As Huang Jin walked through the school grounds, he couldn't help but overhear some of the passing comments from the students. He tried his best to ignore the remarks, but the words "He's so beautiful!" and "Wow, his face is a sin" echoed in his mind.
The attention he was receiving wasn't entirely unexpected. After all, in his previous life, he had been known for his exceptional looks. However, he didn't expect it to be such a focal point of discussion.
It was a reminder that even with a new chance at life, some things remained the same. People could be superficial and judgmental, and he couldn't control their opinions.
Disregarding his surroundings, Huang Jin briskly ascended the stairs, searching for the classroom section assigned to him. As it was the first day of school, numerous vacant seats were still available. His eyes fell upon a strategic spot at the back of the classroom, next to the window, offering a prime vantage point. Without hesitation, he made his way there, securing the seat for himself.
With three years before the impending apocalypse, Huang Jin realized that he needed to adjust his mentality from the horrors of that time. As hours passed by, he found himself gazing dazedly out of the window, marveling at the serene world beyond – a world devoid of the incessant growls of zombies that haunted his memories. He longed for the apocalypse not to occur, but deep down, he knew that hoping for such an outcome was naive. His powers had come with him, and now his only option was to prepare diligently for the inevitable – to prepare for survival.
School had finally ended for the day, and as soon as the teacher dismissed the class, Huang Jin wasted no time. He swiftly made his way downstairs and passed through the gym to hand over the medical certificate he had received from his dad earlier during their conversation. The Director had specifically instructed him to submit it to the gym teacher.
Despite the overwhelming feeling of aversion, Huang Jin was determined to adjust and cope until the apocalypse happened. He understood that healing from the pain of betrayal and the memories of his past life might be a daunting task, but he refused to succumb to despair. Clenching his fists tightly, he welcomed the physical pain of his bleeding hands as a reminder of his resolve not to surrender to his emotions.
Just as Huang Jin was about to enter the gym, he was startled by a sudden bump from his right side, causing him to stumble. However, he was quickly held firmly around the waist before he could fall any further.
A surge of dread coursed through Huang Jin as he felt someone tightly gripping his waist. His thoughts spiraled into chaos, causing his complexion to turn pale. He instinctively struggled against the grip, feeling panic well up in his chest and making it difficult to breathe.
"No.. no... no.. no...Don't please... please"
Huang Jin's voice trembled as he pleaded, repeating the word "no" in a desperate plea. His words were filled with fear and desperation, begging the person to release their grip on him.
Huang Jin's breathing was labored as he struggled to find his bearings and shake off the haunting memories. Suddenly, a soothing voice reached his ears, calming his racing heart. He looked up, his vision blurry and unfocused, trying to make sense of his surroundings. What he saw was a pair of intense, crimson eyes framed by sharp, sword-like eyebrows. The person had a flawlessly chiseled face, with thin, rosy lips and a sleek ponytail of obsidian black hair that shimmered with a hint of blue in the sunlight.
In an instant, Huang Jin's mind cleared, and he recognized the face before him with utmost familiarity. "Oh God, he's here. I've finally found him," he thought, overwhelmed with gratitude. The overwhelming urge to embrace the person and seek solace in their arms surged within him, but he restrained himself. In this life, Huang Jin knew that the person before him, despite their significance in his past life, had no recollection of him.
Huang Jin winced in pain as he made an abrupt movement, causing surprise to flicker in his eyes. The person standing before him was none other than the individual who had attempted to save him in his previous life.
"I apologize," Huang Jin said, trying to act casual and hide his emotions. Unaware that his true feelings were visible, he rubbed his red nose, trying to endure the pain. He felt the boy stiffen in front of him, and he could sense the struggle as the boy tried to escape from his arms. The boy's sword-like eyes clouded for a moment before he responded.
"It's alright. No one is going to hurt you," the man reassured Huang Jin, his voice calm and soothing. He gently hushed him, trying to comfort him. "Shh... shhh. It's okay. Everything's okay," he continued. "I should be the one saying sorry because I bumped into you. Are you hurt anywhere?" he asked, concerned about Huang Jin's well-being.
Huang Jin was familiar with this voice, always tender, filled with warmth and strength. It was the same voice that had constantly reassured and comforted him, making him feel safe during the dark times of the apocalypse.
"No, I'm fine. Thank you for asking. I'm sorry... I'm okay now. Are you here to see the teacher?" Huang Jin's voice trembled slightly, feeling a sense of coldness as he was released from the comforting embrace. He wrapped his arms around himself, longing to hold onto that feeling of being embraced once again.
"Hmm... Yes," the man began to respond, but before he could continue, he heard a familiar voice calling out him.
"Big Brother!" Xun Wen exclaimed joyfully as he spotted his big brother who was supposed to be stationed in A City as a soldier. He began running towards him, but as he got closer, he noticed someone else familiar – his best friend Huang Jin.
"Why are you here? Weren't you supposed to be in A City?" Xun Wen asked, his voice filled with curiosity and surprise. Then, unable to contain his joy, he turned to Huang Jin and wrapped him in a warm hug.
"Oh my, Ahjin, you're finally here! I've been so bored since I arrived. I couldn't find you all morning, and I tried calling you, but you weren't picking up. So I waited for you at the oval because I knew you'd be heading to the gym for the club. Where were you, huh?" Xun Wen exclaimed, his words flowing without pause.
"Xiaowen... I-I was at the Director's Office and then went to the infirmary," Huang Jin replied, unable to contain his smile and the tears of nostalgia welling up in his eyes. He was truly overjoyed to see his best friend again. He tightened his hold on Xiaowen's arms.
As Huang Jin listened to their conversation, he realized that Xun Wen's big brother was the same brother who had gone missing during the apocalypse. Was it just a coincidence? Huang Jin couldn't say for sure, as he had been reborn and couldn't remember everything clearly. However, knowing that Xun Wei was here, by his side, Huang Jin felt a weight lifted off his shoulders. He knew he wouldn't have any more difficulty finding his savior, Xun Wei.
Observing his little brother happily engaged in conversation with the beautiful boy, Xun Wei deduced that this must be Huang Jin, the best friend his little brother often talked about.
"I was informed by my mom that you're here. I recall that my friend is also teaching in the gym. And coincidentally, I ran into your friend. I'm Xun Wei, the older brother of Xun Wen. Pleasure to meet you."
As Xun Wei observed Huang Jin's heartwarming smile, he couldn't help but be delighted. The boy looked so adorable, and his eyes seemed to glisten with happiness. 'So soft' Xun Wei's hand moved instinctively to pat Huang Jin's head gently, marveling at how soft his hair felt. (a/n ML eating tofu)
Overwhelmed with emotions, Huang Jin fought back tears of joy upon reuniting with his best friend and meeting Xun Wei. He cherished the opportunity to have his best friend back in his life and felt grateful for finding Xun Wei so soon.