Su Muqing had no memory whatsoever of Xie Liaoyuan.
After Song Ranran passed her the book, she carefully cross-referenced the characters with the original body’s memories.
In the end, she realized she had only crossed paths with the female lead, Ye Jinchun, a few times.
Ye Jinchun was naturally warm-hearted, innocent, and always eager to help others.
But Xie Liaoyuan was different—calm, composed, and rarely speaking unless necessary. From the very beginning, he understood the principle of staying out of trouble and avoided getting involved in others’ affairs.
So why did Xie Liaoyuan know her name? Could he have been reborn as well?
Or had the rumors about her these past two days even reached the military compound?
Su Muqing grew wary and began to think carefully, though she maintained a polite smile on her face, revealing nothing.
“Yes, Comrade Xie knows me?”
Xie Liaoyuan studied her carefully through his glasses, his gaze seemingly scrutinizing. After a long while, he finally spoke:
“My father and your father, Comrade Su Wenxuan, were once classmates. When I was young, my family lived in the northwest and were neighbors with your parents. I often heard them mention your name back then.”
“When my father was transferred to Shanghai, I went with him to visit your home. At that time… you didn’t seem to look like this.”
Su Muqing was completely baffled. She searched her memories carefully but found no recollection of such an event.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t recall anything like that happening,” she said with an awkward smile.
Xie Liaoyuan continued, “It was about seven or eight years ago. Weren’t you called Li Meifeng back then? Why did you change your name back?”
In an instant, Su Muqing understood what had happened. She nearly laughed in frustration—it turned out there had been people who came to visit her, but the Li family, afraid of being exposed, had Li Meifeng pretend to be her instead.
“Comrade Xie, I have never used the name Li Meifeng. Li Meifeng is the biological daughter of my adoptive parents.”
“In their household, I was called Li Zhaodi. It was only a few days ago that I found out I wasn’t their biological child, which is why I changed my name.”
Across from her, Ye Jinchun’s eyes widened in shock. Xie Liaoyuan, too, seemed surprised. He repeated the name “Li Zhaodi,” his tone tinged with disbelief.
“Yes, that’s the name my adoptive parents gave me. Li Meifeng is their biological daughter, born just ten days after me. To outsiders, they claimed we were twins.”
Ye Jinchun covered her mouth, her face filled with shock and sympathy. Xie Liaoyuan fell silent for a moment before asking, “So, all these years, the things my father sent through others never reached you, did they?”
Su Muqing shook her head. She had no memory of any such deliveries.
Ye Jinchun’s eyes brimmed with pity. She asked, “So now you’re going to Beidahuang…”
Su Muqing smiled. “I volunteered to go. I only found out about all this a few days ago, and I don’t have a job in Shanghai anyway. I thought it would be better to join the production team, so I signed up.”
Ye Jinchun felt even sorrier for her, her eyes reddening.
“Well, that’s okay! The place where we’re joining the production team isn’t far from yours—just twenty or thirty miles away. We can look out for each other. If anything happens, just send word, and we’ll definitely find a way to help!”
She boldly patted Xie Liaoyuan on the shoulder, her enthusiasm and sincerity impossible to refuse.
Su Muqing couldn’t help but think that this girl had a wonderful personality, somewhat like Song Ranran.
Xie Liaoyuan also nodded.
"Thank you," Su Muqing finally said, "Don't worry, I'm fine. The Li family matter has been resolved. Once I reach Beidahuang, I'll start a new life. Everything will get better."
Ye Jinchun, however, was someone who acted immediately. She took out a notebook, wrote down her mailing address, tore out the page, and handed it to Su Muqing.
"I feel a connection with you. We're friends now! Once we both arrive, you must remember to write to me!"
Inspired by her enthusiasm, Su Muqing couldn't help but smile. She folded the address and placed it in her bag. "I'll definitely remember. Thank you, Comrade Ye."
"Just call me Jinchun!" she replied with a beaming smile, her eyes curving like crescents. "From now on, we'll all be comrades fighting together in Beidahuang!"
Su Muqing smiled along with her. Ye Jinchun's warmth was like a flame—pure and bright, making people instinctively want to draw closer. Such a personality, regardless of the era, would always be a little sun among the crowd.
"Comrade Ye and I are going to the same place," Xie Liaoyuan said. "Same address. If anything happens, please be sure to contact us."
Su Muqing nodded as well, though she couldn't shake the feeling that Xie Liaoyuan's attitude toward her was somewhat odd. Still, she didn't dwell on it.
In truth, even after accepting the addresses, Su Muqing had no intention of actually contacting these two.
Ye Jinchun was a good person, but Su Muqing knew her future life could only be grasped in her own hands. She understood the saying, "Distant water cannot quench a nearby thirst."
Just then, Lin Fang, who had gone to fetch hot water, returned. After introductions, Lin Fang appeared to be a straightforward girl as well. Unlike typical southerners, she was quite tall and spoke with a bold, confident tone.
As everyone settled down, Su Muqing leaned against the window, gazing at the scenery outside.
Compared to later eras, everything in this time seemed tinged with a layer of grayish filter. The train continued its journey, and the noise in the carriage gradually quieted.
This carriage was almost entirely filled with educated youth heading to the countryside. Their relatively higher level of education made the journey somewhat bearable.
Just as Su Muqing was beginning to doze off in this atmosphere, the familiar static noise of an old-fashioned radio tuning in echoed in her mind:
[Bzzz… Special lifeform detected…]
Su Muqing's heart tightened, and she instantly became alert.
The System?
[Bzzz… The target is identified as a high-dimensional natural affinity energy entity.]
[This energy can aid in the System's recovery… Host is advised to approach…]
Energy? What energy?
Su Muqing discreetly opened her eyes, pretending to stretch as she stood up and scanned the carriage.
It couldn't be the people around her—the System hadn't given any hints when she first encountered them.
Her gaze swept past a young man sleeping soundly across from her, past a few men and women conversing in low voices, past a female educated youth reading a book…
Until it settled on a young man two rows behind and slightly to the side, who had just stowed his bag under the seat.
He was a soldier.
Su Muqing could tell at a glance. Even while seated, his back was ramrod straight.
Though dressed in the popular navy-blue attire of the era, his hair was cut extremely short, and his build appeared much sturdier than the other educated youth in the carriage.
Almost the moment Su Muqing's gaze locked onto him, he suddenly turned his head. Their eyes briefly met in the air.
How alert!
Su Muqing's expression remained unchanged. She even offered a polite smile, as if she were merely an ordinary person casually looking around.
He also remained expressionless, nodding slightly in response to Su Muqing's smile before turning away.
Su Muqing withdrew her gaze, turned back to sit properly, yet her heartbeat inexplicably quickened.
It wasn't nervousness, but because the prompt in her mind suddenly became clear—the crackling static vanished, replaced by a distinct mechanical voice.
[Detected host has established a connection with a high-dimensional natural affinity lifeform.]
[Energy absorption channel established. Current Absorption Rate: 1 point/hour]
[Current energy value: 1/100]
Just a single glance, and the System began activating?