Reborn in 1993, Dark Sea

Darkness lies in the deepest recesses of everyone's heart; it contains fear, doubt, and the unknown, but it also contains wisdom and strength.

——Anonymous

The road stretched into the darkness ahead, seemingly without end.

That's how fate is; it always gives you a glimmer of hope when you're most desperate, and it often delivers a blow when you're most triumphant.

When news of his grandfather arrived, An Xiaohai was most worried about Chen Shuifen. He first sent Lin Xuan'er back to the village and asked her and Chen Xiru to take good care of Chen Shuifen. Then he drove alone to Nanjiang County.

There has been no news from Pan Zhuangzhuang in the past two days. He is likely being assessed by 073 or undergoing training. Kunji and Lai Donglin are keeping an eye on Hu Haikong.

Hu Haikong was the knot in Lai Donglin's heart for the first half of his life. As long as this knot remained untied, Lai Donglin would not be able to embrace a new life. An Xiaohai did not intend to disturb them at this time.

An Xiaohai, who was driving, had a gloomy expression and felt a little confused.

Grandpa's accident this time, I don't know if it was an accident or if he was set up, or if it's related to my actions these past few days.

Why is Grandpa unwilling to be transferred to another hospital for treatment? Is there some secret he can't tell, or does he no longer want to stay in this world?

Grandpa probably wants to go see Grandma. The reason he's so eager to see me is probably because he wants to tell me the big secret he's been keeping in his heart before he leaves.

An Xiaohai was somewhat resistant deep down, but he had no choice but to go.

If he goes, Grandpa might not be able to stay; but if he doesn't go, and Grandpa passes away, both he and Grandpa will be left with an irreparable regret.

My mind is in turmoil!

An Xiaohai drove mechanically, speeding forward without stopping except for refueling and going to the toilet. He drove for a full 17 hours before finally arriving safely at Nanjiang County People's Hospital.

"You... are An Xiaohai?"

An Xiaohai had just parked his car and stepped out when he heard a soft gasp. Turning his head, he saw a female doctor with snow-white hair looking at him from a short distance away, her eyes full of surprise.

"Yes, I am An Xiaohai. Do you know me?" An Xiaohai stepped forward and asked.

"Yes, I know you. You look a lot like your father when he was young. I was a little confused for a moment and thought it was Zheran who had come back!" the female doctor said with a smile.

Seeing the doctor's gentle expression, An Xiaohai felt a little relieved. Perhaps his grandfather's condition wasn't as serious as he had imagined.

"My grandfather..."

"Zhenhua...sigh!" The female doctor sighed softly, "His condition is not optimistic, but Xiaohai, I think you don't need to be too sad."

I can say that I've watched Zhenhua and Gillian Chung grow up together. They've been through so much together and are finally growing old together.

Their lives have been worthwhile; they have no regrets.

Now that Gillian Chung is gone, Zhenhua is all alone, all lonely and pitiful.

I understand why Zhenhua gave up treatment and refused to be transferred to another hospital. Sometimes, when the person you deeply love leaves first, it takes away all the color from this world.

Living, perhaps, is a form of torment.

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. I'll take you to see Zhenhua. He probably has something to say to you. Come with me."

After the female doctor with a full head of silver hair finished speaking, she turned and walked towards the hospital building, and An Xiaohai immediately followed her.

The Nanjiang County People's Hospital is small, with only three floors in the entire building. The inpatient department occupies only half a floor. The female doctor led An Xiaohai to a ward at the end of the corridor.

"This is a private room, which I arranged for him at his request. Please go in; he has been waiting for you for a long time."

After the female doctor finished speaking, she smiled and nodded before leaving. Her steps were very light, and if it weren't for her full head of silver hair, her back view would have looked like that of a young girl.

"thank you!"

An Xiaohai thanked her, but the female doctor didn't turn around. She just waved her hand gently, and her figure quickly disappeared around the corner of the corridor. Only then did An Xiaohai realize that he hadn't even asked her name.

"She... must have been a friend of my grandparents when they were young..."

An Xiaohai lowered his head, looking at the doorknob of the ward, but he didn't have the courage to push it open. He didn't know how long he stood there, but then he heard a soft cough coming from inside the ward.

The cough sounded very unnatural; clearly, Grandpa already knew he had arrived and was urging him to go inside.

An Xiaohai took a deep breath and pushed open the door to the ward.

Stepping into the ward, a strong sense of nostalgia washes over you:

The ward was spotless white, with some faded red slogans still remaining on the walls;

The window was open, with an old-fashioned wooden frame. Outside the window were layers of green mountains, and the whole window looked like a traditional Chinese ink painting inlaid on the wall.

The white iron-framed bed faced the window. An Zhenhua lay on the hospital bed with an oxygen tube in his nose. His eyes followed An Xiaohai's footsteps, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

"You've come!" Grandpa's voice was weak and hoarse, and his smile deepened.

"I'm here, Grandpa!" An Xiaohai sat down by the hospital bed and took his grandfather's hand.

Grandpa's hands were ice cold. An Xiaohai frowned slightly and checked the bedding. The bedding was thick and shouldn't be cold.

"Xiao Hai, stop it, I'm not cold."

An Zhenhua said softly that his condition was improving at a visible speed, and his face even had a rosy glow, which greatly surprised An Xiaohai.

"Come on, Xiao Hai, help Grandpa sit up. While Grandpa is still in good spirits, I want to say a few last words to you."

"Grandpa!" An Xiaohai's eyes instantly reddened.

"Don't be like this, Xiao Hai, don't be sad."

I've done everything I needed to do, and all my wishes have been fulfilled. It's time for me to go see your grandmother. Yu Jiao must be getting impatient over there. If I don't go soon, she'll be angry.

You know, your grandma is actually quite impatient, haha.

Come on, help me sit up!

Having no other choice, An Xiaohai helped An Zhenhua sit up. While holding his grandfather, An Xiaohai heard his grandfather's breathing sound like a bellows.

After sitting up straight, An Zhenhua took a while to recover, and his gaze towards An Xiaohai became even more gentle and loving.

"Xiao Hai, you've been wondering what secret I'm hiding from you, haven't you? And what can't we say to each other as family?"

An Xiaohai gritted his teeth and nodded.

"Yes, what can't a family say to each other? Actually, the answer is very simple. Some words, once spoken, can cause enormous harm to a family, or even make it impossible to remain a family..."

During this time, I've been thinking about whether I should tell you about those old stories, or let them be buried in the dust forever.

Originally, I thought it would be good to just leave quietly by myself without saying anything, at least you wouldn't have to suffer the same pain as me;

But I feel that this is unfair to you.

Xiao Hai, I can feel that you've grown up. Ever since you came out of prison, I feel like you've become a completely different person, you've really grown up.

Your eyes have changed; they've become firm and sharp, and you're starting to look more and more like him!

I think, perhaps, you are already capable of bearing all of this.

When I saw you this time, you had changed again. You were more composed and profound than you were six months ago.

I think you're ready by now, aren't you?

An Xiaohai looked into his grandfather's eyes and nodded gently.

"I knew it, hehe..." An Zhenhua chuckled, took several deep breaths, and spoke again:

"Alright, I'll ask you one more time, do you want to know the secret that has been suppressed in my heart for so many years? Are you willing to shoulder this heavy responsibility?"

State clearly whether you want to or not.

"I need to know, I'm willing!" An Xiaohai said almost without hesitation.

"Alright, Grandpa will tell you then."