Chapter 10

At five in the afternoon, everyone started packing up, getting ready to leave work.

The setting sun slanted through the window, warm and unhurried.

I sat upright at my desk, unmoving.

This was the first time I’d survived to this hour.

The first death that triggered the loop happened when I took the elevator after work.

I’d watched a ton of horror movies and read books on the occult during this time, making me wary of Murphy’s Law.

What if, after dying this time, it just started a new loop? Wouldn’t that mean I’d have to start all over again from nine in the morning?

I didn’t dare risk it.

Li Qianxue walked past me, her cold and proud face turned toward me.

“Why aren’t you leaving? Aren’t you celebrating your wedding anniversary tonight?”

I was startled. “How did you know?”

A trace of annoyance seemed to flash in her eyes. She pursed her lips and said, “Didn’t you mention it before?”

“Did I?”

I never talked about my private life at work.

But for me, yesterday had already been months ago.

Whether I’d said it or not, I really couldn’t remember.

“I’m working overtime tonight,” I replied casually.

She was surprised. “You went head-to-head with everyone today, even Manager Lan. Do you really think working overtime will make up for it?”

I suddenly fell silent.

Above my head, the central air conditioner made a faint creaking sound.

Others didn’t care, but I was hyper-aware.

There was no need to drag others into my own misfortune.

With a sigh, I stood up and suddenly shoved Li Qianxue hard.

She stumbled and fell, her wrist hitting the ground with a crisp “clang.”

Almost instinctively, she rolled up her sleeve, checking anxiously.

The moment the air conditioner crashed down with a roar-

I saw something.

……

The next day, I maxed out my credit card, bought more than a dozen H bracelets from the official website, and had them delivered to the office. I handed one out to every female colleague on our floor, openly and generously.

Everyone was stunned.

My nickname as the “Queen of Saving Money” was well-known.

When I handed one to Li Qianxue, even her usually aloof face was filled with shock and confusion.

“An Ge, are you crazy? Isn’t money your lifeblood?”

I smiled indifferently. “Today’s my wedding anniversary. I’m happy! Here, put it on and see if it suits you.”

She touched her wrist, a hint of hesitation flashing across her face.

“Li Qianxue, you’re not going to dislike my taste for money and refuse to wear what I give you, are you?”

She rolled her eyes at me.

“I only dislike money-obsessed men. Are you a man?”

“Then put it on now.”

She shook her head helplessly, rolled up her sleeve, and took off the jade bangle she’d been wearing.

I picked up the jade bangle absentmindedly, turning it over in my hand.

“This is a nice bangle. A streak of purple and a streak of green-I think it’s called Spring with Color, right? Must be expensive.”

She took it back from me a bit nervously and laughed it off. “It’s nothing, just over two hundred thousand.”

“This pattern is rare. Who gave it to you?” I asked with a smile.

“My mom. She passed it down to me,” she said, her voice uncharacteristically flustered.

I looked at her quietly, saying nothing.

I’d seen this bangle before.

When Li Qianxue fell yesterday, I recognized it at a glance.

And the place I’d seen this bangle was in Yisheng’s office drawer.

A week before the loop started, I went to see Yisheng.

While waiting for him in his office, I accidentally found a delicate black leather box in the drawer. Inside was this very Spring with Color!

The unique pattern left a deep impression on me.

At the time, I thought he’d prepared it in advance as an anniversary gift. Although I felt it was a huge waste of money, I figured it was Yisheng’s heartfelt gesture, and since I’d never owned any decent jewelry, I pretended not to know and was secretly delighted.

If it weren’t for this bizarre experience, I would have been eagerly looking forward to receiving this bangle tonight.

But now, the bangle was on Li Qianxue’s wrist!

Another thing, almost forgotten, came to mind.

Li Qianxue was introduced to the company two years ago by Gu Yisheng.

Back then, when the company was hiring, he handed me a resume, saying a teacher from the neighboring department knew I worked at this big industry firm and wanted to recommend their student for an internal referral.

He’d sounded casual at the time.

“I don’t know this student either. If you think she’s suitable, hire her. If not, just reject her. It’s just a favor between colleagues. I don’t really care.”

Thinking back now, how could Gu Yisheng ask me for a favor for a student he didn’t even know?

Suddenly, I remembered the time I jumped out the window-Li Qianxue’s eyes staring straight at me: calm, shocked, and with a hint of excitement, as if… she couldn’t wait.