92 Overlay

May 13, 2012, 11:57:12 PM.

Wu Qingchen’s chest rose and fell with gradually steady rhythm, his entire body’s muscles slowly relaxing.

In a drifting, hazy state—

Suddenly, Wu Qingchen no longer felt the mattress beneath him, nor the thin blanket covering him.

He could no longer sense the cool breeze gently brushing his face, nor the ever-present force of gravity.

Though his eyes remained tightly shut, for the fifth time he saw that dazzling, splendid light.

He saw the vast, boundless sea of clouds, formed by enormous billowing masses.

He saw five massive whirlpools, each rotating slowly, each a different color!

It was happening again!

When he realized this, Wu Qingchen’s body—or rather, his consciousness—was already being drawn into the deepest, dark blue whirlpool for the sixth time.

He was about to enter the medieval world once more.

———

At the same time.

Regardless of sea or land, continent or time zone, after 8 hours, 13 minutes, and 5 seconds, the skies across the globe were once again instantly shrouded by a colossal, sudden screen.

———

Germany, Potsdam, northern suburbs.

“Everyone, keep up... everyone, keep together...” The tour guide waved his flag and called roll again. “We’re about to enter the venue. Please don’t wander around or throw your cigarette butts carelessly... This is Germany, where courtesy matters.”

“All right!” An elderly man, who clearly needed reminding about manners, flicked his cigarette butt into a nearby trash bin and spat disdainfully. “Know how to do business? What a lousy guide! I should’ve never come!”

“Enough, enough... old man...” His wife gently patted his arm. “Why say such things? We’re out here; just enjoy yourselves. Don’t waste the money.”

“What’s there to waste?” The old man pointed at the giant screen that had just appeared overhead. “With this thing here, what’s the point of holding onto money? We might as well make the most of it while we can. Let the Wang family enjoy some foreign delicacies!”

“Go on!” The woman rolled her eyes and turned away.

“All right... we’re almost there!”

The guide raised his small megaphone: “Our next stop is the famed Wuyou Palace Mill. There’s a well-known story behind this mill!”

Having recited it countless times, the guide delivered the “King and the Miller” tale with dramatic intonation and vivid expressions, transforming a story less than 500 words long into a stirring narrative. He concluded with a short commentary:

“And so, the Berlin Supreme Court ultimately ruled that the King’s forced demolition was an abuse of royal power, infringing upon the plaintiff’s constitutionally guaranteed property rights. They ordered the King to rebuild a mill of the same size on the original site and compensate the original miller for his losses! The King complied, and a brand-new mill once again stood outside the walls of Wuyou Palace! This also symbolized the spirit of the rule of law standing tall on German soil!”

As he spoke, the tour group arrived near the mill.

The scene was chaotic. A large crowd surrounded the entrance ahead, and through the gaps among tourists, rows of riot police holding shields stood between them and the site.

“Cough... what’s going on?” The guide hurried forward and pulled over a fellow tour operator on the same route. “It was just renovated recently. Why is it closed again?”

“I heard the government requisitioned it for something important...”

“I see, thanks...” The guide nodded, released his peer, and returned to his group.

Clearing his throat and facing the crowd, the guide said calmly, “Unfortunately, there’s some temporary maintenance going on. But the German government is considerate—they thought ahead for the public. See? They gave advance notice, closed the site ahead of time, and started repairs early, so no one gets disappointed after arriving... Well then, to avoid any economic loss for you all, I’ll go refund the tickets. Please wait a moment...”

About ten minutes later, the guide returned, his face showing a few bruises, but his tone remained composed: “Dear tourists, sorry, the tickets can’t be refunded... Once purchased, the contracts are binding... The German government upholds its contractual obligations.”

“Bah!”

An old man spat again, this time hitting the guide’s face.

———

China, Hubei Province, Luoxian County.

First People’s Hospital, inpatient ward.

The night was deep. The city’s clamor gradually faded. Towering buildings in the distance turned off their lights one after another. On the street, lonely lampposts cast long shadows, while the traffic thinned.

Suddenly, a patch of white light appeared outside the dimming window.

Near the window, the hospital bed’s backrest was reclined upright. A small folding table was unfolded in front.

Noticing the light, a frail little girl, leaning against the bed and writing on the portable table, lifted her head.

Swish—

A large hand pulled the curtain closed.

“Don’t mind it... Nannan...” a gentle mother’s voice soothed, as she lightly stroked the girl’s thin head. “Go to sleep early; you can finish writing tomorrow.”

“No...” The girl pouted. “The teacher said, finish today’s work today. Tomorrow has its own tasks.”

“All right...” The mother ruffled the girl’s hair. “Then keep writing well.”

The girl lay back on the folding chair and resumed writing.

“Sunday, May 13, clear sky.

Just like yesterday, today’s weather is also very nice. The sun has been working hard these days.

Mom said there’s no need to go to school today either.

In the morning, Mom pushed me around the yard many times. At noon, Mom treated me to lots of delicious food. In the afternoon, Mom bought me a little duck that can quack.

At night, Mom asked if I was happy.

I said I was very happy. Mom asked if it was okay not to go to school tomorrow as well.

I said yes.

Actually, I want to go to school. I miss Xiao Lan and Xiao Zhu.

I’m not mad at Xiao Zhu anymore, even though she pushed me and I fell from my wheelchair that day.

I don’t blame Xiao Wen and Xiao Ye either.

But the teacher was right; it’s not Xiao Zhu’s fault. She was scared too. Xiao Wen and Xiao Ye didn’t mean to step on me.

It’s all that bad person in the sky’s fault!

But that bad person runs so fast!

Sigh, I wonder if the sunflowers Xiao Zhu and I planted have bloomed yet.

I hope the weather will be just as nice tomorrow so Mom can push me out to play again.

Oh, and my leg moved again today.

I want to tell—”