1 Returning to the Past

“Doctor, is he all right?” The voice was soft, barely audible, as if whispered right beside his ear, yet distant like a murmur from afar.

“He’s fine, nothing serious physically,” the doctor replied gently.

“Thank you, doctor.” The young man didn’t look much older than a teenager. His face was resolute, skin slightly tanned, with sharp features. Especially his eyes—they held a certain intensity, though his face still bore traces of youthful innocence. Quite handsome, he didn’t appear to be a bad person.

“It’s good that he’s okay.”

Chen Ran’s hand twitched slightly. At that moment, his mind felt as if it had exploded. The pain was excruciating—head-splitting, indescribable. He gasped for breath, his chest heaving rapidly. A sharp sound came again, clearer this time, as a pair of hands gently pressed against his forehead.

“No problem, probably just a nightmare,” the doctor said, glancing at the boy lying in bed, then sighed softly. “Are you his?”

“Neighbor,” the young man’s voice was low and magnetic.

“And his parents?”

The young man remained silent, his expression tinged with loneliness and sorrow. The doctor didn’t press further. The boy looked about twelve or thirteen, wearing a blue T-shirt under a black-and-white school uniform—probably just starting junior high. To say a child this age had been trafficked seemed a stretch.

Still, the doctor remained cautious. “You should step outside for now. The patient needs rest.”

“Although there’s no serious physical harm, I think it’s best he rests here a while,” the young man agreed, casting a glance at the boy on the bed before quietly leaving the room.

With a click, the door shut.

Chen Ran’s breathing grew steadier, his eyes tightly closed. His fingers twitched gently. After the doctor left, the young man cautiously reopened the door and saw Chen Ran lying quietly. He sighed softly.

Suddenly, Chen Ran’s eyes opened slowly, meeting his gaze.

“Brother Shouyi,” Chen Ran’s voice was hoarse, trembling with tears.

Fang Shouyi—the same young man who had just spoken with the doctor—smirked faintly, though it was a smile without warmth.

“Xiao Ran, you’re awake?” Fang Shouyi stepped lightly into the room, looking down at Chen Ran on the bed. “You fainted all of a sudden just now; it really scared Auntie.”

Chen Ran lowered his head, brows furrowed, face filled with deep sorrow.

“Xiao Ran,” Fang Shouyi didn’t know how to comfort him after such a tragedy. He gently patted Chen Ran’s back. “Uncle Chen was a… good man…”

His voice trembled. Fang Shouyi was only twenty-two; Chen Ran was just thirteen. Suddenly learning that his father had died trying to save a young man who had attempted suicide—and that his father would never return—was devastating. When they last spoke on the phone, his father had promised to bring back his favorite food…

Chen Ran had an older sister studying at university in another city. Their mother hadn’t dared to tell her about this tragedy, fearing she couldn’t bear the blow—especially as a young woman studying far from home. The Fang and Chen families had been neighbors for years, very close, all living in the police compound. Last year, Uncle Fang was promoted and transferred to Linchuan, the provincial capital of the neighboring province. Upon hearing of the Chen family’s misfortune, he rushed back immediately.

The Fang family had two children, the elder being Fang Shouyi standing before Chen Ran. Chen Ran was very familiar with Fang Shouyi but not so much with Fang Shouyong, the family’s second son, who was more of a distant figure—something for the future.

“Everything will get better,” Fang Shouyi said in a dry voice, unsure how else to comfort Chen Ran, who looked so lost and desolate.

Everything will get better? Chen Ran gave a bitter smile. He had once believed that too. He’d been physically weak since childhood. At thirteen, his father died saving someone. The most infuriating thing was the young man his father saved—once safe, he left without a backward glance. His father barely received recognition as a martyr.

If not for witnesses at the scene willing to testify, his father might have been dismissed as drowned.

---

He had drifted through more than thirty years in a haze. Just last night, lying in bed, he pondered whether to visit his sister for a meal during his days off. His brother-in-law—Fang Shouyi himself.

Unexpectedly, upon waking, he was back on the day after his father’s death. He vaguely remembered that when he first heard the news, already weak, he had fainted. Fang Shouyi had carried him to the hospital. Chen Ran opened his mouth hoarsely to say, “Brother Shouyi, thank you.”

Fang Shouyi sat down. “Xiao Ran, get some sleep. You’ll feel better when you wake up.”

“Okay.” Chen Ran sniffled and slowly closed his eyes.

Was this a dream or reality? Why had he suddenly been transported back to the past? It was the year 2000, November 2nd.

Looking at the calendar, Chen Ran felt inexplicably weary. He was just an ordinary person. Returning decades into the past, he didn’t know what to do. Tell others he came from the future? Ridiculous—he’d be branded insane. And it happened to be the day after his father’s death.

Everyone would think he was delirious from grief.

“Beep, beep, beep.”

The mechanical sounds echoed in his ears, starkly cyberpunk.

Opening his eyes, Chen Ran saw Fang Shouyi pouring water. Closing his eyes again, he felt uncertain. He was still trapped in the emotions from his father’s death—feelings he hadn’t truly experienced for a long time. Before, he only vaguely sensed how deeply his father’s passing had affected him.

Time heals all emotions, even anger.

At first, Chen Ran had been furious—why had his father died so suddenly? But gradually, the anger faded. He knew being angry wouldn’t change anything.

Fang Shouyi poured a cup of hot water and looked at the weary, desolate Chen Ran. “Xiao Ran, drink some water.”

“Brother Shouyi,” Chen Ran opened his mouth, “I’m not thirsty.”

“Rest well,” Fang Shouyi sighed. “I’ll stay here tonight.”

Chen Ran closed his eyes slowly, but the mechanical beeping persisted in his ears.

When he opened them again, everything still felt strange. The peeling white walls, the rusted hospital bed, and Fang Shouyi’s somewhat old-fashioned attire—it all seemed like a dream.

Why was he dreaming of this scene?

“Xiao Ran, what’s wrong?” Fang Shouyi’s face showed no impatience; his voice was gentle. “Can’t sleep? Still thinking about it?”

“I…” tears traced down Chen Ran’s youthful face. “Why, Dad…”

“Uncle Chen…” Fang Shouyi clenched his fists softly. “Uncle Chen was a very good cop. His spirit in heaven wouldn’t want to see you so sad.”

[System repair completed. Host constitution detected as weak; beginning restoration!]

[You need a strong body to study well!]

“???” Lost in sorrow, Chen Ran was dumbfounded, his cries momentarily stilled.

[System repairing…]

“Xiao Ran, Xiao Ran.” Fang Shouyi’s large hands rested on Chen Ran’s shoulders, gently shaking him. His sharp eyes fixed on Chen Ran, fearful of any mishap.

“Police officer, it was him.”

---

The doctor pushed open the door. Two policemen looked toward Chen Ran and Fang Shouyi. One older officer pondered aloud, “Xiao Fang, is Xiao Chen all right?”

Fang Shouyi turned to the senior officer. “Uncle Zhu, Xiao Ran’s fine. He’s just very upset.”

Under the bright incandescent light, another officer explained to the doctor, “Sorry, they do know each other. Both live in the police compound. Sorry for the trouble.”

The doctor breathed a sigh of relief. “I mainly thought he looked too young, and since you’re neighbors... it’s good you know each other.”

Smiling, the doctor hurriedly apologized, “Sorry to trouble you, officers.”

“No, no, it’s nothing.”

The older officer sighed. “Xiao Fang, watch Xiao Chen carefully. Don’t let him near anything sharp.” He glanced at the window. Deep autumn in Linqing City brought a biting cold.

“It’s late autumn already. Xiao Fang, be sure to close the window.”

“Got it.” Fang Shouyi responded, walking over to shut the window.

The senior officer approached Chen Ran, who seemed lost in thought. A boy barely over ten, having just lost his father and fainted from the shock. The officer felt Chen Ran’s life was hard. Softly, he said, “Xiao Ran, what’s wrong?”

“Uncle Zhu…” Chen Ran turned to look at the middle-aged man with thinning hair streaked with white.

“Xiao Ran, can’t sleep?”

“N-no…” Chen Ran remained puzzled. Was this a return to the past or a dream? His head ached terribly, and his body felt exhausted.

“Get some good rest,” Uncle Zhu spoke softly. “Don’t think too much. A good sleep is the best medicine.”

Yes, a good sleep. He was so tired. This must be a dream. Even the mechanical voice in his mind was just a dream.

Chen Ran lay on the bed and slowly closed his eyes.

The older officer stood. “Xiao Fang, I’ll leave Xiao Ran in your care.”

Fang Shouyi nodded. “I’ll watch over him.”

“Sigh.” The older officer sighed and turned to leave.

After the policemen left, Fang Shouyi looked down at the sleeping Chen Ran and shook his head gently.

[Repair complete 10%…]

Half-asleep, Chen Ran vaguely heard the mechanical voice in his ears. He turned over, silently telling himself it was all just a dream; he’d feel better after resting.

[Repair complete 50%…]

[Repair complete 100%…]

The sound of rain pattering on the floor gently stirred Chen Ran awake.

[Learning system at your service!]