The consequence of forced looping is that all three of us have the memories of the loop.

Pei Mo, in order to atone, began to torment and retaliate against Zhao Ruo.

He deliberately waited until the timeline when the hooligans appeared, and watched as Zhao Ruo was humiliated.

I passed by the alley after class, and Pei Mo protected me behind him.

He knew very well that those hooligans were not targeting me, but he acted as if he was protecting me.

In response to my mocking gaze, Pei Mo explained dryly:

"Chao Mu, that person is disgusting. I don't want you to see her."

Zhao Ruo was beaten and her blood splattered on my face.

Seeing this, Pei Mo carefully wiped my face with his fingertips.

I avoided him.

I took out a tissue and looked up at him, saying, "Dirty."

Pei Mo stood still, rare confusion on his face.

He didn't know if I was referring to the blood or him.

But Pei Mo knew that it would be difficult for me to forgive him.

In fact, Pei Mo was truly arrogant and ignorant. He didn't know anything.

He was only punishing Zhao Ruo in what he believed to be a reasonable way, thinking that it could make up for the crimes he had committed against me.

But in reality, he hadn't realized that the true perpetrator was not Zhao Ruo, but himself.

I have come to understand this, and I no longer feel sorry for the injuries Pei Mo suffered for me.

Pei Mo always silently walked about ten meters away from me, watching my back from afar, and rushing to my side at the first sign of danger.

With his injured leg, he half-closed his eyes and smiled, saying, "Chao Mu, look, I'm protecting you."

"I remember your promise."

"You're afraid of pain."

Pei Mo sat on the ground, holding his bleeding legs and gazed up at me. His face reverted to the appearance of when he was sixteen, the most youthful and captivating.

But I never fully realized that my childhood sweetheart had died before the age of sixteen, during that scorching summer.

The Pei Mo I loved did not die in the repeated loops, but rather in my memories.

He died in the most beautiful way.

And now, the current Pei Mo only disgusts me.

Seeing my indifferent expression, Pei Mo's gaze wavered. He pulled his pants down to cover the blood stain.

"Did my wound scare you with its ugliness? Chao Mu, I brought you candy, want some? If it's not enough, I'll have more next time."

In Pei Mo's open hand were the candies I liked the most.

"Pei Mo," I called him.

Pei Mo became flustered, "These candies aren't expired, Chao Mu..."

I shook my head and simply said with a smile, "I just don't like eating candy anymore."

We have looped so many times, we have long passed the age of enjoying candy.