chapter 18

Chapter 18: Mountain Climbing. "Lourong, I'm going hiking. Time to wake up."

After purchasing flowers, daily necessities, and the phone, He Guan asked Du Junyan to notify the carpenter to come in the afternoon to repair the flower wall. The trio then headed back.

The flower market wasn't far from home, a drive less than twenty minutes. Once there, He Guan and Lourong Zang began unloading the purchases, planning to carry them inside together.

Du Junyan offered to help but was declined by He Guan.

He Guan: "It's fine. Go on. Lourong and I will handle it."

A few brief words, all exuding an air of urgency.

Lourong Zang, holding the bag, stood in place, waiting for He Guan and Du Junyan to finish their conversation.

He Guan turned to him, "Lourong, let's go."

Lourong Zang: "Hmm."

He Guan took the fertilizer for flowers from him, "The afternoon work might get noisy. Want to read in your room?"

Lourong Zang: "Not particularly."

He Guan opened the door for him, "Then, what would you like to do? I'll be home to keep you company this afternoon."

Lourong Zang entered, glancing back slightly, waiting for He Guan to follow: "Haven't decided yet."

For a moment, He Guan felt as if Lourong Zang had never been blind.

Lourong Zang was determined to maintain his demeanor from before his blindness, as if he could still see.

Like right now.

Even though he knew he couldn't see, he'd still turn his head, maintaining the posture of looking at He Guan.

He Guan approached, lightly touching Lourong Zang's arm, signaling he was following: "So, what have you been doing these past few days?"

Lourong Zang: "Daydreaming."

He Guan: "About what?"

[Narrative thought] How to tie you down.

Lourong Zang: "Considering what to do next."

He Guan: "Hmm..."

As Lourong Zang was about to step on a thick layer of fallen leaves, He Guan gently tugged him, saying, "Take your time. Think it over before deciding. After all, I can still support you for a while."

Lourong Zang remained silent for a long time before saying with slight uncertainty, "I thought you'd say you'd always support me."

He Guan chuckled, "Still dreaming? With the wealth and stature of your family, do you really need me to provide? Lourong, the mere fact that you don't disdain me for my humble background means a lot."

Following Lourong Zang, He Guan directed, "Step to the right. You're about to bump into an archway."

After a thought, He Guan continued, "Look... it's not that I'm demeaning myself, but your family is incredibly wealthy. Think about it—if we weren't married, you could've married someone much better, certainly better than someone like me..."

He paused.

Certainly better than a penniless scammer like me.

Lourong Zang stopped in his tracks.

Lost in thought about how to proceed, He Guan didn't notice and bumped into the back of Lourong Zang's head, his nose stinging. He gasped, stepping back, "What's going on? Why did you stop?"

Lourong Zang: "He Guan."

Rubbing his nose, He Guan responded, "Yes? Right behind you."

Zang's Winter Garden always felt rather gloomy. The white pines and magnolias towered, creating ample shade. Even at noon, sunlight rarely filtered through the foliage.

The man in front tightly gripped the plastic bag, saying dryly, "I can't."

His bulging veins pulsed beneath the skin, showing the force with which he clenched his fist.

He Guan understood.

A blind man, dependent on others, thus he can't.

Can't find a loving partner who'd truly care for him.

Scratching his cheek, He Guan countered, "Do you really think I'm that terrible?"

Lourong Zang: "...?"

He Guan exclaimed, "Hey, aren't we married now? I'll treat you well. Let's go."

Lourong Zang pressed, "Are you serious?"

Bumping Lourong Zang's arm playfully, He Guan smiled, "Of course! Isn't spending the day with you serious enough? When have I not kept my promises to you?"

Lourong Zang: "Hmm."

I'll take your words to heart, He Guan.

He Guan urged, "Let's go. Uncle Yue must be getting anxious. It's almost noon, and we haven't even started cooking. By the way, how did Uncle convince you to come downstairs earlier? I couldn't."

After hesitating for a moment, Lou Dongzang finally said, "...It's a sparrow."

He Guan: "What?"

Lou Dongzang: "The sparrow... it went to the first floor. You said not to let it in the house, so I went downstairs to look for it. I didn't expect to find it in his hand."

He Guan: "You're going to make me laugh... it's too obedient..."

*

In the afternoon, a carpenter arrived at the house, an older master carpenter accompanied by two apprentices.

Both apprentices were rather quiet, not as eloquent as Du Junyan had described.

The three first moved the piano from the storage room to the first-floor living room, inevitably making some noise along the way.

He Guan glanced upstairs a few times but didn't see Lou Dongzang, presuming he wasn't disturbed by the noise.

After moving the piano, the group proceeded to build a wooden floral wall.

They chose a type of rough-textured pine for the floral wall, which had a deep shade compared to its original pale yellow. It matched well with the overall refined ambiance of the "Winter Garden."

He Guan discussed the issue of handrails with the three workers.

The master carpenter said casually, "Buy it yourself and install it. It saves much effort and is way cheaper than hiring someone."

He Guan: "Medical handrails?"

As the carpenter shoveled soil into the newly erected wooden wall, he replied, "Yes, online shopping. But they might not deliver here, so it could be a bit troublesome."

He Guan: "Thank you."

The carpenter: "No need to thank me. There's dust around, you might want to stand back. I assure you it'll be done well."

He Guan noticed the carpenter's different attitudes towards him and Du Junyan, prompting him to ask.

The carpenter chuckled, continuing his work effortlessly while conversing, "I won't lie to you. Some of the new kids don't know how to do anything. They can even damage my saw just by assisting. They're always focused on making money. I've had to scold them multiple times. Knowing the job was here, I didn't bring them along."

The master carpenter has been around for a while, he knows whose turf this is.

He Guan nodded in agreement and began chatting about various topics with the carpenter, "Exactly! I've had people like that working for me before. None lasted more than three months. Even a simple task like using a sewing machine, they'd complain about hurting themselves and didn't want to do it."

The carpenter: "You look like someone in charge. You must've encountered many of such kids."

As he spoke, the carpenter tidied up the last bit of residue.

Watching the carpenter's proficient movements, He Guan remarked while sitting on the stone steps, "They won't last long. Nowadays, everyone is striving hard, and yet some want shortcuts. How is that even possible? They're just being silly."

After finishing his work, the carpenter said, "I feel the same way. If they don't want to work, they shouldn't waste a spot here... All done. Please inspect it. If everything's okay, I'll take my leave. It was really nice chatting with you."

He Guan: "Would you prefer online banking or cash? There's a watering nozzle nearby for handwashing. Master Carpenter, just turn on the switch on top."

After washing his hands, the Carpenter replied, "WeChat, there's a QR code on my bag."

The two young apprentices, after helping out, stood still without uttering a word.

As He Guan moved to scan the QR code, he noticed a row of badges on the Carpenter's bag. Taking a closer look, he found them intriguing. After paying, he instinctively snapped a photo.

The Carpenter noticed and inquired, "Do you like this band too? My daughter is a fan. She gave me these badges."

He Guan examined the badges further and responded, "They seem quite handsome, but I don't recognize them. I just thought I'd look them up later."

The Carpenter added, "I think they're called Qing Tu, though I'm not sure about the exact characters..."

He Guan: "Thanks for letting me know. Let me walk you out."

Carpenter: "No need. I received the payment. I noticed you overpaid by two hundred. Consider it a transportation fee. Thank you."

With a smile, He Guan waved goodbye.

Turning around, He Guan was taken aback. At some point, Lou Dongzang had silently positioned himself, crouching by the doorway, eyes closed, resembling someone lost in slumber.

He Guan exclaimed, "How do you manage to move so silently? Giving me a fright once was enough, and now again?"

Lou Dongzang replied, "I came down when you were discussing the band with the carpenter. You didn't notice."

He Guan: "Alright, let's head inside. Did you touch anything new on the first floor?"

Lou Dongzang gave a vague nod.

As He Guan walked past, Lou Dongzang naturally extended his hand. He Guan instinctively helped him up, but when he tried to let go, Lou held on.

Lou Dongzang murmured, "Didn't you say you'd show me whenever something new arrives?"

And so, He Guan didn't pull away.

Leading him to the base of the stairs on the first floor, He Guan paused for a moment before saying, "Welcome to He Guan's Orientation Class... We're currently at the staircase on the first floor. Walk straight ahead."

"Thirty-three steps and you're there."

The first floor has a three-meter-high ceiling, well-illuminated from both south and north, showcasing an open-concept kitchen, bathroom, and large floor-to-ceiling windows.

It was around 3 or 4 in the afternoon. The intense sun's rays were softened by the glass, illuminating the room, casting a gentle, serene glow on the piano, creating an ethereal beauty.

He Guan guided him to the piano bench, and the two settled down in front of the instrument.

He Guan asked, "Can you play?"

He then answered for him, "You probably can."

Lou Dongzang's fingers lightly touched the keys, finding the notes and responding softly, "Yes."

Ever since becoming blind, Lou Dongzang had set aside many things. It was surprising to find a piano here.

As Lou Dongzang sought the right note, He Guan had already started playing.

After listening for a while, Lou Dongzang couldn't help but smile, remarking, "Dancing Dolls and Bears?"

He Guan cheerfully responded, "Yes. It's my favorite."

His fingers danced on the piano keys, producing a series of lively notes, "Now that there's a piano, I can start composing."

Lou Dongzang: "You can?"

He Guan: "Yes, I taught myself composition."

In truth, He Guan was formally educated in it.

He majored in music composition in college.

Choosing his college major was a pivotal point and marked the beginning of the rift between him and his parents.

His father had hoped he'd choose fashion design, but He Guan chose composition.

The day the admission letter arrived, He Guan's usually gentle father happened to be home. He took the letter from the courier, opened it, and was hit by the unexpected news.

"Congratulations, Mr. He Guan: You have been accepted into XXX University to pursue a degree in Music Production and Composition. Please report to our campus by XX/XX/XX."

That day marked a vehement argument. He Guan's treasured records were snapped in two by his usually gentle father, and his guitar was bent out of shape.

He Guan's response to this...

Was to pack his bags, arrive near the university early, and, borrowing money from friends, he stayed in a hotel for a month.

He enrolled successfully and began his four-year college journey, learning various musical instruments.

From that point, he and his family became estranged.

After graduation, He Guan was escorted back home by the family's bodyguards and greeted his Uncle Yue, whom he hadn't seen in four years.

At first, He Guan considered giving up.

Fresh out of college, he was naive. But the longer he stayed in the company, the clearer it became...

The family's fortunes were dwindling.

The company was constantly downsizing, financial reports were a mess, staff turnover was high, and most importantly... his parents' whereabouts were unknown.

His only connection to his parents was through Uncle Yue. Only through him could he glean bits and pieces of information.

Uncle Yue mentioned... his parents didn't wish to see him.

His parents advised, "Manage the company well, and refrain from anything else."

He Guan took a glance around his home, relocating all his music-related books, records, and materials to the attic, never to retrieve them again.

Thereafter, he became wholly engrossed in his work, day and night.

Just when the company was thriving, He Guan was stunned to hear of his parents' demise from Uncle Yue.

Pausing from his reminiscence, He Guan realized his hand had lingered on the piano keys and promptly lifted it.

Lou Dongzang sat beside him, silent.

At times, He Guan was grateful that Lou Dongzang was blind.

He wouldn't see the redness in He Guan's eyes.

Lou Dongzang proposed, "Would you like to play a duet?"

Without waiting for He Guan's response or mentioning which piece, his fingers began their dance on the keys.

A piece almost every pianist learns...

"Pachelbel's Canon."

Some say "Canon" is a magical piece. Those in sorrow find hope in it, the joyous discern sadness, the contented feel a gentle spring breeze, while the serene find peace and harmony.

After Lou Dongzang played a section, He Guan joined in.

Their fingers gracefully played in tandem, producing clear and resonating notes that filled the afternoon room. Their defined knuckles hopped between the black and white keys, creating a soothing melody.

The play of light and shadows danced, with tree leaves rustling gently in the breeze.

Closing his eyes, He Guan let his fingers glide and tap on the keys, finding tranquility in the rhythm of the music.

Uncle Yue approached from a side room, halting at the doorway upon seeing the two playing the piano.

Standing amidst the spring ambiance, he offered a gentle smile.

*

The next morning, He Guan rose early, leaving a voice-recorded alarm clock for Lou Dongzang.

The alarm sounded promptly at seven, with He Guan's voice ringing out.

"Lou, I'm off to climb a mountain. It's time to wake up!"

After the message repeated thrice, Lou Dongzang reached out from under the covers to turn it off.

Spring was an ideal season for mountain climbing.

At the equipment shop at the mountain's base, He Guan haggled with the shopkeeper for eight minutes. He finally secured a full set of climbing gear at a thirty percent discount, packing away the clothes he had worn on his journey into his backpack.

For the first time since he found himself in this book's universe, he decided to head out alone to relax.

With his uncle-in-law around, there's no need for Lou Dong to worry too much.

Nolimit is also on vacation. The industry's sentiment is bearish, and the popularity has been waning these days. There's no need for him to be concerned.

Today is partly cloudy with a gentle breeze.

He Guan alighted from the bus at a stop towards the north of Huaiyin city.

Qingguo Mountain.

Few people frequented this place, and most were fellow mountain climbers.

On the bus, he noticed an elderly man dressed lightly for the hike, recognizing his intentions by his shoes.

Both of them alighted at the same stop and started walking towards Qingguo Mountain, naturally striking up a conversation.

He Guan initiated, "Sir, are you also here for mountain climbing?"

The elderly man, with hair mixed in black and white, looked robust and said, "Of course! Young man, you seem to have brought a lot with you."

He Guan chuckled, "Yes, just some first-aid stuff and water. Not too heavy."

The old man, upon seeing his smile, took a longer look, "You're quite handsome... you look familiar."

He Guan responded calmly, "Really? Seems like I have a common face. Thank you for the compliment."

It was surprising for He Guan that, given his obscure past, he could still be recognized on the street by an elderly person.

The elderly man waved dismissively, "No, no, you remind me of a celebrity. There's this variety show my daughter always watches, where they choose young male participants. My memory fails me."

He Guan attempted to change the subject, "Sir, what's that bird on the tree? Over there... oh, right there. It kinda looks like a penguin on the tree."

The old man, following his pointing, laughed, "Boy, what penguin? That's a night heron! Just because it's a bit plump doesn't mean it's a penguin."

He Guan scratched his head, "Hehe."

Upon reaching the mountain's base, He Guan did see the old man's daughter. Surprisingly, she appeared around his age, probably the youngest in her family and deeply cherished.

The old man gleamed upon seeing his daughter, "Sweetie, you're early for once! Rare to see you not running late."

The daughter replied, "Dad, stop teasing. I woke up on time today and there was no traffic. I swear I wasn't deliberately late for our hikes before. How many times must I tell you?"

After listening to their conversation, He Guan understood the situation.

The daughter worked to the north of Huaiyin while her parents resided at the city's southernmost tip, making weekday meetups challenging.

On Saturdays, she'd join her mother for flower arrangement classes, and on Sundays, she'd wait at Qingguo Mountain to hike with her father.

"How wonderful," He Guan thought silently.

After chatting with her father for a bit, the young woman noticed someone behind her. Her eyes lit up upon seeing He Guan, "You're He Guan?! Oh my gosh, Dad, did he come with you? You brought me such a surprise. He's the celebrity I've been following..."

He Guan put his hands together in a pleading gesture, "Kind soul, please don't spread the word. I beg you."

The young woman giggled and handed He Guan a face mask, "For you, superstar!"

The trio began their ascent together.

He Guan's pace up the mountain was brisk and steady.

Being young, and previously an entertainer, he was well-trained and had good stamina.

Surprisingly, the old man and his daughter kept pace. They had probably been here numerous times before, and the trio alternated leading the climb, giving off a competitive air.

The young woman wasn't as excitable as He Guan imagined. Entering the workforce post-adulthood often leads to maturity. She knew that today's primary companion was her father.

Upon reaching the mountain's midpoint, He Guan paused to drink some water.

Seeing him stop, the young woman halted as well. However, the old man gave them a nod and continued his ascent.

The young woman's eyes twinkled, clearly curious.

After finishing the last drop in his bottle, He Guan adjusted his mask and said, "Three questions. Once I've answered them, climb on your own without following me, okay?"

Young woman: "Deal!"

Young woman: "Can you make a comeback?"

He Guan raised a finger: "No."

Young woman: "Why?"

He Guan raised a second finger: "Because I'm becoming a boss now."

Young woman: "Did you leave the entertainment industry to take over the family business? You once mentioned being broke."

He Guan: "I haven't left the industry; I'm still in it. I'm just shifting from being a star to a boss. The reasons are complex, and I can't elaborate. As compensation, I'll allow an extra question."

Young woman: "Can I have your autograph? On my shirt?"

He Guan: "..."

He Guan's handwriting is different from his original self's.

The latter's scribbles...

In variety shows, celebrities would often be asked to answer questions.

The handwriting of his former self on the answer board... It could best be described as if one threw some rice in ink and let chickens peck at it—it would still look better than his scrawl.

However, He Guan pondered, no one would suspect, out of the blue, that he had become someone else.

After all, He Guan wouldn't be frequently appearing in public.

After some consideration, He Guan decided to decline.

It's best not to give away any hint. Who knows what might happen next?

He Guan would need to live with this identity for decades to come.

Now that he finally has a new life, he doesn't want the past to affect the present.

He Guan said, "No. But I can shake hands with you."

The girl extended her hand, "Alright then."

Just as He Guan reached out, he felt a strong pull. Before he could react, the girl lunged forward, hugging him.

"You..."

She quickly stepped back, "Hehe, sorry! I just really like you. Bye~ It won't happen again~"

She ran off swiftly, like an agile squirrel, quickly disappearing among the mountains. As she left, her excited mutterings could be heard.

"Oh my God, I hugged He Guan! I won't wash my hands for three days! Ahhh, I need to text my girlfriends!"

He Guan stood still, sighing deeply.

Is this the advantage of having a good reputation? Even with his previous nasty demeanor, there were still people who adored him.

It was just a brief incident. He Guan quickly put it behind him and continued his ascent.

By the time he reached the summit, it was nearing noon. Vendors on the mountain top started setting up their stalls, and the aroma of barbecues wafted in the breeze, filling the area.

He Guan took out a self-heating meal from his backpack, added some water, and waited for it to cook.

This time, he was cautious. Afraid of being recognized, he sat alone in a corner to eat.

Unexpectedly, before he could lift the lid, there was a commotion in the nearby crowd.

Someone shouted, "Is there a doctor here? Someone has fainted! It looks like a heart attack! ...Oh, it's definitely a heart attack!"

He Guan abandoned his meal and rushed over.

Pushing through the throngs of onlookers, he noticed everyone looking helpless. He reached out to check the pulse of the collapsed elderly man.

Breath ceased, pulse stilled.

Without hesitation, He Guan placed one hand flat beneath the other and began administering chest compressions.

Three minutes.

Five minutes.

The ambulance's ascent up the mountain was slow due to the winding roads. By the time it arrived, He Guan was drenched in sweat, on the verge of administering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Sensing the medical team's arrival, he pulled away and said,

"I've performed CPR for seven minutes. His breathing hasn't... hasn't resumed!"

One of the paramedics said, "Good that he's stable now. Young man, come with us! Help watch over him."

He Guan stammered, "Wait... my self-heating meal..."

The young woman from the earlier climb saw her chance, handing him his bag and the meal, saying, "Great job! Keep it up!"

He Guan replied, "Thank you!"

Before he could say more, a paramedic pulled him into the ambulance, his meal of yellow-braised chicken rice in tow.

Having just performed CPR, He Guan's hair clung to his sweaty forehead, leaving him somewhat dazed as he sat in the ambulance.

He blankly eyed the now-cool meal, convenient for eating. Exchanging glances with a paramedic who seemed to salivate a bit, he said, "Here, let's share..."

Upon reaching the hospital, He Guan stood in the corridor, discarding the plastic container into a trash bin, his gaze fixed on the emergency room doors.

Seven minutes of chest compressions and no sign of awakening. Even though the breathing had resumed, what if something had gone wrong...

A nurse emerged from the emergency room, calling out, "Is the young man who accompanied the elderly patient earlier here?"

He Guan stepped forward, "I'm here."

The nurse spoke nonchalantly, "He's fine now. Watch over him for a bit. If you're not a relative, please contact his family. He's been admitted here before. This is his third visit this month. After defibrillation, he'll wake up soon."

As He Guan was about to sigh in relief, he heard her add, "His name is Lou Yingjie. Let me give you his family's contact information..."

He Guan stood stunned, "...My father?"

The nurse looked puzzled, "You're his son? I've never seen you before. I've been in charge of his care on previous visits, and I don't recognize you."

Taking a deep breath through his mask, He Guan replied, "It's a long story. But, let me see him first..."

The nurse responded, "Since you're his son, go ahead. He's in room B115, bed 3 on this floor. He should wake up soon. Wait for him, and later, please pay the emergency fee at the counter."

He Guan acknowledged, "Alright."

Lost in thought, he navigated the corridors, instinctively searching for the room number.

What a coincidence this is...

All from just a simple mountain hike...

Can anyone save Lao Lou Dongcang's father?