Irreversible - Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Little Poor One’s Military Training (Part 1)

Even with the motion sickness medicine, Little Gu Xizhou felt terribly dizzy for the remainder of the journey. Seeing her furrowed brows and pained expression, Su Zhiyi proactively offered her shoulder as a cushion.

Currently, Gu Xizhou was barely 1.6 meters tall, while Su Zhiyi was about ten centimeters taller. For the shorter girl, leaning against the taller one was naturally quite comfortable. With someone supporting her, Gu Xizhou slept soundly, nearly drooling in her slumber.

0820, residing in her mind, experienced everything in this world through her senses. The bus traveled along the asphalt road by the coastline, through gusts of sea breeze, and onto Haiyan Island. The sounds, the scents, and the temperature of the skin created a world that felt vibrantly alive.

Twenty years ago, after humanity built virtual network worlds, they had successfully constructed “real worlds.” Perhaps due to an algorithmic change, 0820 felt that this world was more authentic than any previous iteration. Especially the Su Zhiyi beside her.

As Gu Xizhou leaned against her in deep sleep, 0820 felt the continuous warmth radiating from the other girl and the cool draft from the air conditioner above. She truly felt that this was a living, breathing Su Zhiyi. If parallel worlds existed, perhaps in one of them, Su Zhiyi chose to attend No. 1 High School, happened to meet Gu Xizhou on a bus, and chose to believe in her, protect her, and stay away from Su Nanfeng.

But such a possibility was one in a hundred billion. Perhaps because the odds were so slim, 0820 felt that it was her Zhiyi choosing to help her. She firmly believed that this time, her Zhiyi was hidden beneath this young “vessel.”

But… what would it take to make her truly appear? Su Zhiyi’s subconscious was sealed off from 0820. The moment she chose to jump from the building proved she could no longer live amidst the betrayal, exploitation, and torture of the person she loved most.

0820 understood this clearly, yet she refused to be reconciled or give up. The only happiness she ever had in life was so meager; Su Zhiyi loved her so much, so why wouldn’t she let her have this? If they could accompany each other, interact, and reach a good ending this way, perhaps Su Zhiyi could let go of her pain, forgive her, and return to the original world.

Should she just let things take their natural course and observe how the “1022” versions of Gu Xizhou and Su Zhiyi develop? It seemed that 1022 Su Zhiyi had no intention of distancing herself from Gu Xizhou, which meant the young Zhiyi had developed a certain level of pity and affection for the young Xizhou. It was worth watching.

The bus soon crossed the peninsula highway, entered the restricted Haiyan Island, and reached its destination. Su Zhiyi patted Gu Xizhou’s shoulder: “Gu Xizhou… Gu Xizhou…”

Half-awake, Gu Xizhou rubbed her eyes and lifted her head. The surrounding students were grabbing their backpacks and disembarking. Seeing that she wasn’t fully awake, Su Zhiyi kept a hand on her shoulder and said softly, “We’re here. Let’s head down.”

“Mm…” Gu Xizhou rubbed her face and stood up with her bag, stumbling slightly as she left her seat.

Su Zhiyi quickly caught her: “Careful.”

Gu Xizhou bumped right into her shoulder and instinctively looked up. Perhaps because the sea breeze was so invigorating, Gu Xizhou felt that today’s sun was exceptionally gentle. “I’ll help you off the bus.”

Su Zhiyi laughed—a shallow, soft laugh, not as flamboyant as her usual bright smiles. It was the laugh Gu Xizhou “remembered” she should have, yet it was more dazzling than any beam of light. Gu Xizhou’s brain went completely blank; she suddenly didn’t know what to do with her hands or feet.

Su Zhiyi simply hooked her arm and half-carried her off the bus. Gu Xizhou felt light-headed, as if she were floating. As she stepped down the final stair of the bus, she tripped and began to fall toward the ground. Fortunately, Su Zhiyi was reliable; her hands pressed against Gu Xizhou’s shoulders, steadying her. “Are you okay?”

Gu Xizhou’s ears turned bright red. She hopped down the rest of the way and shook her head. “I’m fine.” She just had a racing heartbeat and felt numb all over.

The students of Class 17 were busy moving luggage, so few noticed this small interlude. However, Su Nanfeng, who had arrived earlier with Ding Yi, saw exactly this scene when she came to find Su Zhiyi.

Su Nanfeng’s eyes widened, and she shouted loudly: “Zhiyi!”

Su Zhiyi and Gu Xizhou turned in unison. At the sight of Su Nanfeng standing nearby, the color drained from Gu Xizhou’s face. Su Zhiyi, as if instinctively knowing Gu Xizhou was uncomfortable seeing her sister, moved to block her from view. She asked with confusion, “Nanfeng… why are you over here?”

Ever since her true face had been exposed to her sister and mother, Su Nanfeng had been exceptionally well-behaved lately, striving to be a “good child.” She walked over to Su Zhiyi with Ding Yi and said earnestly, “Your luggage is so heavy. I was afraid you couldn’t pull it, so I came to help you.”

Su Nanfeng’s arrival was like a piece of dog waste landing in a clean field; the students near Su Zhiyi instinctively moved three steps away, clearing a space around them. Su Zhiyi noticed this subtle change immediately. She looked at her sister’s slight air of sycophancy and sighed: “My things aren’t heavy. I can push them myself.”

Being rejected, Su Nanfeng’s gaze instantly turned cold and displeased. Her lackey Ding Yi chimed in: “Zhiyi-jie, Nanfeng is just worried about you…”

Su Zhiyi swept a glance over them and asked flatly, “Nanfeng, if you help me with my luggage, who is going to take yours?”

Su Nanfeng blurted out, “Classmates helped me carry mine.”

Behind them, Gu Xizhou rolled her eyes, thinking: That’s definitely not because they were kind-hearted; it’s because you were bullying people again. She shot a look of disdain at Su Nanfeng and turned to drag out her own suitcase.

At that moment, Su Zhiyi scolded Su Nanfeng: “Military training is meant to temper one’s will; do your own tasks yourself. Nanfeng, go push your own luggage. I don’t want your help.” Recently, Su Zhiyi’s treatment of Su Nanfeng had been as cold and ruthless as ice. Ignoring whatever Su Nanfeng thought, she turned away to find her own bags.

Just as Gu Xizhou dragged the last suitcase out and placed it by the bus, Su Zhiyi walked over. Seeing the massive 30-inch black suitcase, she said gratefully, “Thanks.”

Gu Xizhou looked at her own tiny 20-inch suitcase, then at the black monster next to it. “Is this yours?”

Su Zhiyi already had her hand on the handle to lift it. “Yeah, it’s mine. What’s wrong?”

Gu Xizhou shook her head, thinking it was nothing—she just wondered what was stuffed inside to make it so huge.

0820 scolded her internally: “So what if a little fairy’s suitcase is a bit heavy and has more stuff! And are you an Alpha or what? You just spent the whole trip sleeping on her shoulder; aren’t you going to help her out now?”

Gu Xizhou didn’t argue. After a moment of thought, she placed her hand on Su Zhiyi’s suitcase and looked up at her. “Let’s swap suitcases.”

“This one is very heavy and hard to pull. But since I’m short, it’ll be easier for me to push.”

Su Zhiyi looked at her in surprise. Little Gu Xizhou’s face was flushed red, as if she had used every ounce of courage she possessed. “You just helped me, so I’ll help you now. How about it?”

What should I do? Su Zhiyi thought. If I refuse, she probably won’t accept my help ever again. And her face is so red… like an apple. So cute.

Su Zhiyi didn’t think for long before saying readily, “Alright, I’ll leave it to you then.” She leaned down, grabbed the handle of Gu Xizhou’s suitcase, and walked forward effortlessly.

Gu Xizhou was relieved. She steadied the 30-inch trunk with one hand and pushed it forward along the asphalt. Beside them, Su Nanfeng was furious and utterly baffled. She pointed at Gu Xizhou and stomped her foot. “Zhiyi! Why did you refuse when I offered to push it, but you let that little shorty Gu Xizhou do it?”

Su Zhiyi stopped and glanced at her, her tone cold: “Nanfeng, are you tall?”

Su Nanfeng was momentarily speechless. “…”

Su Zhiyi said crossly, “Why do you love giving people nicknames so much? What a terrible habit.”

Su Nanfeng couldn’t defend herself: “I didn’t… I wasn’t…”

Su Zhiyi couldn’t be bothered with her. “Go push your own suitcase. Our class is about to assemble. I’m not talking to you anymore.”

Su Nanfeng was so angry her back molars ached. Gu Xizhou followed behind Su Zhiyi, buried her head, and pushed the suitcase forward. Hearing Su Nanfeng’s frustrated stomping, she felt a secret surge of joy. She and 0820 mocked her in unison in their minds: Serves you right!