I'm Sorry

A moment of silence.

Cheng Mengxue lifted her head from Jiang Ran's shoulder and sat up.

"Probably," she said softly, an answer Jiang Ran also considered obvious.

He knew Qin Feng very well.

If their roles were reversed now, and Jiang Ran wanted to resurrect his father who died ten years ago, Qin Feng would definitely agree.

Not only would he agree.

He would agree without hesitation.

Because that's the kind of person Qin Feng was – resolute, decisive, loyal, and righteous, which was one of the things Jiang Ran admired about him.

But.

Jiang Ran didn't think he was disloyal or unrighteous.

He was just always very cautious.

Even though Qin Feng always said he was overly cautious.

His worries and concerns were always more numerous than others'.

If Qin Feng's father hadn't died ten years ago... but rather a month ago, or even ten months ago, he might have agreed.

Ten years.

It was simply too long.

Who could guarantee that the tornado of the butterfly effect wouldn't blow towards him, towards Cheng Mengxue, towards Qin Feng?

"Xiao Xue, actually, there's something I've never told you."

Jiang Ran looked up at the small blackboard.

On it was still written the string of numbers 289269426494642, and the code deciphered using the nine-key input method—

[Don't believe Ha]

"I've always felt that the last word 'Ha'..."

He said in a deep voice, "Refers to Qin Feng."

?

!

"Huh?"

Cheng Mengxue exclaimed in shock. She had genuinely never considered this:

"Jiang Ran... Wh-why would you think that?"

"I can't say for sure."

Jiang Ran shook his head.

"It's just a feeling, that from the moment I saw these numbers, I felt like they were reminding me, warning me about something."

"Especially after seeing the words 'Don't believe,' the first person I thought of was Qin Feng... I thought it was my future self sending me a text message, warning me not to trust Qin Feng."

"I know this thought is wrong, how could I suspect my friend? But, this has always been my concern, and it's also why I object to resurrecting Qin Feng's father."

After pouring out his true feelings, Jiang Ran felt much more relaxed.

On one hand, there was trust in his friend, and on the other, suspicion towards his friend, which had always prevented him from making a decision.

After a long pause.

Cheng Mengxue looked at him:

"Can I share my thoughts?"

"Of course."

"Jiang Ran."

Cheng Mengxue took his hand.

"Do you think Qin Feng is hiding anything from you?"

"No."

Jiang Ran shook his head without hesitation.

Qin Feng always said what was on his mind; he didn't hide anything from him.

Even the matter of wanting to use a spacetime message to resurrect his father wasn't really a secret; rather, it was a sign of his honesty when Jiang Ran asked him about his wish and he stated it directly.

Moreover, it was perfectly normal for Qin Feng to have such a thought.

Any other boy who lost his father at a young age, was bullied, and now had the ability to undo the tragedy and save his father... wouldn't they think of that first?

"Then do you think Qin Feng is secretly doing anything behind your back?" Cheng Mengxue asked again.

Jiang Ran shook his head:

"No."

Qin Feng was always open about everything he did.

He explained every detail of modifying the positron cannon without reservation, and secretly doing things...

To put it bluntly.

If Qin Feng really wanted to do something in secret, it would be incredibly easy.

He fixed the positron cannon himself, and only he could control it before the knob control panel was installed.

The spare key to the club activity room was hidden under the flower pot by the stairs; this was an old tradition of the Film Club, and they hadn't planned to move it.

The flimsy wooden door of the activity room had always been easy for gentlemen but not for villains... it was a piece of junk that could be kicked open with one foot, and the key was purely decorative.

So.

If Qin Feng had really wanted to secretly activate the positron cannon and send a text message to himself ten years ago, it would have been too easy.

Qin Feng could have saved his father, who died ten years ago, behind their backs.

But he didn't do that at all.

Instead, he gave the choice to the two of them, which was equivalent to giving it to Jiang Ran himself.

"Qin Feng trusts us a lot."

Cheng Mengxue continued:

"He also cherishes us. He could have secretly sent a spacetime message behind our backs, but he never did."

"I know."

Jiang Ran opened his eyes:

"But no matter what, I have to be responsible for the safety of you two."

He stood up, repeating the same old words:

"You two haven't actually experienced spacetime fluctuations, nor can you feel Worldline Jumps... that sense of powerlessness, passivity, and fear when facing the laws of spacetime, you can't understand it."

"Every time there's a worldline change, I'm terrified before I open my eyes, afraid I won't see you two again, afraid you might be backlashed by the spacetime butterfly effect."

"I really don't dare to gamble! Ten years is too long!"

Cheng Mengxue also stood up and smiled slightly.

Then with a "pop," she opened the head of the rice cooker Rhine Cat and took out a deep blue, round spacetime particle Rhine Cat, handing it over.

"What for?"

Jiang Ran was a little stunned.

"Here, I'll lend it to you for now."

Cheng Mengxue stuffed the spacetime particle Rhine Cat into Jiang Ran's hand:

"According to the spacetime particle Rhine Cat's backstory... this is something that brings miracles and strength."

"It sounds like you're talking about a magical girl."

"Hey, don't interrupt me!"

She stroked the spacetime particle Rhine Cat's electric-like fur, her expression gentle:

"It is said that this is a symbol of courage and bonds, representing the most sincere friendship and the ultimate trust."

"Naruto: Boruto?"

"Are you going to let me speak or not!"

Cheng Mengxue punched him:

"In short!"

She said indignantly:

"In short, like Qin Feng, I trust you, believe in you, and will follow any decision you make!"

"Haven't we always been like this since we were kids? I've always followed you around, and I go wherever you go."

"So, no matter what choice you make... I will always be behind you."

Cheng Mengxue blinked, starlight seeming to flicker within her eyes:

"I think Qin Feng is the same."

Two days later, the club activity building, rooftop.

Creak--

Jiang Ran pushed open the iron door of the stairwell and looked at Qin Feng, who was gazing into the distance under the setting sun.

This scene was just like more than ten days ago.

One person stood at the edge of the building, one person had just come out of the stairwell.

It was just that, at this moment, their positions had been swapped.

The setting sun cast Qin Feng's shadow onto Jiang Ran's body as he slowly walked forward.

"I've thought a lot these past few days."

Jiang Ran said as he walked:

"The butterfly effect that lasted for ten years, we couldn't have predicted it at all."

"And that string of mysterious numbers... those inexplicably translated words, we can't completely ignore this kind of hint, we should--"

Qin Feng slowly turned around.

Facing those expectant yet flustered eyes, Jiang Ran was momentarily speechless and choked up, unable to speak.

All his explanations got stuck in his throat.

Couldn't come out, couldn't be swallowed.

That's right.

Qin Feng was incredibly smart.

Didn't he understand these principles?

Didn't he know about these situations?

What was the point of saying them out loud?

"Qin Feng."

Rustle rustle rustle.

A gust of wind blew, rolling empty cans across the rooftop. An airplane streaked across, leaving a trail of smoke that sliced the sky in two.

Jiang Ran met Qin Feng's gradually dimming gaze under the fiery sunset clouds:

"[I'm sorry.]"

He said softly.

Qin Feng lowered his head.

He walked over with his hands in his pockets.

One step away, he placed his right hand on Jiang Ran's shoulder.

"It's okay."

He smiled slightly:

"[I don't blame you.]"