Chapter 201: “humans And Ghosts Follow Different Paths”
Ning Lao Tai’s brain felt groggy and unclear.
She first saw the light overhead, which was terribly glaring, so glaring that she couldn’t see anything else, only white light in her eyes.
She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again… she didn’t look up, but straight ahead.
The people in the hospital room had their backs to Ning Lao Tai, none of them noticing she had woken up.
The stern man was facing the person in the hospital bed.
He couldn’t help but step forward, walking to the bedside, looking at her like that.
Familiar scenes crowded into his mind, and his usually calm eyes turned red.
“Mom.”
Before he could fully come to his senses, this word came out first.
Guard: “?”
Doctor Sun: You remembered?!
The little old man’s eyes lit up brightly, craning his neck to stare at Leader Ning’s back of the head, wishing he could dig it open to see what intense activity was happening inside.
A major medical breakthrough.
He wanted to step forward, but was held back by a palm-leaf fan-sized hand.
“Doctor Sun, don’t spoil the moment.” The guard lowered his voice.
Then he chuckled, his tone smug, “My mom always says I’m lacking brains, but suddenly I feel… even smart people have moments when they’re lacking brains.”
Doctor Sun really wanted to give him a big slap.
You naive kid, you managed to bring back one percent of him, huh?!
…
Ning Lao Tai was stunned.
She stared fixedly at the tall man in front of her, not reacting for a long time.
When she came to her senses, she raised her hand and patted his arm.
Seeing her son, the old lady was both happy and worried.
Happy that she could see her son who had sacrificed years ago; worried that humans and ghosts follow different paths.
“How did you get here?”
Ning Lao Tai stared at her son, her eyes shining, as if wanting to look more, just one more look, but her hands kept pushing him away.
“Go away quickly! Don’t come to take me! I’m not going! Mao Dan’er is still little, I can’t go yet…”
She had fallen and had no strength left, that little pushing was even less than a child’s, yet it made Leader Ning’s nose sour.
“Mom, your son is back.” The man’s voice, tempered by the fires of war, was extremely hoarse. The memories in his brain were jumbled, still quickly sorting and filing.
But he was very certain… this was his old mother.
Ning Lao Tai was very happy to see her son.
“You heartless thing, all these years without even sending a dream.” She laughed and scolded.
“Have you seen your dad?” Ning Lao Tai chattered on, “Has the little old man found a new wife?”
Just after asking, she added: “Never mind, never mind, even if he did, it doesn’t matter.”
Leader Ning: “…”
“Did you see your wife?” Ning Lao Tai asked again.
She was very satisfied with her daughter-in-law, instructing her son, “Your wife had a hard life, didn’t enjoy much good fortune. She always missed you. If you see her… treat her well.”
After caring for the people she worried about, her eyes showed worry, “Son, do you lack money? If you do, just say so. Mom will quietly burn paper for you.”
From beginning to end, she didn’t treat the person in front of her as a living person.
Ning Lao Tai looked Leader Ning over, seeing he was much more mature and steady than in her memory, with an extra scar on his face, looking fierce and menacing.
Her smile deepened.
“I always wondered, after years apart… what my son had become. Now that I’ve seen you, you look sturdier, sturdier is good, won’t get bullied by other ghosts.” Ning Lao Tai nodded in satisfaction, then urged him again, “Mom’s seen you and is content, go on now…”
Leader Ning: “…”
He held his mother’s hand.
“Mom, I’m not dead, I’m back.”
The touch on her hand felt incredibly real, but Ning Lao Tai still had no sense of reality—her son had sacrificed years ago.
“Mom knows you mean well.” She patted the back of that hand, gently stroking the calluses on it.
“Humans and ghosts follow different paths, we’re not from the same world anymore. Don’t stay long, go back where you belong. Don’t worry about me and Mao Dan’er, we’re doing fine. I’ll definitely watch Mao Dan’er get married and have kids, go with peace of mind…”
Leader Ning: How could he make his biological mother believe he wasn’t a ghost, he was human?
He looked toward the others in the hospital room.
In a daze, Old Mr. and Mrs. Gu finally came to their senses.
“You, are you really Ming De?” Gu Fu was full of shock.
Joy showed on his face, he took small steps forward, wanting to pat his shoulder, but found it too tiring, so he patted his arm instead.
“I said you looked familiar, you didn’t die!!”
“Ming De, since you didn’t die, why haven’t you come back all these years?”
From his mother’s words, Leader Ning learned—
His father had passed away, his wife was gone, only his mother and young son remained at home… struggling to get by, his heart ached.
“I…”
The guard couldn’t help but interject, “The leader was on a secret mission some years ago, just returned not long ago. His head suffered a very serious injury, he forgot his own name, forgot he had any family. He’s still undergoing treatment now.”
After saying this, he dragged Doctor Sun’s arm forward, exposing him to the Gu family members.
“This is the one treating the leader, Doctor Sun. If you don’t believe it, ask him, he knows everything.”
Doctor Sun: “…”
The highly skilled old doctor wanted to give the naive kid two injections to shut him up.
He gave the guard a disdainful look, then stroked his short beard on his chin and nodded.
“That’s right.” He looked toward Leader Ning, explaining for him.
“There was blood stasis in his brain, the blood stasis caused him to lose his memory. Some days ago, the stasis just dispersed, but he still hadn’t remembered anything. Seeing you… that’s when…”
At this point, Doctor Sun looked at Leader Ning.
“You remembered?”
Leader Ning nodded.
“Yes.” He said, “…My name is Ning Mingde.”
He was most concerned about his mother’s illness and immediately asked: “Uncle Gu, what’s wrong with my mom?”
Ning Mingde was born when Ning Lao Tai was in her thirties, he married late, had a child late, and was almost forty this year. Ning Lao Tai and Old Mr. and Mrs. Gu were of the same generation, so calling them uncle and aunt was fine.
Gu Fu explained the general situation.
The doctor had said many unfamiliar words, he explained haltingly and confusedly, with Gu Mu supplementing from the side.
The guard pointed at Doctor Sun, silently reminding: “Isn’t there a doctor right here?”
Hearing this, Old Mr. and Mrs. Gu shut their mouths.
With a doctor present, why recite lessons?
Doctor Sun didn’t waste words, stepped forward a few paces, and said to Ning Lao Tai: “Eldest Sister, extend your hand.”
This “Eldest Sister” really made one’s heart feel off!
Ning Lao Tai grumbled inwardly, but extended her hand.
For the sake of her son coming to see her.
There was a trace of real force on her wrist, and Ning Lao Tai suddenly realized.
This dream was pretty realistic.
“Son, Mom’s fine. Why did you specially bring a doctor all the way from the underworld? Isn’t that… against the rules?”
Leader Ning tugged at the corner of his mouth, bitterness in his mouth.
Helplessly, he turned to look at Gu Mu.
His eyes pleaded for help.
After years apart, he clumsily didn’t know what to say, nor how to make his mother believe he was alive, that he had come back alive!
Gu Mu saw Ming De’s intent and gave him a look that said “watch auntie.”
She plopped down by the hospital bed, grabbed Ning Lao Tai’s hand, and twisted it lightly—not too hard, not too soft.
“Eldest Sister, does it hurt?” she asked.
Ning Lao Tai looked at this one, then that one, a bit confused, and honestly said: “…A bit.”
“That’s right if it hurts!” Gu Mu said with a smile, “Hurting means it’s real. You’re not dreaming, Ming De really came back. Your son Ning Mingde didn’t sacrifice, he came back safe and sound!!”
She was truly happy for her old sister.
See, she said Eldest Sister Ning had good fortune ahead.
Ning Lao Tai was half believing, half doubting.
She always felt like she had fallen, damaged her brain, gotten some rare illness.
Her son had sacrificed years ago, the notification was still clipped in the photo album.
Ming De coming back…
How could that be.
Seeing Eldest Sister still dazed, Gu Mu pulled over the even more confused Mao Dan’er and said: “Mao Dan’er, come tell your grandma, did you see your dad?”
Mao Dan’er was sensible early and smart too, of course he knew what the adults had just been saying.
—That one, so tall, wearing military uniform, was his dad.
His dad hadn’t sacrificed.
He was alive.
He just forgot them.
Mao Dan’er thought of his mom, his eyebrows drooping, his bright black eyes misting over.
Mom said she was going to find dad, dad was still alive, where did she go to find him?
He missed mom.
Lost in thought, he was suddenly pulled to the bedside by Aunt Gu.
“Mao Dan’er?” Gu Mu pinched his little hand.
The man returned from the dead had scared both grandmother and grandson badly.
Not surprising.
Anyone would be scared.
Mao Dan’er came to his senses, didn’t look at his somewhat unfamiliar dad, looked at Ning Lao Tai, pursed his lips lightly, and asked: “Grandma, is this my dad?”
Seeing her grandson, Ning Lao Tai finally realized everything in front of her was real, not a dream.
Her son had come back.
Her old eyes lit up with brilliance, brighter than ever.
“Ming De? My son?”
Ning Mingde’s mouth curved slightly, “It’s me.”
After answering, he called out “Mom.”
Ning Lao Tai was stunned for a moment, then cried out, struggling to sit up, “Son, why did you only come back now.”
She patted Ning Mingde’s shoulders.
“Your dad didn’t get to see you, he went without peace of mind.”
“Your wife for you… almost cried her eyes blind! You heartless thing, even if you couldn’t come back, couldn’t you send a letter? At least let us know you were alive.”
Ning Lao Tai grieved for the little old man, and also for her ill-fated daughter-in-law.
Ning Mingde’s eyes reddened slightly, he didn’t dodge his biological mother’s scolding, nor make excuses for himself.
It was indeed his fault, he hadn’t taken good care of the family.
“Mom, I’m sorry.”
Ning Lao Tai couldn’t bear to hear this, choking up: “Don’t say that. Your dad and I agreed to you enlisting, we were prepared to never see you again. Coming back is good, being alive is good. From now on, treat Mao Dan’er well. A child without dad or mom suffers.”
This suffering wasn’t about lacking clothes or food—
It was other kids having dad and mom call them for meals, he had no one to call him; it was other kids going hunting up the mountain, swimming, fishing with their dad, he could only watch from afar; it was other kids having little schoolbags, little scarves made by mom, he could only look at mom’s portrait…
The suffering of no dad no mom was suffering born of comparison.
Suffering in the heart!
Ning Mingde looked at the skinny little boy, his eyes stinging slightly, “I know.”
“Mao Dan’er is my son, I’ll definitely treat him well.”
Be a good dad, and a good mom too.
Mao Dan’er didn’t know his dad’s thoughts, sensing a gaze on him, he lowered his eyes, his long curled lashes trembling lightly.
Yu Bao, Heng Bao, I have a dad!!
No matter how calm he appeared on the surface, Mao Dan’er was happy inside, but he was precocious, seeming overly calm, as if nothing had happened.
When people are nervous, they want to do something.
Mao Dan’er was like that, he busied himself pouring water, found the water kettle empty, picked up the water kettle to fetch water, “…I’ll go fetch water.”
His gaze inadvertently glanced toward Leader Ning.
In the eyes of Leader Ning, who had just become a dad, his son was so well-behaved, good-looking too, skin like his mom’s, eyebrows and eyes like his, a handsome little guy.
The guard dutifully followed Mao Dan’er.
This was his leader’s only son, he had to protect him well.
Ning Lao Tai said: “Mao Dan’er likes you, he’s just shy. Once you spend time together, he’ll get close to you. Mao Dan’er is the softest-hearted child.”
“He worships you.”
Leader Ning’s eyes lit up.
He also learned from Doctor Sun that his mother’s illness was fine, with proper care she would recover, so he felt relieved.
Ning Lao Tai didn’t want to stay in the hospital, clamoring to go home.
Her son hadn’t been back for years, she wanted to bring him home early, have him burn incense for the old man.
Leader Ning consulted Doctor Sun’s opinion, confirmed his mother could recuperate at home, then nodded in agreement.
“It’s too late today, tomorrow morning I’ll take you home.”
Ning Lao Tai nodded reluctantly.
She was very sleepy, but reluctant to sleep, forcing herself to talk to her son, saying whatever came to mind.
That night, Old Mr. and Mrs. Gu and the others were settled in the guesthouse.
They were thrilled.
Gu Yucheng exclaimed in wonder, “This is the guesthouse where leaders stay, so grand! Today was really worth it!”
No sooner had he spoken than the back of his head was smacked.
Gu Mu gave him a glare: “What? If you didn’t stay in the guesthouse you’d feel shortchanged? We’re all villagers, helping each other is only right, why be so calculating? Is that how I taught you?”
Gu Yucheng hissed twice, “I was just saying.”
Gu Fu chuckled happily, and he and Gu Mu entered their room.
Once inside, the old couple looked around, the staff introduced everything to them, so they weren’t as awkward as when they first arrived.
“Really nice.” Gu Mu sat on the bed, feeling it was soft with springs, quite rare, “Ming De’s made it big, Ning Eldest Sister and Mao Dan’er are blessed.”
“Do you think they’ll be picked up?”
Gu Fu said: “Definitely.”
“Don’t know which troops Ming De’s in…” Gu Mu muttered.
“Don’t ask, that’s all classified.”
“Who needs you to tell me.” Gu Mu rolled her eyes, “My awareness is high.”
Gu Fu sighed, “Look at you, I just reminded you once, why get mad? My wife’s awareness is top-notch.”
Gu Mu couldn’t control the smile at her mouth, “Get lost, I’m going to wash up.”
A string of happy laughter spilled from her mouth, “Never thought I’d stay in a guesthouse too. Heard you can shower right here, more convenient than the public bathhouse. I’m going to try, you try later too.”
With that, she went into the bathroom.
Gu Fu thought to himself, definitely, now that we’re here…
The next day.
A jeep from Fengshou Brigade arrived.
The whole village was abuzz.
Adults and children watched from afar.
The car door opened.
Yu Bao and Heng Bao got out of the car.
Seeing them, Tie Chui rushed over, his voice full of joy, “Yu Bao, Heng Bao, you’re back!!”
Yuan Bao followed closely: “You rode in the big car, how did it feel?”
As he spoke, his little eyes kept glancing into the car, seeing Mao Dan’er there too, his eyes widened instantly, “Mao Dan’er?! You’re here too, is your grandma better?”
He pulled out eggs he hadn’t been willing to eat, stuffing them into Mao Dan’er’s hands, “Mao Dan’er, my mom says eggs nourish the body, give the eggs to your grandma, she’ll be better right away.”
Leader Ning got out of the car, looking at the kids, “Which families are you from?”
The little friends chattered their family names.
Finally, Tie Niu asked: “Uncle, who are you?”
Doctor Sun smiled and shook his head, “Children meet but don’t recognize each other, laughing they ask whence the guest comes…”
