Chapter 284
Various probing, hesitant gazes landed on Xiao Jingxi and Yu Jinzhe.
The two instantly realized what everyone was thinking and sprang apart in a second.
With a pale face, Xiao Jingxi explained, “You guys are misunderstanding something! We just went over there to survey the terrain and accidentally took a fall. Don’t overthink it!”
Already furious because his scheme had been seen through by Xie Mi, then subjected to inhuman torment, and now misunderstood on top of it all—Xiao Jingxi nearly had a heart attack. He blurted the explanation out quickly, then went off with a grim face to pitch his tent.
Yu Jinzhe nodded in agreement with Xiao Jingxi’s words and also went to pitch his tent.
But clearly, no one believed that nothing had happened.
Since when could a simple fall leave whip marks on one’s clothes? Not to mention Xiao Jingxi’s wig piece was now standing upright on top of his head.
Lucky for him he hadn’t looked in a mirror, or else discovering that he had suddenly “grown” 5 centimeters taller might have made him ecstatic.
The bullet chat began turning it into a running joke, teasing relentlessly.
Soon, all the guests had their tents set up. It was ten minutes until midnight, so the next step was simply to sit quietly in their tents and wait for the meteor shower.
But the meteor shower didn’t arrive as smoothly as expected.
Although the news forecast had said midnight, when the clock struck twelve, the night sky was utterly still.
Five minutes passed. Ten minutes. Thirty minutes.
The people on site were growing weary, and the viewers in the livestream rooms were also getting bored.
[What if the meteor shower doesn’t come at all?]
[Very possible. Even weather bureau forecasts aren’t always accurate. Meteor showers are the same.]
[Seeing one at all is already great luck. It’s been over half an hour and still no sign—I doubt it.]
[So… did anyone actually see this meteor shower twelve years ago? I’m starting to think it was just hype.]
[Shiqing Mountain promo video?]
[I’m getting sleepy, guys.]
After rushing around all day, everyone was drowsy.
Not wanting to be labeled a tyrant who overworks his staff, Director Niu reluctantly gave a final word, “Alright then, let’s wait another half hour. If the meteor shower still doesn’t appear, we’ll call it for today.”
“Okay—”
Even their responses were weak and lifeless.
But the miracle never came. At 1 a.m., the night sky was still silent.
Director Niu helplessly announced the end of filming for the day. The staff shut down the cameras and went to camp and rest nearby.
Xie Mi glanced at Lai Bingxuan, who was already sound asleep beside her, then quietly slipped out of the tent.
Unfortunately, her body clock didn’t allow her to feel sleepy this early.
Still wide awake, she decided to find something to do. That was when she noticed Shen Moqing sitting alone on a large rock not far away.
He had his gaze lifted toward the night sky, silently lost in thought.
“Waiting for the meteor shower?”
Xie Mi walked over curiously.
When he saw it was her, a faint smile appeared in Shen Moqing’s usually calm eyes. He patted the spot next to him, inviting her to sit.
“Mm, I thought I’d wait a little longer. And you, Teacher Xie? Couldn’t sleep?”
“Not really sleepy.”
After sitting down, Xie Mi skillfully took a handful of sunflower seeds from her pocket and shared half with him, “Don’t just sit here staring. Snack on these.”
Shen Moqing chuckled, “Alright.”
So the two of them sat side by side on the rock, cracking sunflower seeds and gazing into the night sky, waiting for the meteor shower together.
Xie Mi wasn’t particularly interested in the meteor shower—she didn’t really believe in making wishes.
But unexpectedly, Shen Moqing seemed quite invested.
“Do you have some special wish you want to see fulfilled?” she turned to ask.
“I used to.”
Shen Moqing paused there, the corners of his lips curving faintly. In his eyes, fixed on the sky, shimmered a soft light.
“But now, I want to help someone else fulfill theirs.”
Help someone fulfill a wish?
Xie Mi was puzzled and was about to ask further when she suddenly heard a familiar voice.
[System: Are you sure you want to travel now?]
[Xu Shuangrong: Yes, now.]
[Xu Shuangrong: I want to travel back twelve years ago, to the day Liu Woxing attended a family banquet with her parents.]
[Xu Shuangrong: Since I can’t change Liu Woxing’s opinion of me, then to prevent her from siding with Xie Mi against me, the best solution is…]
[Xu Shuangrong: To create an accident in the past so she can’t attend the show as an adult—completely erase her from the main storyline.]
Xie Mi froze, whipping her head toward Xu Shuangrong and Liu Woxing’s tent.
The tent that had been faintly glowing just a moment ago went dark.
What had they just discussed?
What could’ve pushed Xu Shuangrong into suddenly deciding to time travel, and to hatch such an extreme plan—to erase Liu Woxing from the main line entirely?
No time to think—before her eyes, the scene began to change dramatically.
Not again. Seriously?
Next time, could they at least give her some warning before dragging her along on these trips? Did side characters have no rights??
In the last second before traveling, she heard Shen Moqing’s voice beside her.
“Does Teacher Xie really not believe in the rumors about the meteor shower?”
“…”
Then all sound vanished.
“Damn it, another ventilation duct?”
When the white light faded, Xie Mi found herself in a dim, narrow pipe.
For a moment, she thought ventilation ducts had become her personal respawn point—until she heard the sound of children playing outside.
She poked her head out and saw she was actually inside the tube of a playground slide in a park.
Children in school uniforms were running around. The uniforms looked familiar—where had she seen them before?
It didn’t take long for her to remember.
When Shen Moqing had taken her to eat at Xinghua Elementary, the kids had been wearing the same uniform.
So this was the park near Xinghua Elementary?
No time to waste—she had urgent business.
Xu Shuangrong hadn’t said exactly what she planned to do, but judging by her words, it was definitely something bad.
Twelve-year-old Liu Woxing was in danger. The priority was to find her first.
She had just crawled out of the slide when a thought struck her, and she quickly climbed back in.
Wait a second.
Last time she traveled, after meeting eight-year-old Shen Moqing, he remembered her for half his life.
Lucky for her he had a big heart and wasn’t spooked by her unchanging face over the years.
But if it had been someone else, they might’ve questioned their entire reality.
Better play it safe and hide her face.
She looked through her clothes for something usable and settled on her windbreaker—the one meant for mountain climbing.
She tore it off, pulled it over her head, then used a rock to cut out three holes for her eyes and mouth.
A perfect disguise.
Satisfied, Xie Mi stepped out of the slide again and scanned the children one by one.
Now then… where was twelve-year-old Liu Woxing?
