zarrely laughed in the subway—a hat-covered face, appearing headless at first glance.

Tao Ci was sure it was her, the unmistakable form and attire were exactly the same. In this overwhelming crowd, only she remained serene. Though her face was hidden, Tao Ci knew she was smiling—that same eerie laugh from before. No reason, just knew. And she was still watching him. Despite his myriad questions and anger, Tao Ci put it aside—reunion was the priority.

"Crash!" The third floor’s ceiling was ripped open. When Tao Ci saw his parents from afar, they were smiling through tears, awaiting their end. Just as everything seemed as if it would end in a whirlwind, the air suddenly stilled, and everything floating in midair plummeted, shattering upon impact.

Tao Ci rushed through the dazed crowd towards his parents until he was dazzled by the brightness above.

The cloud’s center opened to a clear sky, but not to blue—golden light, absorbing like a pool, emanated radiant brilliance. Everyone alive stood transfixed by this miracle, forgetting it was the best escape opportunity, forgetting their own existence.

Happiness was fleeting. A harrowing aura suddenly came from the thunder pool. Everyone snapped back to reality, chaos resumed, but the crowd density was so high. The thunder pool’s projection stayed aimed at his parents' area. Tao Ci grew anxious, his heart tightening like a coiled spring. He pushed forward with all his might.

The inevitable came; the thunder pool couldn’t hold the accumulated energy any longer. Witnesses described it as a golden destructive light shooting down, about to hit the targeted crowd.

Tao Ci, only a few steps away, saw it and screamed internally, "No!" Summoning the last of his strength, he propelled himself towards the crowd, dispersing everyone from the danger zone.

The danger zone, however, still contained one person—Tao Ci, who fell to the ground from the impact. Trying to rise with a foggy mind, leaning on his elbows, he briefly glanced at his parents nearby, managing a weak smile. His parents, in tears, screamed helplessly, desperately fighting the inertia pulling them away.

Tao Ci knew this was probably his last glance, tears welling up in his eyes, but his body unable to move.

Watching the golden ocean descend, a desperate surge of will raised his legs, lifting his lower body with all remaining strength, contorting his facial features in a final effort, "There's hope. Ah!!!"

Witnesses described the scene: Just as the man began to rise, a golden light struck him down, instantly erasing him.

Not even a speck of ash remained.

Chapter Four: Could This Be Time Travel?

A week had passed since the storm, and disaster reconstruction efforts were underway in an orderly manner.

In Tao Ci’s living room, the news anchor’s v

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