I can rewind time to prevent death

Chapter 310: Chapter 268: Sudden Shock (4200 words)_2

Zhao Zheng, He Bishou, and Huahua all remained silent, their heartbeats pounding like drums. As they stepped onto the staircase, although they were now very close to the woman, they dared not look directly at her, instead keeping watch from the corners of their eyes for any movement in that direction.

Only Yan Junze kept his gaze fixed in that direction.

As the four of them quickly ascended the stairs, the crouching woman twisted her neck as if her limbs were incredibly stiff, making a cracking sound as she slowly turned her head toward the stairs.

Yan Junze could clearly hear the chilling sound of bones grinding as he quickly pushed the three in front of him up the steps and into the dining hall.

He was filled with suspicion; the woman seemed to be a strangeness rather than a normal person. But why was she crouching, and why was her back turned to the outside?

The scene was very much like the first time he encountered the Lantern Woman and the way she appeared in his dreams.

“It can’t be that coincidental!” Yan Junze murmured to himself.

“Hey, what a coincidence!” He Bishou suddenly exclaimed at that moment, his gaze fixed on someone exiting the dining hall.

Huahua also said, “Zhang Ying, are you eating so late?”

The person was indeed Zhang Ying.

Zhang Ying also found it coincidental, nodded her head, glanced at Yan Junze, then turned to Zhao Zheng and smiled, nodding at him.

Zhao Zheng had been all smiles, about to speak when suddenly he jolted and looked over Zhang Ying’s shoulder.

Liao Jing approached swiftly, holding two cups of freshly squeezed orange juice, saying, “Zhang Ying, slow down. I bought you a cup of orange juice. Why are you in such a hurry?”

All eyes turned to Liao Jing, who paused, standing still, “What? Why are all of you looking at me?”

As she finished speaking, she suddenly noticed Yan Junze was there too, and the look of surprise in his eyes as he watched her.

Liao Jing immediately couldn’t keep calm, shivering all over, she stammered, “Yan… Yan Junze, why, why are you… looking at me like that? Is there someone… behind me? Or is someone… sitting on my shoulder? Male… or female?”

It was fine for others to look at her like that, but not Yan Junze, because in her heart Liao Jing was all too aware that Yan Junze had special sensitivity to strangenesses.

If he was looking at her like that, it definitely wasn’t a good thing.

Having just experienced the “The Eleventh Person” task not long ago, Liao Jing’s mind was still filled with shadows. Seeing Yan Junze suddenly staring at her like that, she was already terrified out of her wits.

Seeing her shake so badly, Yan Junze dared not show any more reaction, rubbing his eyes, he exaggeratedly said, “I told you so! I was afraid I mistook someone else for you, but it really is Liao Jing. Haven’t seen you in days, how did you lose so much weight? Hm, you’ve become prettier.”

Mentioning “slimmer” and “prettier” is usually a joyful thing for any girl to hear.

Liao Jing was momentarily taken aback, and the fear in her heart immediately lessened a few degrees.

By now, Yan Junze had already nudged the others, and He Bishou quickly reacted, following up with, “I was just saying, you really do look better.”

“No one is more qualified to speak about weight loss than me, Jingjing. Don’t listen to them, come to me tomorrow and we can chat about my weight loss journey,” Huahua added.

Zhao Zheng nodded, saying nothing, mainly because Zhang Ying was there, and it wasn’t convenient for him to join the others in buttering up Liao Jing, but the look he gave her also shifted away from expressing surprise.

“Why are you all eating so late?” Zhang Yingqi asked.

“Junze just came back to school today, we chatted for a bit longer,” Zhao Zheng explained.

Zhang Ying looked at Yan Junze, and they nodded to each other in greeting.

Zhang Ying said, “Well, take your time eating; we’re going to leave first.”

As she spoke, she took a cup of orange juice from Liao Jing’s hand and said to Zhao Zheng, “This is freshly bought, take it.”

“No need, you drink it yourself,” Zhao Zheng waved his hand.

Zhang Ying didn’t say anything more and left with Liao Jing.

Zhao Zheng initially wanted to escort them out but then several other people finished eating and left. With seven or eight people together, there was nothing to worry about.

Zhao Zheng just followed behind them, peeked outside from the dining hall’s entrance for a moment, and then quickly returned.

“Still there?” Fat He asked.

“Gone, saw nothing.” Zhao Zheng shook his head.

“The woman squatting outside just now looked so much like Liao Jing. Could it be that she only resembles her rather than being the same person?” Fat He seemed to be talking to himself.

“The person outside just now was indeed Liao Jing,” Yan Junze continued, “Didn’t you notice? Just now Liao Jing was wearing a pink shirt, jeans, and white sneakers, exactly like the woman squatting outside.”

“So which one is the fake?” Zhao Zheng suddenly felt worried for Zhang Ying.

“Obviously, the one squatting outside,” Yan Junze appeared thoughtful.

Now, it seemed that the woman squatting was imitating the Lantern Woman’s appearance. Only Yan Junze was clear on this since he had just had that strange dream.

And the appearance of this mysterious woman was most likely related to the Lantern Woman.

If so, the Lantern Woman in Yan Junze’s dream just now wasn’t merely a simple dream. It was highly possible that the Lantern Woman really had come in such a bizarre way.

But now Yan Junze was still guessing. He hadn’t figured out the method of the Lantern Woman, and how to deal with it might require some more time.

After ordering food and sitting down, He Bishou and Zhao Zheng went to get their meals, and Huahua sat next to Yan Junze, leaning in and saying, “Did you notice, Zhang Ying’s actions just now seemed deliberately done for you to see?”

Yan Junze was taken aback, “Are you talking about when she asked Zhao Zheng if he wanted orange juice?”

“And when she saw you just now, she purposefully didn’t greet you first, but instead smiled at Zhao Zheng, and only then turned to you.” Huahua analyzed, “Women, ah, might not like you as much as before, but since you’ve rejected her in the past, seeing you still makes her uncomfortable. That’s normal.”

“Speaking of which,” Huahua became somewhat excited, “I’ve already been approved to join the Rainbow Girls Friendship Association. In a few days, I’ll choose some good sisters to introduce to you.”

“Forget it,” Yan Junze quickly waved his hand, “My aspiration is to research magnetic fields and exorcism, nothing else matters.”

Huahua cocked her head and looked at him, “I can smell your lie. Is there already someone you like? You were making a particular phone call the other day, but it seemed you couldn’t get through and appeared very anxious, then you took leave.”

A few days ago, Zhang Xiaomo was trapped in Mo Family Village, and Yan Junze did indeed make several calls, worried for her safety.

“You should switch your major,” Yan Junze smiled, “Too bad Science and Technology University doesn’t offer Forensic Science, otherwise you’d be perfect for it.”

“Perfect my foot!” Huahua shook her head, “I wouldn’t do that kind of job that scares people to death. Anyway, if there’s someone you like outside, go after her. These days are weird; the world might end any day now. Love for a day is a day gained. We don’t need ‘forever and always,’ but at least… ”

Before she could finish speaking He Bishou and Zhao Zheng came back with their food, including a big bowl of hot and sour noodles, effectively shutting Huahua up.

After the four of them had eaten and left the cafeteria, they paid special attention to the area under the stairs, seeing no strangeness.

Zhao Zheng, feeling uneasy, made a call to Zhang Ying on the way back to ask about Liao Jing.

After a few words, a peculiar expression appeared on Zhao Zheng’s face. He seemed somewhat reluctant but switched the phone to speaker anyway.

Then Zhang Ying’s voice came through, sounding lazy as if lying in bed about to sleep: “You should head back and rest too. You’ve had a day full of classes, and played basketball at noon, don’t wear yourself out. Let’s have breakfast together tomorrow.”

“Alright, I’ll call you after I get up in the morning,” Zhao Zheng replied.

In full view of everyone, his response seemed somewhat awkward.

Huahua elbowed Yan Junze and whispered, “Why does she want Zhao Zheng to put the phone on speaker? Do you feel it now?”

“A woman’s heart is like a needle in the sea,” Yan Junze muttered to himself.

After saying that, an image of Zhang Xiaomo smiling sweetly and gazing at him appeared in Yan Junze’s mind.

He felt an unexplained warmth in his heart, as if it was very comforting. Yan Junze shook his head and returned to the dormitory with the others.@@novelbin@@

Those reading comics continued, those receiving packages did so, and those lifting dumbbells kept at it, while Yan Junze prepared to freshen up first. At this moment, his phone suddenly rang.

He looked at the caller ID and saw it was Zhou Dali. He answered the call, putting the phone to his ear before getting a chance to speak. Zhou Dali’s voice had already come through, low and bewildered, with a hint of unspeakable horror.

“Bao Jie… she’s dead.”

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