Reunion

Pain!

So much pain!

My head... it hurts so much!

A cool sensation spread across my forehead, as if raindrops had fallen on it, the water trickling down to her ears and cheeks.

Ning Yu slowly opened her eyes, her head feeling as though it had been stabbed several times with a pair of scissors.

The sky was gloomy, with dark gray clouds looming above, staring down at the earth menacingly.

A heavy rain was about to fall.

Her memories were a jumbled mess. Ning Yu struggled to prop herself up with her hands, feeling the warmth of the sun-baked stone path beneath her palms.

The air was thick with oppressive heat, but the restless wind was already stirring, causing the trees by the roadside to sway.

Pedestrians hurried along, some quickly hopping into ride-hailing cars, others seeking shelter in milk tea shops or cafes to avoid the impending downpour.

Leaves mixed with dust were carried by the wind, fluttering past Ning Yu and getting caught in her beautiful silver hair.

However, the dust accidentally got into her eyes, making her already uncomfortable eyes squint.

She wanted to rub her eyes to relieve the dryness, but her hands felt a bit dirty.

Ning Yu struggled on the ground, only to find that her limbs were weak, almost... like a little girl's.

?

She tried to summon her system panel, but there was no response.

She clenched her fists, but there was no strength in them, pitifully weak.

What on earth was going on?

Ning Yu looked around, unable to determine whether this was Earth or the planet she had once lived on.

But she clearly remembered that she had lost all three of her lives to Chen Xing.

And before that, Shen Yiyue, who had committed suicide with a gun.

These memories flooded her mind, making her feel dizzy and nauseous.

It seemed like this body was... suffering from heatstroke?

Drip, drip...

Splash!!!!

Before the heavy rain fell, it was like a mischievous child, testing the waters with a few light touches before pouring down without any courtesy.

Her dress was instantly soaked, and she was now a complete mess.

Her once smooth silver hair was now drenched and clumped together, leaving her utterly disheveled.

The hollow feeling, as if her entire heart had been carved out, suddenly connected to all her nerves, consuming every inch of her senses.

If she had to describe it, losing Shen Yiyue was undoubtedly an unbearable weight in her life.

Her eyes felt warm, and her nose suddenly became stuffy.

Her emotions were now like this rain, seemingly unstoppable.

The rain curtain grew heavier, gradually obscuring everything between heaven and earth.

The wind carried the raindrops, leaving traces of its path on the ground. Ning Yu walked aimlessly, like a lifeless corpse.

Her throat felt sour, not painful, but an indescribable discomfort.

Perhaps she was tired from walking. She slowly sat down by the roadside curb, hugging her knees, staring blankly ahead.

"Ah Yu!"

"Ah Yu!!"

In her daze, Ning Yu seemed to hear a familiar and affectionate voice calling her. She suddenly looked up, scanning her surroundings.

But all she saw was the relentless rain.

Yet that voice awakened a long-dormant memory in her. That aged yet loving voice—it was Grandma!

No, that couldn't be.

Ning Yu looked down at her delicate hands and the soaked floral dress she was wearing.

She gently shook her head. Was this the afterlife, where memories from two lifetimes had merged?

Suddenly, the raindrops stopped falling on her head. Ning Yu was startled and looked up to see a large umbrella.

The inside of the umbrella was painted with Van Gogh's "Starry Night."

A warm, wrinkled hand grasped Ning Yu's snow-white arm.

"Ah Yu, why are you here alone? Oh dear, you're all wet. Come on... let's go home."

That familiar touch.

And the voice so close behind her shattered the foggy memories in her heart.

She turned her head abruptly and saw the face she had almost forgotten.

"Grandma!"

Ning Yu's voice nearly broke.

"Yes, Grandma's here."

Grandma smiled warmly, using her hand to wipe the water droplets from Ning Yu's forehead, then took out a handkerchief from her pocket to dry her soaked hair.

Ning Yu didn't dare to hold on too tightly, but she hugged Grandma as quickly as she could.

"Oh my, what's wrong? Did you fall somewhere?"

"Grandma just went to buy some fruit, and when I turned around, you were gone..."

A warm palm rested on the back of Ning Yu's head, gently stroking her hair.

Although everything felt off.

Grandma didn't have the smell of an elderly person nearing death, nor was her back hunched.

She wasn't dragging a bag of trash, and there were no clinking sounds of empty bottles as she walked.

Everything felt so unreal, but Ning Yu was willing to stay in this moment, even if only briefly.

She suddenly understood why the little match girl kept lighting one match after another until they were all burned out.

"Alright, alright, let's go home. Your mom is waiting."

Grandma smiled and took Ning Yu's hand.

Mom?

Ning Yu was momentarily stunned. This place seemed to be growing more and more unreal.

"Grandma..."

Ning Yu spoke in a childish voice, wanting to talk to the person from her memories.

"Yes?"

Grandma tilted her head, holding the umbrella with one hand, smiling at Ning Yu.

"I think... I'm lost."

The two walked along the hard stone path, the raindrops blocked by Grandma's large umbrella, falling beside them with a soft patter.

"Silly child, what are you talking about? We're almost home."

Before they knew it, they had arrived at an apartment building. Though the decor wasn't luxurious, it was far from the shabby little shed she remembered.

Grandma put down the umbrella, shaking off the raindrops with some effort, then took out her keys to unlock the door. She beckoned to Ning Yu.

"Come in, it's cold outside."

Ning Yu stood at the doorway but stopped.

"Grandma, I miss you so much."

Her expression had calmed, as if she had drawn enough strength from this brief encounter.

"But I'm lost now. There's a place I must go."

Ning Yu raised her small hand and waved at Grandma, who stood inside the house.

"Ah Yu... you've grown up."

Grandma was momentarily stunned, a look of confusion on her face, but it quickly turned into a smile.

"You've become strong, good... that's good..."

She also waved at Ning Yu.

Ning Yu pressed her lips together, taking a deep breath through her nose, then turned and left.

With her back to Grandma's waving hand, she stepped into the endless gray mist.