Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
A piercing screech of brakes plunged Ziya into an abyss of darkness, a darkness thick and viscous like blood, from which she found it hard to extricate herself.
"What... what happened to this child?"
"Don't panic, I'll ask the doctor," Liu Haoming said, fully aware that his daughter had suffered a severe brain injury due to the violent impact of the car crash and her fall onto the guardrail in the greenbelt. This was information he had gathered from a doctor friend. He couldn't tell his wife yet, fearing she would break down in tears in the hospital room. To better understand his daughter's condition, Liu Haoming felt he needed to visit the attending physician's office.
"There’s no major issue; she will just experience temporary amnesia for a while. Her memories and consciousness will be somewhat self-enclosed. Her inner world and reality won't harmonize; it's what people often refer to as a fantasy space." The doctor's serious expression conveyed the gravity of Ziya's situation, though he tried to soften the blow for Liu Haoming. Nevertheless, this news felt like the sky was falling down on him. This was their only precious daughter; surely Heaven wouldn't punish them again for past mistakes! He silently prayed to Heaven, pleading that the child was innocent and if punishment were necessary, let it fall upon him instead—do not let any misfortune befall his daughter.
Seeing his old friend's sorrowful face, the doctor offered some advice: "Based on our years of clinical analysis and practice, patients often retain certain unknown information regarding specific environments. Since Ziya was involved in an incident at the News Agency, you might consider letting her stay there for a while; it could potentially stimulate her memory and consciousness."
"But you know... sigh! How can I explain this to you? You wouldn’t understand..." Liu Haoming initially wanted to share details about the News Agency with his old friend but hesitated, thinking about his position as a party member. How could he believe in such superstitions? That would be laughable!
Ziya spent a Sunday in the hospital with her mind blank. The people around her felt both familiar and strange. Zi Anqing followed the doctor's instructions and brought her to the entrance of the News Agency. As they arrived, Ziya immediately spotted Qin Nannan leaning against a Stone Lion, smiling at her.
"You’re here?" Ziya greeted Qin Nannan as her mother looked on in surprise. She suddenly remembered that she was an intern at the News Agency but had no other recollections.
"I came early; why did you take so long?" Qin Nannan teased with a playful smile, wrapping her arm around Ziya's as they walked toward the News Agency.
"Wait," Ziya suddenly leaned back, slipping out of Qin Nannan's embrace. She looked up at the Stone Lion, its eye sockets filled with glistening moisture. "The Stone Lion is crying," she murmured.
"Uh," Qin Nannan replied softly.
As they entered the News Agency, a security guard eagerly opened the door for Ziya, his smile stretching wide enough to distort his features. "Good morning, Xiao Fang, you're here!"
The hall was bustling with activity, familiar faces reappearing before Ziya's eyes: Liu, Li Mingxiang, Lao Ran, the plump nurse, Zhang the Chief Editor, Nana, Yuan Ye, and that mysterious Cleaner Aunt Duan Xiuying. The expression on Liu's face made Ziya feel a bit uncomfortable, though she couldn't quite pinpoint what was off.
"Ziya, you should continue learning from Master Lao Ran! Since you're already familiar with the essentials of copying and faxing, there's no need to stay with Aunt Li," Liu said softly.
"Weren't you the one learning from Lao Ran? Why are you sending me there? What's going on?" Ziya whispered in confusion to Qin Nannan, who was closely following her.
"He needs you..." Qin Nannan blurted out without thinking but quickly fell silent. She glanced around cautiously as if wary of something and took a careful breath.
"What’s wrong with you? What are you afraid of? It's exhausting," Ziya said, bewildered by her friend's expression.
"Nothing, don’t worry. I’ll always be by your side," Qin Nannan's caring tone brought a warm feeling to Ziya.
"Ugh, self-absorbed fool..." Ziya instinctively waved her hand dismissively but suddenly remembered someone had said that before. She tried to think hard but was met with a sharp pain in her head as if pricked by needles.
In Lao Ran's office, he was alone, tidying up the clutter. He seemed not to notice Ziya entering and continued with his tasks as usual.
Ziya gestured to Qin Nannan, and they immediately joined in helping Lao Ran clean up the office. In no time at all, the place was spotless. A hint of satisfaction appeared on Lao Ran's face as he sat down at his desk with a weary expression and lit a cigarette.
"Xiao Fang, aren’t you afraid of me?" Lao Ran asked after taking a puff of smoke, exhaling a cloud that slowly dissipated into the air around him.
Ziya sensed there was more to his words. "Why would I be afraid of you?" she replied, her gaze fixed intently on him as she rubbed away remnants of dust. Qin Nannan handed her a damp towel she had somehow procured.
"Because... they say I'm a ghost..." Lao Ran's voice trembled slightly, and the muscles beneath his eyes visibly twitched. His fingers holding the cigarette shook involuntarily for a moment; to cover up his brief lapse in composure, he hurriedly took another deep drag.
"Ah Bing!" Ziya was taken aback; it was surprising to hear someone claim to be a ghost. However, judging by Lao Ran's condition, the situation was far from optimistic. At that moment, he felt a heaviness in his spirit, and there was a hint of gloom between his brows. Qin Nannan stood nearby, maintaining a strange smile, seemingly oblivious to the conversation between Ziya and Lao Ran.
After a long silence, Lao Ran finally looked up again, as if he had made a significant decision. He said to Ziya, "I would like to ask you for a favor."
Comment 0 Comment Count