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“The clock that traverses time begins moving backward, returning to the moment I loved you, freezing in an instant of betrayal…”
As the alarm clock rang, Zhuang Zi’ang opened his eyes, staring blankly at his surroundings.
It was his bedroom—familiar, yet strangely distant.
He vaguely remembered using this song as his alarm tone last year, though he had changed it after growing tired of it.
Memories from a year later overlapped with the present, flashing vividly through his mind.
He stood motionless for a full three minutes.
Then, realization struck—“Dreaming of Butterflies” had sent him back in time. He had been reborn at the age of seventeen.
Pushing open his door, he saw his family of three already seated at the dining table for breakfast.
As always, no one acknowledged him.
Without hesitation, Zhuang Zi’ang strode forward and slapped Zhuang Yuhang to the ground with all his might.
Zhuang Yuhang lay sprawled on the floor, stunned. “You coward! What the hell is wrong with you? Why did you hit me for no reason?”
Zhuang Zi’ang sneered. “Do I need a reason to hit you? Just looking at you pisses me off.”
Zhuang Wen Zhao and Qin Shulan exchanged bewildered glances.
The usually meek and obedient Zhuang Zi’ang was acting completely out of character today.
Without waiting for their reactions, he grabbed his backpack and swaggered out the door.
Zhuang Yuhang remained on the floor, throwing a tantrum.
Facing the morning sun, Zhuang Zi’ang ran, his heart pounding.
He could hardly wait to see her again—the girl from a year ago.
Even though she most likely wouldn’t recognize him.
“Hey, son, why are you running so fast?”
Just as he reached the school gate, a familiar voice called out behind him.
Zhuang Zi’ang turned to see Li Huang Xuan munching on a jianbing.
Compared to a year later, he was slightly shorter, his hairstyle a little different.
But his carefree smile remained unchanged.
Zhuang Zi’ang’s eyes turned red. He rushed over and hugged Li Huang Xuan tightly. “Son, it’s so good to see you again.”
Li Huang Xuan shoved him away. “What’s wrong with you? Two grown men hugging in public—what if people misunderstand? How am I supposed to chase girls?”
“With your personality, do you even know what a girl’s kiss tastes like?” Zhuang Zi’ang teased.
Li Huang Xuan fell silent, momentarily speechless.
His lifelong singleness was brutally exposed.
Zhuang Zi’ang waved him off. “Help me ask Old Zhang for leave. I’m skipping class today.”
“Hey, why are you ditching for no reason?”
“Just tell him my period came.”
Li Huang Xuan, still chewing on his jianbing, felt a headache coming on. “Good for you, Zhuang Zi’ang. You just don’t want to go to school, do you?”
Zhuang Zi’ang jogged toward the eastern campus.
The seniors had already started their classes.
At the end of the fifth floor in the teaching building, he finally saw the sign for Class 23.
At the podium stood the elegant Teacher Li Junan.
Zhuang Zi’ang scanned the room but couldn’t find the figure he had longed for day and night.
Suppressing his disappointment, he approached a senior at the back door and asked, “Excuse me, where’s Su Yudie?”
The boy replied, “She rarely comes to class. You might find her on the playground.”
Zhuang Zi’ang sprinted down the stairs, instinctively heading toward the northwest corner of the basketball court.
And then—he froze.
As if struck by lightning.
Thank the heavens.
He could see her again.
Under the lush ginkgo tree, she sat quietly, untainted and serene, gazing at the sky.
Golden leaves drifted down, resting gently on her shoulder.
Zhuang Zi’ang dashed across the court, coming to a stop in front of her.
His vision blurred with tears.
“Xiao Yudie…”
The moment he uttered her name, his sobs became uncontrollable.
Su Yudie looked at the unfamiliar boy, puzzled. “Do I know you?”
Zhuang Zi’ang tried to steady himself, but his voice still choked. “Don’t you remember me?”
She studied him closely, then shook her head.
Her eyes were clear. Honest.
Though he had expected this answer, hearing it still shattered him.
Su Yudie handed him a tissue. “Hey, you’re a big guy—aren’t you embarrassed, crying like this?”
Zhuang Zi’ang took the tissue, wiping away his tears. He took a deep breath before introducing himself.
“I’m Zhuang Zi’ang. I came from the western campus, and I’m seventeen. Can we be friends?”
Su Yudie frowned slightly. “That’s such a cheesy pickup line.”
With her looks, boys approached her all the time.
To her, Zhuang Zi’ang seemed like just another bold junior.
He had so much to say, but no idea where to start.
Finally, he hesitated before asking, “Can I buy you something to eat? There’s a snack shop that sells amazing potatoes.”
“Sure, I love potatoes!”
Her answer came surprisingly fast.
Perhaps, some people are just destined to feel an instant connection.
They slipped out of the school unnoticed.
But there was no stall selling potatoes.
Zhuang Zi’ang realized it probably wouldn’t open for a few more months.
Turning to her, he asked, “How about a Coke? Coke or Pepsi?”
Su Yudie was stunned.
That was her usual phrase—yet it had come from this boy she had just met.
“Forget it,” he said, heading straight to a convenience store. “You probably prefer Coke.”
Su Yudie watched him walk away, a strange feeling stirring within her.
With cups of Coke in hand, they devoured snacks from one end of the street to the other like starving ghosts.
She was surprised by how well he knew her.
Every snack he picked was exactly to her taste.
As they sat on a bench eating skewers, Su Yudie suddenly felt warmth trickling from her nose.
Bright red drops fell.
“Xiao Yudie!” Zhuang Zi’ang panicked, quickly handing her tissues.
She leaned against his shoulder, looking up at him.
“You still haven’t told me how you know my name.”
“I’ve seen you in my dreams.”
“What if…” She hesitated. “What if I can only be your friend for three months? Would you still want that?”
His heart clenched. “Why only three months?”
“Because I’ll be graduating in three months!” She giggled. “You really are a dummy.”
Her laughter was like a blooming flower.
But the boy turned away, silently wiping a tear.
If fate was unchangeable, all he could do was cherish the time they had.
As the night deepened, the 19 bus arrived.
Su Yudie waved. “Goodbye, my friend.”
Zhuang Zi’ang gritted his teeth. “Goodbye.”
As the bus carried her away, he walked alone, choosing a path destined for solitude.
For tomorrow’s reunion, he kept moving forward.
Even if one day, their farewell would be forever.