Apart from the key notes she had compiled overnight, she planned to return all the borrowed books.
Old Madam Zhang had always cherished these materials greatly; it was only because she saw that Song Qinghuan was truly a gifted student of medicine that she had willingly passed on all her treasured collections.
Song Qinghuan knew this full well, and was deeply grateful.
But for now, there was little she could do. The only way to properly repay the old lady was to secure a stable position as soon as possible – perhaps a bright future would be the best repayment of all.
In her previous life, she had lost her job unexpectedly. After marriage, she had stayed home to tend to her husband and child, completely losing her sense of self-worth in society.
Old Madam Zhang had been exasperated by her choices. In the beginning, she had visited their home many times, sometimes speaking sharply – but only because she wanted to jolt Song Qinghuan out of her stupor.
“I cannot say much about what kind of man Lu Qiming is,” she had said, “but aren’t you afraid you’re throwing away your future? Do you have any idea how many people would give anything for the talents you possess? You want to be a good wife and a good mistress of the house – but tell me, when was the last time you didn’t have to bow and scrape every single day?”
Old Madam Zhang spoke with deep sorrow, her eyes filled with regret over such wasted potential every time she brought this up.
Back then, Song Qinghuan had brushed it off with a smile, handing her a cup of tea. “Teacher Zhang, I know you mean well. But I think my life now isn’t so bad. Hospital work is hard and tiring – and look at me, I don’t have to do anything at all. A bright future matters, but isn’t managing a household well also a way to show my worth?”
She had received so little affection growing up that the slightest bit of kindness from Lu Qiming had made her believe, without a doubt, that it was love.
Hearing this, Old Madam Zhang could only sigh helplessly.
She had long seen that Lu Qiming and Song Qinghuan were wrong for each other. Song Qinghuan was too innocent, and her family had never given her much warmth.
With such gifts, she could have forged her own path through hard work – but not everyone can defy fate.
She had pleaded and scolded until her throat was dry, yet Song Qinghuan would not listen. She was too deeply lost in her delusion. As the saying goes: He who touches vermilion becomes red; he who touches ink becomes black. No matter what anyone said, it went in one ear and out the other.
Old Madam Zhang shook her head. “I could say this a thousand times, ten thousand times – and you still wouldn’t care. Let life teach you. Words cannot teach a man what experience can teach him in one lesson.”
Even now, those words rang clearly in Song Qinghuan’s ears.
And indeed, the old lady had been right.
One has to hit a wall before they know to turn back.
Even when she finally woke up to the truth, she had been too ashamed to face Old Madam Zhang again.
It had been years since they last met. Now, given a second chance, Song Qinghuan’s heart was filled with countless thoughts. But one thing was certain: she would never again put her fate in anyone else’s hands.
With her plan to return the books set, she carefully packed them into her bag, opened the door, and climbed onto the family’s only worn-out Phoenix-brand bicycle.
Zhao Yufang had been about to throw out a pile of dirty laundry when she saw Song Qinghuan heading for the bike. She rushed out of the house, her voice shrill as a crow’s caw.
“Song Qinghuan! You little hussy – have you lost your mind? That bicycle belongs to your brother! Put it down this instant!”
There was only one bicycle in the house. Though old, it was treated like a treasure. Even Song Shouyang was rarely allowed to ride it to work – mostly it was brought out for holidays or visits to relatives, just to keep up appearances. Song Yunfei, on the other hand, had full control over it whenever he pleased.
Song Qinghuan ignored Zhao Yufang’s squawking completely. She swung one leg over the seat, pushed off hard with the other, and sped away – leaving the noise and shouts far behind her.
Zhao Yufang stormed out into the yard, fuming. “Song Qinghuan! You’ve got some nerve! If you so much as scratch the paint on that bike, I’ll skin you alive when you get back!”
Her voice was loud, but Song Qinghuan was already gone. All the ugly words faded into the wind, and for the first time in a long while, she felt free.
The spring breeze carried a faint chill. She leaned forward and rang the bell – its clear tone cut through the air. A crowd had gathered by the bridge, and both banks were bustling.
She slowed to a stop, one foot touching the ground. She knew exactly what had happened.
By this time, Lu Qiming must have fallen into the river.
She craned her neck to look ahead, half-hoping to catch a glimpse of him in his current state.
“Goodness gracious – he just fell in without a sound! The water’s still freezing this early in spring… even if they pull him out, he’ll probably be half-frozen to death.”
Passersby stopped to watch. Some shouted for help, but no one stepped forward. No one knew who the man was – and in these times, doing a good deed rarely led to anything good.
Song Qinghuan was about to pedal away, uninterested in the pointless spectacle – when out of the corner of her eye, she saw someone dive straight into the water.
She slammed on the brakes, nearly pitching forward with the sudden stop.
Staring closely, she realized it was Song Qiuya.
Thrashing wildly with both arms, she swam forward entirely on instinct – clearly no swimmer at all. Yet she paid no mind, even calling out loudly: “I don’t need any of your help! I’ve always had a kind heart! Don’t be afraid – I’ll get you to shore!”
Song Qinghuan froze, confused.
“According to the timeline, Song Qiuya should still be back in the countryside… why is she here all of a sudden?”
And just as Lu Qiming fell into the river, of all times.
She wasn’t sure – had her rebirth altered the course of events? And if so… would her own fate change as well?