Chapter Four: The Director?

After all the criminals had been apprehended, everyone retrieved their belongings. The bus had stopped not far from a village, and someone had already gone to report the incident; now they simply awaited the arrival of the police. As for the three criminals, they had been bound tightly, perhaps out of anger and resentment, so much so that marks were left on their arms from the ropes. No one felt any sympathy for them, and a few people kept a close watch to prevent any attempt at escape.

Standing by the roadside, feeling the waves of summer heat blowing gently past, Zhang Ye experienced a comfort unlike any he had ever known. Rebirth—what a miraculous word. Zhang Ye had never imagined that, in such a deadly situation, he would awaken, and moreover, awaken to find himself back in his youth, more than a decade earlier. It all felt dreamlike, as though he had been transported to another world.

Especially now—Zhang Ye touched his face, an inexplicable smile appearing at the corners of his lips, his heart brimming with a sense of liberation he had never before known. For others, this was merely a dangerous and thrilling journey, but for Zhang Ye, it was a moment that would change his life. No one could possibly imagine how much suffering and injustice he had endured because of that scar.

Now, everything had changed. Zhang Ye was still Zhang Ye, but his future would be fundamentally different.

"Young man, you really are remarkable—especially that kick. Truly impressive. What martial art was that?" Wang Yuxiu, a former soldier, admired strength above all. Though Zhang Ye was young, his skills had won genuine respect.

Accompanying Wang Yuxiu was a woman around twenty years old, whose simple attire could not hide her delicate beauty. She was the same girl who had nearly had her necklace stolen earlier. Clearly, Wang Yuxiu's earlier act of bravery had won her considerable admiration.

"Just some ordinary kicks; anyone can do it with enough practice," Zhang Ye replied with a smile, making light of it.

Since they had to wait for the police, Zhang Ye was in no hurry and struck up a casual conversation with Wang Yuxiu. Others came by as well, offering their thanks.

After all, both Zhang Ye and Wang Yuxiu had, to a great extent, saved their lives. But people these days were less inclined to formal gratitude, and pride got in the way, so most were content just to become acquainted.

Through their conversation, Zhang Ye learned that Wang Yuxiu was a demobilized soldier—an honest man from a poor family who, unable to find a wife, was now headed to Lihua County on a friend's recommendation to apply for a security job at the Puyin Hotel. Zhang Ye had heard of the Puyin Hotel—it was the only three-star hotel in Lihua County—and he wished Wang Yuxiu well, hoping he would find success.

At that moment, Zhang Ye noticed Yuan Yuqing, who had earlier been held hostage, standing some distance away on the phone. His heart skipped a beat. After all, very few people owned a mobile phone at this time. Even the bus driver, whose family was clearly well-off, only had a pager. For a young woman like Yuan Yuqing to own a mobile phone spoke volumes about her distinguished background.

Still, he kept these thoughts to himself, his expression revealing nothing.

Soon, the wail of police sirens could be heard in the distance.

...

"Director Yuan, I’m sorry you had to go through that!" In the police car, sitting in the passenger seat, Director Ye nodded apologetically to Yuan Yuqing. "I must say, I truly admire your quick thinking. Without your cooperation, we might not have captured the criminals so smoothly. I’ll make sure to mention that in my report to our superiors."

Zhang Ye was taken aback. Director Yuan? She was a government official?

A charming smile played across Yuan Yuqing’s stunning features. "If you want to thank someone, thank this young man. If not for him, I’m not sure I would have escaped from those criminals at all."

Ignoring Director Ye's slightly embarrassed expression, Yuan Yuqing turned to Zhang Ye, her smile radiant. "Thank you for saving me. What you did was amazing—so courageous. What’s your name? Which school do you attend?"

Yuan Yuqing’s gratitude was sincere. Without Zhang Ye, she might still be at the mercy of those criminals, her fate uncertain.

Avoiding the beautiful woman's alluring gaze, Zhang Ye managed a strained smile. "My name is Zhang Ye. I’m sixteen, a student at Lihua First High School." He paused, a touch of emotion flickering in his heart. He had thought he’d left student life behind after graduating from university, yet now he was to experience the bittersweet days of youth all over again.

Yuan Yuqing seemed surprised and smiled. "My niece is about your age. She also attends Lihua First High. Do you know Guo Xiangqing?"

The police car was cramped, with Zhang Ye’s backpack taking up space in the back seat. As Yuan Yuqing turned, her breath brushed his ear, soft and fragrant, sending a tingling shiver down his spine and turning his cheeks crimson.

Zhang Ye gave an awkward smile and nodded, no longer daring to meet the beautiful woman's eyes. In his previous life, few girls would even talk to him because of that scar, so he had little experience interacting with women.

As for Guo Xiangqing, naturally Zhang Ye knew of her. Having spent a year at the school, he had heard of Lihua First High’s campus beauty. But since they were in different classes, while he knew of her, she might not know him. That was the case in his previous life, and in this one too, there was little connection between them.

Yuan Yuqing seemed to sense his thoughts and said no more. Instead, Director Ye marveled, "Young man, you really are something. To face down those criminals all by yourself, with such courage and quick thinking—truly, heroes are made young."

Director Ye meant every word. In such a situation, who could have done what this boy had? Even he doubted he could have done as well, let alone at just sixteen.

Zhang Ye forced a bitter smile, a hint of melancholy in his eyes. "You flatter me, sir. Honestly, it was just a moment’s impulse. My legs were shaking afterwards, and thinking back, I’m still scared. I’m ashamed, really." He felt much more at ease conversing with men.

Yuan Yuqing giggled. "I can vouch for that—I was the one who helped him off the bus, wasn’t I?"

As he watched Yuan Yuqing’s playful smile and the mischievous glint in her beautiful eyes, Zhang Ye felt his heart tremble violently, his blush deepening.

Director Ye chuckled. "Is that so? But to be able to act like that, you must have some real skills. From what I’ve heard, it was a dangerous situation. It’s admirable that you stepped forward and took down the criminals so quickly—especially that final kick. That’s not something just anyone could pull off." His gaze grew even more meaningful.

Zhang Ye made up a story offhand. "Maybe it’s because I’ve trained regularly since I was five, always exercising with my grandfather in the mornings. I’ve always been fit!" He certainly couldn’t reveal he had already lived through this once before.

By the time they finished their statements, it was already after four in the afternoon.

The case was straightforward: three local thugs had committed armed robbery, and there was ample evidence and witnesses. Zhang Ye only needed to provide a brief account of what had happened.

In recognition of his actions, the police promised to help him apply for a reward. Perhaps it was due to the influence of Yuan Yuqing and her obvious status, but Zhang Ye was delighted. The reward was welcome, of course, but what made him happiest was that he had finally rid himself of the scar from his past life and could now enjoy the sunshine and all that life had to offer, healthy and whole.