Hai Xiaotang roughly tore her hand out of his grasp, not wanting to utter a single word, and immediately sought to distance herself from him.
âI can take you to see Grandfather!â Dongfang Yu abruptly announced.
Hai Xiaotang abruptly stopped her departure, turned around and said, âWhat did you say?â
âI can take you to see him.â He retorts with a heavy repetition.
âWhere is Grandfather? How is he doing?â Hai Xiaotang hastily inquired.
Dongfang Yu replied cryptically, âIf you want to know, get in the car. Iâll take you.â
âNo need!â Hai Xiaotang brusquely rejected his offer, âJust tell me where he is, Iâll go there myself.â
âWithout me taking you, you wonât be able to see him.â Dongfang Yu ended the conversation by opening the car door for her, waiting for her to get in.
Hai Xiaotang did not want to be alone with him, but her desire to see her grandfather left her no choice but to compromise.
However, her attitude towards him remained frigid throughout the journey, refusing to utter a word to him.
Indeed, her attitude could be described as estranged. It was as if she had considered him a complete stranger.
Dongfang Yu felt a suffocating misery deep within his chest, and kept their car moving at a painfully slow pace.
He wished that the road would stretch into eternity, never finding an endâ¦
Yet, no matter how slowly he drove, they ultimately arrived at their destination.
They reached a rather covert prison in C City, a place few knew of. Almost all detainees here were categorized as political prisoners.
When Hai Xiaotang exited the car and gazed upon her surroundings, she felt a deep pang of bitterness within her heart.
Was her grandfather detained here?
âFollow me.â Dongfang Yu took the lead, and Hai Xiaotang followed him, each step heavier than the last.
At last, under his guidance, Hai Xiaotang was about to meet her grandfather.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
The police officers arranged for them to meet in a room, Hai Zhiyuan was already seated inside when Hai Xiaotang walked in.
His hair had gone significantly greyer, and he was dressed in a dull grey padded jacket. Nonetheless, his gaze towards her remained gentle and affectionate.
âGrandfatherââ Hai Xiaotang ran to him, embracing him tightly.
Tears trailed down her cheeks uncontrollably, as if she was a child whoâd been subjected to various injustices.
Hai Zhiyuanâs eyes welled up with tears as he gently patted her head, âThere, there, stop crying. Grandfather is fine, donât worry, Iâm alright.â
Suddenly, Hai Xiaotang released her grandfather and fell to her knees, âGrandfather, Iâm sorry. Itâs all my fault, Iâm sorry!â
Hai Zhiyuan was taken aback, âXiaotang, what are you doing? Get up.â
âGrandfather, itâs all because of me that this happened to you. Iâve ruined everything!â Hai Xiaotang was overwhelmed by guilt, âGrandfather, what should I do to get you out? Please tell me, I swear I will get you outâ¦â
Hai Zhiyuan seemed to understand what she meant. Gently patting her head, he said, âGet up. This isnât your fault. Sit down, I will explain everything slowly.â
Hai Xiaotang nodded and took her seat opposite him, putting a table between them.
Seeing her gaunt face and tear-streaked eyes, Hai Zhiyuanâs heart ached, âAh Xiaotang, donât cry anymore, and stop blaming yourself. Iâm really alright. Look at me, am I not fine?â
Hai Xiaotang murmured, shaking her head, âNo, itâs not fine! I know this place is unbearable, you must have suffered a lot here, Grandfather.â
Hai Zhiyuanâs laughter surprised her, âI really havenât suffered that much. Moreover, this is a punishment I deserve.â
Hai Xiaotang was stunned, âGrandfather, what do you mean?â
âDid Ayu tell you about my past deeds?â
Hai Xiaotang was perplexed and dumbstruck, âGrandfather, are you saying that you actuallyâ¦â
The End*
Sorry, my dear readers, I updated a bit late today~