Chapter 88

Chapter 88

Over the past two days, Yale first went to his rented room to pack up his belongings in the storage area.

There wasn't much, and most of it was useless. So, he simply cleared everything out, only picking up a few essentials to put in his bag. After bidding farewell to the others, he set off for the train station.

It was soon approaching Qingming Festival. At this time every year, Yale would return to his hometown for a day or two to pay respects to his grandmother and mother who were buried there. Then, after the holiday, he would come back.

Since he had already said goodbye to those who mattered, he decided to stay longer this time.

...

Yale's train ticket was for a seat.

As the clattering train chugged along the tracks, it left behind the concrete jungle of the city, passing through countless fleeting landscapes before entering another vast and open world.

In that instant bathed in sunlight, Yale's eyes widened slightly.

The endless expanse of the plains stretched as far as the eye could see.

Flocks of birds soared high in the clear sky.

Countless lamb-like creatures, resembling cotton candy clouds, scattered across the vast plateau. Some stood peacefully, while others frolicked energetically, their soft white fur contrasting beautifully with the lush green landscape, forming the most harmonious sight in this world.

...They were lambs.

Though they were still indistinct from a distance, Yale could already imagine the touch—fluffy and warm, as if embracing the vibrant pulse of life itself.

He smiled involuntarily, suddenly filled with anticipation.

Then, a voice suddenly rang in his ear, low and amused, achingly familiar as if etched into his soul. It stood out distinctly amidst the cacophony of noise—

"You see, this is the planet I mentioned earlier, renowned for its fluffy lambs. There was a large-scale disturbance here previously, and my unit was dispatched to quell it."

"When you visit this place with your sovereign in the future, you'll know by feeling them yourself."

Yale slowly shook his head, his brows knitting together.

This voice had been haunting him for quite some time, starting from an indistinct whisper to a gradually clearer presence. In just two or three days, he had gone from barely understanding it to comprehending the meaning behind the words.

Yet the face of the speaker remained elusive, a blank in his memory, with barely any trace of that person. But every time he recalled it, his heart swelled with a piercing ache.

Perhaps they were someone incredibly significant.

Yale propped his chin on his left hand, idly gazing at the scenery outside, a flicker of frustration crossing his eyes.

...Sometimes, he wondered how his brain functioned. He could retain tedious data effortlessly but consistently overlooked crucial people and events – a paradoxical imbalance.

"Sweetie, our seats are here."

Lost in thought, he noticed a mother and daughter take the seats across from him. The young mother set her backpack on the floor and cuddled her two- or three-year-old daughter in her arms.

"Are you hungry? Would you like some bread?"

"No—hungry—" The adorable little girl drew out her words with determination, "I want to see the lambs!"

"Not yet, darling. We're here to visit Grandma and Grandpa. We have to complete the rituals first. When the time comes, I'll take you to pet the lambs."

The young mother spoke softly, gently extracting a toy from her backpack and placing it on the small table. "Alright, either take a nap or play for a while – the choice is yours."

Yale retracted his hand, creating space for the little girl to play with her toy car. Unconsciously, his gaze fell on the diamond ring on the young mother's left hand, causing him to pause in thought.

A ring.

He reached out to touch the ring finger of his left hand, flexing his slender and clean knuckles. He felt as though he had forgotten something crucial.

A ring... a proposal... mecha?

It was as if the television signal was malfunctioning, fragmented images flashing through his mind, yet too indistinct and fleeting to grasp, leaving him vexed.

Yale pressed his throbbing temples and took a few silent deep breaths.

When he finally regained composure, he heard the young mother's concerned voice, "Are you alright? Should I call a steward for you?"

Weakly waving his hand, he popped a candy into his mouth. After a while, the dizziness subsided.

He must have skipped breakfast that morning, leading to low blood sugar and causing hallucinations.

The train finally arrived at its destination. Yale picked up his backpack, got off, and, as he recalled memories and asked for directions, he eventually found his way to his hometown village by noon.

Yet in just three years, the scenery here had undergone a remarkable transformation. He weaved through bustling streets and numerous alleyways before arriving in a somewhat desolate area.

Back then, this place was thriving, but it gradually declined after he left to attend primary school. Now, only a few elderly folks remained, holding onto their old homes and cherished memories as they spent their remaining days.

"Ah Ren is back, huh?"

Lost in thought, Yale heard an aged voice from behind him. Turning around, he saw a kind-faced old lady, "Auntie Li."

The grandmother, with her white hair and cane, nodded affectionately, continuing her chatter.

"It seems like it's been a long time since you've been back. Your grandmother and your mother must miss you dearly. Don't forget to visit home often, even while you're busy pursuing your dreams."

He paused for a moment, then smiled wistfully, almost in a sigh, "Yes, I truly miss home, that's why I hurried back."

Not until he stood on this familiar land, seeing the scenes etched in his memory, and inhaling the distinct scent of the earth, did he suddenly feel a sense of tranquility.

After bidding farewell to Auntie Li, Yale turned a corner and was greeted by an unexpected openness.

The courtyard before him was deserted, but it offered an unobstructed view of the vast sky above, ensuring ample natural light for the houses in the area and preventing excessive dampness.

Grandma's old cottage was incredibly dilapidated. In the past, he would only return during this time of year to clean it up. With his three-year absence due to his coma, it was surely uninhabitable now.

Creak...

He pushed open the wooden door, its rusty hinges protesting with a squeak. After a long time, sunlight finally poured in, illuminating the cobweb-filled and dusty interior.

"Grandma, I'm back."

Yale called out loudly, as if greeting the spirits within the house, seeking permission to settle in peacefully.

"So much dust... It might take me a whole day to clean this up..."

The place was mostly covered in grime, without any clean spots to even put down his backpack. Fortunately, there was still water flowing from the tap. He first wiped the bed clean, ensuring a spot for rest.

It had been a long time since he last did a thorough cleaning here. With limited vacation time, coupled with the rush of visiting and paying respects, he could only manage to dust off the surfaces each time.

Now, with ample time on his hands, he could finally give the place a proper scrub.

Splash...

A whole sheet of plastic was pulled away, sending dust swirling into the air.

Yale took a few steps back, covering his mask as he waved his hand for a long while to clear the dust, gradually revealing what lay beneath.

An old storage cabinet.

"I remember this cabinet had a big hole in it, rats could get in. They didn't throw it away back then…?"

He whispered, bending down to open the cabinet door, ready to bolt at the sight of any rodents. Fortunately, there were no rustling sounds within; only the stale scent of decay and age.

The house blocked out external light, so Yale had to turn on his flashlight. After rummaging through its contents, he pulled out a tin box.

"This box looks familiar, what's inside?"

Wiping off the thick layer of dust, he carefully opened the box, pausing in surprise when he saw its contents.

A talisman, a small wooden turtle carving, half a kite, and a few puppet theater figurines – along with various unidentifiable fragments – all remnants of the few toys from his childhood.

The yellow embroidery on the talisman had come undone, most of it faded to a dusty white. Yale vaguely recalled that it was something his grandmother had taken him to a temple to acquire after he'd lost his parents.

The spry little old lady crossed her arms and looked at him, gasping for breath, with a stern expression.

"Hurry up! At this snail's pace, when will you ever reach the mountaintop?!"

Back then, with his short limbs, he really did crawl on the ground like a snail, quickly getting covered in dust. His grandmother sighed and carried him on her back.

"Oh dear, your mother really is something, giving birth but not caring for you. She might as well take the child down with her and spare him this suffering, going hungry up here."

At that time, he thought his grandmother disliked him. Yet, when she prayed for an amulet, she wished for "my little grandson's safety and good health."

"..."

Yale's eyes suddenly drooped as he rubbed the amulet for a long while before finally putting it back.

They only lived together for four years, from the age of eight to twelve.

Even if those memories had faded due to a high fever, the longing in his heart told him that those were the most peaceful and joyful four years of his life.

When he finally left the hospital, he exacted revenge promptly, regained his freedom, but was mentally unstable and often troublesome.

"What's wrong with you now? Always crying, crying all day long!"

The spoon, still dripping with porridge, struck his head, momentarily stunning the child who was sobbing with his face covered. Then he heard his grandmother's exasperated voice.

Through his sniffles, he muttered his thoughts, feeling like the most miserable child in the world.

What were family members?

Why didn't he have caring and loving parents, but instead suffered from hunger and beatings every day? Now, he couldn't even attend school.

"Family is like a rope. No matter where you go, it tugs at your heart, keeping you grounded and always guiding you back home, no matter how far away you are."

The sprightly old lady's warmth lasted only a moment before she dismissed him with a disdainful wave of her hand.

"Of course, some 'family' aren't really human, more like beasts. In those cases, it's best to cut that bond clean and decisively. There's nothing to regret."

"In any case, being a person is about having a clear conscience. Hesitating and dwelling on things is not the way of a true man! Dry your tears, no more crying!"

She clicked her tongue, worried about the food in the kitchen but feeling it wasn't right to leave the child alone. So, she carried him to sit on the doorstep and half-heartedly tried to soothe him.

"Sit still, if you're good, I'll take you to pet the lambs tomorrow."

But Grandma never took him to see the lambs, as she was preoccupied with securing his education, borrowing money here and there, and sewing in her spare time – it was a busy period.

Memories of those days floated in Yale's mind, softening his expression. He picked up the turtle wood carving once more.

The little turtle poked its head out, looking endearingly clumsy, strangely resembling their household's protective spirit animal.

Back then, Grandma had a rare moment of free time, and he was taken to town, where they stumbled upon a woodcarver's stall. Yale's eyes were immediately drawn to a majestic snow leopard sculpture.

However, instead of the snow leopard, he ended up with an unattractive turtle. On the verge of tears, he pouted, only to be scolded with a tug on his ear.

"What's wrong with a turtle? It's so cute with its wobbly head! Those big tigers and lions are carved too horribly, besides, turtles have a good symbolism – 'gu' means return, implying that you'll always have a home to come back to."

Turtle, turtle.

But he no longer had a home to return to.

Yale took a deep breath, blinked away the warmth in his eyes, and closed the box. He decided to focus on cleaning first.

If he couldn't finish everything tonight, he would have nowhere to stay.

...

As the day faded into twilight, the sounds within the house grew quiet.

When the fiery clouds dispersed, the banyan tree cast a dark shadow, and a dim lamp flickered to life inside the house.

Yale heated water and managed a quick bath before lying down in bed with his phone. After scrolling for a while, he prepared to snuggle under the covers and sleep.

His entire body ached from a day of cleaning, and he had to visit the cemetery in town the next day. It was better to get some rest early and deal with everything else tomorrow.

However, whether it was due to those toys or the accumulated longing from not being home for so long, Yale began to drift into a myriad of jumbled dreams.

"..."

"You, this young one, were born with a thin destiny, a curse upon us all. You're inherently distrustful of others and may very well end up alone for life!"

In the dream, the speaker's face was indistinct, but their gloating tone was clear. Yale surmised that it was likely some nosy villager.

"Blah! You're the one who's jinxed! Why don't you take a good look at yourself in the mirror, *%￥&…!"

This was followed by a string of vulgar curses. The hand holding him was bony but strong, exuding an inexplicable sense of comfort.

Back then, he didn't know what "jinxed" meant, but later on, he realized it was rather fitting. After all, those who came into contact with him usually didn't fare well –

including his grandmother.

At the age of sixty-five, three years after adopting Yale, she was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer. It was too late for treatment.

The last memories he had of his grandmother were mostly in black and white – the stark white of the small town hospital, the dark nights illuminated only by starlight… and her contrasting black and white eyes.

As if fearing the curse of being jinxed, in her final moments, she would always hold Yale's hand and begin to ramble on with words of advice.

"Whether it's this home, your parents' home, or the one you'll create for yourself in the future, remember this: as long as your heart finds solace, as long as there are people you miss and care for, that is where you belong.

"After I'm gone, you'll likely be adopted by an orphanage. Come back occasionally if you wish, but there's no need to do anything special. Just dust off the place and pay your respects.

"If you don't come back, that's alright too. This house has nothing left, and the journey back will be difficult. Come whenever you have the time."

"..."

Countless memories surged forth, preventing Yale from finding any peace in his sleep.

After a sudden awakening, he sat up and sat silently in the stillness of the room for a while.

Then, he threw back the covers, got out of bed, and opened the door to the old house. He sat on the high threshold where he used to sit as a child.

The night was cool like water, with countless stars shimmering in the sky.

Yale narrowed his eyes slightly, gazing indifferently at the twinkling stars above his head, connecting them randomly into peculiar patterns.

Perhaps it was due to the chill of the dew or the thinness of his clothing, but before long, he felt a piercing cold that even turned his exposed ears red.

"Huhu..."

Yale exhaled a breath of cold air, a hint of weariness surfacing on his face.

Three years might not seem too long or too short, yet it felt like a bottomless abyss that had severed his life at twenty-two.

Once upon a time, he had a rented apartment and a loyal dog, accompanied by many friends on the path to finally escape poverty and step into an excellent career... But all that vanished in those three years.

Behind him lay indistinct memories that could no longer be traced, while ahead stretched a foggy future yet to be clarified.

Most crucially, he had nowhere left to go. Starting anew wasn't difficult; what was challenging was genuinely accepting the reality of being truly alone.

Just like this house behind him, no matter how hard he scrubbed it clean, the person who once lived here was simply gone.

He was... homeless now.

"Don't say that! You've still got a long life ahead. You'll meet all sorts of people, and surely you'll find your match, someone who clicks with you, then settle down and build a life."

Grandma's words echoed in his mind, carrying her usual quirky brand of humor, which tugged at the corners of Yale's lips, easing the tension on his face.

"Once your heart finds its peace, when there's someone you cherish and worry about, that's where you'll belong."

Oddly enough, he recalled the voice that he had occasionally heard since he woke up.

The tone and content of that voice always gave him a sense of déjà vu, as if he and the owner of the voice had shared an incredibly profound connection, so deep that it bordered on a passionate love affair.

He had no idea what "Alpha King" meant, but he could always understand discussions about "liking" and "loving," daily trivia, or even explicit advances.

Yale clicked his tongue, feeling that this situation was somewhat tricky.

His body must have been paralyzed during his coma, but perhaps his soul had temporarily left his body, wandering somewhere to fall in love and even possibly get married.

The idea of a soul leaving the body sounded preposterous; it would be more plausible if it were a ghost. After all, there was an entire mythology here about the afterlife.

So, he might have encountered a ghostly lover, gotten into a ghost marriage, and acquired a... ghost spouse? !

—But judging from that deep voice, it sounded more like a ghost husband.

At this thought, Yale sucked in a sharp breath, hastily suppressing the fantastical notions swirling in his mind.

Calm down, there are no ghosts in this world.

It was more believable that his mental state had deteriorated again, so much so that he was now experiencing auditory and visual hallucinations that required medication.

"!"

Lost in his thoughts, a fleeting streak of light suddenly slashed across the night sky above him, akin to a blazing star in the darkness, shimmering with a transient yet breathtaking beauty.

Yale's eyes widened slightly.

He witnessed countless meteors piercing through the serene night, like a cascading shower of stars, leaving behind lush and graceful trajectories in the air before bursting into radiant brilliance at their endpoints.

As he marveled, he sensed something amiss, shielding his eyes with his hand. It was then he noticed a faint red glow enveloping the heavens and earth.

"Wait, why is the moonlight red? And there doesn't seem to be a moon at all..."

Yale was momentarily perplexed.

Something suddenly came to mind, prompting him to rise and dig out a small telescope from his backpack. He had purchased it during his college days when he was part of the astronomy club, and couldn't bear to discard it during his last cleanup.

After swiftly adjusting the settings, he stepped outside into the yard and peered through the circular lens at the distant cosmos.

At first, everything appeared normal. But without warning, that intense crimson hue began to dominate his view.

It resembled spilled blood or the petals of a rose, seemingly pulsating rhythmically, syncing strangely with the beat of his own heart.

"This is the Heart of Vera."

Bang.

Bang... Bang... Bang...

Yale's pupils constricted, and his vision flickered for an instant before several vivid images flashed before him.

In that dim and cramped cabin, the figure leaned down to embrace him, wiping away his tearful cheeks while whispering tender endearments into his ear.

"I now present this heart to you."

"If ever you feel alone or insecure, use the telescope to gaze upon this heart. As long as it still beats, the love it holds will never fade... until the very end of eternity."

In the hazy darkness, only those molten-gold eyes shimmered with brilliance.

The telescope hit the ground with a "thud," rolling in the dust, but Yale was too shaken to retrieve it. Clutching his head, he trembled uncontrollably.

"....Mighty Sovereign..."

"Zzz I'll protect you... Zzz stay away from there... No...!"

"I love you."

"Zzz... In that world over there... I'll lay an egg for you."

Countless memories surged like a tumultuous tidal wave, fiercely pounding his brain. The onslaught was so rapid that it caused searing pain as absorption struggled to keep up.

"Ahh...!"

Yale's pupils constricted, and he instinctively shook his head in resistance. But a sharp, thunderous voice froze him in his tracks—

"Yale!!!"

His body jolted, and the face that had always been shrouded in mist finally came into sharp focus.

White hair, golden eyes, gazing at him with a gentle smile.

Yale vividly recalled every detail of his figure, each vibrant expression - joy, anger, ferocity... Every scene was as vivid as if it were unfolding before his eyes.

Accompanied by those memories came a suppressed, fervent love and longing, like a scorching spark that fell onto his heart, igniting a wildfire with ease.

How could he forget?

Why would he forget—

On the other side of the vast universe, there was his second home, and a lover who had been waiting patiently for his return.

A thread spanned across the cosmos, piercing through his heart and forming an intricate knot, from that moment on, the kite that danced with the wind found a new home.

Yale's eyelashes quivered, and a tear swiftly descended, seeping into the soil beneath his feet.

He moved his lips almost soundlessly, whispering.

"…Xi Ze."

Author's Note:

The plot point "Heart of Vera" is being tied up!

Current Achievements Unlocked: Communication Device Ringtone 1/1, Mech's Heart (Ring) 1/1, Vera's Heart 1/1, ??? 0/1, Stay Tuned for More Surprises!