At this moment, he didn't have the ferocious look from before. Instead, he pretended to be simple and honest.

I suppressed my fear, smiled as usual, and walked slowly away with a stiff body.

The gaze on my back made me feel like I was sitting on pins and needles. I couldn't help but touch the item in my bag.

On the playground, my deskmate grabbed me and asked, "Ye Wan, you said you'd wear a skirt for the graduation photos. Why didn't you?"

"I couldn't find one that fit," I begged for mercy, quickly changing the subject.

After what happened that night, I never wore a skirt again.

After the graduation photos were taken, several friends set off as planned.

Suddenly, I put on a painful expression, clutching my stomach and squatting down.

"Ye Wan, are you okay?" My deskmate helped me up anxiously.

"I'm fine, just a stomachache," I said. "Do you need to go to the hospital?"

"No, I just need to find a place to rest. You guys go ahead without me."

After repeated requests from me, the group set off in a mighty procession.

Only I stayed at school.

Watching the crowd gradually leave, I stood up without hesitation and ran toward home.

This time, I wasn't wearing a skirt, and I didn't want to go to the party.

I just wanted to go home and have a warm meal with my brother. Thinking of the person waiting for me at home, an excited smile crept onto my face unknowingly.

With a second chance, I could finally keep my brother safe.

As I got closer to home, my steps became more hurried.

Soon, a familiar tree came into view ahead. The hidden corner behind the tree seemed to still echo with the girl's screams from that night.

I suddenly stopped in my tracks, holding my breath. I looked at the wall instinctively, my fingers tightly gripping my bag.

There was no one there, only the gentle breeze blowing.

The leaves rustled, and a sparrow flapped its wings, flying far into the sky.

Everything was perfect.

Yes, this time I came home early. That devil would never get another chance.

I let out a long sigh of relief, releasing the crumpled fabric in my hand.

The sky was getting dark. Not far away, warm lights had already lit up in the windows, and a familiar figure was reflected by the window.

Under the streetlights, I walked forward briskly, stepping on my elongated shadow.

Construction was going on downstairs, with simple color steel houses lined up in a row. The darkness behind them stretched on endlessly.

It was dinner time, and the construction site was empty.

Somehow, that long-lost feeling of panic swept over me again.

But when I looked at the home that was so close, I laughed at myself.

It really was true—once bitten by a snake, you're afraid of ropes for ten years.

Suddenly, disturbing footsteps came from behind me.