Chapter 4, One Who Has Died Once

"If you need my help, you must first learn to trust me..." Chen Zhi's eyes were extremely cold, seemingly devoid of any compassion

This type of spiritual stone is known as a lucky stone, extremely rare, and it will align a person's aura towards the best direction, which is what we commonly refer to as luck. Tying this bracelet around your mother's wrist will ensure that all problems are easily resolved

But remember, you must take good care of this bracelet and return it to me, otherwise the consequences will be very serious..." When Chen Zhi said this, his expression was frighteningly serious

Ding Ning held his mother's hand and shed tears. After hesitating for a long time, he finally took out the string of lucky stones from his pocket and placed it on his mother's arm

Ding Ning, aged fifteen, died by jumping into the river on October 21. When I saw his body floating up, it was already too late to save him. Thus, I placed you into Ding Ning's body, a process medically referred to as brain integration. From now on, you shall live in his stead.

"No, no! You are lying to me! You big liar!" Ding Ning, in a fit of madness, covered her ears and no longer listened to Chen Zhi's words, turning around and rushing out the door

Ding Ning spoke these words with trembling lips, her head bowed deeply, and then she raised her head again, her eyes filled with pleading.

At that time, you chose to endure, and the ultimate result of endurance is death

I will not lend you money

At this moment, Chen Zhi slowly stood up and approached Ding Ning

Chen Zhi was not moved by Ding Ning's tears; instead, he continued to look at him calmly and asked, "So, do you trust me now?"

That was a week ago, when Ding Ning was cornered by Da Xiong and a few others by the riverside in the garden, where they extorted him. At that time, Da Xiong and his group pushed Ding Ning into the river, forcing him to steal money from his mother. Ding Ning choked on several mouthfuls of water, yet he still refused to steal the money

After a while, Ding Ning returned. Upon entering the hospital room, he first touched his mother's forehead. She was suffering from a high fever that showed no signs of abating, and her consciousness was somewhat unclear. She could only barely look at Ding Ning, slightly moving her lips, and then tears began to fall.

Big Bear's father is a leader in the education bureau. People say that Big Bear's front tooth was knocked out by me, which in the adult world could be considered a criminal offense. Big Bear's parents are of high quality and do not hold a grudge, so I admit that I am in the wrong in this matter. Moreover, I have no evidence regarding the bullying I experienced in the past, and thus it cannot be addressed. Therefore, the school's disciplinary action is not unjust. My mother was very upset about this incident and later fainted.

After Chen Zhi finished speaking, he pointed to the door, indicating that Ding Ning could leave

I... Ding Ning was at a loss for words, looking at Chen Zhi in hesitation, unsure of how to respond

The doctor suspects acute visceral inflammation, but cannot locate the site of the illness. The high fever persists and it is necessary to transfer to a large hospital in Shengdu for examination. Our family has little savings, and the money we have on hand is almost depleted.

After Chen Zhi finished speaking, he took out a delicate silk pouch from his bosom. As soon as the pouch was retrieved, it emanated a spiritual light. Chen Zhi carefully took out a light yellow bracelet from within. This bracelet was entirely made of golden silk threads, and it featured only a tiny, sand-sized light orange stone. However, this stone was so small that it was hardly noticeable, yet it sparkled brilliantly, more dazzling than gold.

My mother was unwilling to accept the fact that I was expelled, so she went to many places to file complaints and even went to the education bureau to reason with them. My mother is inherently a weak person and feels embarrassed to argue loudly with others

What? Impossible

What are you saying

When Ding Ning appeared again, it was on a stormy night three days later, with thunder and lightning roaring in the sky. Ding Ning, drenched from head to toe, stood outside the door of the Destiny Hall

Thus, Nobita and a few others subjected him to extreme humiliation, uttering outrageous insults towards his mother. At that time, Ding Ning showed not a trace of resistance, merely enduring in silence.

Your mother does not have any significant health issues and does not need to seek medical help from afar; what she lacks is just a bit of luck

Ding Ning was shocked by Chen Zhi's words, her swollen eyes wide with astonishment as she stared at him, struggling to believe what she had just heard

Upon witnessing this scene, Chen Zhicai extinguished his cigarette, then shook his hand, causing the image to vanish into thin air

Boss, please lend me some money first! I will definitely pay you back. I have decided to quit school and will work outside in the future; I will surely repay you... Ding Ning said while sobbing, tears falling uncontrollably.

Ding Ning suddenly jumped up from the stool, shouting loudly as if she had gone mad. That memory of suicide felt like the memory of another person, very unfamiliar yet strikingly real

Of course, it is not you

No, this is not me, I am not dead

After humiliating Ding Ning wantonly, the big bears left with mocking sneers. Although they were wearing school uniforms, their silhouettes resembled a group of demons

Chen Zhi said solemnly, "The true Ding Ning has already died, brain dead, and the body you currently possess is borrowed from him, which is what is explained in superstition as borrowing a corpse to return to life"

"Why not send him to the hospital?" Chen Zhi furrowed his brows and looked at Ding Ning

Ding Ning could not accept this fact at all; he stepped back a few paces in fear, shouting loudly

At this moment, Ding Ning was at a loss for words. He numbly took the bracelet and looked in disbelief at the brilliantly colored orange stone. At that moment, he heard Chen Zhi continue speaking.

Boss! I beg you, I don't know anyone else, I really have no way out, can you... can you lend me some money

After Ding Ning left, Chen Zhi returned upstairs. He sat on the sofa, lit a cigarette, and closed his eyes to rest. After a while, he waved his hand, watching the images in the air slowly unfold

Did you forget?" Chen Zhi's cold eyes stared at him

"My mother has a high fever, over 39 degrees..." Ding Ning looked at Chen Zhi, his voice trembling as if he could cry at any moment. He had lost a significant amount of weight, and his body appeared even more frail. The hollowness of his eyes on his pale face made this fifteen-year-old boy look somewhat frightening

However, Ding Ning, who was left by the riverbank, was filled with despair. He lay there for a long time, seemingly out of tears. Finally, he slowly stood up and walked step by step towards the river, ultimately jumping into the water without any attachment.

In the image, Ding Ning's mother lies on the hospital bed with cracked lips and tear stains on her face. Her hospital room is very simple, and there is not even a fruit basket around; it seems that no relatives or friends have come to visit her.

However, he immediately felt that all his previous memories were like watching television, very clear, but these experiences were completely incompatible with his character. At times, he even did not understand why his past self was so weak and timid, blindly indulging the humiliation from Da Xiong and the others, ultimately becoming very isolated and looked down upon by all his classmates

... ...

After Chen Zhi finished speaking, he drew a circle in the air, and within that circle, a scene from a week ago immediately appeared. Ding Ning was stunned as he watched this spectacle.

There are many injustices in this world, and many evils that have been forgiven, but all evils should be punished, without exception, rest assured