The next day, dawn was just breaking.
Qiao Ziruo leaned against the bus window, watching the familiar scenery around her.
She was back.
Back in her hometown.
She took out her phone and checked the time-
Six o'clock.
It was only six. On a bus this early, she was the only passenger.
Qiao Ziruo rubbed her eyes, sat up straight, and looked toward the driver's seat.
She vaguely remembered that she was hurrying back to attend someone's funeral... someone very important.
But who?
She found her mind muddled, unable to work out who that person was.
My head... hurts so much.
Forget it. Stop thinking about it.
Once I reach Qiao Family Village, I'll know.
She looked out the window. In the dim light on either side of the road, the tree branches took on all manner of strange shapes. There was not a single oncoming vehicle on the narrow country road, and the surroundings were exceptionally quiet, with only the sound of the bus rolling onward.
Qiao Ziruo tucked her chin down. Suddenly, she felt a little cold.
The indistinct shapes outside the window felt familiar yet somewhat strange, just like the driver of this country bus.
Although she could vaguely see his profile, she could never make it out clearly.
Forget it. Get some rest...
She was a little tired. Resting her head against the window, she closed her eyes.
But before the bus had gone much farther, it jolted violently! The jolt slammed her head hard against the window glass.
The pain cleared her head a little.
Opening her eyes and rubbing her head, Qiao Ziruo looked to see what had happened, only to discover that the sky had grown considerably brighter.
An orange-red gash had opened along the horizon, staining even the distant mountains with a