"Xiao Lin, you finally answered! Were you gaming overnight at the internet café again?"
The girl's clear and lively voice came through the phone, making Lin Yu's heart skip a beat.
He glanced at the caller ID:[Younger twin from class – Chi Qingchi]
Then checked the time on the internet café's computer:[July 8, 2014 – 06:58]
What the—I've been reborn?!
Last night, 31-year-old Lin Yu had just finished overtime, finally starting his first weekend off in three months.He booked a "pure girl" service, popped a pill, and spent the night at a massage parlor...
Now he'd awakened—back in 2014, when he was 20.July 8th... it should be the summer break between sophomore and junior year...
Aunt Qimeng...Right!At this point in time, she hadn't committed suicide yet—Lin Yu could see her again!
"Xiao Lin? Hello? Are you listening?"
"On your way back, can you grab me an ice cream cone?"
"...Hello?"
Lin Yu ignored the voice on the phone. He hung up quickly and stood up, ready to go home.
Suddenly, a wave of dizziness hit him—he nearly collapsed back into the chair.Hands braced on the keyboard, several empty beer cans clattered to the floor.
"Did I drink all of that? Why so much last night?"
Just reborn, his mind was still foggy.Lin Yu didn't bother thinking further—he paid the bill and left.
Outside, the neighborhood felt both foreign and nostalgic.This was the area he once lived in with Aunt Qimeng for years.
Chen Qimeng, 35, had been Lin Yu's neighbor in his hometown.She and Lin Yu's mom were as close as sisters.
So naturally, Lin Yu called her "Aunt."Truthfully, with her looks, calling her "sister" wouldn't have been inappropriate.
After his parents passed away during high school, Chen Qimeng—divorced and living alone—took him in and supported him through college.
She owned a small three-story townhouse near Pingchuan University.It sounded impressive, but it was an ordinary house in a second-tier city with a crushing mortgage.
To keep up with the payments, she rented out every bedroom except her own and Lin Yu's.
Since she had high standards for cleanliness and distrusted men after her divorce,all the tenants were young women.
Chi Qingchi, the girl who just called, was one of them.
Even with the rent, she still had to use part of her flower shop income to cover the loan.Add in living costs and Lin Yu's tuition—it was tight.
Out of desperation, she had signed a partnership contract.
That contract later led to the flower shop's bankruptcy, the house being sold, and eventually—her suicide.
The one warm place in Lin Yu's youth had collapsed.
Now back in time, he quickened his pace.
The internet café was just one block from home—less than ten minutes away.
He entered the familiar neighborhood.That three-story villa in the sunlit first row was his and Aunt Qimeng's house.
Standing at the door, Lin Yu was overwhelmed.Nervous, excited—terrified it might all be a dream.
He opened the heavy wooden door. A gentle fragrance welcomed him.
"This scent... I'm really back!"
Heart racing, Lin Yu stepped inside.
Ding!System activation successful!
Lin Yu: "...!!!"
No way—cheat system unlocked?!
This had to be real.Everyone who'd read enough web novels knew: being reborn came with a system!
And sure enough, a mechanical voice followed:
[Welcome, Host, to the Hehuan Sect...]
Lin Yu: "???"
He looked around the apartment.Everything was exactly as he remembered.
What the hell did it mean—Hehuan Sect?
He stepped back outside and tried again, this time entering with his right foot first.
Ding!Welcome back to the Hehuan Sect.
Host: Lin Yu
Age: 20
Sect Role: Outer Sect Trial Disciple
Number of Partners (Spiritual/Physical): 1 / 0
Sect Contribution: -50 (Penalty for overnight absence and drinking)
Spirit Stones: 5
Current Quests: 3
Status Effects:– Hangover (Agility -20%)– Longing from Acting Sect Leader (All Attributes +2%)
Reminder:Unfinished quests detected. Completing them will earn contribution points, spirit stones, physical rewards, status bonuses, and more.
Note:Contribution points are used for lottery draws.Spirit stones can be spent in the system shop or exchanged for real-world currency.
Lin Yu stared, dumbfounded.
This was his familiar apartment, yet the system insisted he was in some sect?
And worse—he was just a trial disciple?
Shouldn't he be the sect leader at least?!
"Xiao Yu, you're back."
"Where were you so early? I thought you were still sleeping."
"Perfect timing—I just made some congee and egg pancakes. Come eat breakfast with me."
From the dining room ahead, a woman peeked out, holding a ladle.She wore a pale blue nightdress under a frilly apron.
Her figure was curvy and striking.Even without makeup, her natural beauty stood out.
Bathed in morning light, her fair skin seemed to glow.
But the most eye-catching part was her eyes—bright, expressive, and... a bit clueless.
Lin Yu never noticed this before, but now he realized:Aunt Qimeng had the kind of face that made people want to spoil her.
Suppressing the emotion of reunion, he changed into slippers and replied:
"Aunt Qimeng, is that red bean congee today?"
Her eyes lit up. She smiled gently."Xiao Yu, you really have a sharp nose. You could smell it?"
Lin Yu smiled without answering and walked over.
To her surprise, he reached toward her face.
"Xiao Yu?"
She froze, unsure of what to do.
Then—he wiped off a mashed red bean stuck to her cheek.