The compartment exhaled a soft sigh, as though it had been waiting in silence for this moment. Yuexin paused, her gaze drawn into the narrow hollow concealed behind the wardrobe's panel. What lay within was not the vision she had imagined. A diary rested there, its cover worn with secrets; beside it, a slender black laptop, documents bound with meticulous care, and currency — stacks upon stacks, glimmering with quiet weight. Nearly one hundred thousand Fai.
Her eyes flicked back to the laptop. Matte black, its surface was colder than expected beneath her fingertips, stamped with the sleek logo of Mythic — a famous brand that nearly went bankrupt three years later. She smirked, mischief curling at the edge of her voice. "So, brother… what secrets have you been hiding?"
The screen lit up slowly, its glow spreading across the room.
PASSWORD REQUIRED.
Yuexin typed 0404.
INCORRECT.
She tried 1015. Wrong again. Her birthday. Her brother's. Nothing worked. By the fifth attempt, the screen dimmed, and a single line appeared:
ACCESS RESTRICTED. AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED.
Yuexin stared at the words, her frustration rising. It wasn't just a lock — it felt like the laptop was daring her to push further.
She stared at the laptop one more time, then shut it with a quiet click. "Huh… nothing useful after all. What a waste of time." She rolled her eyes, slipping it back into the compartment with exaggerated care, as if mocking its importance.
By the time she stepped outside, the sky had already softened into evening. The heat of the day was gone, replaced by a gentle warmth that lingered over the streets of Qinghe in East Lin District. The air carried that calm, in-between hush — not quite night, not quite day — a moment that felt like the city itself was catching its breath.
She locked the door behind her with a soft click and headed down the stairs. One hand stayed buried in her pocket, the other brushing against the folded 500 Fai she carried for emergencies.
Outside, the city looked almost unchanged from the one she remembered. The roads stretched out in familiar lines, the buildings stood exactly where they always had. Even Aunt Shi Tianyu was there, shuffling along with her friends on their evening walk, just like every day. Yuexin's face lit up. "Aunty Shi Tinyu! Good evening! How are you? Heading out with your friends?" she called, breaking into a run, her voice full of energy.
But to her surprise, Aunt Shi Tianyu didn't recognize her. The older woman's eyes scanned her from head to toe, puzzled, as if searching for a memory that refused to surface. Yuexin sighed inwardly — of course. In this year, 4027, they hadn't met yet. Back then, she had only moved into her brother's apartment after starting university. Aunt Shi Tianyu had been the one to look after her, guiding her through the neighborhood when everything felt new and overwhelming. At that time, Yuexin had been anxious, shy, and far too quiet — nothing like the version of herself standing here now.
Aunt Shi Tianyu gave her a gentle smile. "I'm fine, doing great. But… young lady, could you remind me who you are? It seems my memory is slipping more these days." Her eyes crinkled kindly, but the confusion lingered, as if she was trying to place Yuexin in a puzzle with missing pieces.
That's when it hit her — she couldn't just call out to people like she used to. This was the past, and in this year she was still a stranger. Yuexin's eyes darted nervously around before she forced a smile. "I'm… I'm just your new neighbor. I moved in recently, and while I was carrying my stuff, I saw you talking with your friends." The words tumbled out quickly, stitched together to sound believable. Before Aunt Shi Tianyu could reply, Yuexin waved and bolted. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I'm running late. I hope you'll look after me when we meet again!" Her voice trailed off as her footsteps carried her away faster than her excuses could catch up.
She ran until Aunt Shi Tingyu was far behind, her breath ragged as she turned right, already knowing where her feet wanted to take her. The streets were alive — vendors shouting, customers laughing, the air thick with the smell of grilled meat and fried dough. Digital panels flickered above the stalls, showing off steaming dishes and glowing prices. Yuexin passed eleven stalls in a blur, each one bright and crowded, neon lights flashing to lure in the hungry. Then she stopped at the twelfth stall. It was small, cramped, and almost hidden between the giants. Unlike the others that could serve twenty people at once and boasted fifty dishes, this one offered only a handful. No flashing signs, no dazzling lights — just a quiet corner with food waiting to be noticed.
The twelfth stall was run by an old couple, their hands moving with the steady rhythm, showing their day-to-day life. The menu was small, only a few items, but each bite carried a flavor so rich it felt unforgettable. The kind of taste that made you stop and savor, no matter how busy the street was. Yuexin didn't even need to glance at the board — she already knew what to order. She was a regular here, and the couple greeted her with warmth.
"Eh—young lady, what do you want?" the old man asked, his tone curious but polite. To him, she was just another stranger stopping by. Yuexin smiled, already knowing the answer from her memories of the future. "I'll have your Xian Bing and a few Chuan'r skewers," she said, settling into a small wooden chair at the cramped table. The old man blinked, a little surprised at her quick choice, then nodded. "Coming right up," he replied, turning toward the sizzling grill as smoke curled into the night air.
After a few minutes, the old man placed a plate of Xian Bing and three Chuan'r skewers on the table. Steam rose from the Xian Bing, carrying a smell so rich it seemed to wrap around her. Yuexin leaned forward, blowing quickly over the hot surface. "Peww—peww…" she muttered, before taking a big bite. The heat stung her mouth, but she didn't stop. "God, it's so delicious," she said between hurried chews. The old couple exchanged a glance, their eyes wide with surprise at her enthusiasm. The old lady leaned closer, smiling kindly. "Young girl, slow down, or else your tongue will burn."
"Uncle, aunty, your food is so delicious. I can't stop eating it! If you don't mind, I'll have three more Xian Bing and two more Chuan'r," Yuexin said, her eyes shining as she wiped her mouth. The old couple exchanged a look and chuckled softly. They hadn't seen someone eat with such joy in a long time. The old lady leaned forward, her smile gentle. "Young girl, you can have as much as you want," she said, her voice carrying the warmth of someone who loved seeing others enjoy their cooking.
Yuexin finally finished her food, leaning back with a satisfied sigh. A small burp escaped as she rubbed her stomach, making her grin sheepishly. She stood up and walked toward the old couple, her steps light with contentment. "Uncle, aunty, your food is so delicious. I really fell in love with it—I can't help myself. If you don't mind, I'll come here more often from now on," she said earnestly. Then she tilted her head, smiling. "By the way, what's the total for my food?"
The old couple laughed together, their voices carrying the warmth of the stall. "Then you are always welcome. That will be 39 Fai," the old man said with a smile. Yuexin nodded, handing over the money with both hands before bidding them goodbye. As she walked away from the stall, the old lady called out, "Don't forget to come again!" Yuexin turned her head just in time to see more customers gathering, drawn in by the sight of her joyful eating. The once quiet stall was now alive, orders flying in as the couple worked with renewed energy.
Yuexin smiled, her stomach full and her heart light, as she walked off in the direction where her journey had begun. The old couple's laughter and the smell of sizzling food lingered behind her like a comforting memory. She waved once more before turning away, unaware of the shift waiting just beyond the crowded street. Yuexin had no idea what was coming for her — something that was searching for her endlessly.