Chapter 3

### Chapter 3: The Soul's Leaf

At this moment, Li Yi had already recovered his memory.

Li Yi was an undergraduate student in the Chinese Department of Southern University, just one year away from graduation. It was the beginning of the semester, and he had just been hit by a car at the school gate.

The beautiful girl in front of him was Guo Xiaoling, the class president, class beauty, and department beauty.

She wore a gray T-shirt, light gray jeans, and white sneakers. Her hair was tied in a neat ponytail, her features were delicate, and her skin was fair with a rosy glow. Despite her simple attire, she exuded a captivating and pure beauty, radiating youth and vitality. Her presence was like a gentle breeze and a warm sun, making anyone who saw her feel refreshed.

To be honest, Li Yi had been a bit of a troublemaker. Throughout junior high and high school, he had never taken his studies seriously, and his grades were average at best. It wasn't until his senior year of high school that he decided to work hard to attend the same university as Guo Xiaoling. In just one year, this student who had barely managed to get into a third-tier university managed to get into a first-tier university.

This was thanks to the efforts of his senior year homeroom teacher and Guo Xiaoling's meticulous help. The teacher had arranged for them to sit next to each other, hoping that the model student Guo Xiaoling would inspire another model student. The results proved that his efforts were successful, and this became a source of pride for him.

Guo Xiaoling's attitude toward Li Yi had always been cold and indifferent, as if she didn't care. Indeed, she treated all boys this way. This cold and proud demeanor had followed her from elementary school to university. Despite being the department beauty, no one had managed to get close to her.

When she saw Li Yi filling out his college application, she asked with a hint of anger, "Why did you fill it out exactly like mine? This isn't homework! Do you always copy?"

Li Yi smiled mischievously, "I just got used to having you by my side."

Guo Xiaoling was so frustrated that she wanted to grind her teeth, but she couldn't do anything about it. She knew that if she responded, no matter what she said, this troublemaker would always come up with something even more infuriating.

Over the years at university, Li Yi had continued his relentless pursuit of Guo Xiaoling, but to no avail. Despite his efforts, she remained indifferent.

But now, Li Yi could actually see concern in her expression!

Li Yi felt a sense of satisfaction, and the corners of his mouth curled up involuntarily.

A male student with a sarcastic tone said, "Look at him grinning like a pervert. He must be fine!"

Li Yi reluctantly shifted his attention from Guo Xiaoling and noticed that she wasn't the only one who had come. Several other classmates were there as well. The one who had spoken was Yao Lin, the vice president and one of Guo Xiaoling's many admirers.

Guo Xiaoling immediately returned to her usual cold demeanor and said, "We came to see how you're doing. How are you feeling?"

Li Yi chuckled, "I haven't even gotten married yet. I'm not going to die."

Guo Xiaoling's face turned cold, and she took a step back from Li Yi.

Li Yi said calmly, "In the vast sea of humanity, I seek my one true soulmate. If I find her, I am fortunate; if I don't, it is my fate. That's all there is to it."

Guo Xiaoling was slightly surprised. She had never expected the always flippant and unrefined Li Yi to speak with such eloquence.

Li Yi, ignoring the surprised looks from everyone, continued, "In life, there should be at least one moment when one forgets oneself for someone else, not seeking a result, not seeking to walk together, not seeking to have once possessed, not even seeking your love. Only to have met you in my best years..."

These words came out of Li Yi's mouth spontaneously, and even he was surprised. After some thought, he felt a sense of confusion, as if these words were what the previous Li Yi had wanted to say to Guo Xiaoling before he died, and now they were pouring out of him uncontrollably.

Li Yi looked up into the air, sensing something.

Of course, he saw nothing.

In the air, the Li Yi who shared his name and appearance was sighing deeply and said to the black and white brothers, "My wish is fulfilled. Let's go."

"Do you not want to see your mother?"

Tears seemed to well up in the young man's eyes, but when he reached to wipe them, there was nothing.

"Every tear is a leaf of the soul. A leaf needs a tree to exist. Now, you are just a soul, and your leaves are only the deepest feelings of your soul. They can no longer form liquid for your loved ones to see."

The young man said sorrowfully, "So, I don't even have the right to cry for my mother?"

"Without filial piety in life, what use is a ghost's cry?"

"..."

The curtains moved without any wind.

Li Yi noticed, and Guo Xiaoling also looked up at the curtains. The curtains fluttered and then returned to their original position, as if nothing had happened.

Li Yi sighed inwardly, "Guo Xiaoling, the Li Yi who cherished you as his life, the Li Yi who loved you for so long, is gone, and he will be gone for even longer."

"Li Yi!" Two male classmates walked up and patted Li Yi's arm. These two were his roommates and close friends.

Li Yi smiled, "Zhu Feng, Bi Zhengguang, you both came. I'm fine. When I get better, I'll treat you to a drink."

Zhu Feng and Bi Zhengguang were not good with words, but they offered some comforting words.

Suddenly, a rough voice said, "Li Yi, you're not dead yet, right? Ha, if you're not dead, make a sound." A tall, fat man squeezed in, with a round face, thick eyebrows, a flat nose, and big ears. His facial expressions were rich and varied.

"Fat Child! You're just getting here now!" Li Yi sat up, his face lighting up with joy.

The fat man's real name was Tong Jun, Li Yi's childhood friend and best buddy.

Tong Jun had not been accepted into university and had gone to the provincial capital to set up a stall, doing small business. He started by selling miscellaneous items at the South Gate, but after a couple of years, he hadn't made much money, though he had made many friends. The South Gate was the largest commercial area in the provincial capital, Dujian City, where merchants gathered, and it was also a place of mixed characters. During the years of poor security, there were frequent small fights and occasional group brawls. It was said that at one point, there were dozens of large and small gangs gathered there. The chaos was unimaginable.

Now, Tong Jun no longer operated at the South Gate. He had moved to the university district, setting up a clothing stall and a used book stall on Xiangshan South Road, and his business was doing well.

As soon as Tong Jun entered, Yao Lin said, "Xiaoling, let's go back."

Guo Xiaoling wrinkled her nose in disgust, "I've already taken leave from Teacher Liu. You can go back first; you still have classes."

The other classmates didn't mind and chatted with Li Yi for a bit, offering some comforting words before leaving.

Having experienced too much coldness in his previous life, Li Yi was touched by the sincere comfort from these simple and pure classmates. Looking at Guo Xiaoling, he no longer found her as cold as before. In essence, she used her cold and beautiful exterior to hide her true feelings, reject unnecessary advances, and highlight her uniqueness.

Li Yi smiled, "Please sit. Fat Child, go get a chair."

Tong Jun, looking enlightened, quickly brought a chair and placed it behind Guo Xiaoling, chuckling, "Sister-in-law, hello. I'm Li Yi's brother, Tong Jun. You can call me Fat Child, or just Fat for short."

The innocent Guo Xiaoling was taken aback for a moment before reacting, her face turning cold with anger.

Seeing her about to get angry, Li Yi quickly scolded, "Fat Child, what are you saying? This is my classmate, and she's also our class president. Class President, please don't take it to heart. He's just a rough guy, don't mind him."

Guo Xiaoling glanced at Tong Jun, "Oh! Aren't you that book vendor? I've bought many books from you."

Tong Jun patted his head, laughing, "Right, right, Class President, you have a good eye. I remember you too. Actually, my memory is terrible, or I wouldn't have failed to get into university. But, a beauty like you, I naturally remember... In the future, I'll give you a 20% discount!" Seeing her displeasure, he quickly stopped flattering her.

Although Guo Xiaoling was still a bit unhappy, the coldness on her face slowly melted away.

Tong Jun's small eyes darted around, and he said, "Li Yi, I have to go back to my stall. I'll come see you tonight." He took out a wad of crumpled money from his pocket and stuffed it under Li Yi's pillow. He then touched his head and smiled at Guo Xiaoling, "Class President, please take care of him. I'll come back to take over tonight."

Without waiting for any response from Li Yi or Guo Xiaoling, he waddled out, carefully closing the door behind him.

Li Yi smiled bitterly, not wanting to explain anything. Such things would only make the situation worse.

The room was quiet, and Li Yi could almost hear Guo Xiaoling's rapid breathing.

They both spoke at the same time, "You... you go first." Then they both fell silent.

They smiled at each other, and the tense atmosphere slowly dissipated.

"Are you in pain?" Guo Xiaoling asked with concern.

Li Yi felt the need to distance himself from her, regardless of how much the previous Li Yi had liked Guo Xiaoling. That was all in the past and had nothing to do with him now.

"It would be a lie to say I'm not in pain. But, it's okay. By the way, I'm sorry. The previous Li Yi was a troublemaker and often made you angry. I promise it won't happen again."

Guo Xiaoling's fair face turned red with embarrassment, and her words surprised Li Yi even more, "Actually, I'm not that much of a hater."

Huh? Could it be that this girl has a crush on me? Behind her cold exterior, there's a burning heart?

"Don't get the wrong idea! What I mean is, thank you for saving me today. If it weren't for you, I would have died."

Li Yi then recalled from his memory that he had saved this goddess in his heart by sacrificing himself to the car.

What kind of powerful love could make this carefree troublemaker give up his unique life?

Li Yi suddenly didn't hate the previous owner of this body as much. Perhaps, in some ways, they were quite similar.

Guo Xiaoling was incredibly lucky to have a man who was willing to risk his life for her. In her future, there would be no shortage of admirers and followers, but no one would ever be able to engrave her into their soul and bone marrow like that Li Yi.

"Quack!"

"Ah, there are actually frog sounds here?" Guo Xiaoling was slightly surprised.

"The frogs are all in my stomach," Li Yi said, touching his empty stomach helplessly.

Guo Xiaoling laughed, "I'll go get some food."

She actually laughed? The beauty of that moment was like a snow lotus blooming on an ice mountain.

Li Yi was stunned.

---

**End of Chapter 3**