Volume 1, Chapter 20: An Accidental Encounter with a First Love

During prime time that evening, every major news outlet in Dayan City was broadcasting Chu Xinghe’s inauguration speech, and the top trending topics were entirely dominated by information about him.

【Chu Xinghe reassumes the role of Captain of the Dayan City Supernatural Control Bureau; the man has returned!】
【Multiple real estate giants announce their entry into Dayan City; property prices in the city skyrocket overnight!】
【My high school sweetheart sought me out, only to covet my Dayan City residency!】
【I originally wanted to get along with you all as an ordinary person, but I was met with estrangement. I’m laying my cards on the table—I’m not pretending anymore. Yes, I have a Dayan City residency!】

Chu Xinghe watched the heated discussions online. From the mayor and party secretary down to the common citizens on the street, everyone was talking about his appointment. The most absurd part was that his inauguration speech had been released for less than ten minutes and already had over ten million views. Some people had even begun creating derivative content, with titles like *Apocalyptic Rebirth: I Have a House in Dayan City*, *Poor Boy Was Dumped, Now Regrets Are Everywhere After He Revealed His Dayan Residency*, and *Yes, I Have a Boyfriend from Dayan City*.

"Is this not a bit exaggerated?" Chu Xinghe felt as if the entire population of Dayan City had gone mad.

"Not in the slightest," Leng Huaping remarked nonchalantly. "In the previous life, many cities fell. The large cities that managed to hold on were few and far between, and your Dayan City had the highest safety rating among them. Eventually, even the headquarters relocated here."

Back then, a household registration in Dayan City was harder to come by than anything else. Countless people dragged their families along, desperate to migrate there. You could throw a brick and hit a dozen high-ranking officials; just going out for a walk meant you were likely to run into a hot celebrity. And all of this was not for any other reason than the fact that Chu Xinghe was guarding Dayan City.

"Now do you see how valuable your signature is?" Wei Hongying joked, her tone filled with pride. She loved a great hero. "Trading a mansion for your autograph—Old Man Liao got the better end of that deal."

Chu Xinghe alone couldn't find it in himself to be happy; he looked distressed. If people found out he had actually lost his memories... *Hiss*, Chu Xinghe dared not think any further.

Noticing the worry etched on his brow, Wei Hongying set her teasing aside and brought up other matters. "Xinghe, many people have been looking for you during this time. I’ve been holding them off, but there are a few you really should make the time to see."

"Who?" Chu Xinghe suddenly thought of the anonymous text messages he had received on his first night, where some of the senders spoke as if they had a deep relationship with him.

[Anonymous Text]: Xinghe, I have also been reborn. In this life, let us never be apart again.
[Anonymous Text]: Classmate Xinghe, are you okay? It is very chaotic outside now; you must stay safe.
[Anonymous Text]: Big Brother Xinghe, it’s me, Tang Qin, your cutest and most obedient one. I want to see you so badly right now.

"Who else could it be? Those 'female confidantes' of yours," Leng Huaping pouted. She knew exactly who Wei Hongying was referring to the moment she spoke.

Chu Xinghe was shocked. Female confidantes? And several of them?

"Uh... I want to ask, did I have a girlfriend or something in my previous life?" What Chu Xinghe feared most was a sudden appearance by some ex-girlfriend. If it were Wei Hongying, he could accept it, but if it were other strangers...

As Chu Xinghe asked, Wei Hongying and Leng Huaping exchanged glances, their eyes meeting for a split second before quickly looking away. Internally, both were filled with regret: *Damn it, if only there wasn't a third party here!*

"Ahem... Xinghe, don't worry. You were single your entire previous life. The people I mentioned were just your original teammates," Wei Hongying said, glancing at Leng Huaping and deciding to stick to the truth.

"That's a relief," Chu Xinghe breathed a long sigh of relief, then said seriously, "Meeting them isn't a problem, but I want to return to my hometown in the countryside first to bring my parents over."

"Yes, that’s only right. I'll book your high-speed rail ticket now. I'll accompany you to pick up your parents tomorrow morning," Wei Hongying said, a virtuous smile instantly blooming on her face.

"Wait, I’m going too!" Leng Huaping couldn't sit still either. If she let Wei Hongying meet the parents first in this life, there would be no place left for her.

Chu Xinghe: ???

...

Early the next morning, Chu Xinghe arrived at the high-speed rail station alone. As for Leng Huaping, she had been urgently called away the previous midnight, said to be dealing with a new supernatural occurrence near Dayan City. Wei Hongying herself couldn't get away either; she had to attend a press conference in Chu Xinghe’s stead.

"Are you Master Xinghe?" A sweet-looking attendant, having received orders from above, had been waiting for a long time.

"It's me, but the 'Master' title isn't necessary," Chu Xinghe, wearing a mask and sunglasses, replied with a helpless smile. He still wasn't used to such forms of address.

"Master Xinghe is just as easygoing as everyone says," the attendant complimented him smoothly. "Then I shall call you Mr. Chu. Mr. Chu, please follow me."

The attendant, Chen Yuanyuan, took the suitcase from Chu Xinghe and led the way. She walked with a deliberate sway, her hips moving more meticulously than if she were walking a runway. She had been woken up by her supervisor in the middle of the night, told to dress up beautifully, and to welcome a very distinguished guest. At the time, she had been deeply reluctant; with her looks and figure, if she were willing to cater to men, she wouldn't be a flight attendant. But when her supervisor showed her a photo of Chu Xinghe, she tore up her resignation letter, spent a month's salary on a new outfit, and arrived an hour early to wait at the back entrance. This was Chu Xinghe, the guardian of Dayan City, a living legend. What young girl wouldn't be smitten?

"Mr. Chu, this carriage has been reserved just for you. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to tell me," Chen Yuanyuan said, her tone filled with immense respect.

"Not for now, thank you." Chu Xinghe expressed his gratitude; he felt the attendant’s service was quite good.

"It’s my duty," Chen Yuanyuan said, her eyes sparkling. *Heavens, his voice is so gentle, and he’s so polite. I heard he’s still single.*

When Chen Yuanyuan exited the VIP carriage, a group of colleagues immediately swarmed her, chattering non-stop.

"Yuanyuan, who is in there? Is it some big celebrity?"
"This train usually doesn't leave until the afternoon; it was changed to the morning today. Does that have something to do with the person inside?"
"Oh, Yuanyuan, just tell us. We promise not to say a word."

Chen Yuanyuan suppressed the corners of her mouth twitching upward. The person inside was ten thousand times more distinguished than those internet celebrities. Even though she wanted to show off, she knew the stakes and gave a vague answer, claiming he was a relative of the supervisor. Losing interest, the crowd dispersed and returned to their posts.

Departure time arrived, and a large number of passengers flooded into the train. Most people leaving Dayan City at this time had family back home, hoping to bring them to live in the city. Chu Xinghe stayed quietly in his exclusive carriage. The journey would take four hours; a flight would be faster, but no one dared to fly—even if a flight were available, no one would dare board it. If a supernatural event occurred at ten thousand meters, even an Awakened like him would be reduced to pulp.

"Xinghe, eat a grape." A palm-sized figure held up a freshly peeled grape, saying it with overflowing affection.

"Hongying, I can do it myself," Chu Xinghe quickly took the grape, fearing [Wei Hongying] might accidentally drop it on herself.

"Call me Yue'e. Chu Yue'e. I don't want to use her name." The renamed Chu Yue'e crossed her arms and turned her head away in protest.

"Sorry, sorry, I didn't switch in time. From now on, I'll call you Yue'e." Chu Xinghe could only appease her. It didn't really matter what she was called, but why did she have to have the same surname as him? Wei Hongying had protested this yesterday, but to no avail; Chu Yue'e insisted that since Chu Xinghe had given her a new life, it was only natural for her to share his name.

...

With Chu Yue'e for company, the journey wasn't boring. Before he knew it, they were halfway there, but the train stopped for an unusually long time, and there was some noise coming from the carriages behind.

"What's happening?" Chu Xinghe was a bit sensitive to accidents now; his first thought was a supernatural incursion.

"It seems a passenger had their wallet stolen. That passenger is refusing to let anyone off the train, and the head attendant is rushing to handle it. I believe it will be resolved soon," Chen Yuanyuan reported.

Hearing it was just a stolen wallet, Chu Xinghe didn't ask further. He was an Awakened; he only handled supernatural entities, not petty thieves.

However, a while later, Chen Yuanyuan ran over in a panic. "Mr. Chu, I might have to trouble you in a moment."

"Has there been a supernatural infection?" Chu Xinghe stood up, his expression turning grave.

"No, no, no." Seeing his misunderstanding, Chen Yuanyuan quickly explained, "It's not supernatural. The passengers causing the trouble say they know you—they say they are your friends, and one of them is even your..."

"My what?"

"Your first love."