MP Ch113: Zero

[10/30, 06:20, Nanyi City Machinery Factory]

Xiao Shitou slept extremely soundly, and it wasn’t until he was shaken awake that he realized he had been sleeping.

“Xiao Shitou, Xiao Shitou! Wake up quickly!”

He heard Lin Heyu’s voice, but his eyelids felt glued together, too heavy to open. What was happening? Why was he so tired? What time was it? Why did Lin Heyu sound so anxious?

After several calls, his consciousness gradually returned, and he finally managed to open his eyes. Once his vision focused, he found himself in a dimly lit small room, with his hands tied behind his back and his feet bound as well.

“Where is this?”

“Nanyi Machinery Factory.” Lin Heyu held a utility knife, his expression serious. “An explosion is about to happen; we need to leave quickly.”

An explosion?! Xiao Shitou’s pupils dilated, and his heart began to pound heavily. Lin Heyu cut the rope binding his slender ankles and heard him ask, “Are there police outside to help?”

“No.” Lin Heyu forced a smile.

“How could this happen…” Xiao Shitou murmured. After he had fallen asleep last night, Lin Heyu had clearly gone out with Uncle Sheng. They must have been discussing the case. Why had only Lin Heyu come to the machinery factory today?

Also, he had clearly been sleeping at Aunt Lin’s house; how had he ended up tied up here? It was utterly baffling.

“Did you not have a pleasant chat? Why didn’t Uncle Sheng come to help?”

Lin Heyu paused his movements and asked in return, “Did you wake up at all during the night?”

Xiao Shitou shook his head; he had slept too deeply this time and still felt groggy, as if his head was heavy while his feet were light. He always felt something was off; how could someone who usually slept lightly be in such a deep sleep?

Lin Heyu cut through the tape binding his hands. Xiao Shitou lay sideways, cooperating with his actions. However, the movements behind him stopped suddenly, with no sound for a long time.

“What’s wrong?”

“… I found something. Don’t be scared.”

Lin Heyu’s tone was low, his voice tense and strained. Xiao Shitou immediately thought of what might be related to the Nanyi Machinery Factory—explosives.

“Lin Heyu,” Xiao Shitou swallowed nervously, “Do I have… explosives on me?”

Lin Heyu confirmed.

…No wonder he felt so uncomfortable in his lower back; it turned out he had a detonator stuck there. Xiao Shitou’s heart raced quickly, feeling scared not only for his own life but also for Lin Heyu’s safety.

“How long until it explodes?”

Lin Heyu looked at the clock in the factory, cold sweat forming on his brow. To keep the child from getting overly anxious, he replied, “There’s still plenty of time; don’t be afraid.”

He steadied himself and quickly cut through the tape to reveal the explosives. This homemade bomb, besides the traditional fuse, also had a timer like one from a TV show, set for 60 seconds. Its structure was simple, with two wires of different colors connected to the IED, exactly as described in the materials.

Recalling the details, Lin Heyu decisively cut the yellow wire, but unexpectedly, with a “beep,” the timer began its countdown.

…Why did this happen? He was momentarily stunned, hardly having time to think, before forcefully cutting the remaining wires, tearing the explosives off Xiao Shitou, and jumping to the nearest window to throw them out.

Behind Factory No. 4 was Factory No. 2, and that window happened to be a shared ventilation window between the two buildings. At this time, it wasn’t yet work hours, and the place was empty. A few seconds after throwing it out, an explosive sound shook the ground, causing dust to fall from the factory. Lin Heyu tightly held Xiao Shitou, hiding in a safe corner, and the two remained unharmed.

At 6:35 A.M. on October 30, an explosion occurred in Factory No. 2 of the Nanyi Machinery Factory.

Xiao Shitou was terrified, gripping Lin Heyu’s collar tightly. Lin Heyu lifted him up and quickly left the dangerous site.

A van was parked sideways on the edge of a safe area unaffected by the explosion. Hearing gray smoke rising from Factory No. 2, a person got out of the vehicle, took off their sunglasses, and cursed, “Damn! How could there be an explosion over there?! Didn’t they say it was only in the dormitory?!”

“How would I know?! Forget it, what’s done is done; where’s that guy named Wu?”

“He just went in.”

“Then let’s take action! What are we waiting for?”

Lin Heyu and Xiao Shitou walked along the wall, and after a series of loud bangs, they immediately crouched down. The dormitory building at the far east of the factory collapsed with a roar. A mushroom cloud rose above the rubble, and chaos erupted in the factory. Surviving workers fled in all directions while the criminals took advantage of the confusion to loot. The small van brazenly drove away amidst the chaos.

Everything proceeded exactly as it should.

The workers had called the police and requested ambulances, then began to organize rescue efforts to save colleagues trapped under the debris. Lin Heyu helped move the bricks, and Xiao Shitou, unable to stay idle, joined in. Since family members frequently stayed over in the dormitory, the workers thought that the big and small pair were relatives of one of their colleagues. With saving lives being the priority, they had no time to investigate further.

Xiao Shitou set down a brick and brushed past Lin Heyu. In the air, besides the smell of burning explosives, there was a faint rotten egg odor, especially when the workers uncovered a large section of asbestos tiles, causing the scent to become increasingly pronounced.

Was food spoiled? Xiao Shitou crouched down, peering through a triangular opening formed by the debris, and saw a blue round can lying inside.

What was this? Xiao Shitou squinted his eyes and read three Chinese characters on it: “X Gas.”

Lin Heyu also caught the scent; noticing Xiao Shitou lying on the ground, his mind buzzed, and his eyelids twitched violently. Although the explosion had occurred exactly as planned, the materials on the bombing incident included a line of small print—secondary explosion!

“Xiao Shitou! Come here quickly!”

Lin Heyu shouted while running, wanting to quickly pull him away from the dangerous ruins. Xiao Shitou moved swiftly behind him. A worker, tired from moving debris, sat down on the bricks, pulled out a cigarette, and pressed the lighter.

Lin Heyu’s adrenaline surged as he lunged toward Xiao Shitou, wrapping him in his arms. The moment the open flame met the liquefied gas, a loud “bang!” erupted, sending everyone around them flying several meters away, while a raging inferno blazed fiercely.

Neither Xiao Shitou nor Lin Heyu escaped unscathed, but Lin Heyu shielded him in his embrace, blocking the wave of heat and impact with his back. His shirt was tattered and his back was bloodied, as Xiao Shitou crawled out from his arms, panicking, and shook Lin Heyu’s arm repeatedly: “Lin Heyu, Lin Heyu! Are you okay?”

Tears streamed down his face; Lin Heyu’s eyelashes fluttered, but he didn’t open his eyes. Several workers nearby, severely injured, lay on the ground, continuously groaning.

Workers in the distance heard the explosion and rushed over, all astonished:

“What exploded again?!”

“It’s Wang Yong’s dormitory; there were liquefied gas tanks inside!”

“How many?”

“I don’t know! They were just trying to make cooking easier, and it ended up being deadly.”

Xiao Shitou’s heart trembled; would there be more explosions? He hurriedly took off his jacket and draped it over Lin Heyu’s back. Sure enough, before long, another gas tank exploded, and he threw himself on Lin Heyu, becoming his shield.

The explosion point was relatively distant, so they didn’t face the direct impact, but burning debris and wooden planks flew through the air, raining down everywhere. Just then, a piece of scorched asbestos tile struck Xiao Shitou’s arm; by the time it hit the ground, his right arm was already bloodied and raw. Yet, he gritted his teeth and clung tightly to Lin Heyu’s shoulder.

Lin Heyu stirred slightly, and Xiao Shitou was filled with joy: “Lin Heyu! You’re awake?!”

“Mm.” He had briefly lost consciousness from hitting his head, but it wasn’t serious. However, when he tried to stand, a sharp pain surged through his abdomen, as if his organs were being crushed. That violent impact could have caused an internal injury. Xiao Shitou kept staring at him, filled with concern, but his arm was a mess of bruises and tattered clothes stuck to the wound.

“Are you okay?” Lin Heyu felt pained; he ultimately couldn’t prevent this scar from appearing. It would always follow Xiao Shitou, and even when he grew up to be Yi Shi, it couldn’t be healed.

“I’m fine.” Perhaps due to the severity of the burn, Xiao Shitou temporarily felt no pain, only a continuous burning sensation creeping up his arm.

The sound of sirens from ambulances and fire trucks approached. As Lin Heyu pulled Xiao Shitou up, just as they stood, a third loud explosion erupted. The dormitory behind them erupted in flames, the ground shook several times, and the smell of smoke intensified. An ambulance entered through the main gate, and Lin Heyu pulled back the barbed wire beside a small warehouse, guiding Xiao Shitou to crawl out.

They swam across the small river to the opposite bank, and upon entering the water, the turmoil in their insides was excruciating. After they reached the shore, Lin Heyu suppressed the metallic taste in his throat and led Xiao Shitou into the mountains.

The scenery around them had transformed dramatically; how could Que Tou Mountain be so high and vast?! When Xiao Shitou looked back, the machinery factory had vanished, and he and Lin Heyu found themselves entirely within a majestic mountain range.

The air in the forest was cool and damp, with a light drizzle falling. Xiao Shitou was led by Lin Heyu, completely unaware of their destination. Lin Heyu, however, was quite calm, asking, “Do you know where this is?”

“No.”

“Southern Cheng’an Mountain.”

? Xiao Shitou’s eyes widened in disbelief: “How is that possible?!”

Nothing was impossible. Lin Heyu had grown up here; he could recall not just every mountain peak but at least the basic geography and topography by heart.

Tall pines embraced them, and the grass and trees flourished. The green bamboo was lush, and the shadows of the trees danced. A clear stream flowed down from the mountainside, accompanied by the chirping of birds, composing a symphony of nature.

It was only early spring, yet the scenery was so beautiful; the deep mountain woods in the summer would surely be mesmerizing.

The two walked along the stream, and through the layered branches, a white-walled, blue-tiled ancient building became visible. Xiao Shitou thought it was a temple, but Lin Heyu informed him it was an ancestral hall.

“The ancestral hall of Linjia Village has been renovated; the ancestral tablets of generations are kept inside. There’s also a family tree, and as long as one is a clan member, whether direct or collateral, they are all recorded.”

“Are you and Aint Lin in it?”

Lin Heyu shook his head: “Neither of us is. The big clan has many rules; they disapprove of the name my mom chose. They think it’s too greedy and hard to satisfy, insisting that I change it before they would include me in the family tree. As for Zhizhi… she doesn’t belong to Linjia Village; she just grew up here.”

After saying this, he looked at Xiao Shitou, his laughter low: “It seems I am indeed a bit greedy, wanting to bring you back in this situation.”

On a small peak beside the ancestral hall, parting the branches revealed the entire view of Linjia Village. Lin Heyu placed his hand on the thin shoulder of the child, whispering, “Down there is the entrance to the mountains. Once you enter Linjia Village, head east; you’ll pass by the rice field painting, where there’s a big wooden round disc that has lost its paint. That’s my home.”

Xiao Shitou nodded, meeting Lin Heyu’s smile, but for some reason, although the corners of his lips were slightly raised, his expression was filled with bitterness.

“You go ahead by yourself. If they ask about me, don’t say anything, okay?”

Xiao Shitou’s eyes widened: “Why do I have to go by myself? Aren’t you coming down the mountain with me?”

Lin Heyu gently shook his head. In that instant, Xiao Shitou shivered, enveloped by fear. His heart was in chaos as he pulled Lin Heyu’s hand, urging him forward: “Let’s go down the mountain together; we’ll go back together. It’s okay; just guide me, and I’ll help you walk slowly!”

Lin Heyu smiled silently, only following for a few steps before suddenly covering his mouth to cough a few times, his footsteps gradually slowing.

“Sorry, I’m afraid… I can’t take you back.”

His hand slipped away, the back of his hand feeling wet and sticky. Xiao Shitou trembled all over, too afraid to look at the glaring red in his palm.

The drizzle instantly turned into torrential rain. In the downpour, Lin Heyu collapsed, and Xiao Shitou reached out his hands. His weak frame could not support him, and he fell to the ground alongside Lin Heyu.

“Lin Heyu! Lin Heyu! You need to get up quickly!”

“We’re going down the mountain to the hospital; you’ll be fine! I want to live with you and grow up by your side; I want to be with you forever!”

The desperate cries were drowned out by the heavy rain. Xiao Shitou tugged and pulled, trying to lift the man lying in the mud back to his feet. Unfortunately, the two were far apart in physical strength; not only did he fail to lift Lin Heyu, but he also stumbled and fell down the dirt slope.

When he finally managed to crawl back up, covered in dirt, Lin Heyu was nowhere to be found.

The spark of hope was ruthlessly extinguished. Xiao Shitou felt his legs weaken and knelt in the muddy ground. He looked up, allowing the pouring rain to drench him, the warmth of his tears mingling with the cold rainwater.

The most important light in his life had vanished, leaving his world filled with ice and snow.

Hours later, the valley after the rain was shrouded in mist. Villagers from Linjia Village, carrying hoes, discovered a child at the entrance to the mountain and immediately called the police. The boy was in a coma, suffering severe burns from his right upper arm to the middle of his elbow, and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Lin Zhizhi rushed from Nanyi, frantically running into the hospital ward, grabbing Sheng Guoning’s arm: “How is Xiao Shitou? Is he okay? Why was he burned?!”

“He’s not in life-threatening condition, but he hasn’t woken up yet.” Sheng Guoning avoided her gaze. “…We found other bloodstains on him; they belong to Lin Heyu.”

Lin Zhizhi was stunned, then suddenly exclaimed, “Was he with my brother at the end?! Where is my brother now? Is he also on the mountain?!”

Sheng Guoning urged her to stay calm; the police from both locations had sent people to search the mountain, and if Lin Heyu was there, he would surely be found soon.

“Xiao Shitou is so seriously injured; my brother will definitely…” Lin Zhizhi covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face.

He would certainly do everything he could to protect this child, and his injuries would only worsen.

—

In the freezing river, Yi Shi was nearing the limit of his strength but still tightly held onto Gardenia, trying to keep her above water.

Gardenia lay with her eyes closed, her small face turning red from the cold. The waves roared around them in the pitch blackness. Although he had returned to his own world, Yi Shi couldn’t tell the direction of the riverbank and could only feel his way forward slowly.

A bamboo pole reached out to him, and he instinctively grabbed it, as if seizing a lifeline. The person on the other end pulled him towards the bank like a tug-of-war, and finally extended a hand to pull him out of the water.

Yi Shi fell onto the riverbank, gasping for breath. In his blurred vision, he saw a familiar, tall figure walking closer, revealing a youthful, shy face that belonged to a boy.

“It’s really you.” The boy bent down to help Yi Shi up and then lifted Gardenia, expertly helping her expel the water she had swallowed.

Yi Shi checked Gardenia’s pulse, confirming she had only fainted. He sighed in relief and turned to ask, “How did you know I was here?”

“He told me.”

“Who?”

“The man in the ancestral hall.”

Lin Heyu… his help always seemed to come at the most opportune moments.

Yi Shi felt darkness creeping in on him. He closed his eyes, losing control of his body and toppling forward. The boy caught him, noticing the blood and dirt covering Yi Shi, and exclaimed in shock, “You’re injured?!”

Yi Shi nodded weakly. The boy urged anxiously, “Come with me to my home; I’ll help you treat your wounds.”

Home? This was Linjia Village? Although he had indeed fallen into the Subai River, it still seemed unrealistic to be washed all the way to Haijing in such a short time—unless this was the result of his latest crossing.

The boy tried to support Yi Shi, but he avoided the boy’s hand and pointed to Gardenia. “I’m fine; please help me carry her.”

After a moment of silence, weighing the pros and cons, the boy turned and lifted Lin Zhizhi, letting her lie on his shoulder while using one hand to support Yi Shi.

Above the riverbank was a field, and the three of them moved slowly, their shadows lengthening and shortening under the streetlights. The boy pointed ahead. “We’re almost there; my house is just past the rice paddy painting.”

Rice paddy painting?

Yi Shi stopped, carefully examining the boy’s features in the light of the streetlamp. The north wind howled, and snowflakes fell one by one. The boy frowned, saying, “It’s snowing; we need to hurry.”

Previously, he felt that the boy’s eyes and brows resembled Lin Heyu’s, and now that he frowned, it was almost identical.

In that moment, Yi Shi’s expression softened significantly. He reached out to stroke the boy’s cheek. “So it’s you; I’m sorry it took me so long to realize.”

In the ancestral hall on the mountain, he had briefly doubted. But at that time, the adult Lin Heyu was right beside him, taking away all his attention, so he hadn’t noticed that this boy was actually also Lin Heyu.

“Have you decided to change your surname?” Yi Shi smiled faintly. “Chen Heyu doesn’t have the same meaning as Lin Heyu.”

The boy was surprised. “You know my name?”

Yi Shi nodded and continued, “Aren’t you curious where I came from?”

“…You’re very special.”

“Yeah, I come from a mirrored world, a place where time, language, and the order of events are all opposite to this one.”

Hearing such “pseudoscience” for the first time, the boy’s face was filled with confusion. Yi Shi ruffled his black hair. “You’ll understand it later.”

After revealing his identity, some of the thoughts in Yi Shi’s mind became clearer, and he finally understood the purpose of that shot.

“Can you do me a favor?” Yi Shi pointed to Gardenia. “I can’t take her with me, so I’ll have to trouble you to take care of her.”

The boy cradled Gardenia in his arms, looking down at her cute face. He asked, “When will you come to pick her up?”

“Maybe… a long, long time from now…”

The boy agreed, promising to take good care of her until Yi Shi returned, then asked, “What’s her name?”

“Garde—” Yi Shi looked at the little sleeping beauty, his eyes full of tenderness. “Her name is Zhizhi.”

“Zhizhi as 知之, is it written with those two characters?”

“It has an extra ‘grass’ radical, which means life and vitality. Make sure to remember that; don’t write it wrong.”

The boy earnestly took note, but Yi Shi’s dizziness grew heavier. Taking advantage of his last moments, he opened his arms and gently embraced Lin Heyu.

This farewell meant that their next meeting would be twenty years later. You grew up in my world, and I became an adult in yours. At the moment of our encounter, everything would turn upside down and reset.

The snow fell heavier, turning into golden confetti under the streetlight. Yi Shi released him, resting his forehead against the boy’s, his icy hands gently touching the boy’s cheek. “The current time is not the correct order. I can’t fully find the root cause yet, and I may still need your help.”

“If I must step into an inverted fate, I’ll go on the adventure with you.”

“Good, but you must wait for me.” The boy quickly agreed, then his expression turned troubled. “But I still don’t know your name. How will I find you later?”

Yi Shi lowered his gaze, his brow furrowing slightly as he said softly, “You don’t need to know my name, nor will you remember me, as if I never existed.”

After all, once everything resets, we will meet again on the other side of time.

With the last bit of his strength spent, Yi Shi smiled faintly as his body slowly slid down.

The boy was frantic, reaching out to support him, but a gust of cold wind mixed with snowflakes swept by, and his arm grasped nothing but air. Yi Shi vanished.

Did he leave? Did he return to that peculiar mirrored world?

In the quiet country road, a voice called out. The boy, holding Gardenia, ran back, “Mom! I found a treasure.”

Mother Lin was waiting at the door for her son to return. The boy pushed the door open, brushing off the snow that had accumulated on his shoulders. He pressed his cheek against Gardenia’s forehead and said, “Her name is Zhizhi; she will be my little sister from now on.”

—

Flames shooting into the sky, an exploding factory, and a torrential downpour in the forest—fragmented dreams merged into one, finally freezing on the scene of Lin Heyu lying on the ground.

Xiao Shitou’s eyelashes trembled slightly, and a pain gripped his chest, making it hard to breathe, but no tears fell.

He opened his eyes, staring blankly at the white ceiling, his pupils devoid of light, dazed and lifeless.

Lin Heyu was gone.

From the moment they first met, Lin Heyu had been like a giant watching over him. After a brief companionship, he fulfilled his final mission and left entirely, leaving not even a trace behind.

Only a silent promise remained unspoken. Xiao Shitou could do nothing; he could only honor the commitment and remain silent since waking up.

A week passed, and the police from both areas had searched most of Cheng’an Mountain. There was still no news of Lin Heyu, and the likelihood of finding him grew even slimmer.

“Creak—”

The door to the hospital room opened, and Lin Zhizhi entered. Usually meticulous and fond of beauty, her long hair was disheveled, and her face was pale and haggard as she sat down by the bed.

Her eyes were red and swollen, bloodshot sclera revealing her distress. In just a few days, she had lost weight. With her icy hands, she clasped Xiao Shitou’s uninjured hand, her voice hoarse: “Where is my brother?”

“Can you please tell me? Where is my brother?”

Xiao Shitou was numb. Sorry, I promised Lin Heyu that I wouldn’t reveal his whereabouts.

“Please, speak, Xiao Shitou! At that time, it was only you and him together; you’re the only one who knows where he is. Is he still in the mountains? Is he still alive? Please tell me… tell me!”

Lin Zhizhi’s emotions broke down as she slid to the ground, tears streaming down her face, sobbing uncontrollably, “He’s my only family! He’s my only brother! If he’s gone, then I have nothing left! Nothing!”

Xiao Shitou’s eyes felt dry and pained. Lin Zhizhi held his hand tightly, crying until her voice was hoarse, until Sheng Guoning rushed in and helped her up.

“Zhizhi!” Sheng Guoning wrapped his arms around her shoulders and glanced at the injured child, who seemed like a soulless puppet. The states of both the big and small figures were heart-wrenching, and he felt powerless, only able to comfort with feeble words: “We are actively searching for Captain Lin. We won’t overlook any corner of Cheng’an Mountain. We will dig three feet into the ground to find him. Can you please calm down and rest for a bit?”

More colleagues entered, all trying to comfort Lin Zhizhi, and after much effort, they finally got her out of the hospital room. Once everyone left, only Yuan Maoqiu remained at the door.

His condition was poor; he looked lifeless, even neglecting his appearance. His eyes were dark, with a stubbly beard sprouting on his chin, a stark contrast to his usually refined and handsome image. He walked over to the bedside, looking down at the injured child. Days had passed, and Xiao Shitou still said nothing. Yuan Maoqiu had lost patience with coaxing and asked bluntly, “Is Lin Heyu still alive?”

Xiao Shitou’s body trembled, his lips instinctively pressed into a line. This most direct physiological reaction conveyed the worst news. Yuan Maoqiu clenched his fists and said quietly, “I won’t believe it until the body is found.”

He strode out of the hospital room, where Yuan Kang and several leaders were waiting in the corridor, even the notoriously difficult Liu Chenyi had come.

“Xiao Yuan, can that child still speak?” Liu Chenyi asked.

Yuan Maoqiu shook his head. Liu Chenyi clasped his hands behind his back and paced back and forth. “Continuing to search blindly like this isn’t a solution. Right now, most of Haijing’s police force is tied up at Cheng’an Mountain, and Nanyi has sent some people over too. If this goes on, both places’ work will be thrown into disarray. Lao Yuan, starting tomorrow, halve the number of searchers; let everyone return to their posts. We can’t let the disappearance of one colleague disrupt the entire system.”

“Half?” Yuan Maoqiu gritted his teeth. “Cheng’an Mountain is so vast; if we reduce the search by half, when will we find anything? Xiao Shitou is so badly injured; how could Lin Heyu be in any better condition?”

“I understand. It’s precisely because I know this situation that my expectations aren’t so high. Xiao Yuan, you need to keep a level head and prepare yourself in advance. Go back, take a shower, and get some sleep. Do what you need to do at the city bureau.”

Yuan Maoqiu’s anger flared up, and he punched the wall beside him. “What preparation do I need to make? Lin Heyu isn’t dead yet! Director Liu, what do you mean by this? Are you starting to draft a report for his presumed death?! He’s not just some random person; he’s the captain of the Haijing Criminal Investigation Team! If he’s missing, who will take the blame for you later?”

The political commissar and the instructors held their breath. Liu Chenyi’s face turned ashen, and Yuan Kang quickly grabbed Yuan Maoqiu. “What nonsense are you talking about? Chief Liu is the leader! Get your attitude straight!”

“I’ve said what I needed to say. No matter how I adjust my attitude, Chief Liu won’t tolerate me,” Yuan Maoqiu sneered coldly. “Whether it’s a suspension or disciplinary action, do as you please. I still need to go to the mountain to look for people; I won’t be accompanying you any longer.”

His strides were firm, and his back was resolute, leaving the city bureau leaders exchanging glances. Liu Chenyi was so angry that his face flushed, but after stammering for a long time, he couldn’t say a word.

Xiao Shitou stayed in the hospital for half a month, and Lin Zhizhi took care of him the entire time. Sheng Guoning and Yuan Maoqiu would occasionally find time to come by, but the news they brought grew increasingly sparse. As time gradually dulled the pain—from hope to despair—the name “Lin Heyu” became a taboo topic; no one wanted to bring it up.

During this period, Lin Zhizhi visibly lost weight, but thankfully Sheng Guoning was always by her side. In the absence of familial affection, the timely arrival of love filled the void in her heart and became a new source of support.

On a sunny afternoon, Xiao Shitou sat cross-legged on the bed, staring out the window in a daze. Sheng Guoning walked in and sat down beside him, bringing up the topic of adoption and asking for his opinion.

Are you going to adopt me?

Xiao Shitou gazed blankly out the window, where a family photo was displayed in Aunt Lin’s future home, showcasing a happy family of four. He couldn’t help but feel jealous—jealous that Yi Shi had a beautiful family, jealous that he received special care from Lin Heyu, jealous of everything he had.

Yi Shi once said that their relationship was irreplaceable. If it was irreplaceable, then why not become him? Perhaps he could see Lin Heyu again.

Sheng Guoning patiently awaited a response. Time passed second by second, and finally, Xiao Shitou nodded.

He let out a breath of relief, sitting at the edge of the bed and stroking the boy’s soft black hair. “Then when we’re discharged, we’ll go back to Nanyi, help you get your household registration, and give you a new name to signify a new beginning. What would be a good name? Zhizhi and I will discuss it and find some auspicious characters…”

“I have a name.”

Sheng Guoning was taken aback. Since his hospitalization, Xiao Shitou had not spoken a word. The doctors speculated that the child had suffered too much trauma, resulting in mutism, and they planned to arrange psychological counseling. He hadn’t expected the boy to speak up today.

Xiao Shitou lifted his head, his deep pupils covered by a thin layer of ice, and softly said, “Yi Shi, my name is Yi Shi.”

—–

Author’s Note:

Alright, the first round is complete.

This chapter contains a lot of information and has a very close connection to the previous text. If you have any questions, you can flip back; there are many hints in various places.

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