Chapter 2 : Back to the Past

The world around Su Mo had shifted, pulling him back from the brink of death and depositing him in the familiar confines of his own bedroom. As he stood there, the reality of the situation slowly began to sink in – he had somehow been given a second chance, a chance to turn back the clock and uncover the truth behind his own brutal murder.

Steeling himself with a deep breath, Su Mo began to pace the room, his mind racing as he tried to make sense of this impossible turn of events. How had this happened? Was it truly just a dream, a figment of his fevered imagination as he lay dying? Or had some unseen force intervened, granting him this unexpected reprieve?

The questions swirled endlessly in his mind, but one thing was clear – he couldn't afford to waste a single moment. Whoever had orchestrated his demise was still out there, and with the knowledge of his impending fate, Su Mo had a rare opportunity to confront them head-on.

Pausing in front of the mirror, he studied his reflection, taking in the youthful vitality that had been so cruelly ripped away from him. The deep, haunted gaze that had stared back at him in those final moments was gone, replaced by a renewed sense of determination and purpose.

"Alright," he murmured, his voice low and resolute. "Time to get to work."

Su Mo's first order of business was to retrace his steps, to relive the events that had led to his untimely end. Starting with the fateful night of his performance, he meticulously reconstructed the sequence of events, every detail seared into his memory with stark clarity.

The thunderous applause, the adrenaline rush, the sudden panic in his assistant's eyes – it all came rushing back, and Su Mo felt a chill run down his spine as he recalled the searing pain of the attack, the agonizing realization that his life was slipping away.

And then, like a beacon in the darkness, there was Xue Jing. Su Mo's fingers tightened around the edge of the dresser as he remembered the desperate, whispered plea for help, the last shred of hope he had clung to before the world had faded to black.

Xue Jing. The name held a new significance now, a connection that had proven pivotal in those final moments. If Su Mo was to uncover the truth behind his murder, he knew that Xue Jing would be an invaluable ally – a fellow artist whose own past was shrouded in mystery, and who now held the key to Su Mo's redemption.

With renewed purpose, Su Mo turned his attention to the calendar, his gaze fixed on the date that stared back at him. Three days. He had three days to prepare, to anticipate the events that would unfold and position himself to confront the true mastermind behind his demise.

Striding over to his desk, Su Mo began to jot down notes, mapping out a plan of action. He would need to be vigilant, observant, carefully monitoring the movements of those around him for any sign of treachery. And he would need to tread carefully, lest he tip off the culprit and risk losing his newfound advantage.

As he worked, a soft knock at the door startled him, and he quickly shoved the papers into a drawer, his heart pounding in his chest. Steeling himself, he opened the door to find his assistant standing on the other side, her expression a mix of concern and relief.

"Su Mo! I'm so glad you're alright," she exclaimed, her eyes sweeping over him as if to confirm he was unharmed. "I was worried when you didn't come out of your room this morning. Is everything okay?"

Su Mo felt a pang of guilt at the worry etched across her features, and he offered her a reassuring smile. "Yes, everything is fine," he assured her. "I just... had a bit of a rough night, that's all. But I'm ready to get back to work."

The assistant nodded, her brow furrowing slightly. "Well, if you're sure. The director wants to see you in his office as soon as possible. He mentioned something about finalizing the details for your upcoming performance."

Su Mo's heart skipped a beat, his mind racing. The upcoming performance – the very one that had marked the beginning of the end for him. This was his chance, his opportunity to get a step ahead of the culprit and unravel the web of deceit that had led to his demise.

"I'll be right there," he said, offering the assistant a grateful nod. As she turned to leave, Su Mo paused, a thought occurring to him. "And Xue Jing – is he here as well?"

The assistant blinked, her expression turning quizzical. "Xue Jing? Yes, he arrived earlier this morning. I believe he's in his dressing room, preparing for rehearsals."

Su Mo felt a surge of relief, his lips curving into a determined smile. "Excellent. Thank you, that will be all."

Closing the door, Su Mo took a moment to collect himself, his mind whirring with the implications of this new information. Xue Jing was here, just as he had been on that fateful night. And if Su Mo's hunch was correct, the enigmatic artist might just hold the key to unraveling the mystery that would ultimately determine the course of Su Mo's life – or death.

With a deep breath, Su Mo strode out of his room, his steps filled with a sense of purpose. The hunt for the truth had begun, and he was determined to leave no stone unturned in his quest for redemption.

* * *

The corridors of the Grand Shanghai Theatre were a bustling hive of activity, as the cast and crew prepared for the upcoming performance. Su Mo navigated the labyrinth of hallways, his gaze sweeping over the familiar faces, searching for any sign of the man who had become an unlikely ally in his final moments.

Finally, he spotted Xue Jing, the enigmatic artist standing alone in the shadows, his expression pensive as he studied a script in his hands. Taking a deep breath, Su Mo approached him, his heart pounding in his chest.

"Xue Jing," he called out, his voice tinged with a mixture of apprehension and hope.

Xue Jing's head snapped up, his dark eyes widening with surprise as they settled on Su Mo. "Su Mo," he murmured, a small frown creasing his brow. "I didn't expect to see you here so early."

Su Mo offered him a sheepish smile, his fingers fidgeting nervously. "Yes, well, I... I couldn't sleep. Too much on my mind, I suppose."

Xue Jing regarded him for a long moment, his gaze sharpening with a hint of suspicion. "Is everything alright?" he asked, his voice low and measured.

Su Mo took a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation that was to come. "Actually, Xue Jing, there's something I need to talk to you about. Something... important."

Xue Jing's eyes narrowed, his expression shifting to one of guarded curiosity. "Go on," he prompted, his tone laced with a subtle note of caution.

Su Mo felt a bead of sweat trickle down the back of his neck, but he refused to back down. This was his chance, his one opportunity to change the course of his fate. With a resolute nod, he met Xue Jing's gaze, his voice steady and unwavering.

"I need your help. I need you to help me uncover the truth behind my own murder."