16. A Warning Before Fate Was Rewritten

That afternoon, at the Cai familys traditional courtyard house on Xiaoliuqiu, sunlight slanted through the wooden windows and spilled into the room.

Cai Shinan sat in front of the desk, his hands clasped together, gazing at the deep blue sea outside the window. In the distance, fishing boats slowly moved with the waves, while seabirds swept across the sky. The scenery remained peaceful and tranquil.

Yet his heart could not calm down for a long time.

The memories of twenty years of life, like a film being played backward, continued to appear in his mind...

The suffering his younger sister Shifen endured after marriage, the helpless cries of her children, the series of tragedies caused by You Sihais addiction to gambling...

Those things that had once happened had not yet occurred.

And he now possessed one chance to change fate all over again.

"This time..."

Looking into the distance, Cai Shinan murmured softly,

"I absolutely cannot let Shifen walk down that path again."

Shinan sank into his memories.

Several years later, on an afternoon, the gate of the Cai familys courtyard house was pushed open.

Cai Shifen walked into the living room holding the hand of her young child. A baby still wrapped in swaddling clothes was carried against her chest, and in her other hand she dragged a simple suitcase.

Her face was pale, and her eyes were filled with exhaustion, as if she had endured a long and painful ordeal.

When Qiu Xiuduan saw her daughters appearance, she immediately stood up.

"Afen..."

She hurried over.

"Did you have another fight with Ah Hai again?"

Cai Shifen lowered her head, her eyes turning red.

After a long while, she finally bit her lip, as if she had finally made up her mind.

"Mom... I really cant take it anymore."

She raised her head, tears welling up in her eyes.

"I want to divorce Sihai!"

Qiu Xiuduan froze.

She quickly reached out to untie her daughters baby carrier and carefully took the child into her arms.

Looking at the innocent baby in her embrace, she could not help sighing with heartache.

"Poor children..."

"Theyre still so young, yet they already have to suffer through all this."

Inside the room, Cai Shinan heard his mother and sisters conversation and immediately walked out.

Seeing his sisters swollen eyes, his anger instantly erupted.

"Damn it!"

He waved his hand, his voice firm.

"Go back and get a divorce!"

"A man like that doesnt deserve you sacrificing yourself for him and working like a servant for him."

Qiu Xiuduan frowned.

"Shinan!"

"You should try to reconcile people, not break them apart."

"How can you, as her older brother, tell someone to get divorced the moment you open your mouth?"

Cai Shinan looked at his mother, his tone heavy.

"Mom, outsiders can often see things more clearly."

"Back then, I desperately tried to persuade Shifen not to be with someone like You Sihai, that irresponsible playboy."

"But she wouldnt listen. She treated my words like they were nothing."

"Does she finally regret it now?"

Qiu Xiuduan glanced at her daughter and shook her head helplessly.

"Shinan, say a little less."

"Dont make things worse right now."

She turned to Shifen.

"Fen, what exactly did Sihai do this time?"

Cai Shifen remained silent for a moment before finally revealing the truth that shocked her mother.

"He went gambling."

"He owes people several million dollars in gambling debts."

"Later..."

Her voice trembled.

"He actually wanted to use a fishing boat to smuggle drugs in order to pay off the debt."

The living room instantly fell silent.

Cai Shinans expression changed dramatically.

"Smuggle drugs?"

He clenched his fists.

"If he gets caught doing something like that, hell receive a heavy prison sentence!"

"He could even be sentenced to death!"

Cai Shifen lowered her head, and tears finally fell.

"I kept trying to persuade him."

"But he wouldnt listen at all."

"Even his own father became so angry that he no longer wanted to deal with him."

Holding the child in her arms, Qiu Xiuduans face was filled with disbelief.

"How did it become like this?"

"This Ah Hai..."

"He has truly ruined peoples lives."

「Shinan."

Qiu Xiuduan knocked on the door and walked into the room.

Cai Shinan came back to his senses and turned to look at his mother.

"Mom, whats wrong?"

Qiu Xiuduan walked behind him and sat down on the chair beside him. Looking at her son, she spoke with a puzzled tone.

"What exactly happened to you at Donggang Street this morning?"

"Shifen said that you got extremely angry at You Sihai, whom you had only met for the first time."

Cai Shinan remained silent for a moment.

He knew that his reaction just now was indeed impossible for others to understand.

However, he could not tell his mother the real reason.

No one would believe that what he had seen was a tragedy that would happen several years later.

"Mom."

His voice became serious.

"In any case, we cannot let Shifen continue associating with You Sihai."

"This person... will drag Afen down in the future."

Qiu Xiuduan frowned.

"Drag her down? Afen and You Sihai have only just met. They arent even dating yet."

"Dont you think your reaction is a little too extreme?"

Cai Shinan shook his head.

"Mom, trust me."

"I wont object to whoever Shifen chooses to date in the future."

"But You Sihai absolutely cannot."

Qiu Xiuduan looked at her son.

"Do you have some kind of prejudice against him?"

Cai Shinan gave a bitter smile.

"Mom, Im Shifens older brother."

"How could I possibly harm her?"

Qiu Xiuduan nodded.

"That is true."

"But you speak with such certainty. What exactly is your basis?"

Cai Shinan looked at his mother.

He knew he could not reveal the secret of his time travel, so he could only warn her in the way closest to the truth.

"Mom. Just trust me."

"You will naturally understand in the future."

He paused, then said in a heavy voice,

"You Sihai will go gambling in the future."

"He will owe several million dollars in gambling debts."

"In the end, he will even use a fishing boat to smuggle drugs, trying to repay the money through illegal means."

Qiu Xiuduans eyes widened.

Looking at her son, she was half doubtful and half shocked.

"Really?"

"Ill go ask Afen and find out the truth."

She stood up and walked toward the door, but suddenly remembered something else.

"Oh, right."

"Youve been back resting for quite some time now."

"Have you thought about looking for a new job?"

Cai Shinan shook his head.

"Mom, I want to start my own business."

"I just havent decided what field I want to go into yet."

Qiu Xiuduan showed an expression of both comfort and concern.

"Starting your own business is good too."

"You wont have to look at other peoples expressions or depend on their approval."

"If you dont have enough funds, Mom can go ask relatives and friends to help you raise money."

Cai Shinan smiled and shook his head.

"No need, Mom."

"I have enough capital for starting a business."

"Once I figure out the direction, Ill begin preparing."

Qiu Xiuduan looked at her son and thought to herself:

"Shinan only went to work in Hsinchu for half a year."

"Logically speaking, even if he had saved some money, it shouldnt be much."

"But the way he talks now..."

Her brows tightened slightly.

"Why does it feel like he has become a completely different person?"

The sound of waves gently drifted in from outside the window.

Qiu Xiuduan did not know that the son standing before her had already returned to the starting point where fate began again, carrying twenty years of life experience with him.

And Cai Shinan also did not know that every effort he made to change the past was quietly rewriting everyones future.

17. An Unexplainable Prophecy

At dusk, the sky above Xiaoliuqiu was dyed with a faint orange-red glow.

The sea breeze passed through the wooden window frames of the courtyard house, carrying the salty scent of the ocean.

Inside the room, Cai Shifen sat before the dressing table, looking at herself in the mirror with her brows slightly furrowed. Her mood was clearly low.

The incident that happened at Donggang Harbor today had continued to trouble her.

She could not understand why her brother Cai Shinan had suddenly rushed out, scolded You Sihai in front of him, and even said some inexplicable things, as if he already knew what would happen to You Sihai in the future.

But they had clearly only met for the first time.

"What exactly is Brother thinking?"

Shifen murmured softly to herself.

She picked up the comb, but merely held it in her hand, unable to move for a long time.

At that moment, the door was gently pushed open.

Qiu Xiuduan entered carrying a tea tray, with a cup of herbal tea placed on it.

Seeing her daughters gloomy expression, she showed a heartbroken look.

"Fen."

She placed the teacup on the table.

"Drink some herbal tea and calm yourself down."

Cai Shifen did not immediately pick up the cup.

Instead, she turned around and looked at her mother.

"Mom."

"Did you go ask Brother?"

Qiu Xiuduan sat down on the chair beside her and sighed softly.

"Yes, I did."

"Your brother said..."

She paused, as if she did not know how to repeat his words.

"He said You Sihai would drag you down in the future."

"He doesnt want you to have anything more to do with Sihai."

After hearing this, Cai Shifen could not help frowning.

"When am I even dating You Sihai?"

"I only met him for the first time today on Donggang Street."

"What exactly is Brother so worried about?"

The more she spoke, the more unbelievable it seemed to her.

"Could it be that just because he saw someone talk to me for a few minutes, he has to make such a huge fuss?"

Qiu Xiuduan looked at her daughter, still filled with confusion.

"The problem is..."

"Your brother spoke with such certainty."

"He described everything as if he had personally witnessed it."

19. The Power of Love

In the afternoon, Donggang Fishing Harbor was filled with activity. Sunlight shone upon the sparkling surface of the sea. Several fishing boats were docked beside the pier, and the crew members were busy carrying boxes of freshly caught seafood from the boats.

The shouts coming one after another, the sounds of ice blocks colliding, and the cries of seabirds circling in the sky intertwined together, forming the unique lively scene of a fishing harbor in southern Taiwan.

You Sihai stood beside the fishing boat, rolled up his sleeves, and worked together with the crew members to organize the fishing nets and cargo.

He had a strong build, and his skin had become dark and tanned from years of exposure to the sea breeze and sunlight.

Although his appearance looked rough and rugged, he worked efficiently and took good care of the people around him.

Li Mingde stood nearby helping to count the seafood cargo.

While the two of them were busy working, they suddenly saw a familiar figure approaching from afar.

"Brother!"

You Suru stood at the edge of the pier and waved toward her brother.

You Sihai put down the work in his hands and walked over together with Li Mingde.

"Little sister, whats wrong?"

He looked at his sisters expression and noticed that she seemed to have something to tell him.

You Suru glanced at Li Mingde beside them before speaking.

"Brother, didnt you ask me to find out from Shifen why her brother Shinan suddenly became so angry at you?"

You Sihai nodded, his brows slightly furrowed.

"Yes."

"The way her brother looked at me that day was as if I owed him several million dollars."

"It was my first time meeting him. I dont even know what I did to offend him."

You Suru was silent for a moment before saying:

"Brother, I found out."

"Her brother Shinan knows about you betting on the lottery."

You Sihai froze for a moment.

"What? He knows?"

You Suru nodded.

"Not only does he know, he also told Shifen..."

She paused for a moment and looked at her brother.

"He said that in the future you would sink deeper and deeper, and end up owing a huge gambling debt."

"In the end, you would even smuggle drugs and use that money to repay your gambling debts."

After hearing this, You Sihai was stunned at first, then let out a bitter laugh.

"So thats the reason."

He lowered his head and thought for a moment. His expression became serious.

"Then I will explain everything clearly to Brother Dabao."

"From now on, I wont place bets on the lottery anymore, and I wont support Brother Dabao by going there either."

"In that way, Cai Shinan should no longer worry."

Standing beside them, Li Mingde could not help but curl his lips after hearing this.

"Boss."

"Why do you take that bookworms words as if they were a sacred command?"

"Whatever he says, are you really going to do it?"

After hearing this, You Suru could not help rolling her eyes at him.

"A-De, you are really unbelievably slow."

"Cant you see it yet?"

Li Mingde looked confused.

"See what?"

You Suru smiled.

"My brother likes Shifen!"

Li Mingde was stunned.

"Ah? Really?"

"Even if Boss likes Cai Shifen, he doesnt need to worry about Cai Shinans opinion, does he?"

You Suru could not help laughing and scolding him:

"You! Qing-mian cow, your words cant even stretch out a rope!"

(Taiwanese: A metaphor describing someone who is too slow-witted and unable to understand what is happening.)

Being teased by Suru, Li Mingde scratched his head and revealed an embarrassed yet honest smile.

"How would I know..."

"I just thought Boss was normally fearless."

"How come he suddenly became afraid of an engineer?"

You Sihai ignored their teasing.

His eyes looked toward the distant sea, and Cai Shifens gentle smile appeared in his mind.

That day on Donggang Street, the way she stood beneath the sunlight had unknowingly already been carved into his heart.

He turned his head and looked at his sister.

"Little sister."

"Help me tell Shifen."

You Suru looked at her brother.

"Tell her what?"

You Sihai took a deep breath and revealed a rare serious expression.

"For her..."

"I am willing to change."

"As long as she is willing to give me a chance, I can do anything."

Looking at her brothers unusually serious expression, You Suru could not help laughing.

"Oh? Brother, this is the power of love, isnt it?"

She deliberately sang out the title of the popular Taiwanese song at that time, The Power of Love.

Being exposed by his sister, You Sihai rarely showed an embarrassed expression.

"Dont laugh at me."

"I just feel..."

He paused for a moment and looked toward the fishing boats anchored in the distance.

"When there is someone who is worth it, she makes me want to become a better person."

The sea breeze passed through the pier.

Li Mingde looked at his boss standing before him and, for the first time, felt that—

You Sihai, the man who had once made the brothers in the underworld fear him, could actually begin changing the direction of his life because of a woman.

20. A Homestay Dream in the Sea Breeze

In the afternoon, along the coast of Xiaoliuqiu, sunlight spilled over the deep blue sea. Waves crashed against the reefs again and again, creating a regular and distant sound.

Several fishing boats floated slowly with the waves in the distance, while seabirds flew low across the surface of the water.

On the shore, several anglers sat beneath sun umbrellas, quietly waiting for the fish to bite, enjoying a rare moment of leisure.

Cai Shinan sat beside the reef, holding a fishing rod in his hand, his eyes fixed on the float.

On the surface, he seemed to be concentrating on fishing, but inside his heart was in complete turmoil.

Returning to twenty years ago, he had originally thought that he would be able to regain control of his life.

However, things had turned out to be far more complicated than he had imagined.

His younger sister Shifen’s future was the thing he worried about the most.

He remembered the tragedy of his previous life clearly.

In the end, You Sihai had caused Shifen endless suffering.

Having been given another chance, he absolutely could not watch his younger sister walk toward the same fate again.

At that moment, the sound of a motorcycle came from behind.

Zhang Yahui rode past the seaside on her motorcycle.

She had originally only been passing by by chance, but she immediately saw Cai Shinan sitting on the shore.

She stopped the motorcycle, took off her helmet, and looked at that familiar back.

"Shinan?"

She showed a surprised expression.

"Why is he fishing here alone?"

Yahui knew that Cai Shinan had never been someone who liked to spend his days leisurely.

There must be something hidden in his heart.

After thinking for a moment, she turned around and rode back to the teachers’ dormitory, where she took out the fishing equipment she had collected.

Not long afterward, she carried a fishing rod back to the seaside and deliberately sat beside Cai Shinan, pretending to naturally arrange her fishing line.

Hearing the movement beside him, Cai Shinan turned his head and could not help being stunned.

"Yahui?"

Zhang Yahui calmly cast her fishing line into the sea.

"What? Am I not allowed to come fishing?"

Cai Shinan smiled.

"I was just a little surprised."

The two remained silent for a moment.

The only sound was the waves striking the shore.

Zhang Yahui looked at him.

"Shinan."

"You seem to have something weighing on your mind today."

Cai Shinan held the fishing rod and looked toward the distance.

After a while, he finally spoke in a low voice.

"Yahui, Ive been feeling very troubled lately."

Zhang Yahui turned her head and looked at him gently.

"Troubled about what? Tell me."

"Isnt that what good friends are for? To help each other relieve worries and problems?"

Cai Shinan was silent for a moment.

Finally, he spoke about his greatest concern.

"Its my younger sister Shifen."

"Recently, she has become very close to that playboy You Sihai from the Donggang Fishermens Association."

His brows tightened.

"I dont want her to be dragged down by that person in the future."

"Yahui, do you have any way to make that man surnamed You leave Shifen on his own?"

After hearing this, Zhang Yahui did not answer immediately.

She looked at Cai Shinans serious expression and felt somewhat puzzled.

"Isnt Shifen working at the health center?"

Cai Shinan nodded.

"Yes."

"But when she is on vacation, she is like a wild horse that has broken free from its reins, running around everywhere."

Zhang Yahui could not help laughing.

"Thats normal."

"Shifen is young. She has her own friends and her own life. That is how it should be."

Cai Shinan shook his head.

"But I just dont want her to associate with You Sihai."

His tone was firm, as if he were protecting something extremely important.

Zhang Yahui looked at him and thought for a while.

"If you really want her to spend more time at home..."

"Perhaps you could find a way to create a family business."

Cai Shinan turned to look at her.

"A family business? What kind?"

Zhang Yahui looked toward the distant coastline and slowly said:

"For example... opening a homestay."

"In recent years, many people in the countryside have started receiving tourists and using their own houses to operate homestays."

Cai Shinan’s eyes brightened slightly.

"Opening a homestay?"

"Actually..."

He paused for a moment.

"I had thought about this idea before."

"Transforming our old family courtyard house into a homestay."

Zhang Yahui showed an appreciative expression.

"Your idea is actually quite good."

"But renovating the house, along with interior decoration and design, would require quite a lot of money."

Cai Shinan smiled faintly.

"Money is not a problem."

"Its just..."

"I’m afraid I wont be able to handle everything alone."

Zhang Yahui looked at him.

"Then it could be designed in a Japanese style."

"At present, there are relatively few Japanese-style homestays in Xiaoliuqiu."

Cai Shinan was slightly stunned.

"Japanese style?"

Zhang Yahui nodded.

"Yes."

"Using wooden architecture, tatami, and garden landscaping to allow visitors to experience an atmosphere different from ordinary homestays."

"In a few days, I can first draw draft plans for the house design and interior arrangement."

"Then we can discuss them together."

Cai Shinan smiled.

"Then Ill trouble you, Yahui."

Zhang Yahui deliberately put on a serious expression.

"Let me make this clear first."

"I charge design fees."

Cai Shinan laughed.

"Of course. That is only right."

"When the homestay is completed, I will let Shifen quit her job and come back to help manage it."

He looked toward the distant sea, his voice filled with confidence in planning the future.

"That way, she wont have time to run around everywhere on weekends and holidays."

Listening to his words, Zhang Yahui did not answer immediately.

She simply quietly looked at the man in front of her.

The sunlight shone on Cai Shinan’s profile.

That face, which had once been worn down by years of hardship, now looked much younger.

However, his eyes carried a kind of maturity and weariness that did not match his age.

Questions appeared in her heart.

Did Shinan really have enough money?

Why did he seem so confident when talking about his business plans?

Zhang Yahui looked toward the sea, the fishing rod in her hand gently swaying.

She did not know that the man before her was carrying a life experience from twenty years in the future and was rewriting his own destiny once again.