Chapter 93: Last Wish - My body may be disabled, but my spirit remains unbroken!

By the time he finished, it was past 2 a.m.

He Guan and the elderly man left the room and took the elevator to the ground floor.

"Has everyone else left?"

"They have."

"Why haven't you? Staying might grant you a few more years," He Guan asked almost reflexively.

Regretting his question, he thought, it's no wonder the crime of aiding and abetting exists.

"I've said it many times, there's not much life left in me."

By the time they reached the hospital entrance, a light rain had begun.

He Guan stood outside the lobby, peering into the dark distance.

A figure approached, holding a black umbrella, asking, "Am I late?"

"Not at all," He Guan nodded at Yan Fengqing, offering him a spot.

Yan Fengqing addressed Lou Yingjie, "Mr. Lou."

Lou Yingjie lazily responded, "You're here. Let's watch the rain for a while. I won't have much time to do so with you afterward."

"This isn't the time for rain-watching," He Guan leaned slightly against the wall, "Aren't you tired? I am."

His words seemed urging, yet held a hint of realization.

Perhaps Lou Yingjie... wouldn't make it through the day.

"We're missing someone. Wait a bit, you impatient soul," Lou Yingjie teased with a chuckle.

Despite his playful tone, He Guan's eyes held worry— a look Lou Yingjie deliberately avoided.

In the interim while waiting for the last person, Yan Fengqing chatted with Lou Yingjie.

"After serving your family for so long, it's about time I took a break."

Lou Yingjie chuckled, "Indeed, with my impending death, you seem to hold fewer grudges against me."

"Once you're gone, the Lou family might vanish. Who would I then seek revenge on? Lou Junduo?"

"I never expected such clarity from you."

"Who knows? I didn't expect it either," Yan Fengqing mused, his voice trailing off.

"Fengqing, thank you."

"Hmm, my younger brother certainly doesn't thank me."

"That's between you two. How would I know?"

"True to your word."

The rain was fine and continuous, gently caressing the faces of those standing close to it, reminiscent of soft silk garments.

The steps quickly grew damp.

When the last person arrived, the sky had started to brighten. The newcomer closed his umbrella, stepped up, and with a raspy voice declared, "I just woke up."

It was a simple statement, devoid of complaint.

He approached He Guan and gently hooked his pinky.

He Guan didn't resist, intertwining his hand with the cold one.

Lou Yingjie: "Mm. Good that you're here."

During the wait, he had drifted off to sleep twice. Each awakening left him disoriented for a moment, taking in the rain and the gathered crowd. Now, more alert, he leaned forward slightly from his wheelchair, "Children, assist me."

"This place is the culmination of my life's efforts. Regardless of my personal sins, I can't bear to see it ruined. Its defenses are fragile. I can't fathom how these people would fare outside. I don't wish for its destruction after I'm gone; I just want to create a place where they can live normally."

"I know why the police are coming. It's fine; they can have all the research."

"This is my only dying wish. Please, help me."

Silence reigned; no one responded.

Lou Yingjie almost pleaded as he looked toward He Guan, but Lou Dongzang stepped forward, blocking his view.

His indifferent gaze showed no inclination to heed the plea, coldly shaking his head.

Soon after, the rapid patter of approaching footsteps echoed.

Lou Yingjie, slightly taken aback, straightened in his seat.

"Mr. Lou."

"Mr. Lou!"

"Grandfather Lou..."

People, a large crowd or, more precisely, nearly all the residents of the community, had gathered outside the rain-soaked hospital entrance.

Lou Dongzang presented a brand-new wristband in front of a surprised Lou Yingjie, which was making a call.

A call to everyone on the island who had a wristband.

Li Lanting was also present, his wheelchair fitted with an umbrella holder, shielding him perfectly from the rain. He positioned himself at the back of the crowd, finding a spot from where he could observe everything.

Naturally, Lou Yingjie knew the wristband was from Li Lanting, but he hadn't expected Li Lanting to give one to Lou Dongzang, nor had he anticipated the new program that dialed everyone's number.

Everyone had heard it.

Lou Yingjie wished to explain, but the lead individual preempted him.

"Mr. Lou, remember the cochlear implant worth 300,000 that got torn? You provided me with a new one and sponsored another surgery," the hearing-impaired girl pointed to her ear, smiling, "I remember. Mr. Lou, you gave me a new life. I've been looking for ways to repay you, and today might be that chance. Please don't exclude me from your plans."

Using both sign language and spoken words for the benefit of everyone present, Lou Yingjie replied, "I understand what you're saying, but I'm concerned for you all. The differences between here and the outside world are vast, and once connected to the outside..."

A young man in a wheelchair firmly interjected, "But we don't want to become your liability either."

Their conversation was both signed and spoken, ensuring everyone present could understand.

It appeared both comical and endearingly earnest.

Lou Yingjie was momentarily speechless.

"We know we might be vulnerable," Li Lanting's granddaughter stepped forward, "but we can learn to be brave and integrate. After all, you didn't entirely isolate us. We're aware that beyond the sea, many people are just like us. You allowed us to access information from the outside world. Wasn't that the intention? We can inspire others, showing that even with physical disabilities, one can live well."

"We've experienced more physical hardships than many able-bodied individuals. We're grateful for your help, but you can't assist us forever. As the young man earlier said, we don't wish to be your burden."

"Everyone knows what you've done for us. We all owe you gratitude and acknowledgment for your efforts."

"We also wish to do something for you."

Someone voiced, "My body might be disabled, but my spirit remains intact. Mr. Lou, they say emotional wounds aren't cured but rather healed over time. You've created this environment for us, and we indeed have the responsibility to uphold it."

Amidst the drizzle, slowly, the crowd collectively raised their hands. Those who could speak seemed to share an unspoken agreement.

"My body might be disabled, but my spirit remains intact!"

"My body might be disabled, but my spirit remains intact!"

"My body might be disabled, but my spirit remains intact!!!"

The words echoed again and again across the flatland, drawing tears from the elderly man's clouded eyes.

Li Lan also overheard the conversation, pressing the button in her hand.

The towering walls around them rumbled and began to descend, revealing a lush green landscape outside the island. The crowd gazed in amazement, their genuine smiles reflecting the newfound scenery.

One after another, people approached Lou Yingjie, shaking his hand and recounting the stories of their encounters with him.

When Lou Yingjie began to doze off, they would gently wake him.

By the afternoon, the last girl, aspiring to be a sculptor, said, "I want to build a statue of you in the plaza. It's too empty."

Lou Yingjie neither declined nor accepted, turning his gaze to He Guan and Lou Dongzang.

He Guan smiled, "It's your decision. If the council agrees, it can be done."

The girl skipped away joyfully. Yan Fengqing had already left, and He Guan whispered something to Lou Dongzang before walking into the rain.

Lou Yingjie couldn't hear clearly.

He only asked Lou Dongzang, "Was I still wrong?"

"Yes, trying to control others is an unforgivable mistake," Lou Dongzang responded with his usual calmness, but without the prior chill, "However, in terms of building the island, you weren't wrong. You just underestimated everyone's courage. It's not about who takes charge; it's about every individual living here."

"Right," Lou Yingjie sighed, "Right, indeed."

He repeated the affirmation three times, then closed his eyes in peace.

Lou Dongzang watched him for a long while. When his breathing became barely audible, he gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

At that moment, He Guan returned, placing his familiar cane into his hand.

Only then did Lou Yingjie smile faintly, closing his eyes once more, never to open them again.

The rain ceased.

*

On the other side of the island, near the coast, a modest helicopter sat on a landing pad.

Chi Yu lounged with his feet up on a folding table, expertly cracking sunflower seeds, seemingly waiting for someone.

After a moment, the rapid whir of rotors was heard. A figure swung in, gripping the undercarriage hook of a drone.

Chi Yu perked up, observing the man somersault into the cabin, "You're here, Captain Yan."

"Mm, good partner, long time no see." The man in combat gear responded, placing his backpack on the table.

His uniform was smeared with wet mud from some unknown place.

With swift precision, Chi Yu brushed the sunflower seed shells off the table, eagerly rummaging through the backpack, "Did you bring it?"

"All the backup files are here."

"Impressive," Chi Yu remarked as she opened the bag, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the neatly labeled hard drives.

Her gaze shifted momentarily to the drones on the floor.

"How did the manned drone fare this time? It managed to carry you, I see."

"That's because I'm light. With this bag, it was a challenge. I crashed twice before making it here. The tech team needs to refine it further."

"Alright, I'll make a few edits to the feedback form."

The man who had entered the cabin took a seat beside her, unfolding a piece of paper and began to write with thoughtful pauses.

Normally he wore plain glasses, but now they were absent, revealing sharp eyes, a stark contrast to his usual mild demeanor as an assistant.

Chi Yu leaned over, reading aloud, "A resignation letter? You're writing it already?"

"Of course, it'll be troublesome for Mr. He to find a replacement otherwise."

Calling He Guan 'boss' seemed habitual, and he momentarily regretted the slip, pressing his lips together.

Chi Yu glanced at it briefly before losing interest, holding the backpack and grinning as if she were a hibernating bear hugging food.

After a long pause, she asked, "Shall we go?"

"Yes," Yan Xu replied, gazing at the lush island outside the window. "What's left is no longer our responsibility. The law enforcement team will arrive soon."

"Alright."

"Let's go."

The helicopter departed quietly, as if it had never been there.