Stories about the Past

“I’m sorry, I don’t remember.” Bai Hai feigned a thoughtful expression and shook his head.

Of course he didn’t know.

Bai Hai had no memories of that part of his life.

As a modified human, his memories had long been erased during the modification surgery.

Or perhaps it could be said that, apart from their blood relationship, Bai Hai had no connection to the woman before him.

“My only childhood memories are of living alone in different foster homes, often having to switch to a new family just as I was getting used to one. Until I became an adult, I knew nothing except that I didn’t belong there.”

These words were moving, sincere, and perfectly matched all the information Jiang Yue had investigated.

It was just a pity they were a lie, but it was a lie that could be made more real than the truth.

At Bai Hai’s answer, Jiang Yue’s hand visibly trembled.

She was silent for a very long time before speaking in a hoarse voice, “I… I’m sorry. I tried to find you, but…”

“It’s alright, it’s all in the past.” Bai Hai stepped forward, patting her on the shoulder in a comforting tone.

Jiang Yue looked up, holding back her tears.

After a long moment, she said, “It’s normal that you don’t know. We divorced a long time ago. You were only two years old at the time.”

Bai Hai listened patiently to Jiang Yue’s story.

“Your father and I met at university. He was my senior, a man who loved to travel, was considerate, and very witty. He always took great care of me, always trying to make me laugh. Later, it was his idea for us to get married, because he said there was a new school rule that you could get extra credits for getting married.”

“Even now, I have to admit, that was a very happy time. My boring studies became much more interesting because of your father, and many times, it was because of him that I could persevere. So, we had you soon after we got married. We both thought we would live happily ever after like that.”

At this point, Jiang Yue paused.

Bai Hai knew the next part of the conversation might be a bit heavy.

“The turning point was when you were two, and I had just graduated from university. At that time, I had already been accepted into the graduate program. To support me, your father didn’t continue his studies after graduation and chose to work instead. But right at that moment, a global joint research organization found me and invited me to participate in one of their projects. They said that if it was successful, it might break the current Great Civilization Blockade.”

Bai Hai was taken aback.

He had investigated a lot of information before, but he hadn’t found anything about this.

But on second thought, it was normal. If it was a research project aimed at “The Great Civilization Blockade,” the confidentiality would be extremely high, perhaps even beyond the level of a single country.

“This was an unparalleled attraction to me, because for anyone in science, the biggest dream is, without exception, to break this vicious cycle. However, this research organization had strict confidentiality requirements. Not only was I forbidden from any outside contact during the six-year experimental period, but my family was also required to live on the research island with me, and we couldn’t leave for any reason.”

“I hoped your father would take you with me, but he refused. He believed that kind of life was no different from being in prison for him, and it wouldn’t be good for your development. This was something he couldn’t tolerate. He also asked me not to go. In his mind, no scientific research was more important than a stable family life…”

Jiang Yue fell silent again.

Bai Hai took the initiative to speak, “So, you chose the research?”

“…That’s right. So we got divorced.”

A very short sentence, yet it seemed to have taken all of Jiang Yue’s strength.

She was silent for a long time.

Bai Hai quietly accompanied her, waiting for what would come next.

“Later, I met Xia Cheng’s father at the research organization. He was a completely different man. He and I had more academic topics to discuss, and we shared the same pursuit of science. So, when the research ended and the entire organization was about to be disbanded, I married him. Everyone congratulated us at the time. I thought I had found happiness once again.”

“But as soon as I returned to the mainland, I received the news of your and your father’s death in a shipwreck… A full three years had already passed by then.”

Silence echoed in the room.

Bai Hai and Jiang Yue both remained quiet.

After a long time, he patted his mother’s shoulder again and whispered, “It’s alright. Everything is in the past.”

“That’s right, everything is in the past. Thank goodness, you’re back,” Jiang Yue suddenly grabbed Bai Hai’s hand, her eyes fixed on him.

“Thank goodness, we still have a chance to make it up… Xiao Hai, I hope you can stay.”

Bai Hai was taken aback.

The rapid development of events had clearly surprised him.

However, his reaction was interpreted by Jiang Yue as hesitation, and the expression on her face became even more urgent.

“I mean it… To be honest, you can probably tell that I’m not quite used to it. So many years have passed, and you suddenly came back. I wasn’t mentally prepared… But we can’t stay unaccustomed forever. We are a family.”

“I know, Mom, you don’t have to…” Bai Hai said quickly.

Agreeing too early at this point would be counterproductive.

A proper amount of hesitation would better achieve his goal.

“No, I mean it.” Jiang Yue stood up, her tone agitated. “As long as we live together, we can surely eliminate the barrier between us quickly.”

“Also, I hope you can help me keep an eye on Xia Cheng.”

“Keep an eye on Xia Cheng?” Bai Hai feigned a confused expression.

Jiang Yue’s expression was complicated.

She hesitated and said, “It might be my imagination, but I feel like she’s hiding something from me. But her father and I have to leave for a while, and I’m worried about her at this critical juncture. So I hope you can stay and help me take care of her.”

“More importantly, I think if you two live together for a while, your relationship might become closer. Even though you don’t have the same father, you are siblings after all… Of course, I will cover all the expenses. If she makes you angry, just let me know, and I’ll discipline her.”

Bai Hai didn’t answer but looked at Jiang Yue.

Her words were sincere, her attitude almost pleading.

And this was exactly what Bai Hai had hoped for.

He had thought it would take some time to reach this point.

Everything was happening faster than expected.

“Mom, I want to ask a question.” Bai Hai raised his eyes, his expression particularly serious.

“What?”

“If, right now, you had to choose between Xia Cheng and the research, which would you choose?”

And so, Jiang Yue fell silent, and Bai Hai also remained silent.

“Mom, I’ve already sent Nannan home. You…”

Just then, the study door opened, and Xia Cheng’s small head peeked in, only to find the atmosphere wasn’t quite right. “…What’s wrong with you two?”

Xia Cheng’s appearance interrupted everything.

Jiang Yue was stunned for a moment before she reacted and said quickly, “I’ve told you not to come into my study without permission. Why…”

“Huh? But I…”

Bai Hai took a step forward, blocking her view and forcefully interrupting the mother-daughter argument. “Mom, I’ll think about this matter. It’s too late today. Let’s get some rest.”

“…Alright.”

Jiang Yue nodded, then sat back in her chair, lost in thought.

Bai Hai gestured with his eyes, and Xia Cheng left with him.

“Mom’s not in a good mood right now. You should go get some rest.”

“Oh.”

Xia Cheng said sullenly.

She looked at Bai Hai, and Pan Nannan’s words from before she left suddenly came to mind.

She couldn’t help but whisper, “He is kind of handsome…”

“What did you say?” Bai Hai could naturally hear her, but he asked just to tease her.

“Nothing! None of your business!” Xia Cheng shouted, turning to leave, but then she suddenly turned back. “By the way, thank you for helping us cover up earlier… Why did you do that?”

“Does there have to be a reason?” Bai Hai shrugged. “As long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters. As for the rest… everyone has their own little secrets. That’s perfectly normal.”

“Alright, you’re surprisingly nice.”

Xia Cheng went up the stairs, which surprised Bai Hai a little.

It seemed her hostility towards him had lessened somewhat.

But just then, Bai Hai’s phone vibrated.

He opened it to see a message from a cute avatar:

[You jerk, if you don’t come soon, I’m going home. You can just rot there by yourself!]

“…Oops, I forgot about this.” Bai Hai stuck out his tongue, glanced in the direction of the study, and quickly left.

In the scenic outskirts of the East District, there was a rather famous resort hotel.

In previous years, during the tourist season, many wealthy and famous people would choose to book a vacation here to relax, to the point that even the lowest-grade room started at four digits a night.

However, since Anomalies appeared in the country a year ago, various industries had been hit hard, and tourism was the most severe.

After all, no one wanted to go on vacation only to be killed by some random thing.

What’s more, among the many cities, Xingchuan City happened to be one where Anomalies appeared more frequently.

This led to a sharp drop in Xingchuan City’s tourism revenue.

The number of visitors in a whole year was less than that of a single quarter in the past.

The surrounding resort hotels also offered discounts and promotions one after another.

The end result was that those once unattainable luxury rooms could now be stayed in by ordinary people for a few hundred yuan a night… sometimes with discount coupons.

Bai Hai took the elevator to the top floor of this hotel.

Although not what it used to be, the rooms on this floor were still among the most luxurious and expensive.

As he approached a room and was about to knock, the door opened on its own, and a red shadow suddenly pulled him in.

“You jerk, you made me wait for so long.” Reina hugged Bai Hai’s waist, her eyes alluring, her expression very seductive.

Bai Hai was used to this demeanor.

He shrugged. “I couldn’t help it. Dealing with them took a little longer… By the way, are you ready? Did you bring the props?”

“Of course.” Reina pushed Bai Hai away and slowly sat down on the room’s sofa, crossing her legs confidently. “Everything is ready. I guarantee you’ll be satisfied. Now there’s only one problem left.”

“What?” Bai Hai sat down on the other end of the sofa and picked up the tea in front of him.

“Are you sure you want to become a magical girl?” Reina blinked, waiting for his answer.