Chapter 1

slept in separate rooms. Jiang Zhihao would come home drunk every day, reeking of alcohol, and he liked to get into drunken fights. Zhong Jiawei didn't want to disturb the child.Lily took the roasted...Chapter 1

Standing under the dilapidated low eaves, behind him was the setting sun, its twilight casting across his surroundings. Jiang Zhihao felt as if he had just woken from a dream.

In my dream, he had already lived a full life. He was diagnosed with late-stage stomach cancer at the age of eighty.

As he died, he saw himself lying on the sickbed and his weeping descendants. Then time rewound ceaselessly until he stood once more before that door.

Jiang Zhihao was certain it wasn't a dream, because dreams wouldn't let him remember so clearly. He could recall every single moment that had happened.

He was certain that he had been reborn.

His gaze slowly shifted to the door panel, Jiang Zhihao trembling slightly as he twisted the key.

The old door creaked open, and the first thing you saw was Erling lying on the floor, playing with a broken plastic train.

Lily is just four years old, much smaller than other children her age, and very thin.

The moment Jiang Zhihao saw his son, tears welled up in his eyes.

He never thought he would one day, be able to see his son again.

Decades ago, the fire took his wife. It was the most painful thing that had ever happened to him. No matter how hard he worked or how much money he made, he couldn't fill the void in his heart.

"Dad!"

Seeing Jiang Zhihao come back, Lingling immediately happily crawled up from the ground and hugged him tightly: "You're back!"

Jiang Zhihao saw the frail frame, and also the old clothes that he didn't know where they were picked up from.

The complexion that should have been rosy is now pale. To put it nicely, her skin is fair; to put it harshly, she's malnourished.

Jiang Zhihao knelt down and held the little girl in his arms.

Tears streamed down his face, the man who had created so many business miracles in the future held his son close, whispering softly: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

Li-Li didn't know how her father had experienced a full life. She reached out and gently patted Jiang Zhihao's back, her soft voice echoing in the room: "Daddy be good, don't cry oh, Li-Li is here for you."

As he listened, Jiang Zhihao's tears flowed even faster.

"Daddy, I don't want to go to school. Please don't fight with Mommy, okay" Lingling hugged Jiang Zhihao's head and said.

His words were unrestrained, causing Jiang Zhihao to instantly recall the sentence that had stayed with him for a lifetime.

Back then, I spent my days aimlessly, addicted to alcohol and gambling. When I lost, I'd ask my wife for money. If I had no money, I'd get drunk and smash things.

Just the day before the fire, his wife Jong Jiawei wanted to send their child to kindergarten, but Jiang Zhihao thought it was a waste of money. He hadn't gone to kindergarten himself and turned out fine.

This led to another big fight between the couple.

Although Lingling is only four years old, she is much more mature than other children her age.

I've always envied other kids who get to go to kindergarten, but I also know that my parents fight because of school.

So, holding back my little heart.

It's rare for a four-year-old to be able to do this.

Hearing his son's sweet voice, Jiang Zhihao wiped the tears from his face and picked him up, saying, "Dad will work hard to make money. Tomorrow, I'll take you to kindergarten, okay"

"Really" Lingling's eyes lit up, then she seemed to remember something and frowned. "But... we don't have any money. We don't want Dad and Mom to fight."

"Don't worry, from now on, Mom and Dad won't fight anymore." Jiang Zhihao said with utmost sincerity.

Lingling tilted her little head to look at him. After a few seconds, she kissed his face forcefully and giggled, "Then daddy is the good child, you know!"

At this moment, the door creaked open. Jiang Zhihao turned around and upon seeing who it was, he couldn't help but...

Standing at the door was a young woman, with long hair cascading down her shoulders and a tailored professional suit that accentuated her figure. She possessed striking features and a graceful demeanor. Her eyes, in particular, along with her high nose bridge, enhanced her overall beauty significantly.

However, the table alone feels a bit cold and slightly detracts from the overall aesthetic.

This person is exactly Jiang Zhihao's wife, Zhong Jiawei, who also set fire to this house.

But Jiang Zhihao had never resented Zhong Jiawei, because Zhong Jiawei also died in the fire.

The mother and child clung to each other, their faces etched with grief. It was a memory he would never forget, the most painful of his life.

Many times Jiang Zhihao would think, just how much hatred for himself, and just how desperate one had to be, to choose to end their life in this way.

Zhong Jiawei held a bag in her hand, from which wafted a faint fragrance.

Jiang Zhihao knew that it was filled with the roast duck he had been craving.

This is the first time I've ever eaten roast duck.

In Zhong Jiawei's pocket, there was a newly bought lighter. Gasoline had been prepared at noon and placed in the kitchen cabinet.

Lingling smelled the fragrance and immediately jumped out of Jiang Zhihao's arms. She excitedly ran to Zhong Jiawei and tugged at the plastic bag, asking, "Mom, what is it What is it"

"Roast duck, you've always wanted to eat it, haven't you" Zhong Jiawei forced a smile onto her face, though it seemed rather strained.

"Daddy, it's roast duck!" Lingling excitedly called back.

Jiang Zhihao walked over slowly, standing before Zhong Jiawei. Looking at his living wife again made him want to hug Zhong Jiawei and tell her how much he missed her.

But Zhong Jiawei's obvious disgust in her eyes made Jiang Zhihao heartbroken.

Long ago, the two had already slept in separate rooms. Jiang Zhihao would come home drunk every day, reeking of alcohol, and he liked to get into drunken fights. Zhong Jiawei didn't want to disturb the child.

Lily took the roasted duck and said with a smile, "Mom, you worked hard!"

The child's kindness and thoughtfulness warmed Zhong Jiawei's heart. At the same time, thinking about what she was about to do, her heart felt unbearably heavy with sadness.

When the roast duck was placed on the table, Lingling suddenly remembered something. She turned to Zhong Jiawei and said, "Mom, Dad said he'll send me to kindergarten tomorrow!"

Zhong Jiawei glanced at Jiang Zhihao and said, "Is it fun to deceive children"

Every time he had a fight with Jiang Zhihao about money, he would always say what he would do tomorrow. However, when tomorrow came, he would go back on his word.

I don't get deceived myself, but I've been tricked many times by him. He just promised to go to the amusement park with me and has broken his promise many times already.

In Zhong Jiawei's heart, there wasn't a shred of willingness to believe her husband. She had lost too much, to the point of despair.

Jiang Zhihao didn't defend himself, and changed the subject: "Let's have congee for dinner tonight. Your stomach isn't doing well, so I'll cook the rice very soft, it might take a little longer."m was the setting sun, its twilight casting across his surroundings. Jiang Zhihao felt as if he had just woken from a dream.In my dream, he had already lived a full life. He was diagnosed with late-st...