Chapter 352 - 167: To Meet Shumin Is a Lifetime Mistake

Chapter 352: Chapter 167: To Meet Shumin Is a Lifetime Mistake

BOOM—

Another low rumble of thunder echoed as lightning flashed outside the broken window.

Suddenly, Uncle Qin’s body shuddered as a flood of long-buried memories surged into his mind.

The bugle call. Vietnam. A torrential downpour. Carnage, chaos, American soldiers... All the fragments flashed through his mind one after another. It all culminated in a single moment: the CRACK of a gunshot. A bullet tore through the curtain of rain from the enemy ranks, struck his helmet, and sent him plunging into the river. Later, the war ended. He returned home, but a piece of shrapnel remained lodged in his brain. That was how he became the man he was today, forgetting his own identity, living a life of confused madness.

And that was how he ended up adrift in Linxi Village.

Now, he remembered. His name was Qin Liheng.

He had to tell Su Ran immediately. He was afraid if he waited even a moment, he would forget again.

He rushed out of the room and stood in the pouring rain, watching the Mercedes G-Wagon drive toward him.

"Su Ran," he called out in his aged voice.

HONK HONK HONK—

Su Ran honked the horn several times, signaling for him to go back inside.

But Uncle Qin was too agitated to pay any attention. He had suffered for half a lifetime and didn’t want to miss his chance at what remained of it. There was still someone waiting for him.

So he ran toward Su Ran’s car through the downpour, his cloth shoes splashing through the mud as he sprinted wildly.

BOOM—

Another low rumble of thunder rolled across the sky.

"Su Ran, I—"

His voice was swallowed by the sound of the rain, the wind, and the thunder.

After running a few steps, he suddenly felt dizzy. His body went rigid, and he fell stiffly into the mud.

Su Ran slammed on the brakes, threw open the car door, and rushed over.

...

「The Hospital.」

Uncle Qin didn’t wake up until the following afternoon. The caregiver had called Su Ran, who was just returning from the doctor’s office. The doctor explained that Uncle Qin had a piece of shrapnel in his brain that was pressing on a nerve, which was the cause of his suffering for the better part of his life. Last night’s episode had likely been triggered by it. The shrapnel needed to be removed as soon as possible, otherwise his life would constantly be in danger. Of course, the surgery itself was also extremely risky, so the doctor advised Su Ran to transfer him to a larger, better-equipped hospital for the procedure.

That was what Su Ran was thinking as well.

When he returned to the hospital room, Uncle Qin saw him and became very agitated. Su Ran quickly went over to calm him down.

Uncle Qin grabbed Su Ran’s hand, his expression feverish. "Su Ran, I know my name now! My name is Qin Liheng!"

"Okay, okay, it’s good that you remember." Su Ran patted the back of his hand. "Uncle Qin, just try to relax for now. Don’t overthink things. Get some rest. I’m going to make a call and arrange for your transfer to get you treated. Once you’re better, you can go home."

Uncle Qin nodded emphatically. After half a lifetime of confusion, all he wanted now was to live. Only by living would he have any hope of seeing the woman who called his name in his dreams.

After calming Uncle Qin down, Su Ran walked over to the window to call Aunt Luo. Aunt Luo was a very capable person; having her help find a good hospital was naturally the best option.

RING RING RING~

「Imperial Capital.」

Aunt Luo had just finished a shopping spree and bought a ton of things. She was now sitting in a coffee shop, gazing outside and enjoying a pleasant afternoon.

Her phone rang. It was a call from Su Ran.

She answered.

"Hey, kid, what are you calling an old lady like me for?" she asked with a laugh.

"Aunt Luo, I need your help. I need to find a hospital. My Uncle Qin needs a craniotomy to remove shrapnel from his brain."

"Shrapnel?"

"I just found out myself. I think he must have been in a war before. That’s about all I know. Can you hurry up and make the arrangements for me?"

"Okay, no problem. Go ahead, what’s his name? How old is he? I’ll have the hospital make the arrangements."

Aunt Luo took out a pen and paper.

"Hold on, I don’t know his exact age either. He’s conscious now. I’ll give him the phone and let him talk to you."

"Alright."

Su Ran handed the phone to Uncle Qin, telling him that the person on the line was a friend from the Imperial Capital who would help find a hospital. He urged him to give her his personal information so she could make arrangements in advance. He added that since she was a longtime resident of the capital, he could tell her what he remembered about his past and she might be able to help him find his family.

Uncle Qin nodded and took the phone.

"Hello."

A familiar voice came through the phone. Aunt Luo froze for a second, then gave a bittersweet smile. ’It’s impossible,’ she thought. ’Why hold on to such a foolish fantasy?’

"Hello," she said. "Go on, tell me your name. If I can help you, I certainly will."

"My name is Qin Liheng. My wife’s name is Luo Shumin. Can you help me find her?"