A river cruise ship sounded its horn along the riverside, carrying tourists upstream against the current.
Birds skimd the water’s surface, rising in scattered bursts, ripples spreading outward in overlapping interference patterns.
Jiang Ran turned his head and looked at Cheng ngxue’s reddened eyes, saying nothing.
Was there any way—
to avoid a tragedy like this?
Yes.
Of course there was.
The Positron Cannon and ti-traveling text ssages.
As long as they could control a power capable of rewriting history and reshaping worldlines, they could avoid any tragedy.
On Worldline 0, they had indeed possessed that power.
That had been months ago, right after Xu Yan died saving soone.
Back then, Jiang Ran, Qin Feng, and Cheng ngxue had walked out of the hospital together, sat by the Huangpu River just like this, looking at the sa scenery, feeling the sa river breeze. Cheng ngxue had clutched Jiang Ran’s sleeve, just like now, lifting her tearful face as she cried:
“If we use the Positron Cannon… and send a ssage to our past selves—can we change history? Can we save Xu Yan?”
But now, everything had changed.
Not only had their once inseparable trio fallen apart, even the precious Positron Cannon had malfunctioned, losing its ability to send ti-traveling ssages.
So—
“There’s no way.”
Jiang Ran spoke softly. “If there were… this world wouldn’t have so many regrets.”
After that,
the three of them took a car back to Donghai University.
Campus entry was strictly controlled. Every student had to pass facial recognition and walk through a tal detector gate to ensure absolute security.
After lunch at the cafeteria, they returned to their dorms to prepare for afternoon classes.
College students adjusted quickly. The campus soon returned to its pre-suspension state—noisy, lively, full of youth, people coming and going—as if nothing had ever happened.
The cordon around the laboratory building had been removed, and classes resud in an orderly fashion.
The only difference was that the building would never again see that young teacher with gold-rimd glasses, stylish and handso. Nor would there be that small three-person class that always ended exactly on ti.
Professor Zhang Yang would not return until after National Day, so for now Jiang Ran, Fang Ze, and Cheng ngxue were effectively unsupervised, just attending classes according to the schedule.
Grief was grief. Regret was regret.
Ti still moved forward. Life still went on. Campus life most of all.
During the afternoon class, Chi Xiaoguo sent Jiang Ran a ssage on WeChat, saying she had finished all the preliminary preparations—the Film Cara Club could finally resu activities!
“Yay! We’ve finally been waiting for this day!!!”
From her flood of excited emojis and exclamation marks, Jiang Ran could clearly feel her excitent.
“Senior, let’s hold our first club activity tonight! It can also be the first official eting of all mbers!”
“Even though you’re familiar with Senior Fang Ze and Sister ngxue, I’ve only greeted them during recruitnt. We’ve never properly t!”
Jiang Ran tapped his phone and replied:
“Sure. Pick a ti. I’ll bring the two of them along.”
That was how many things in this world worked.
When soone left, soone else would arrive.
So it was with worldline transitions. So it was with the rise and fall of the Film Cara Club.
Tonight,
the club that had once nearly been dissolved would finally be reborn after years of silence, opening a brand-new chapter.
“Got any plans?”
Jiang Ran asked. “For the first activity, what are you thinking of doing?”
“We’ll start with introductions! Get to know each other, exchange thoughts on film photography!”
Chi Xiaoguo remained as optimistic as ever, her ideas as bright as a dream.
“Then we can set goals for the new sester! A national competition might be unrealistic—but we can aim smaller, like placing in a local photography contest!”
Watching this girl with her double buns fire up like a shounen protagonist, Jiang Ran couldn’t help but chuckle. He really didn’t have the heart to crush her enthusiasm.
President Xiaoguo…
you still haven’t realized what kind of… questionable amateurs your current mbers are.
Jiang Ran himself had joined for the Positron Cannon—on both worldlines. He had zero interest in film photography.
Cheng ngxue and Fang Ze were even less reliable. They were only here out of courtesy, supporting him out of personal ties, and knew absolutely nothing about film photography.
To be blunt,
even if the three of them worked together, they might not manage to take a single acceptable photo with a film cara.
“Go for it! I’m counting on you!”
Jiang Ran sent an encouraging emoji.
After all, this cheerful girl had helped him so much, even going out of her way to comfort him when he was at his lowest.
No matter what, he had to help her run the club properly.
So,
at 7:30 p.m.,
all four mbers of the Film Cara Club sat punctually in the cramped activity room, beginning their first official eting.
“Wow, this room… it has such an old-tiy feel.”
This was Cheng ngxue’s first ti entering the clubroom on Worldline 1.
She curiously examined the various antique items, touching this and looking at that like an inquisitive child.
Fang Ze also walked up to a shelf, studying caras older than himself.
“To be honest, this is my first ti seeing a film cara in person. Ever since I can rember, everything around has been digital.”
“And by the ti I was in elentary school, smartphones had already replaced digital caras as the main tool for photography.”
“…Hehe~”
Chi Xiaoguo hopped over, eagerly introducing the “treasures.”
“These were all passed down by seniors, generation after generation!”
“Are your seniors crops or sothing?” Jiang Ran couldn’t help but remark.
“Ah! Don’t get stuck on the details!”
She was in an exceptionally good mood today.
“All these caras are in great condition. We can use them freely for shooting!”
“As for film, though, we’ll need to wait a bit. Our budget request was just submitted—it’ll take so ti to be approved.”
“Sigh, can’t help it. We’re a small club—actually the smallest in the whole school. So our funding is limited… when you shoot, please treasure every roll.”
“I can sponsor so.”
Jiang Ran suggested.
“I got lucky over the break and made quite a bit of money. And I’ll probably be troubling you—and the club—a lot in the future.”
“So… how about I cover all the film, as well as chemicals and equipnt for the darkroom?”
“Sugar daddy!!!”
Chi Xiaoguo raised both hands.
Jiang Ran waved awkwardly. “Let’s skip that title…”
“…Six?”
“Huh? Then—”
Chi Xiaoguo did so ntal subtraction, hesitated, then seed to make a huge decision:
“D—Dad?”
“Pff—”
“My god—”
Cheng ngxue and Fang Ze both took a step back, utterly unprepared for how unhinged this tiny club had just beco.
Cheng ngxue looked at Jiang Ran with disgust.
“Jiang Ran! We haven’t seen each other in two years—how did you develop such weird tastes?!”
“Hey! What are you even thinking?!”
Jiang Ran scrambled to salvage his dignity.
“What I ant is—since I’m a mber and I can afford it, it’s only natural to contribute! Calling sothing like ‘sugar daddy’ is too distant!”
He was speechless.
This was clearly just a polite expression—like saying “no need” or “don’t ntion it.”
Who would’ve thought—
Chi Xiaoguo would treat it like a math problem and interpret it as “remove the words ‘sugar daddy.’”
What kind of thought process was that?
Which teacher taught her like this?!
She’d nearly made him lose face completely.
Even Professor Zhang Yang had told him multiple tis not to embarrass people in front of foreigners.
And now here he was, bringing two overseas students to their first club activity—
and imdiately showcasing the “cultural depth” of the Film Cara Club.
In any case,
the first eting officially began—
under Cheng ngxue’s doubtful gaze and Fang Ze’s amused smile.
Chi Xiaoguo introduced herself, explaining her love for film photography and her understanding of its unique charm.
Compared to her professionalism, the other three were complete amateurs.
All three frankly admitted they had no prior experience with film caras—but were interested and willing to learn.
“That’s totally fine!”
Chi Xiaoguo puffed up her chest confidently.
“Just leave everything to ! I’ll make sure you all learn properly so you can experience the charm of film photography firsthand!”
“Honestly, not knowing anything about film caras isn’t a problem at all. In this day and age, it’s normal.”
“As long as you’re interested, that’s enough! I was actually worried no one here would care about film photography…”
“I believe that as long as you’re willing to accept sothing and understand it, even things you don’t like at first—you’ll gradually co to like them.”
“People are emotional creatures. Feelings are built over ti. Spend enough ti together, share enough experiences, and eventually emotions will form. It’s just like falling in love.”
At that mont, Chi Xiaoguo spoke like a seasoned relationship expert.
Cheng ngxue blinked, stunned.
“Wow, President Xiaoguo… you sound really experienced.”
“Of course!”
Chi Xiaoguo straightened proudly.
“My relationship experience is very rich!”
“…Huh?” ×3
Jiang Ran, Cheng ngxue, and Fang Ze exchanged confused looks.
This—
they reexamined the girl in front of them, who looked like a primary school student, finding her bold claim… highly questionable.
“I’ve read at least 500 romance novels!” Chi Xiaoguo declared proudly.
“Practical experience?” Fang Ze asked seriously.
“And at least 300 romance dramas, 200 romance ani, and over 100 dating gas!”
“Practical experience?” Fang Ze remained serious.
“…Not really.”
But Chi Xiaoguo remained confident.
“My theoretical foundation is extrely solid!”
“…” ×3
The three fell silent.
So in the end—
just a purely theoretical expert.
Ah, well.
Whatever the case, she was still the president—and had just delivered a grand speech. They had to give her so face.
Even if they had countless complaints inside, they swallowed them and didn’t expose her.
That said,
this whole “relationship theory expert” episode instantly broke the ice. The atmosphere relaxed, and everyone began chatting freely.
Young students in their pri, gathered together—there was never a shortage of stories and gossip.
Before they knew it, it was already 10 p.m.
Though the room was still lively and no one wanted to stop, it was ti to end and head back to the dorms.
“I’m looking forward to the next eting.”
Fang Ze stood up and said goodbye.
“In the U.S., I never joined any clubs—neither in high school nor university. I was always focused on studying. Now I realize I missed out on a lot of joy with friends.”
Cheng ngxue also grabbed Chi Xiaoguo’s hand warmly.
“Next ti, I’ll bring so of my Caimao plushies! We can decorate the room and make it prettier!”
“Of course!”
Chi Xiaoguo was glowing with excitent.
“From now on, treat the Film Cara Club as your ho! I hope this coming year, we can spend many happy tis here!”
After that, Fang Ze and Cheng ngxue left first.
Jiang Ran stayed behind, saying he would help clean up.
Close to 11 p.m.,
the campus fell quiet.
Jiang Ran glanced at his watch.
With practiced ease, Chi Xiaoguo pulled open the shelf and dragged out the cardboard box containing the Positron Cannon.
This—
was the real reason Jiang Ran had stayed.
The campus had been under lockdown for the past few days. There had been no chance to activate the Positron Cannon, no way to go to the future prison of 2045 to find the Killer.
Now that club activities had resud—
he could hardly wait to make another trip to 2045.
To have a proper conversation—
with Fang Ze, the Killer,
who was also a mber of the Mutual Aid Society of Regrets.
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