Star Eyes Beyond the Shores of Time - Chapter 5

 “Oh heavens, my damned Yin-afflicted constitution… does everyone who meets me end up suffering misfortune?”

“Please, don’t die because of me… You said you’d save my family… I’m sorry…”

In her dream, Tong Youxun tossed and turned, tangled in a haze of confusion and guilt. In the waking world, she was thrashing all over the bed, rolling and writhing like someone trapped in a nightmare—unable to wake no matter how hard she tried.

Thud! Thud, thud thud!

A series of violent kicks shook the wall next door, the booming sound sharp and grating enough to make anyone’s hair stand on end.

Moments later, the strumming of a guitar joined in, followed by a cacophony of off-key singing. What was meant to be a tender love song turned into pure chaos—each note stabbing the eardrum like a curse.

For anyone trying to sleep, it was torture. After a few more bangs against the door, Tong Youxun finally jolted awake.

“Wait—! I’m alive?” She blinked, staring into space. “That means… that hero actually saved me? And I’m eighteen again? Then… where are Mom and my little brother? How do I find them? Is this all a dream, or am I just regaining my memories bit by bit?”

The missing ten years in her mind—every time she tried to recall them, it was like a knife twisting in her skull.

Outside, the ruckus was growing unbearable.

“So noisy…” she muttered, sitting up like a spring-loaded doll. Her head still ached from the nightmare, and trying to think only made it worse. So, she decided not to. Marching to the door, she yanked it open and shouted, “Hey! Could you people not ruin the peace for once?”

Her voice was pitifully drowned out, no louder than a mosquito against the uproar.

That was it—Tong Youxun decided to put an end to this nonsense herself. This Qi Yuwei girl had gone too far. Such a loud, over-the-top confession was more likely to scare her crush away than win him over!

“Qi Yuwei loves you sooo much! Come on, open the door, little brother!”

“She’s ready to marry you, you know! Wouldn’t sleeping together be sweeter?”

“Come on out, handsome! Let’s fall in love already, hehe…”

More jeering followed, each shout cruder than the last. Someone began kicking the door again. The warped wood groaned under the assault, threatening to collapse.

If the guy inside really was asleep, he might soon have no door—or privacy—left.

Tong Youxun didn’t even know where the strength came from. She squeezed through the crowd, braced herself, and threw her shoulder against the door just as another kick landed.

The impact sent pain lancing through her chest, and with a thunderous crack, the entire door gave way anyway.

Clutching her chest, she gasped, “Great… took the hit for nothing again…”

She looked up, face pale with indignation. The mob—men and women of all kinds—stood gawking. How could there be so many people, and not a single one with a sense of justice?

She’d taken the full blow herself—if she hadn’t, they would’ve swarmed in like locusts.

“How can anyone sleep through this?” someone muttered. “Maybe no one’s home…”

“Outta the way, mutt!” Qi Yuwei snapped arrogantly.

“You’re trespassing in someone’s home,” Tong Youxun said weakly. “That’s… that’s against the law…”

Qi Yuwei sneered, eyes flashing with disdain. “Oh, please. What law? You can’t even talk straight, stupid girl.”

Then, a calm, steady voice cut through the chaos.

“You can either stand down quietly, or continue your unlawful trespass,” it said. “But be advised—everything from this moment on can be used as evidence. You are already suspected of illegal intrusion and intentional harm.”

Qi Yuwei froze mid-retort.

A man approached from the far end of the corridor—immaculately dressed in a tailored suit, gold-rimmed glasses glinting beneath the lights. His movements were refined, his aura that of a man accustomed to command.

The onlookers gawked. They knew that face—Gu Xihen, the golden lawyer whose name had become synonymous with victory.

He stopped before Tong Youxun, extended a hand, and said warmly, “Miss Tong Youxun, I presume? A pleasure to meet you.”

Tong Youxun, flustered and honored, shook his hand. “Yes… and it’s a pleasure to meet you too.”

Qi Yuwei snorted. “Hmph. Don’t get chummy, you two. You’re interrupting my livestream.”

Gu Xihen adjusted his glasses, smiling faintly. “Ah, thank you for reminding me. A neighbor downstairs recorded your stream, by the way. I now have footage of breaking and entering, harassment, and public disturbance. That’s more than enough to make sure you spend the rest of your life behind bars.”

The members of the Sun, Moon & Stars band exchanged nervous glances.

“Let’s go, Weiwei,” one of them whispered. “We can’t afford to mess with him.”

Qi Yuwei fumed, but in the end, she turned away, muttering curses under her breath.

They gathered later by the park fountain, tension hanging thick in the air.

“Weiwei-jie, this isn’t right,” said A-Ri hesitantly.

“What, you’re scared of that lawyer now?” she shot back.

“Yes—and we’re not even real quadruplets!” said A-Yue bluntly. “We’re four strangers pretending online! If people dig up the truth, our image is done for! Do you have any idea how sharp the internet is these days?”

Qi Yuwei’s eyes gleamed coldly. “Just once more. I need one last surge of traffic—then I’ll quit.”

A-Chen’s voice trembled. “And what about your stupid bet? You swore you’d kill yourself if your confession failed before the Qixi Festival. Do you think this is a joke?”

Qi Yuwei laughed hoarsely. “I’ve got nothing left to lose. I’m not afraid of death.”

“Death means you’ll be gone forever!” A-Chen roared. “You’ll vanish without a trace—even the one you love won’t remember you! You’re only hurting yourself—and the people who care about you!”

Something in his tone struck her. For a moment, her smile faltered.

“You’re right,” she whispered bitterly. “He hates me. But at least this way, I’ll profit from it. If he wants to kill me, even better—then maybe he’ll follow me to hell.”

Her voice cracked, eyes wild. “You don’t understand! He’s not like other people. He’s cold, untouchable—like an immortal who doesn’t belong to this world! Even if the whole internet cursed him, he’d never flinch. I went mad loving someone like that. I don’t care if I look like a fool—as long as I can confess to him properly once before I die, it’ll be worth it.”

A-Chen slammed his fist against the bench. “You’re insane! We’re your family, and you’re living in that moldy dump just to stalk him! You don’t care about any of us!”

Qi Yuwei’s gaze dimmed. “I’ve got no one left to care about me. My parents are gone. My brother’s missing. I’ve already lost my home… what’s there to fear?”

The others fell silent. Eventually, they left one by one, until only A-Ri remained.

He sighed softly. “You probably don’t know this, but A-Chen’s liked you for three years. He started this band for you—so you’d never sing alone again.”

And with that, he, too, walked away.

Qi Yuwei stood alone by the fountain, the evening lights rippling across her pale face. For the first time, she looked truly lost.

Then—her body convulsed. A sharp pain seized her chest, and bl00d spilled from her lips.

She collapsed.

—

Meanwhile, Gu Xihen handed Tong Youxun a business card.

“I was entrusted with your case,” he said simply. “If you ever need help, call me.”

Tong Youxun blinked in surprise. “I… I don’t deserve such kindness. But could I make a small request?”

She hesitated, then blurted, “Could you help fix my neighbor’s door? I live in 520—his room’s right next to mine.”

Gu Xihen smiled faintly. “Consider it done.” He made a quick call to the property office, then hung up.

As he turned, he noticed Tong Youxun sneaking toward the broken doorway.

“Don’t,” he said calmly. “Let him sleep. He needs it.”

She froze mid-step, scratching her head sheepishly. “Curiosity kills the cat, you know? I just… want to see what Qi Yuwei’s dream guy actually looks like.”

Gu Xihen chuckled. “Then either get a job or keep fantasizing—you can’t do both.”

After a long pause, she sighed. “Guess I’ll take the job. Can’t eat a handsome face, after all.”

He raised an eyebrow. “I can arrange one for you.”

“Really? But I don’t know anyone here. And I’m not even sure what I’m good at…”

“How about preparing seafood-based nutrition meals?” he asked.

“That, I can handle!” she said eagerly. “I grew up by the sea.”

“What else can you do?”

“Painting! I used to draw seagulls and shells when I was bored…”

Before she could finish, the maintenance workers arrived. The hallway was cramped, so she quickly offered, “Why don’t we talk inside my place?”

Gu Xihen smirked. “Are you always this casual with strangers?”

“Of course! I’m easygoing,” she said brightly, oblivious.

He studied her closely, amusement flickering in his eyes. “Small, round, long lashes… a bit cute, I suppose. Nothing particularly remarkable otherwise.”

Her face turned crimson. “By the way—you said someone asked you to help me. Who was it?”

He adjusted his glasses. “He wanted to come himself, but he’s too busy. Work, sleep, work again… barely has a moment to breathe. So he asked me to look after you instead.”

Tong Youxun tilted her head, confused—but didn’t press further.

“Anyway,” she said, “where’s the job?”

“Out by the west pier,” Gu Xihen replied. “A villa district called Yuhai Xiangshu. There’s a Mrs. Zuo Xiaotao—pregnant, craving seafood. You’ll be preparing her meals. Be careful, respectful, and start tomorrow.”

—

The next morning, Tong Youxun woke up with panda eyes.

Not from worry—but because Qi Yuwei had come back drunk in the middle of the night, crying outside that same broken door until the police finally hauled her away.

So much for a good night’s sleep.

Still, she picked herself up, determined, and headed toward her new job—unaware that her life was about to intertwine once again with those she thought she’d lost forever.