She’s a Passerby, But Can See the Protagonist’s Halo

Yan's thoughts were unknown to Zhu Jue and Yan, who were still on the highway at the moment.

To avoid the massive holiday traffic on the freeway, the Extreme Racing Team only made brief stops at service areas for essential needs like restroom breaks, restocking supplies, and refueling. The drivers took turns resting and driving non-stop, heading straight toward the northwest.

It was a true race against time, day and night.

During subsequent stops at service areas, Yan and Zhu Jue would get out of the car to stretch their legs and use the restroom.

Although the car's interior was spacious, being confined to it all day still felt a bit suffocating.

When they finally arrived at their first testing destination, the Mengsha Desert, Yan almost did a set of calisthenics right in front of the car.

The massage chair in the car was comfortable, no doubt, but lying in it for too long made her feel like she was turning into a couch potato. She quickly got out to stretch.

This desert was a niche travel spot. Due to its remote location, limited resources, and lack of promotional funding, it attracted very few tourists.

For the Extreme Racing Team, which had rented a section of the desert for testing, the local tourism department was more than welcoming. The team, being a big company with deep pockets, had not only secured a large, exclusive testing area but also had local desert guides providing logistical support.

The desert's temperature fluctuations were extreme. Yan had asked Manager Li earlier, assuming that testing would be done during the cooler mornings or evenings. However, she was surprised to learn that tests would be conducted at various times, with terms like "thermal insulation" and other jargon making her head spin.

A good physical condition was essential for better performance. Yan was exhausted by the time they arrived, but the rest of the team seemed eager and ready to test the new vehicles.

After the long journey, the team checked into a pre-booked hotel to rest and prepare for the next day's desert off-roading.

To stay as close to the desert as possible, the team had booked the best hotel in the small town, which barely met three-star standards. Yan and Zhu Jue shared a standard double room.

Manager Li looked apologetic. "Sorry for the inconvenience," he said.

Yan waved it off. "It's fine, really. This is more than enough."

But the more she downplayed it, the more guilty Manager Li and President Qin looked. Eventually, Yan and Zhu Jue grabbed their luggage and hurried to their room.

After a shower, Yan sat on the bed, wide awake.

"I must have slept too much," she muttered.

With nothing else to do in the car, she had either watched movies or slept, completely disrupting her usual early-to-bed, early-to-rise routine.

Yan sent messages to her family and dorm group chat, updating them on her arrival. With her hair wrapped in a towel, she sat on the bed, lost in thought.

"What are you thinking about?" Yan was lost in her thoughts when Zhu Jue, fresh out of the shower, draped a dry towel over her pajamas and gently touched her semi-dry hair.

Yan tilted her head. "Nothing much. You're done showering?"

Zhu Jue, now in a matching puppy-themed pajama set—short sleeves and shorts—pulled out a portable hairdryer from his backpack. Yan obediently got off the bed.

In the cramped bathroom, Yan sat on the only chair in front of the mirror while Zhu Jue stood behind her, carefully drying her hair.

The hairdryer was loud, and neither of them spoke. Yan closed her eyes, feeling the warm air from the dryer, neither too close to her scalp nor too far away.

Zhu Jue's fingers lightly brushed her scalp and hair as he focused on drying it. The strong airflow from the dryer seemed gentler in his hands, softly caressing each strand.

Her hair felt fresh and clean, but the warm breeze stirred something in her heart.

When her hair was about 80% dry, Yan applied some essential oil herself.

Zhu Jue had offered to do it, but Yan had firmly declined.

It wasn't that she didn't trust him, but while drying her hair was a sweet gesture, applying oil afterward felt too much like a salon experience.

After drying her hair, Yan moved the chair outside the bathroom and perched on it like a little mushroom, quietly watching Zhu Jue wash their clothes in the sink.

Although the hotel had a shared washing machine, Zhu Jue preferred to hand-wash their clothes for cleanliness. The dry climate meant the clothes would likely dry overnight.

The shallow sink caused some water to spill as Zhu Jue scrubbed the clothes. He had taken off his short-sleeved button-up pajama top, leaving his upper body bare.

He quickly washed the four pieces of clothing and hung them on a portable clothes hanger in the shower.

When he stepped out, Yan stood up from the chair, her legs slightly stiff, causing her to lose her balance. Zhu Jue quickly caught her, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.

His broad shoulders, honed from long hours of training, felt smooth and strong under her fingers.

Yan's warm fingertips brushed over his well-defined abs, hard yet slightly soft to the touch.

Like a child discovering a new toy, she poked them once, then again.

Their chests pressed together, and Zhu Jue shuddered with each poke. Yan giggled mischievously. "So fun."

Her freshly oiled, silky black hair draped over her shoulders, and the warm, fragrant air around them felt intoxicating.

Zhu Jue's ears turned bright red. He bit his lip, his throat bobbing, and his hands around her waist stiffened awkwardly.

Yan stepped back onto the chair, holding Zhu Jue's button-up pajama top. She pouted. "Here, spread your arms—"

Zhu Jue followed her instructions, and Yan, standing on the chair, adjusted his collar and buttoned up his pajama top from top to bottom.

"Your abs are only for me to touch, okay?"

Her bright eyes sparkled against her fair skin. Zhu Jue, still blushing, carried her back to the bed and clumsily said, "You can touch them anytime you want, however you want."

Yan smiled, her eyes curving into crescents, and she pecked the corner of his lips.

Zhu Jue, trying to maintain his composure, tucked her into bed, moved the chair back, and cleaned up the bathroom, unable to suppress a smile.

Yan scrolled through her social media feed. Many of her classmates had already arrived home, and Chu Bingbing had reached Ning City. Those who hadn't managed to buy tickets were lamenting, while others who had rented cars were stuck in traffic. Yan clicked her tongue. The holiday rush was truly terrifying!

By now, the Extreme Racing Team's topic had fallen off the trending list, replaced by discussions about holiday traffic and travel.

She checked the team's schedule for the next day, which included a full day of testing. Meals would be simple, eaten in the car.

But this wasn't a vacation; it was all for work.

As she read the schedule, Yan's ears perked up at the sound of a commotion in the hallway, like people arguing.

"What's going on? Could it be the team fighting?"

Yan slipped on her shoes. The Extreme Racing Team's rooms were all on this floor. Could there be some internal conflict?

Yan and Zhu Jue opened the door and peeked out, only to find their teammates across the hall doing the same, looking like eager spectators.

The four exchanged knowing smiles, their expressions full of curiosity.

"Xu Jiaojiao, let go—"

"Su Nian is back. I need to pick her up."

"Our trip ends here."

When they heard the specific content of the argument and the voices, Yan and Zhu Jue's smiles froze.

[Rebirth Crematorium]

This was a halo Yan hadn't seen in over a month, and it suddenly appeared right before her eyes.

What the—?

Xu Jiaojiao?

Could they be mistaken?

But the glowing halo in front of her confirmed the truth.

Yes, her former desk mate had somehow ended up in this remote desert hotel.

The hot-tempered boy seemed to shove the girl, and Xu Jiaojiao stumbled back, falling to the ground. Tears glistened on her long lashes as she cried out in pain.

At this moment, she looked up and happened to lock eyes with Yan and Zhu Jue, who were opening the door on the side.

"Yan? Zhu Jue?" she exclaimed in surprise.

Yan: …

A cursed fate from the heavens—I’m coming for you, heavens.

There was no time to close the door now, and besides, how could she ignore Xu Jiaojiao in this state?

The two of them, still in their pajamas, reluctantly stepped out of the room. Yan frowned as she saw Liang Ruichi, the high school bully, standing in the hallway.

"Liang Ruichi, don’t push it too far."

To her surprise, Liang Ruichi’s face lit up with joy upon seeing them. "Zhu Jue, you’re here too? Perfect! Xu Jiaojiao is all yours. I need to go pick up Su Nian and take her home."

With that, he clutched his car keys and left. The members of the Yakuza team across the hallway from Yan’s room watched the scene unfold with expressions that screamed, "This is juicy!"

Yan clenched her fists, then helped Xu Jiaojiao up from the floor. Xu Jiaojiao was dressed in a snow-white gown, her waist-length hair as dark as crow feathers. The way she clutched her chest made her look fragile yet captivating.

Yan took a deep breath before speaking. "What are you two doing here? Did Ning Normal University let out early?"

"Ruichi wanted me to accompany him to a desert rally, so I took a day off," Xu Jiaojiao replied weakly, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Let’s talk inside," Yan suggested, giving Zhu Jue a meaningful look. She followed Xu Jiaojiao into her room.

Xu Jiaojiao sat on the bed, hugging her knees, while Yan sat calmly on a chair.

The tangled history between Yan and Xu Jiaojiao dated back to their high school days.

After being repeatedly overshadowed by the Tan family’s prodigies, Tan Xiaobao and Tan Dabao, in middle school, Yan decided to attend a prestigious international high school in Ning City with Zhu Jue. The school, often referred to as a "noble school," charged hundreds of thousands in fees annually and offered both international and domestic programs.

Xu Jiaojiao, like Yan and Zhu Jue, was admitted as a top student with full scholarships and tuition waivers.

For the first three months, Yan enjoyed the freedom of club activities and the absence of any "halo individuals" around her.

Her desk mate, Xu Jiaojiao, though small and frail-looking with her thick black-rimmed glasses, was kind-hearted. They quickly became close friends, sharing not only a desk but also a dorm room.

But Yan never expected that one day, after their midday nap, Xu Jiaojiao would wake up with a golden halo hovering above her head.

Yes, this was the third "halo individual" Yan had ever encountered in her life.

At that moment, she sensed trouble.

After all, the combination of rebirth and a crematorium was a rare one, leaving her brain frozen for a long time.

That afternoon, when Xu Jiaojiao asked her to take a leave of absence, Yan’s mind was consumed by the words "crematorium" and "rebirth." She wondered if Xu Jiaojiao had been reborn after her ashes were scattered in a crematorium. Was she possessed by a ghost?

Yan ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‍immediately called Tan Xiaobao and asked her to fetch two protective talismans from Baiyun Temple. As it turned out, the talismans had no effect whatsoever on Xu Jiaojiao.

In the days that followed, Xu Jiaojiao gradually transformed.

She pushed back her heavy bangs, removed her oversized glasses, and revealed an exquisitely beautiful face.

Her voice, once soft and timid, grew confident, and her movements became more graceful. She carried herself with a maturity that seemed beyond her years, often looking at Yan with a gaze that was almost maternal, as if she were an older sister watching over a younger one.

Before long, Yan noticed that Ji Mingyan, the aloof top student of their grade, Liang Ruichi, the school bully with a prominent family background, Wen Yu, the student council president, and even the young school board member, Mr. Shen, all seemed to have some connection to Xu Jiaojiao.

The gentle senior treated Xu Jiaojiao with care, the top student helped her with her studies, the school bully hovered around her, and the school board member even proposed increasing scholarships for their grade—benefits that Yan and Zhu Jue also enjoyed.

It wasn’t until much later that Yan realized the truth.

They were all looking at Xu Jiaojiao, but seeing someone else.

Su Nian, the eldest daughter of the Su family in Ning City, who had gone abroad to study.

Yan had seen Liang Ruichi corner Xu Jiaojiao, his eyes red as he said, "I’d give you my life."

She had also heard his cold voice in the school changing room: "Change out of that. If you wear a different dress, you won’t look like Su Nian anymore."

And so, Yan and Zhu Jue watched as Xu Jiaojiao became entangled with these four men from high school all the way through college.

Xu Jiaojiao enrolled at Ning Normal University, while the top student and the senior attended Ning City University, and the school bully went to Ning City Sports University.

If Yan and Zhu Jue had stayed at Ning City University, they would have had to share a campus with two of these men. To avoid further complications, they chose to study in Bin City instead.

But as it turned out, the key to their cursed fate lay in the word "curse" itself.

What a disaster!

Yan waited expressionlessly for Xu Jiaojiao’s inevitable tears. Cry, cry, let it all out. Women, cry if you must—it’s no sin.

Xu Jiaojiao sat with her face buried in her knees, feeling deeply embarrassed.

She never expected to run into Yan and Zhu Jue, the couple, in this godforsaken place.

Was it because she had provoked Liang Ruichi again yesterday, causing her accommodations to differ from her past life?

Today was an important day in her past life’s memories—the day Su Nian returned to the country.

Having lived through this once before, Xu Jiaojiao knew all too well.

The moment these men heard news of Su Nian, they would drop everything and rush to her side.

So she continued to play the role of the desperate, clingy girl from her past life, blocking Liang Ruichi’s path and refusing to let him leave.

The more she did this, the more he resisted, growing to despise her. But once Su Nian’s vacation ended and she left again, he would return to Xu Jiaojiao like a loyal dog.

The others were no different.

Most men were trash.

The more aloof and distant Su Nian was, the more they longed for her, itching to be near her.

But if, like in her past life, Xu Jiaojiao had been obedient and devoted, pouring out her heart and soul, it would have been like feeding her sincerity to a pack of wild dogs.

If someone asked why she continued to entangle herself with these four worthless men in this life, she wouldn’t know how to answer.

Was it resentment? Hatred? Disgust?

All Xu Jiaojiao knew was that she understood these four men inside out.

She wanted money.

Lots and lots of money.

In her past life, when she refused their gifts, they accused her of putting on airs.

But when she accepted them, they sneered, "You’re just after my money. How could you ever compare to Su Nian?"

From high school to college graduation, she had been entangled with them for over seven years. She couldn’t remember which stocks, properties, or funds had skyrocketed, nor could she recall the winning numbers for the lottery.

Coming from a poor family, she had been practically raised by these men in her past life. Once accustomed to luxury, she could no longer endure the frugal lifestyle of her high school days.

But these four men were all wealthy.

As for whether it was moral to take money from men, wasn’t her youth and genuine love worth something?

Xu Jiaojiao knew them too well—their temperaments, preferences, words, even the slightest changes in their expressions were all within her grasp.

So in this life, she continued to play the role of the stand-in, with one key difference: this time, she was the one calling the shots.

By mimicking Su Nian and appearing in their lives early, she made them feel guilty, compelling them to shower her with houses, cars, and money as compensation.

Every time Su Nian returned, it only fueled their obsession, and Xu Jiaojiao calculated her growing assets. At this rate, she hoped Su Nian would return a few more times.

By the time Su Nian completed her studies and came back for good, Xu Jiaojiao would have amassed houses, cars, stocks, and a hefty bank account, ready to retire in style.

Su Nian, don’t worry—I won’t steal your loyal followers.

Xu Jiaojiao only wanted their money.

Facing Yan, who looked genuinely concerned, Xu Jiaojiao felt a pang of guilt.

To deceive others, one must first deceive oneself. Over the three years of high school, Yan had helped her countless times, but to maintain her current persona, Xu Jiaojiao had no choice but to keep up the act.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she spoke. "Yan, tell me, what does Liang Ruichi really think of me?"

"Stand-in," Yan thought to herself.

But she didn’t say that. Instead, she delivered a familiar dose of heartfelt advice, speaking earnestly.

"Jiaojiao, life may have its order of who comes first, but who says the latecomers can’t surpass them?"

If Xu Jiaojiao insisted on suffering through this love, what could Yan do about it?

Xu Jiaojiao’s eyes welled up with tears. Yan was just so pure-hearted, always supporting her no matter what.

"If... if one day I make up my mind to leave, will you still support me?"

Yan put on her official "supportive friend" smile. "Of course."

"No matter what you do, I’ll support you."

In response to such a question, one couldn’t outright deny or fully affirm.

After all, this was the 1,328th time Xu Jiaojiao had declared she was leaving, yet she was still entangled with the four male suitors.

"Whoever you choose, whoever you marry, I’ll bless you. Because you’re my friend, and this is your choice. I want you to live a happy life."

"Whether you give up on someone or leave, I’ll still bless you, celebrating your departure from the past and embracing a broader, newer life."

Yan spoke sincerely; she meant every word.

For a friend so deeply obsessed with love, if she had to hit a wall to turn back, then let her hit it. Once she was battered and bruised, Yan would be there to help her heal.

If Xu Jiaojiao gave up, stepped back, and stopped clinging, Yan would be even happier.

She had always known that Xu Jiaojiao, after her rebirth, carried an inexplicable stubbornness.

Yan had never quite understood the meaning of the "crematorium" in the halo. Could it mean Xu Jiaojiao was burning her own life after being reborn?

Nightmares haunt people, and hearts have their barriers. When the time comes to break free, Yan would patiently wait for the flowers to bloom. That day would surely come.

At this moment, Xu Jiaojiao’s nose tingled with sourness, no longer feigning tears but overwhelmed by an uncontrollable surge of emotion.

Yan... her greatest fortune in this life was having a friend like her.

How could someone as flawed as her deserve such a friend? How incredibly fortunate!

To have a friend like this, what more could one ask for in life?

She quickly wiped away her tears with a tissue and shifted the conversation to Yan and Zhu Jue, her voice muffled with a stuffy nose.

Xu Jiaojiao looked at Yan, dressed in her white pajamas with pink stripes and a puppy print, her hair hanging loosely as she sat obediently on the chair. Her big eyes were filled with concern as she gazed at Xu Jiaojiao, who felt her heart, long frozen and hardened by her past life, begin to melt. Her eyes grew even more teary.

On the day she finally retired, she would give Yan a grand gift.

Thinking of Yan and Zhu Jue studying in Bin City, she asked with concern, "Yan, how’s Bin University? Are your roommates treating you well?"

Yan nodded. "Everything’s going smoothly. It’s great, and my roommates are harmonious too."

Though they were all "halo individuals" with their quirks, their temperaments were generally good. There were just occasional minor misunderstandings, like Ding Ling’s strange thought processes, but those were trivial matters.

"You and Zhu Jue are doing fine, right? If he gives you any trouble, you have to tell me, okay?"

Xu Jiaojiao’s eyes flickered. Having lived a second life, she had already lost faith in love. But over the past three years, with Yan and Zhu Jue by her side, she realized that pure love might truly exist in the world—it just didn’t belong to her.

She wholeheartedly wished the best for her dearest friend Yan, but since Yan had moved to Bin City, Xu Jiaojiao wasn’t familiar with the situation there.

"We’re the same as always," Yan replied with a smile. She didn’t elaborate, not wanting to rub salt in Xu Jiaojiao’s wounds by sounding like she was bragging.

Seeing Yan’s glowing complexion, Xu Jiaojiao knew she was doing well. She gazed at Yan tenderly.

If Zhu Jue ever made any wrong moves, she would never let him off the hook.

Noticing Xu Jiaojiao’s slightly swollen eyes, Yan got up from her chair. "I’ll get you a couple of eggs and see if there’s any ice."

As soon as Yan stepped out of the room, the sound of the hotel door creaking loudly caught the attention of others. Heads popped out from various rooms, including the ever-efficient President Qin, who adjusted his glasses to look at her.

Yan smiled helplessly. So, everyone’s here waiting for some juicy gossip, huh?

Spotting a staff member, she asked, "Does the hotel have eggs? And do you know if there’s any ice?"

"Yes, yes! We serve breakfast here, so eggs are definitely available. I also saw an ice machine," a young girl replied, quickly throwing on a sun-protective jacket.

"I’ll come too!"

"I know where it is!"

"Director Yan, let me show you the way."

As they took the elevator downstairs, Yan spotted someone in the hotel lobby who shouldn’t have been there—one of Xu Jiaojiao’s four suitors, the aloof academic Ji Mingyan.

At that moment, Ji Mingyan, looking travel-worn, was carrying a bag and asking the front desk if a young lady surnamed Xu was staying there.

Yan: ...

One leaves, and another shows up, huh?

And what’s with that 【Rebirth】 halo above your head? That’s never been there before!

She quickly grabbed her phone to message Zhu Jue and Xu Jiaojiao, then turned to head to the restaurant.

Just then, Manager Li, who had finished negotiations with local officials, walked back into the lobby. Seeing Yan in her pajamas, he looked horrified.

"Director Yan, if you need anything, just call me. Please, put on something warm—the air conditioning is too cold. You might catch a chill."

Manager Li eagerly offered his suit jacket, but Ji Mingyan, hearing the commotion, turned and spotted Yan. His eyes lit up as the front desk refused to disclose any information.

"Yan, where’s Jiaojiao?"

In an instant, Yan felt the excitement bubbling around her as the onlookers collectively sensed a major scoop.

She calmly avoided Manager Li’s jacket. "It’s fine, Manager Li. Thank you."

She really did thank Manager Li... oh boy.