She Died Once

Chapter 14: Dreaming of Yourself

"Say, what is it? I promise you," Jiang Zemu said gently, his eyes filled with doting affection, as if the entire world existed only for her. Sang ShuoNian looked into his eyes, a touch of emotion filling her heart. She responded playfully, "Mr. Fox? I didn't even say what I wanted, and you're already agreeing like this. But I guess Mr. Fox isn’t one to be petty, haha."

Jiang Zemu chuckled at Sang ShuoNian’s playful tone, reaching out to gently ruffle her hair. "How could I possibly refuse you?"

Sang ShuoNian tilted her head, her expression turning serious. "Mr. Fox, you must never lie to Late Night." There was a hint of stubbornness in her eyes, like a little creature fiercely protecting its territory.

Jiang Zemu laughed heartily, his voice full of warmth. "Hahahahahaha, of course. Late Night, when have I ever lied to you?" He stood up, walked over to her bedside, and tucked her in gently. "Rest early, my Late Night. If you keep staying up like this, I'll be heartbroken."

"Uh-huh," Sang ShuoNian replied obediently, lying down and closing her eyes. Jiang Zemu stayed by her side until he saw her fall asleep, then quietly left the room and gently closed the door behind him.

The rain cleared, and the sunlight slowly began to filter through the clouds. When Sang ShuoNian woke up, the sky had turned pale. She sat up in bed, stretched, and walked over to the dresser. The wooden dresser was intricately carved, adorned with various cosmetics and accessories. She looked at herself in the mirror, a sense of unfamiliarity in her eyes. She was wearing a white nightgown, embroidered with a delicate lace pattern around the neckline. Her hair was somewhat disheveled.

"When will I remember everything?" she whispered to herself. Picking up a comb, she began to brush her hair slowly. Her skin was as delicate as lamb’s jade, a faint pinkish hue glowing from within. Her long, black hair cascaded over her shoulders in loose waves, a few strands curling playfully, giving her an ethereal appearance. She was dressed in a light blue floral dress, a white ribbon cinching her slender waist. The hem of the dress swayed with her every movement, reminiscent of a blooming flower.

She gazed at her simple yet innocent reflection, her mind filled with questions. Mr. Fox had said he was a very good person, so why did she feel a lingering sadness deep inside? Could it be that he, too, had suffered at the hands of a bad person, just as she had? If Mr. Fox had been hurt, she would stand by him and protect him—just as he protected her.

"Mr. Fox, I’ll figure everything out and protect us," she declared, puffing out her chest in determination, before striking a cheerful pose in the mirror.

The weather was cool, perfect for a walk outside. Sang ShuoNian opened her closet, filled with colorful, elegant clothing. After a moment’s thought, she chose a beige knit jacket, paired it with light blue jeans, and slipped on white sneakers. She left the room and walked down the long hallway. The walls were decorated with oil paintings of serene landscapes and portraits of people, adding an air of sophistication to the mansion.

She stepped into the garden, where the scent of fresh flowers filled the air. The colorful blooms were in full display—fiery red, soft pink, and pure white. The winding paths were bordered by neatly trimmed bushes, leading to an old fountain at the center. A marble statue of an angel stood in the middle, holding a pitcher from which water flowed in a sparkling cascade, illuminated by the sunlight.

"Miss, the sir is out. You’re free to explore. If you need anything, just call for me," a maid said politely, carrying a tray. She wore a neat black maid outfit with a white apron, her hair combed in an orderly style. She hurried off after her brief greeting.

Sang ShuoNian sighed. "The weather is so beautiful today... it’s a pity Mr. Fox had to go out and couldn't join me for a walk."

She had visited the garden before, but it was always with Mr. Fox. Although the scenery was beautiful, the garden was so vast that she often got lost if she wasn’t careful. After walking for a while, she noticed the surroundings were becoming unfamiliar. A growing sense of anxiety crept into her chest.

She felt like a lost deer in the mist, her eyes filled with confusion and innocence.

"Anyone?" she called out, but just as she was about to find someone to ask for directions, she heard someone else shouting in the distance.

"Yes, I’m here!" Sang ShuoNian replied enthusiastically, quickening her pace. But the person on the other side of the path seemed to ignore her, continuing to shout and search around.

"Hey, I’m here!" Sang ShuoNian shouted again. But when she reached the person, she froze in shock. The figure before her wore a hat, and their clothes were identical to her own.

"Who are you?" Sang ShuoNian asked, stepping back in fear. Her voice trembled as she couldn’t believe her eyes.

"Don’t be scared. I’m you. Why don’t you recognize me?" The stranger’s voice, however, was distinctly different from her own—darker, colder.

Sang ShuoNian shuddered at the eerie laughter that followed. The person in front of her took off the hat, revealing someone who looked exactly like her, but with a different, almost sinister demeanor. The stranger’s expression was cold, filled with the bitterness of someone who had suffered.

"How could you look exactly like me?" Sang ShuoNian asked, her voice trembling with both fear and disbelief. She locked eyes with her reflection in front of her, desperately seeking answers.

"Don’t you understand? You are me. Haven’t you always wanted to know about your past? Come, embrace me, and I’ll tell you everything—I'll give you all the pain and sorrow." The figure’s voice twisted with malevolent glee.

Sang ShuoNian froze, a chill running down her spine. The cruel laughter rang in her ears as the doppelgänger’s features contorted into something horrifying.

Suddenly, the other self’s face shifted again, taking on a pitiful expression that made Sang ShuoNian’s heart ache with confusion. "Don’t you pity yourself? Do you know how I was hurt? How I was toyed with by others, powerless to stop it?"

In a flash, the doppelgänger lunged toward her like a maddened animal. Sang ShuoNian’s scream rang out, echoing through the garden in fear.

"I can’t stand it! I can’t stand being so stupid!" the voice cried out in anguish.

With a jolt, Sang ShuoNian snapped awake, her breathing shallow, heart racing in terror. It was all just a nightmare—another one of those haunting dreams. She found herself lying on a hospital bed, surrounded by white walls and medical equipment.

"Evening, are you alright? I’ve been so worried about you." Jiang Zemu’s concerned voice broke through the haze of her thoughts. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, his brow furrowed with worry. His clothes were slightly disheveled, and dark circles marred his eyes, revealing that he hadn’t slept well.

"I’m fine," Sang ShuoNian whispered, offering a faint smile to reassure him. But as soon as she spoke, an overwhelming weakness overtook her, and she slumped back onto the bed.

"Evening night, don’t worry. The doctor said this was caused by low blood sugar from being out in the garden for too long. Your body just needs time to recover. You’ll be fine," Jiang Zemu said softly, taking her hand and gently brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Uh-huh," Sang ShuoNian replied faintly, managing a small smile to calm his worries.