The Reversed Clock

The news of a student jumping from a building at Yinshan Academy quickly spread throughout the city, and local reporters rushed to the scene to gather firsthand accounts. In this age of rapid information dissemination, short videos circulated even faster, with footage of Ye Shuang rescuing the student going viral.

"Why would a student at Yinshan Academy jump? What happened?"

"My friend goes to Yinshan Academy. I heard the girl was harassed by the principal and couldn’t take it anymore, so she jumped."

"That’s not it. I heard she was threatened about not graduating—something about an affair with the dean."

"Stop arguing. My younger brother is at Yinshan Academy, and he said the girl was a climbing enthusiast who accidentally slipped."

The comments section was a chaotic mess, with many passersby casually fueling rumors, prefacing their claims with phrases like "my brother," "my friend," or "someone I know." The truth often drowned in such noise. Once a particularly resonant rumor took hold, even the victim’s own denials would be dismissed. Most followers would cling stubbornly to their collective version of events, even if it was wrong.

Even if the truth eventually surfaced, the damage caused by blind followers could often become the final straw that broke the camel’s back.

By now, the rumors in the comments had morphed into claims that school administrators had targeted female students, pressuring or threatening them…

Yinshan Academy, School Infirmary.

"The school should issue a statement. The rumors are spiraling out of control," Ye Shuang said, sitting in a chair as he scrolled through the comments, sighing helplessly.

"A horde of reporters is blocking the entrance. Who has time to draft a statement?"

An Shiyu, as usual, lounged lazily, gripping a game controller with little interest in the recent events. To her, this was nothing out of the ordinary.

After all, people jumped from buildings every year. Given the recent stock market crash, the number of suicides alone could probably form a small hill.

"…" Recalling the earlier scene, Ye Shuang felt an uncomfortable tightness in his chest. He poured himself a cup of hot water and sipped slowly from his thermos.

A knock sounded at the door.

Ye Shuang turned to see an unfamiliar girl standing there, dressed in a first-year uniform, her youthful face tinged with nervousness.

"Hello… are you feeling unwell?" Ye Shuang asked. First-year students were a rare sight in his infirmary, given its location—most visitors were third-years or above. The first-year building was farther away, so they seldom came here.

Though rare, it wasn’t unheard of. When the infirmary first opened, a few had wandered in.

"Are you the school doctor who saved that girl earlier?" The girl’s question caught Ye Shuang off guard, but he nodded. "Yes. Did you need something?"

"I… I came for counseling."

Her voice was timid, and she hesitated at the doorway. Sensing her unease, Ye Shuang stood and gestured for her to enter. "Come in, have a seat."

"Okay." The girl relaxed slightly at his warm smile. Once inside, she glanced around before her gaze settled on An Shiyu, who was absorbed in her game.

Why is she here?

An Shiyu tilted her head slightly, her sharp eyes silently asking, Got a problem with that?

The girl stiffened and quickly looked away.

"Here, have some water." Ye Shuang handed her a paper cup.

"Thank you."

"Try to relax," he said gently. "What’s troubling you?"

"I… actually…" She hesitated before continuing, "I’m the cousin of the girl who jumped today."

"Cousin?"

"Yes. My name is Gu Manman." She took a breath. "I think… there’s something suspicious about my cousin’s suicide."

"Why do you say that?" Ye Shuang asked, surprised.

"After the stalker incident, she was rescued, and her mental state was stable… But after staying at home for a few days, she started acting strangely."

"I think… my uncle’s family might have something to do with it."

Ye Shuang considered her words. "Your uncle—meaning your cousin’s parents?"

"Yes."

"Are you telling me this because you needed to get it off your chest?" he asked patiently.

"I didn’t dare tell anyone else, but… I couldn’t keep it in anymore. I needed to talk to someone." Gu Manman glanced at him nervously. "You… you won’t spread this, will you?"

"I won’t. You can trust me." His reassuring smile put her at ease.

"Okay."

As he studied her a moment longer, a system window suddenly appeared before him—

[Character: Gu Manman

First-year student at Yinshan Academy…]

Just as Ye Shuang was about to look away, he noticed the clock in the upper-right corner rapidly spinning backward.

Huh? Why is it moving so fast?

The moment he focused on it, the clock’s reversal accelerated!

In a flash, his vision flooded with blinding white light!

A piercing tinnitus roared in his ears—

"Bzzz—"

"…"

"…"

The deafening noise abruptly gave way to chaotic voices. The infirmary was gone—he now stood at the base of Building No. 2, surrounded by a crowd of students all staring upward at the lone figure on the rooftop ledge.

"This…"

"What’s going on…?"

Ye Shuang turned and saw Bai Yuyou and Tang Keke also gazing up.

"She’s really going to jump? What happened to her?"

"Ye Shuang?" Bai Yuyou noticed his dazed expression and waved a small hand in front of his face.

"What time is it?"

He checked his phone, then stared hard at the screen.

[Item: Phone

An ordinary phone bought from a store. Seriously, with your money, why not upgrade?]

The clock icon remained, but now its hands ticked forward normally.

"What the hell is happening…?" Before he could process it, he snapped back to reality and shoved through the crowd, sprinting toward the building!

The second-year dean stumbled as Ye Shuang barreled past him. "Teacher Ye, I—"

Ye Shuang took the stairs two at a time, lungs burning.

Faster…

Faster…

First floor.

Second floor.

…

Fourth floor.

Fifth floor.

Sixth floor.

…

The rooftop door loomed ahead. With one final burst of energy, he slammed it open and shouted, voice ragged—

"Don’t—don’t jump!"

The girl standing at the edge of the rooftop paused her steps. Her vacant eyes turned toward the man who was bent over, hands on his knees, gasping for breath.

"......"