, huh?”

Tong Yuxun knew enough to understand—words kill just as surely as poison.

“Reveal the guy! We’ll help you track him down online! He can’t hide forever!”

“Why bother with such a coward? If it were me—”

“Be my woman and I’ll feed you well—live like a pampered canary—”

Voices boomed—ugly and cruel.

Human nature, laid bare.

Qi Yuwei gave a bitter smile and signaled for silence.
“It’s not his fault. It’s one-sided love. I moved into the unit opposite his just to watch him… Every day I check the surveillance to catch a glimpse. He’s never looked my way… If he doesn’t come home I panic thinking he’s with another woman… But he’s always alone. Maybe he never even noticed I existed.”

“Ridiculous—forcing a stranger to love you with a death threat?”

“Careful what you vow—karma listens!”

“Lucky bastard—being loved like that—”

Qi Yuwei suddenly brightened.
“You’ll help me, right? We’ll make it loud—make the whole world know! I’ll post his door location on livestream later. I live right across from him!”

“And when you go there—confess for me sincerely! I’ll shower you with gifts! Don’t forget to like and follow for more excitement!”

Tong Yuxun stared in disbelief.
If she were sincere—would she broadcast the man’s address?

Who wouldn’t be annoyed by that?
They weren’t even acquaintances, let alone lovers.
What kind of madness was this?

She was still engrossed in the unfolding drama—

Suddenly, her backpack tugged sharply.
Silently—someone slit a huge hole in it.
Her childish Pajama Dog sleepwear — fully exposed — and she didn’t even notice!

Then Qi Yuwei shouted from the stage:
“Thief! You—girl! Your underwear is falling out!”

Mortified, Tong Yuxun grabbed her clothes and stuffed them back inside.
Only then did she notice—the memory-restoring potion was gone.

They stole money and not the medicine? What kind of thief is that!?

But the culprit didn’t run far—he darted up the stage, snatched Qi Yuwei’s phone, and bolted, weaving through the crowd like a snake through grass.

Broad daylight. Cameras everywhere.
And he still dared?

Qi Yuwei was frantic for her expensive phone.
Tong Yuxun was even more desperate—her entire past was stolen.
If she didn’t get it back… she would remain lost forever.

So the two girls tore after him—

The thief slipped into a narrow alley.
Qi Yuwei froze.
“That’s the direction of my apartment…”

Tong Yuxun gasped,
“Stop… thief…! I can’t… breathe… Give it back!”

Qi Yuwei snapped,
“Why would he give it back?! Run faster!”

Tong Yuxun looked back—
“All those people… no one helped? Not even one saw?”

Qi Yuwei scoffed,
“Rich girl, just off an island? You don’t understand how cold the world is?”

“You’re really smart… I did just leave an island…” Tong panted.

“Move— Huh? Where did he—” Qi Yuwei blinked.
The thief led them into a shabby apartment… then vanished.

“He’s gone!!” Tong cried.

Qi Yuwei stormed into the building.
Aside from a dozing old guard, the place was silent—no sign of anyone passing through.

Tong Yuxun stumbled in moments later.
“Where did he go?” she asked, breathless.

“He slipped away! Meeting you is the worst luck of my life!” Qi Yuwei snapped.

Tong Yuxun looked around helplessly.
“Maybe I cursed Uncle Xing… and now I’m cursing others too. I’m the reincarnation of a bad-luck star… Uuu…”

Suddenly—
BANG!!!
The thunderous slam echoed through the damp hall like a judge’s gavel.
Even the sparrows outside leapt into the sky in fright.

“Who’s—what nonsense—!” The old guard jolted awake, soul nearly leaving his body.

Qi Yuwei snarled,
“Old Niu! Seriously? Every time I come home you’re either asleep or on your phone! Keep slacking and one call from me and you’re fired!”

“I’m old—this is just a welfare position! And nowadays who steals? Cameras everywhere—crime doesn’t pay—”

He was already rambling.
He never stopped once he began.

“My brand-new phone was stolen here. Pull the surveillance! Or I call the police and you’ll be arrested too!” Qi Yuwei barked.

“I lost something really important too…” Tong added timidly.

Qi Yuwei glared at her.
“One thief, one investigation! If we find one, we find both! Stop whining!”

The old man reluctantly pulled up the footage.
“Why weren’t you livestreaming at the park? Why here? Girl, you’re—”

Qi Yuwei shoved him aside.
“Less talking—faster—”

Then her eyes lit up.
“There! The guy in the mask—he looks familiar—
He put the stolen stuff in that drawer—right where you were napping!”

In disbelief, Tong Yuxun lunged to the drawer.

Her excitement plummeted to despair in an instant.

Only Qi Yuwei’s phone was inside.

Her potion—gone.