Long Fantasy Romance Novel

〈The Reissued Youth〉18

81. The Misplaced Dinner Invitation

Inside a high-end Western restaurant in Taipei’s East District, soft lighting spilled over the pristine white dining tables.

The restaurant played gentle piano music, while the artwork on the walls and exquisite decorations created an elegant and romantic dining atmosphere.

At a corner table near the window, a man in a perfectly tailored suit was sitting quietly.

He was Lin Wenbin, the general manager of Beauty Cosmetics Company.

Tonight, the woman he had originally expected to sit across from him was Shi Meilin.

However, when the figure entering through the restaurant doorway gradually approached, the smile on his face froze for a brief moment.

It was not Shi Meilin.

It was Li Keni.

Although the disappointment in his heart was difficult to hide, his good manners allowed him to quickly regain his composure.

He stood up and politely pulled out a chair for her.

"Miss Li, please have a seat."

Li Keni smiled and nodded.

"Thank you, President Lin."

After the two sat down, a brief silence flowed between them across the table.

Lin Wenbin picked up his glass of water and took a gentle sip before asking,

"Where is Director Shi?"

Li Keni knew the expectation in his heart and did not beat around the bush.

"President Lin."

She showed an apologetic expression.

"Director Shi said that she has been quite busy with her work recently and cannot spare the time."

"So she asked me to come in her place."

Lin Wenbin’s eyes moved slightly.

Although he had already guessed that this might be the result, hearing it personally still made him feel somewhat disappointed.

He smiled faintly, trying to maintain his composure and grace.

"Is Director Shi always this busy?"

He paused for a moment, then asked as if casually,

"In the past... were there often men who invited her out?"

Li Keni understood the meaning behind his words and could not help smiling.

"Actually, not really."

She picked up her water glass and took a small sip.

"It’s just that Director Shi recently started dating someone."

Lin Wenbin’s eyebrows moved slightly.

"Her boyfriend?"

"I heard that her boyfriend runs a bed-and-breakfast in Little Liuqiu?"

Li Keni nodded.

"I’m not very clear about that part."

She thought for a moment, then added,

"However..."

She looked at Lin Wenbin.

"With your qualifications, President Lin, you should be able to find someone more suitable for you."

Lin Wenbin looked at her and suddenly laughed.

His smile carried a hint of amusement.

"Miss Li."

"Are you hinting something to me?"

Li Keni was stunned for a moment, then immediately laughed.

"I’m just telling the truth."

She leaned back against the chair, her tone carrying a teasing hint.

"President Lin, you don’t have to ignore the whole forest because of one tree."

After hearing this, Lin Wenbin laughed as well.

He did not argue.

However, there was still a trace of determination in his eyes.

"Let’s not talk about that for now."

He picked up the menu from the table and pushed it toward Li Keni.

"What would you like to eat? Dinner is on me tonight."

Li Keni accepted the menu.

"Then I won’t stand on ceremony."

The waiter came over and began introducing the dishes.

However, Lin Wenbin’s thoughts were not entirely focused on the dinner before him.

His gaze turned toward the window.

His thoughtful expression was reflected on the glass.

He had originally thought that Shi Meilin was merely a woman who was beautiful in appearance and outstanding in ability.

But the closer he got to her, the more he discovered that she possessed independence and determination unlike ordinary people.

And precisely because of this, he wanted even more to gain her recognition.

His fingers gently held the water glass.

Deep inside, he silently made a decision.

"Meilin, I will definitely win your heart."

Tonight’s dinner, although the person sitting across from him was not Shi Meilin,

his goal had never changed.

82. Two Different Lives on a Birthday Night

The night of Taipei was dazzling with lights.

Inside the living room of Shi Meilin’s residence, soft lighting illuminated the entire space. The neon lights of the city outside the window reflected through the glass, forming a flowing pattern of light and shadow.

Cai Shinan walked into the room carrying a bag in his hand. Shi Meilin closed the door behind him and casually pressed the switch on the wall. The living room immediately lit up.

“Sit down for a while first,” she said with a smile.

Shinan nodded and placed the bag on the table.

“Today is your birthday. Of course I can’t come empty-handed.”

He took two bottles of red wine, a delicate little cake, and a box of candles out of the bag. He lowered his head and carefully inserted the candles one by one into the cake, his movements gentle and focused.

Watching this scene, Shi Meilin’s lips curved slightly upward.

This man always had a kind of gentleness that did not match his outward appearance.

She said nothing. She simply turned around and walked into the bedroom.

Not long after, the bedroom door opened again.

Cai Shinan had been arranging the tableware with his head lowered. When he heard footsteps, he instinctively looked up.

At that moment, he froze.

Shi Meilin had changed into a white one-piece nightdress decorated with lace edges. The soft fabric outlined her elegant figure. Compared with her capable image in the workplace during the day, she now carried more of the delicate softness unique to a woman.

Shinan stared at her for a moment.

Seeing his reaction, Shi Meilin could not help showing a proud smile.

She walked closer and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“What? Lost for words?” she teased.

Shinan came back to his senses and gave an embarrassed smile.

Before he could answer, Shi Meilin had already gently kissed his cheek.

“Thank you.”

She leaned beside him, her voice soft.

“For specially coming to Taipei to celebrate my birthday with me.”

Looking at her, a warmth rose inside Shinan’s heart.

At this moment, he only wanted to temporarily put aside all the complicated matters.

The two of them sat beside the small dining table.

On the table was a small cake filled with candles. The candlelight illuminated their faces.

Cai Shinan picked up the lighter and lit the candles one by one.

“Happy birthday～～”

He smiled and said:

“Make a wish first, then blow out the candles.”

Shi Meilin nodded.

“Okay.”

She closed her eyes and clasped her hands together.

Usually strong and confident, she now looked like a simple little girl, making her wish with a sincere expression.

After a moment, she opened her eyes.

She took a deep breath and blew out all the candles in one breath.

Applause and laughter filled the living room.

Cai Shinan took out a small box.

“This is for you.”

He took one of her hands and placed the box in her palm.

“I prepared it yesterday.”

Shi Meilin looked slightly surprised.

“There’s also a gift?”

She opened the box, and her eyes lit up slightly.

“How unique.”

Inside the box was a delicate necklace.

Its design was simple, yet it carried a unique sense of beauty.

“I visited several jewelry stores before I found it.”

Shinan smiled.

Shi Meilin picked up the necklace and examined it carefully.

“It must have cost a lot, right?”

“Not really.”

Shinan answered casually.

“It didn’t go over my budget.”

He took the necklace and put it around her neck.

Shi Meilin stood up and walked to the dressing mirror.

She looked at herself in the mirror and gently turned around twice.

“It looks beautiful.”

She whispered.

After returning to her seat, she still wore a satisfied smile.

However, in the next moment, Shinan took out another item—a bankbook—and placed it in front of her.

Shi Meilin was stunned.

“This is...?”

“Gold savings account.”

Shinan said:

“Open it and take a look.”

With curiosity, she opened the bankbook.

The next second, her expression suddenly froze.

“Five thousand ounces?”

She raised her head and looked at Shinan in shock.

“Where did you get so much money?”

“Savings from my previous job.”

Shinan answered calmly.

Shi Meilin stared at him, suddenly unable to understand.

“So...”

She put down the bankbook.

“You showed me this bankbook because you wanted to tell me that you are rich? And then?”

Shinan was silent for a moment.

“I just wanted you to know.”

“I told you before. I really don’t worry about food and clothing.”

“I don’t plan to return to the city and live that kind of life where I chase after work every single day.”

Shi Meilin frowned slightly.

“What do you mean...?”

Her tone became sensitive.

“You can afford to support me?”

“No.”

Shinan shook his head.

“I only hope you understand that I don’t want to become a slave to money anymore.”

Shi Meilin looked at him, and her expression gradually became serious.

“Shinan, because you have money, you can choose the life you want.”

“But I am not the kind of woman who, after marriage, only wants to find a lifelong provider.”

“I have my own ideals, and I have my own career plans.”

Looking at her, Shinan instead smiled.

“So, shouldn’t we respect each other and respect each other’s choices in life?”

Shi Meilin fell silent.

After a moment, she softly said:

“Don’t talk about this now.”

“I don’t want to ruin tonight’s atmosphere.”

Shinan nodded.

“Okay.”

He picked up the cake knife.

“Then let’s cut the cake first.”

Late at night.

In the bedroom, only a dim bedside lamp remained lit.

The two of them lay on the bed, covered by a thin blanket.

Yet they were no longer as intimate as before.

Instead, there was an indescribable silence between them.

Shi Meilin stared at the ceiling.

There was always one question in her heart:

Where did Shinan actually get so much money?

Meanwhile, Cai Shinan closed his eyes.

Another doubt was hidden inside his heart.

Why did she insist that he follow the direction of life she had chosen?

After a long silence, Shi Meilin suddenly spoke.

“Shinan, what do you like about me?”

Cai Shinan opened his eyes.

He thought for a long time.

Finally, he smiled bitterly.

“I can’t really explain it myself.”

Shi Meilin turned her head to look at him.

“My mother used to say that I was spoiled and willful.”

She smiled slightly.

“She said I was like a mule, difficult to tame.”

“But you are the first man who wanted to tame me.”

Cai Shinan shook his head with a bitter smile.

“Tame you?”

“I’m afraid I don’t have that ability.”

He sighed.

Shi Meilin looked at his profile.

“I know.”

“You want a simple and ordinary life.”

“But I want to find my own achievements and position in the workplace.”

Cai Shinan remained silent for a moment.

“Because the lives we have experienced are different.”

“My life is like a river that has already reached a place close to the ocean.”

“And you...”

He looked at her.

“You are still upstream.”

“Your life is filled with energy and momentum.”

Shi Meilin could not help laughing.

“Please.”

“Cai Shinan, how old are you actually?”

She looked at him.

“Why does everything you say always sound so full of life’s hardships?”

“Like a middle-aged or elderly man who has lost all vitality.”

Shinan smiled bitterly.

“I really am...”

He paused.

“Forget it. You will understand someday.”

Shi Meilin frowned.

“When we first met, you already said that returning to your hometown was because you wanted to treat yourself better and live like a hermit.”

“At that time, I thought you must have suffered many setbacks in the workplace, so you wanted to escape.”

Shinan looked at the ceiling.

“It wasn’t escape.”

“It was just... I came to understand the first half of my life.”

Shi Meilin immediately sat up.

“The first half of your life?”

“Hey! Here you go again!”

Cai Shinan smiled bitterly.

“The first half of my life was nothing remarkable.”

“I was so poor that all I had left was money.”

Shi Meilin looked at him.

“That is exactly what I cannot understand.”

“You showed me that gold savings account, and I truly cannot figure it out.”

“Your work experience clearly doesn’t look like that of someone who accumulated wealth over many years.”

Shinan was silent for a moment.

Then he slowly said:

“If I told you...”

“That I had actually spent twenty years struggling in the workplace.”

“Would you believe me?”

Shi Meilin widened her eyes.

“Bull shit!”

She blurted out.

“Do you think I’m an idiot?”

Cai Shinan smiled helplessly.

“Fine.”

“Then there is nothing I can do.”

He lay back down again.

“Go to sleep.”

“If we keep talking, neither of us will get any sleep tonight.”

He closed his eyes.

But Shi Meilin continued to quietly look at him.

This man was right beside her.

Yet for the first time, she felt that she seemed to understand him less and less.

She silently said in her heart:

“Shinan...”

“I understand you less and less...”

84. The SOS from the Other Side of Time and Space

Late at night, the sea breeze gently swept through the courtyard outside the Chen family’s guesthouse. The guesthouse, which had been lively during the day, had now fallen into silence. The only sound left was the waves crashing against the shore in the distance, one after another, echoing through the darkness.

Inside the men’s hot spring bath, after the last guest had left, Cai Shih-Nan turned off the lights beside the pool, wrapped himself in a bath towel, and slowly walked back to his room. The heat still lingered on his body. While drying his hair, he pushed open the door.

Only a desk lamp was lit inside the room. The laptop on the desk had somehow turned on. The computer, which had originally been in sleep mode, was now displaying a newly received unread email.

Cai Shih-Nan stopped in his tracks.

He frowned slightly.

“Strange……”

He walked closer to the desk.

On the screen, an email titled “SOS” was quietly lying in the inbox.

The sender field displayed:

Gman・T

Cai Shih-Nan stared at the name, and his expression gradually became serious.

He pulled out the chair and sat down.

“Gman・T?”

He whispered the name.

The next second, his expression suddenly froze.

“Isn’t that… me?”

Only his own voice remained in the room.

He stared at the sender’s name, and a wave of emotions surged inside him.

That familiar yet unfamiliar code name reminded him of an experience that he had never been able to explain.

“September 21, 2019……”

His hand stopped on the mouse.

“Wasn’t that the day I accidentally traveled through time?”

Deep within his memories, that strange event which had changed the course of his life flashed before his eyes like scenes from a movie.

He had once believed that it was merely an unverifiable dream.

But now.

An email from “Gman・T” had once again reminded him—

Perhaps everything had truly existed.

Cai Shih-Nan took a deep breath.

His finger gently clicked open the email.

The content of the email was blank.

There were no words, no explanation.

There was only one attached photo.

“Only a photo?”

He frowned.

The mouse moved, and he clicked open the picture.

The moment the image enlarged, his entire body froze.

The people in the photo were himself, Shi Mei-Lin, and a pair of young twin siblings.

The four of them were standing beside the walkway at Shuishe Pier of Sun Moon Lake.

Sunlight fell across the surface of the lake, and the background showed the familiar scenery of mountains and water.

Cai Shih-Nan’s breathing became rapid.

Because the date displayed below the photo was:

September 21, 2010.

He stared at the date for a long time without saying a word.

“2010……?”

He murmured to himself.

“But……”

His brows furrowed deeper and deeper.

“I clearly remember that day was another point in time……”

He reached toward the screen and carefully examined the photo.

Soon, he discovered something even more unbelievable.

In the photo, Shi Mei-Lin and the twin siblings actually appeared to be semi-transparent.

It was as if they did not completely exist in this world.

Cai Shih-Nan’s expression gradually became solemn.

He enlarged the photo, then reduced it, repeatedly examining the image.

But the semi-transparent figures remained.

“What exactly is this……”

He leaned back against the chair, falling into deep thought.

Countless questions surfaced in his mind.

Why was Mei-Lin in the photo together with the twin siblings?

Why was the date 2010?

Why did the images of the three of them appear transparent like ghosts?

More importantly—

Was this email sent by himself?

Cai Shih-Nan stared at the photo on the screen, unable to move his eyes away for a long time.

“This photo……”

“What exactly is it trying to imply?”

He spoke softly.

The room was so quiet that only the sound of the computer running could be heard.

He rubbed his forehead.

“Who am I supposed to ask?”

Outside the window, the night was deep and dark.

And the photo on the screen was like a door to time and space that had suddenly opened.

Waiting for him to step into an unknown destiny once again.

85. The Photograph from the Future

The morning sunlight poured over the front courtyard of the Chen family’s guesthouse. The sea breeze gently brushed against the thin curtains by the window, carrying a faint salty scent.

In the living room, Cai Shi-Fen sat on the sofa, drinking tea while reading the morning newspaper.

Zhang Ya-Hui pushed open the door of the guesthouse and walked inside.

“Shi-Fen.”

She smiled and greeted her.

Cai Shi-Fen looked up. Seeing that it was Ya-Hui, she revealed a warm smile.

“Ya-Hui, are you here to see my brother?”

“Mm. Is he here?”

Cai Shi-Fen lowered her head and glanced at the newspaper in her hand, unable to help shaking her head.

“My brother…… he’s been acting strange since early this morning. Since breakfast time, he has been staying in his room and hasn’t even come out to eat.”

She pointed toward the second floor.

“Go call him. Otherwise, later he still has to operate the boat and take passengers out.”

Zhang Ya-Hui nodded.

“Okay, I’ll go take a look.”

Inside the upstairs room, Cai Shi-Nan sat in front of his desk.

The laptop screen emitted a faint blue glow.

The mysterious SOS email from last night, and the three semi-transparent figures in the photograph, were like an unsolvable mystery constantly circling in his mind.

He had already looked at the photo dozens of times.

Zooming in.

Zooming out.

Comparing it repeatedly.

But he still could not find an answer.

“What exactly are you trying to tell me?”

He murmured softly.

At that moment—

“Knock! Knock!”

A knocking sound came from the door.

Cai Shi-Nan raised his head.

“Who is it?”

“Shi-Nan, it’s me, Ya-Hui.”

“Come in.”

The door was gently pushed open.

Zhang Ya-Hui walked into the room and saw Cai Shi-Nan sitting in front of the computer.

She immediately noticed that something was wrong with his expression.

“What have you been busy with so early in the morning?”

Cai Shi-Nan did not answer. He only looked at her.

“Did you come looking for me because something happened?”

Ya-Hui pulled over a chair and sat down.

“Mm. I want to ask you for a favor.”

Cai Shi-Nan nodded.

“Tell me.”

Zhang Ya-Hui took a document from her bag.

“I want to help the students in my art class fulfill a wish.”

Her eyes carried the special gentleness of a teacher.

“They have worked very hard saving money this year. I want to arrange a sketching trip along the Blue Highway of southern Taiwan.”

Cai Shi-Nan became interested.

“On the Happiness?”

“Mm.”

Ya-Hui nodded.

“They will take a sightseeing fishing boat, travel along the coastline, and sketch along the way. We’ll leave in early June, for about ten days.”

She took out the itinerary plan.

“First we’ll go to Kenting, then Orchid Island, Chenggong in Taitung, Hualien, and finally return from Hualien.”

Cai Shi-Nan thought for a moment.

“June is before summer vacation. The boat arrangement won’t be a problem.”

Zhang Ya-Hui smiled.

“But……”

She glanced toward the guesthouse.

“What about the guesthouse business here?”

Cai Shi-Nan smiled.

“That’s easy. I’ll ask You Si-Hai to send a boat over for support. Let him make some money.”

Ya-Hui could not help laughing.

“Let me make this clear first. My students’ travel budget is limited. Although they saved money for an entire year, they aren’t children from wealthy families.”

Cai Shi-Nan looked at her, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

“Ya-Hui. You’ve helped me so much. How could I possibly argue with you over these things?”

Zhang Ya-Hui happily nodded.

“Great! Then it’s settled.”

However, her smile quickly disappeared.

Because she noticed that although Cai Shi-Nan had agreed readily, there was a heavy worry hidden in his eyes.

“Shi-Nan.”

She asked softly:

“What’s wrong? Are you troubled by something?”

Cai Shi-Nan was startled.

Zhang Ya-Hui quietly looked at him.

“You weren’t like this before. If something is really bothering you, just say it.”

“Isn’t that what good friends do? Help each other?”

Cai Shi-Nan remained silent for a long time.

Finally, he took a deep breath.

He reached out and opened the laptop.

“Ya-Hui. There is something I don’t know whether I should tell you.”

He opened the SOS email.

The photograph appeared on the screen.

The moment Zhang Ya-Hui saw the picture, her entire body froze.

She slowly moved closer to the screen.

In the photograph were Cai Shi-Nan, Shi Mei-Lin, and a pair of twin siblings.

But the figures of the three people were actually semi-transparent.

She stared at the photograph.

Then she looked at the date the email was sent.

Her expression gradually became serious.

“Who sent this photograph?”

She frowned.

“Why is the sending date 2010?”

Cai Shi-Nan looked at her.

“Ya-Hui. After I tell you, don’t think I’m crazy.”

Zhang Ya-Hui looked at him seriously.

“Tell me.”

Cai Shi-Nan was silent for a moment.

“This photograph……”

“was sent by me from ten years in the future.”

The room instantly became silent.

Zhang Ya-Hui’s eyes widened.

“Ten years in the future… you?”

Cai Shi-Nan nodded.

She looked at him.

Then suddenly laughed.

“That’s unbelievable. So emails can travel through time too?”

Cai Shi-Nan gave a bitter smile.

“Actually…… I came back from the year 2019.”

Zhang Ya-Hui’s smile slowly disappeared.

She stared at Cai Shi-Nan for a long time.

Then she reached out and touched his face.

“Strange. You don’t look like it.”

Cai Shi-Nan was stunned.

“What’s strange?”

“You don’t have wrinkles.”

She looked him up and down.

“Your body hasn’t changed at all either.”

Cai Shi-Nan smiled helplessly.

“I’m not lying to you.”

He leaned back against the chair.

“In September 2019, because of overwork, I suffered an acute stroke. That time, I almost died.”

Zhang Ya-Hui put away her smile and quietly listened.

“After that, I met my first love, Lin Dai-Hua, again. We originally planned to start over and build a business together.”

“But on the way back to my hometown, I accidentally entered a time-space wormhole and returned to the present.”

Zhang Ya-Hui was silent for several seconds.

Then she shook her head.

“Wow…… this is even more exciting than those time-travel dramas from across the strait.”

Cai Shi-Nan gave a bitter smile.

“I know it’s difficult to believe.”

He continued:

“Later, I met Shi Mei-Lin. We started dating. But she asked me to pretend to be her boyfriend. I didn’t want to lose her, so I agreed.”

“But I feel that she has gradually begun to accept me as well. It’s just that she hopes I will follow the direction of life she has planned.”

Zhang Ya-Hui nodded.

“I’ve heard you talk about this part before.”

She looked at the photograph.

“But judging from this picture……”

She paused.

“In the future, you and Shi Mei-Lin should get married. And you will have a pair of children.”

Cai Shi-Nan’s expression became serious.

“But that is exactly the problem.”

He pointed at the photograph.

“This SOS letter sent from 2010 has no words. But it must represent that something has changed.”

“I must figure out what this photograph is trying to tell me.”

Zhang Ya-Hui thought for a moment.

“Enlarge the photo and print it out. Let’s analyze it together.”

Cai Shi-Nan nodded.

He printed out the photograph and placed it on the desk.

Zhang Ya-Hui picked it up and carefully examined it.

“My guess is……”

She pointed at the photograph.

“After you and Shi Mei-Lin got married, you had twin children.”

“But the images of the mother and children in the photograph appear semi-transparent. This means some kind of external force has intervened.”

She raised her head and looked at Cai Shi-Nan.

“In other words, the original path of your lives has been changed.”

Cai Shi-Nan fell into thought.

“I think so too.”

“The semi-transparent images may mean that Mei-Lin and the children encountered an accident.”

“Or some external force changed their destiny.”

“It might even have caused Mei-Lin and me to never get married in the end.”

“So……”

Shi-Nan looked at the photograph.

“There should exist a future in this photograph that originally would have happened, but was forcibly changed.”

Zhang Ya-Hui nodded.

“Your reasoning is very possible.”

Her expression became serious.

“The most important thing for you now is to find the external factor that may have intervened.”

“Or prevent the accident that might happen in the future.”

She paused.

“For example……”

“When taking a plane or traveling by boat, try your best to avoid situations where Mei-Lin and the children could have an accident at the same time.”

After hearing this, Cai Shi-Nan’s expression became even heavier.

He looked at the semi-transparent images of Shi Mei-Lin and the two children in the photograph.

A strange feeling of uneasiness rose in his heart.

And Zhang Ya-Hui, sitting beside him, felt even more complicated emotions.

She worried about Shi-Nan, yet she could not ignore that trace of bitterness hidden deep in her heart.

Because the future shown in the photograph represented—

Shi Mei-Lin was the woman destined to be with Cai Shi-Nan.

And she herself seemed destined to remain forever outside the path of fate.