Outside the screen, Hu Tao was already sobbing uncontrollably. Had Grandpa sacrificed so much for her? But... but why did the manager know? How did he know...
With this thought, Hu Tao sprinted out, tears sliding down her face, fluttering in the air before dripping onto the floor. It had only been a few minutes... The weather suddenly changed from sunny to overcast, and then from overcast to rain...
Before she could even reach the Honkai Impact 3rd experience store, it began to pour. The sky was a dull grey, but that day was no different... In front of everyone was a screen, and the video was still playing.
Hu Tao's footsteps gradually slowed, each one landing on the wet floor. Her eyes were filled with tears, her clothes already soaked through...
She looked up. The words "Honkai Impact 3rd Experience Store" were emblazoned in the center of the building. She walked in step by step. Coincidentally... there was a large screen in the room, playing... a game of hide-and-seek.
The words of doubt she had intended to speak were stuck in her throat. She stared blankly at the screen, a cool breeze blowing past. Her wet clothes made her shiver.
Her fiery red Vision flickered slightly, wanting to offer her some warmth, but... she stopped it.
"It's so similar, how much today resembles that year... Grandpa, can you come out and see me? I've changed so much, changed so much..."
A thousand words turned into a single tear. As the protagonist of the story, she felt helpless as she approached the stairs and sat on the ground, her legs resting on the step below, burying her face in her knees.
She let the pouring rain lash against her. The water did not bring her any chill, but her heart was cold, terrifyingly cold...
Suddenly, a coat was draped over her. Lu Ze, holding a black umbrella, also sat beside the stairs and opened it.
As if sensing someone, Hu Tao's body shifted slightly to the side. Perhaps people instinctively move towards warmth when they feel cold, or perhaps... she simply wanted a place to lean on.
"Cry your heart out. With your current achievements, your grandfather must be very proud. After you've cried your fill, don't cry in front of your grandfather again."
Behind Hu Tao stood a soul, his white hair fluttering in the wind, his clothes billowing, only missing a hat.
Hearing these words, Hu Tao remained silent. She simply reached out and pulled Lu Ze's hand, gesturing for him to hold her.
This was a bit awkward. To hug the granddaughter in front of her grandfather... You're quite something, kid. Although the old man was a soul, he still possessed some power.
However, Grandpa Hu said nothing. He simply watched, a faint smile on his lips. In truth, his other wish was for this child to have a harbor to rely on... He even wanted to hold his great-granddaughter, but it seemed there would be no such opportunity.
The PV continued. In the video, Hu Tao returned to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, excitedly arranging dishes on a stone table. After all, the simple meals each day had made her almost forget the taste of boiled fish.
"Grandpa, come out for dinner! I bought your favorite dishes today. Let's have a good meal."
Hearing the call, Grandpa Hu slowly walked out, deliberately hiding something in his hand. But Hu Tao still noticed this subtle movement.
However, she didn't deliberately expose him. After all, everyone has their secrets, even her grandfather. There was no need to reveal it.
"It smells good... Hu Tao, how much did you pay? This meal must have cost at least 3000 Mora."
Grandpa Hu's words reminded her. She had only paid 500, and at the time, she hadn't thought much of it. She hadn't expected the difference to be so large.
But it felt awkward to run back and pay now, so she decided to pay the difference next time she bought groceries.
Having made up her mind, Hu Tao smiled and said:
"Alright! Let's eat first. Here's a big chicken leg for Grandpa, it's delicious! Eat more, Grandpa, to build up your strength."
Watching his granddaughter serve him a chicken leg, Grandpa Hu felt that his life had been worthwhile. At least he had a granddaughter who cared for him.
As for his son? Alas, it was just too unfortunate. They would probably never get to be grandparents themselves.
The meal was eaten quickly, and before long, it was afternoon. A somewhat bored Hu Tao sat in the courtyard, staring intently at the entrance. Even at noon, the weather had not improved.
It was still dark. It looked like it was going to rain heavily. It had been almost three months since the last time. After the rain, she would give her two pets a bath!
She had two lion pets, one named Da Mi and the other Er Mi. She bathed them twice a month, and by her calculation, it was almost time.
"Little Hu Tao, are you bored? How about we play hide-and-seek? I remember you loved it when you were little."
Hearing Grandpa Hu's invitation, Hu Tao jumped off her seat with a happy cry. Grandpa understood her best. Honestly, she hadn't played in so long... This time, Grandpa would definitely not find me.
She didn't notice at all that Grandpa Hu was clutching a blood-stained handkerchief. In fact, this handkerchief had been there since the morning, but he had kept it tucked inside his clothes.
Lately, he had been coughing up blood more frequently. Time was probably running out. During this brief period, he wanted to play one last game of hide-and-seek with her.
"Then you catch me, Grandpa. I definitely won't let Grandpa catch me. Hehe."
Watching Hu Tao become lively again, Grandpa Hu felt as if he had returned to the past. After all, Hu Tao had loved to hide when she was a child, and he had worried about her every day.
Once, this child even lay in a coffin, holding a blade of grass in her mouth, with a book, and slowly fell asleep. For a period of time, even her bed was a coffin.
Fortunately, she had returned to normal now; otherwise, he would have been extremely troubled.
Watching Hu Tao run away, Grandpa Hu slowly sat down, silently counting the time. But suddenly, the urge to cough returned.
He immediately covered his mouth with the handkerchief. His nostrils were filled with the smell of blood. He coughed loudly twice, and countless black blood sprayed out.
But it wasn't over. Grandpa Hu coughed violently again. As he coughed, his whole body collapsed onto the ground, his eyes weakly opening and closing.
They were open because he was afraid Hu Tao would come back looking for him and see him like this. They were closing because his life was nearing its end, and he probably wouldn't be able to accompany Hu Tao any longer...