Rumble~ Rumble~
The thick clouds in the sky rolled and churned, as if ancient beasts were about to break free. Thunder rumbled incessantly.
"Haochen's dad, look at the sky. It looks like it's going to pour down heavily any minute now."
Li Desheng glanced at the overcast sky filled with rumbling thunder. His heart sank. As a fisherman who had spent his life by the sea, he knew all too well how terrifying such weather could be.
"Haochen's mom, it seems like it'll be a while before it starts. The fishing nets we set aren't too far away, so we should have enough time to go and come back. If we don't retrieve those nets, all that effort will be wasted. Haochen is such a good boy. His college entrance exams are just a few days away. Teacher Huang said he came first in the city during the mock exams. It shouldn't be difficult for him to get into a good university. The tuition fees... sigh!"
The thought of money brought a wave of helplessness to Li Desheng and his wife. But the image of their outstanding son, Li Haochen, made their sun-weathered, creased faces seem to smile.
"Dad, then... let's go. If we don't get those nets back, Haochen's university fees will be in jeopardy."
"Alright, then hold on tight. The waves are a bit strong!"
Li Desheng's small sampan swayed precariously as it sailed towards the distant reef area. Fierce waves pounded against the hull, making a loud crashing sound that even the roar of the high-speed diesel engine struggled to overpower.
"Haochen's mom, see that buoy? Quickly grab the hook and pull it over."
Huang Xiufang picked up a long bamboo hook and reached towards the nearby buoy. However, the waves were too strong, and despite multiple attempts, she couldn't hook it.
In an instant, a tempest raged. The sea erupted, and the waves rolled and roared with fury.
To snag the buoy, Huang Xiufang leaned over the edge of the boat, her arm stretched out straight. Suddenly, a colossal wave crashed down fiercely. Caught off guard, Huang Xiufang was swept into the unforgiving depths of the sea.
"Ah..."
"Xiufang, Xiufang!"
Seeing his wife swallowed by the sea, Li Desheng felt as if his mind had exploded. Without hesitation, he plunged into the water...
The sea, which moments ago was churning with angry waves, was now calm as glass. The sampan gently rocked with the current, but its occupants were forever submerged in the depths of this ocean.
...
Liang Qiujin had just finished grading assignments. Noticing a faint light still on in the classroom, she walked over. She saw Li Haochen still diligently studying by lamplight and walked in with a sense of gratification.
"Haochen, don't overwork yourself. It's late. Go back to the dormitory and rest."
"Ah, teacher, you haven't gone back yet?"
"I was just about to leave. By the way, come over to my dormitory for meals these next few days. You've lost quite a bit of weight recently."
Li Haochen replied with a touch of shyness and embarrassment, "Ah, I... I won't bother you anymore..."
"Alright, it's settled. Make sure you come, or I'll be angry."
"Ah, oh, I understand. Thank you! I'll head back to the dormitory now. Goodbye!"
Liang Qiujin watched Li Haochen walk away, a heartfelt sense of pride filling her. This year would be her last year on the sacred platform of teaching. After the college entrance exams, she would "graduate." And Li Haochen was the most accomplished student in her teaching career – excellent in both studies and character, and the most likely student from Dehai High to be admitted to Tsinghua or Peking University.
As Liang Qiujin returned to her dormitory, the landline phone rang urgently.
"Hello, who is this?"
"Hello, is this Li Haochen's homeroom teacher? Please inform him to come home quickly. Something has happened at his home, his parents..."
Before Liang Qiujin could finish listening, the phone slipped from her grasp and hit the floor with a thud. Trembling, she whispered, "It's over, it's over. What am I going to do?"
Liang Qiujin, without even putting on her shoes, rushed frantically towards the student dormitory.
As Li Haochen returned to his dormitory, his roommates were soundly asleep, their soft snores filling the air.
"Hmm, why is my brow twitching so much? I feel restless, my mind is unsettled."
Liang Qiujin rushed towards Li Haochen's dormitory, pushing open the door forcefully. The metal door slammed violently against the wall, making a loud BANG that startled the sleeping students awake.
Panting heavily, Liang Qiujin pulled Li Haochen out. Her face turned ashen as she said, "Haochen, you~ you need to go home immediately. Something terrible has happened at your home. Hurry~ hurry back."
Upon hearing this, Li Haochen's expression turned anxious. He asked urgently, "Teacher, teacher, what exactly happened at my home?"
"Don't ask questions, just go back quickly, quickly."
Liang Qiujin's urgency made Li Haochen even more nervous. He thought, "Could it be that Dad and Mom are injured?" But no matter how he thought about it, he couldn't fathom the idea of eternal separation. Without taking the time to thank Liang Qiujin, and without bringing anything, he hurried in the direction of his home.
Watching Li Haochen leave, Liang Qiujin collapsed onto the ground as if all her strength had drained away. Biting her lip, tears streamed down her face.
"My poor child!"
The closer he got to home, the more uneasy Li Haochen felt. As soon as he entered the village, he saw his family's dilapidated old house filled with people. His unease grew.
Seeing his relatives inside the house, Li Haochen quickly walked over and anxiously asked, "Uncle, great-grandfather, Aunt Wu, are my parents very badly injured?"
Li Dehai, seeing Li Haochen return, his eyes red, walked over and patted Li Haochen's shoulder heavily, his voice hoarse as he said, "Haochen, you need to be strong. You need to hold on, understand?"
Li Shuren also came over, his face etched with pain, and said, "Little grandson, you..."
Beside them, Li Hongmei couldn't contain her sorrow and sobbed, "My Haochen, why are you so ill-fated? Oh, heavens!"
Li Haochen felt his skin crawl as he heard this. His face turned deathly pale. With heavy steps, he pushed Li Dehai aside.
Two bodies, covered with white cloth, lay on the cold ground.
Li Haochen appeared outwardly calm, so calm it was frightening. He struggled to walk to the side of the bodies and suddenly knelt down with a loud THUD. A trickle of blood seeped from his knees. He slammed his hands down onto the rough cement floor with all his might, gripping it tightly. His fingers were torn, leaving ten shocking bloodstains.
Li Haochen bit his lip fiercely. Blood mingled with saliva, slowly dripping from the corner of his mouth. His body trembled uncontrollably, and then he let out a series of heart-wrenching cries.
At this moment, Li Haochen's heart was being torn apart. His grief was so profound that his nerves went numb, his heart turned to ashes. His eyes suddenly went white, and he fainted, losing all consciousness.
"Haochen, Haochen..."
"Chen Wa..."