Chapter 34: Return From the Dream, Deep in the Courtyard
“It seems you’ve recovered well.”
That familiar and hair-raising voice sounded again. Gu Yunsheng looked up sharply, his heart feeling as if it were squeezed by an invisible hand.
Standing at the door was indeed Dr. Li. He still wore that white coat. Behind his gold-rimmed glasses were eyes as deep as an abyss, his thin lips hooked into an ambiguous curve.
Gu Yunsheng instinctively shrank back, only to bump into Lu Jingheng’s worried gaze.
“Dr. Li, he just woke up. If there’s something…” Lu Jingheng’s words were interrupted by Dr. Li raising his hand.
“It’s fine. I was just passing by and stepped in to see him.” Dr. Li said indifferently, but his gaze remained fixed on Gu Yunsheng, carrying a hard-to-decipher probe.
Dr. Li ignored Lu Jingheng’s obstruction and walked straight to the bed. He pulled over a chair and sat down elegantly.
He wasn’t in a hurry to speak. He just sat quietly looking at Gu Yunsheng. That scrutinizing gaze made Gu Yunsheng feel as if he were sitting on pins and needles.
“Mr. Gu,” Dr. Li began slowly, his tone carrying a trace of an imperceptible test. “Regarding before you lost consciousness,”
He observed Gu Yunsheng’s reaction as he spoke. “After that sedative was injected,”
He then pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, a cold light flashing off the lenses. “Did you feel like your memory… seemed to have some fragments or gaps?”
Gu Yunsheng’s heart was shocked. Dr. Li’s words were like a heavy hammer smashing into his heart.
He looked at Lu Jingheng, only to find the other man also had a look of confusion.
“Forgot what?” Gu Yunsheng’s voice trembled slightly. “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
“Nothing. Perhaps I’m overthinking it.” Dr. Li smiled, but it didn’t feel like a smile at all. “Rest well. I wish you a speedy recovery. I heard your mother is downstairs handling your discharge papers. I just saw her and told her about your situation. You can go home soon.”
After saying that, he stood up and left without the slightest hesitation.
“That doctor is really strange…” Lu Jingheng stared at the direction Dr. Li left, his brow furrowed as he spoke in a low voice. “Yunsheng, do you really not remember him? I feel like he’s known you for a long time. And he said he saw your mom downstairs—could they know each other too?”
He put down the clothes in his hand and walked to the bedside, asking worriedly, “Think about it again. Have you really never seen him before? For example, in another place, or…”
Lu Jingheng trailed off, seemingly choosing his words carefully.
Gu Yunsheng shook his head, trying his best to search his memory for Dr. Li, but found nothing.
“No, I really don’t remember.”
“Dr. Li just said my mom is downstairs handling the discharge?” Gu Yunsheng repeated with surprise, his tone carrying a hint of disbelief.
“But my mom… she should be abroad. Why would she suddenly come here?”
He struggled to sit up, but was gently pressed down by Lu Jingheng. “Don’t get excited. Lie down first.”
“My mom… how would she know I’m here?” Gu Yunsheng’s brow furrowed tightly as countless question marks flashed through his mind. “And how would she have time to come here? I remember she called a few days ago and said…”
“Oh, don’t worry. I notified Auntie.” Lu Jingheng laughed feignedly, reaching out to pat Gu Yunsheng’s shoulder. “During the three days you were unconscious, I called her every day to report on your condition.”
He paused, his tone carrying a trace of an imperceptible desire for credit. “At first, she was very worried that there would be no one to take care of you here. I said I was here, so what was there to worry about…”
“She took a flight last night and arrived in the capital this morning, saying she wanted to take you home personally.” As he spoke, he leaned over and began to pack the clothes scattered by the bed, folding them one by one and putting them into a duffel bag.
Then he stood up, walked to the nightstand, and picked up the phone, checking the time. “The discharge papers should be almost done now. Hurry up and call your mom. Tell her not to come up; we’ll go down now.”
As Lu Jingheng spoke, he turned and handed the phone to Gu Yunsheng.
Gu Yunsheng hesitated for a moment before taking the phone.
Lu Jingheng continued to pack the remaining items, putting the water cup and fruit knife back in their places to ensure the ward was clean.
After finishing, he walked to Gu Yunsheng’s side again and whispered an urge, “Hurry up and call. Don’t let Auntie wait too long.”
Gu Yunsheng nodded, took a deep breath, and dialed Mother Qin’s number.
Beep…
Beep…
After the phone rang twice, it was answered.
A familiar and anxious female voice came from the other end. “Yunsheng? Is that you? Are you awake? I just arrived at the hospital and saw Dr. Li. He said you were awake and could be discharged today. He asked me to help you with the discharge and take you home to recover.”
Gu Yunsheng thought to himself that this was the first time he had met Dr. Li. Why did it feel like this person was so familiar with him, even knowing his mother was coming to pick him up? It felt more and more unbelievable.
Gu Yunsheng’s throat felt as if it were blocked. His nose felt sour, and his eyes couldn’t stop reddening.
He opened his mouth and squeezed a broken syllable from his throat. “Mom…”
Just a simple address seemed to drain all the strength from his body, making him feel unsteady.
“Mom…” he called again. It was strange yet familiar, as if they were separated by thousands of mountains and rivers, yet also right in front of him.
“Don’t come up. I… Jingheng and I are coming down now…” Gu Yunsheng tried his best to hold back his tears, but his voice was still choked with emotion.
For these two months, Gu Yunsheng had lived in the book as the original owner who had no parental love. He had almost forgotten what family felt like… But deep in his heart, his longing for maternal love had never disappeared. Instead, it was like a vine, coiling tighter and tighter until he could barely breathe.
Having experienced the short and tumultuous two months of the original owner, having seen so many partings and reunions, he found in the end that he still couldn’t truly return to reality.
Thinking back, he had been immature and made his mother worry. Now that the heavens had let him return, he only wanted to make it up to her…
Lu Jingheng folded the last piece of clothing, put it into the bag, and zipped it up. He looked up to see Gu Yunsheng clutching the phone, his knuckles white as if he were trying to crush it.
He couldn’t help but frown. This guy usually seemed heartless—why was he making such a world-shaking expression over a phone call?
Usually, Gu Yunsheng was quite flippant with his family, ending calls with excuses of being busy after only a few words.
This time, he had completely changed.
“Hey, I say…”
Just as Lu Jingheng was about to speak, he saw Gu Yunsheng’s eyes reddening, as if he were about to cry.
He was startled and quickly shut up. Don’t tell me he really hit the mark and this guy was about to pull a “A man does not easily shed tears, but only because he hasn’t reached the point of heartbreak”?
“Alright, alright, don’t cry. Isn’t Auntie back now?” He clumsily pulled a pack of tissues from his pocket, pulled one out, and handed it over. “Hurry up and wipe your face. Don’t make her worry.”
“When did you turn into a melodrama lead? You’re not the type who likes to cry. It seems my book saved you?” Lu Jingheng teased.
“You’re the one who’s a sissy! Your whole family is…” Before Gu Yunsheng could finish, Lu Jingheng covered his mouth.
“Alright, alright, I know you’re a man. Hurry up and go; don’t make Auntie wait.” Lu Jingheng said, dragging Gu Yunsheng out of the ward without a word.
Downstairs, Gu Yunsheng saw a familiar car parked at the hospital entrance. The window rolled down, revealing Mother Qin’s face, which was filled with worry.
“Mom!” Gu Yunsheng’s nose turned sour, and he almost couldn’t hold back his tears again.
“Oh, my son! You scared me to death!” Mother Qin said, pulling Gu Yunsheng into her arms, tears falling. “Why have you lost so much weight? Is it because working at the pet hospital is too tiring? Are you not eating properly?”
“Mom, I’m fine, I’m great.” Gu Yunsheng sniffled, trying his best to pull out a smile. “Look, aren’t I alive and well?”
“You say you’re fine, but your face is as pale as paper.” Mother Qin said, stroking Gu Yunsheng’s face with heartache. “Come, come, get in the car. I just had Nanny Liu stew some soup for you.”
Just as Gu Yunsheng was about to say something, he was pushed into the car by Lu Jingheng.
“Auntie, don’t worry. This kid has delicate skin; he’s definitely a top-tier Omega.” Lu Jingheng said while stuffing Gu Yunsheng’s luggage into the trunk.
“What are you saying? I’ll hit you.” Hearing the word “Omega,” Gu Yunsheng gave Lu Jingheng a reproachful glare.
“Fine, fine, I’m wrong. Can’t I be wrong?” Lu Jingheng raised his hands in surrender. “Auntie, let’s go. It’s really hot outside at noon.”
“You and your glib tongue!” Mother Qin shook her head helplessly and started the engine.
Along the way, Mother Qin held the hand of Gu Yunsheng in the passenger seat, chattering about what had happened abroad over the past year. Gu Yunsheng responded intermittently, but his gaze occasionally drifted out the window.
Familiar streets, familiar shops, familiar crowds… everything was so familiar, yet so strange.
Had he really returned?
The car slowly drove into the familiar courtyard and stopped.
Before Gu Yunsheng could react, he was pulled out of the car by Mother Qin.
“Come, come, let’s go inside. Nanny Liu has prepared delicious food for you.”
Supported by Mother Qin and Lu Jingheng, Gu Yunsheng stepped out of the car. His feet felt like they were stepping on clouds—light and without any sense of reality.
It wasn’t until his feet touched the hard, cold stone pavement that he snapped out of his daze, realizing he was truly back.
Memories rushed back like a breached flood. He thought of the hard days he wrote about in the book. The best place was Ling Xi’s undersea palace, which was magnificent but filled with uncertainty—far from the warmth and stability of home.
And before him was the familiar courtyard from his memory: a small bridge over flowing water, pleasant scenery. Carved railings and painted rafters, upturned eaves… everything revealed an ancient charm.
Passing through the moon gate and walking along the pebble-paved path, the pond water by the side was crystal clear. Several koi played leisurely in the water, creating ripples.
Translator’s Note: “Capital” (京城 – Jingcheng) often refers to Beijing in these types of novels. Gu Yunsheng is back in his wealthy family’s estate. It’s interesting how the “System” terms like Omega are being used as jokes by Lu Jingheng. The contrast between the cold undersea palace and this warm, traditional courtyard is very striking!
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