No. 51 In This Twisted World
**November 29, 2015, Sunday, Rain.**
After a week of continuous drizzle, the sun finally peeked through the clouds today. This relentless rain has severely impacted Dad’s fruit business. Not only has customer traffic dwindled, but even the fruits that could usually be preserved have started to rot. And worst of all, the clothes hanging on the balcony never dry. If this continues, I’ll be forced to wear dresses at home.
I bumped into an elementary school classmate on my way back from training tonight. Maybe it was because I was wearing my Taekwondo uniform, or maybe it’s been too long, but he didn’t recognize me.
Thinking about it now, maybe it’s for the best. I’m not worthy of associating with such accomplished people. It saved us both from an awkward encounter.
I wonder what stories about the future my brother will tell me tonight…
**December 13, 2015, Wednesday, Sunny.**
It’s incredible! Last night, my brother told me in a dream that Lan Zhuoyue and Tan Lijiang would fight today, and they actually did! It even escalated to the point where the school administration got involved. It seems like they’ll both be punished. I hope they’ll be okay, although I don’t really like Tan Lijiang. He seems so arrogant.
But lately, I’ve noticed something strange about Lan Zhuoyue. Sometimes, he’ll be reading a novel in class, then suddenly fall asleep, his face pale and lifeless. I hope he’s not sick.
**January 9, 2016, Saturday, Sunny.**
It’s my birthday, but I don’t feel happy at all.
The monthly exam results are out, and as usual, they’re terrible. Dad scolded me harshly. I went out and played streetball with Hua She and Liang Zhenyi for a while. When I came back, Dad had already gone to the hospital to see Mom. No birthday cake, no presents, not even a single birthday wish. Hmm… I’ve been used to Dad’s indifference since I turned thirteen, but for some reason, the emptiness of our home fills me with a deep sadness.
I feel so useless, incapable of doing anything right. I’m slowly losing the will to live.
**January 21, 2016, Thursday, Overcast.**
My stomach hurts so much. Knowing this pain will last for a week makes me feel even worse.
My brother’s illness seems to be getting worse. He used to tease me occasionally, but now he barely speaks.
Hmph, serves him right. He always said girls have it easy. If he were a girl, he’d probably hate it even more than I do. Not to mention those weird monthly periods. Dad always says that even if I get good grades, I’ll eventually get married. A married daughter is like spilled water. And with my terrible grades, I might not even find a husband. He’s just wasting his money raising me…
Wait, what if my brother became a girl?
**February 1, 2016, Monday, Sunny.**
I did it!
I can actually switch consciousness with my brother!
At first, I just wanted to experience his world. I never imagined we would actually swap bodies. When I opened my eyes, I was in a dark hospital room. My body ached all over. I didn’t realize his illness was this severe. Even lifting my hand was a struggle. In that state of pain, I couldn’t even tell the difference between a male and a female body. And based on his memories, his illness seemed incurable. The doctor said the surgery had less than a one percent chance of success.
When we switched back, my stupid brother didn’t even realize he had been in my body. He was still his usual clueless self. It made me wonder if it was all just a dream. But when I asked him if there was a vase of lilies by his bed, he confirmed it.
Well, there’s nothing left for me in this world anyway. I’ve tried to jump off the roof countless times, but I always chickened out. I didn’t want to burden others with my death. Since my brother said he had unfinished business, I’ll let him use my body to fulfill it.
It’s so strange… my brother is actually me from the future…
**February 2, 2016, Tuesday, Overcast.**
This is probably my last diary entry.
I researched it online. The brain can remain active for six to ten minutes after death. During that time, the person is forced into a dream state.
If I switch consciousness with my brother during that time, even if he figures out the method later, his body in that world will already be dead. My consciousness should dissipate along with my body, forcing him to remain in my body and live as a middle school girl.
So, I bought a lot of sleeping pills. I’ve been switching consciousness with him occasionally, checking on his condition.
Our situation must be unique to people from parallel worlds. Or maybe it’s because we have a special connection? After all, there are still many things science can’t explain.
Our final parting will probably be in a few days.
Brother… thank you for always being there for me. Yi Yao is a bad girl… please burn this diary after you read it…
…
I reached the last page of the diary, staring at the familiar handwriting, my heart heavy with emotions.
Yes, I had those memories, but whether my sister had deliberately suppressed them before she left, or perhaps because of the recent events, I hadn’t remembered this diary entry for almost two months.
I knew she had sacrificed herself for me, but I never imagined the extent of her despair. If I hadn’t found this diary while cleaning my room today, I might have buried this memory forever.
“Yi Yao…”
I stood up from the bed, walked over to the vanity table, and stared at my reflection. The girl in the mirror was me, yet I felt a profound sense of disconnect.
My phone rang.
“Hello…”
“Yi Yao, what’s wrong with your voice? Are you sick?”
Hua She’s concerned voice filled my ears.
I wiped my tears. “No, I was just lost in thought. What’s up?”
“We have a problem. Come quickly. It’s urgent.”
“What happened?”
“Remember the mayor’s request to see his daughter? Huang Zhiqiang, the one they’ve been talking about in the news?”
“Yes. Is the verdict out?”
After returning from the Air Force complex, Xiaodie had met with her father. I didn’t know what they had discussed, but she had been withdrawn ever since, locking herself in her room, refusing to see anyone but me. Even when I was with her, she would just fiddle with her unloaded sniper rifles, barely speaking. I was worried about her.
“The verdict is out. Death sentence.”
Hua She’s voice was urgent. “But that’s not the main problem. You were probably in class and didn’t see the live broadcast. They revealed a lot of evidence during the trial, implicating him in embezzling over eighty million yuan. They even presented evidence linking him to several child abduction cases. The public is outraged.”
My heart sank. “And?”
“And? Last night, someone started spreading rumors that there’s more evidence hidden in his home. Now, his daughter’s apartment building is surrounded by angry protesters. They’ve blocked all the entrances.”
“What?!”
I quickly changed into my outdoor clothes. “Where’s Xiaodie now?”
“She’s been holed up in her apartment for days, of course. Come quickly, Yi Yao. I think they’re about to break down the door.”
“I’m on my way!”
I hung up, grabbed my knives, put on my shoes, and rushed out of the apartment, dialing Xiaodie’s number as I ran.
“Xiaodie, Xiaodie, are you home?”
“Yes…” Her voice sounded tired.
“Why didn’t you tell me about this?”
I hailed a taxi and reassured her. “Listen, stay inside, don’t open the door for anyone. Wait for me, okay?”
“Okay.”
Her voice was unusually docile.
I arrived at her complex at noon. As Hua She had said, the building was surrounded by a large crowd. Banners with slogans like “Return our children! Down with Huang Zhiqiang’s lackeys!,” “Drive corruption out of Upper Capital City!,” and “Cooperate with the people’s inspection!” were draped across the trees.
“Yi Yao, you’re finally here! These people are crazy!”
The Black Dragon Society members, who had been waiting for me, swarmed around me.
“What’s the situation?”
“The building management initially refused to open the door, and there was a scuffle. But now it seems like they’re giving in.”
I frowned. “I don’t understand. Why are they targeting her apartment? What do they want?”
“They want to search her apartment. Someone online claimed there’s more evidence hidden there. These people are just riled up by the rumors. They’re saying they won’t leave until they search the place. I suspect some of them are just opportunists, hoping to loot the place.”
“Are they stupid? If they want to search the apartment, they should get a warrant from the court or the police.”
“Don’t ask me. The priority now is to get Xiaodie out of there. Once the building management opens the door, it’ll be chaos. It’s not safe for a girl to be alone in that situation.” The harsh sunlight cast a demonic shadow on Hua She’s scarred face. “We checked earlier. You can probably jump from the roof of the adjacent building to her building, but you won’t be able to jump back. You go up there, find Xiaodie, and come down the stairs. We’ll be waiting for you downstairs. I doubt they’ll give two girls any trouble.”
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