novelraw Chapter 1317 631: The Start Is Also the End (Main Story Concludes)
Chapter 1317 631: The Start Is Also the End (Main Story Concludes)
After leaving his memory, Qin Huai showed no reaction for a long time.
He couldn't see what was in front of him; he knew he should theoretically appear in the kitchen after leaving his memory, but he couldn't feel the smoky atmosphere or see the pots and pans in the kitchen. In his vision, there was nothing but confusion, yet his heart was exceptionally clear.
He couldn't hear people speaking beside him, but he was in a very peculiar state, able to hear many sounds and see many images, chaotic yet clear.
Unprecedented clarity.
He recalled many things, many strange yet familiar faces flashed before his eyes.
He even remembered many important details he had overlooked while interacting with the spirits.
He was the little beggar in Chen Huihong's memory; the helper at Taifeng Building who supported Qin Wan back and stayed by her side in Zhao Cheng'an's memory, he was Qin Huai.
He was the owner of Qin's Steamed Bun Shop who gave Qu Jing sticky rice cake in Qu Jing's memory; the child in the babbling phase holding Jiang Weiming and calling Mingming in Luo Jun's memory; the snacks shop boss who persuaded Chen Gong to think it over during his suicidal moments, giving him snacks; the spirit who annoyed An Youyou by taking a large portion of her inheritance in An Youyou's memory, he was Chen Shun.
He was Shi Dadan's good brother; Wang Gen Sheng's close friend; Mr. Xu's son, he was Xu Nuo.
Qin Huai's mind was chaotic, yet his thoughts were very clear.
He finally understood why Chen Huihong looked at him with such a complex expression the moment she awoke.
Understanding Zhao Cheng'an's occasional nonsense, why he was so insistent yesterday about saying he was enlightened. He wasn't enlightened, he just was about to wake up, and the Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns he made was increasingly resembling the taste of Qin Wan.
Qin Huai deciphered Shi Dadan's silence, and his occasional honest laughter, discerning Wang Gen Sheng's struggles, his hesitance when he first awoke.
He even understood An Youyou's hint that, according to the normal inheritance logic, now that he inherited so much from An Youyou, he should share some money with An Youyou to help the impoverished Three-Legged Golden Toad.
Most importantly, Qin Huai knew about Mr. Xu's joy.
In the many flickering memory fragments passing before his eyes like a carousel, he remembered when he was Xu Nuo, despite not seeing this in Wang Gen Sheng's memory, he held Mr. Xu's hand and said:
"When I'm reincarnated, if I don't remember you, mom and dad in my next life, it's okay. Our spirits have the same name in our last and first lives; if you meet a young person of suitable age named Qin Huai, Qin Huai of Night Mooring by Qinhuai near the tavern, Qin Huai, that means I've come back to see you."
At this moment, Qin Huai finally understood what Mr. Xu was saying that day while looking at him.
"I've fantasized many times, wondering if before I pass away, while sitting in the rocking chair on the first floor of the nursing home, an old acquaintance would suddenly come to find me, telling me they've been searching for a long time and have finally found me. Chat with me all afternoon, until I quietly lay down in the rocking chair and close my eyes before the sunset disappears."
"Before closing my eyes, like when I inherited Boss and Chen Shun's legacy, I'd divide my estate into several parts, giving one part to the old acquaintance."
At the time, Qin Huai always thought Mr. Xu said this to An Youyou, but now he knew, Mr. Xu said this to the old acquaintance.
His father said this to his son, who was so forgetful he couldn't recall past events.
Before Qin Huai, there was still a vast expanse in front of him, and many voices continued to echo around him. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, with many people he wanted to see and many words he wanted to express, feeling myriad thoughts swirling within him, yet unable to utter a single sentence.
At this moment, Qin Huai finally understood why every spirit falls into prolonged stupor before awakening, remaining silent the moment they wake.
Because memory is a magical thing.
When you forget those important matters, you subconsciously ignore the peculiar little things in life, living normally, carefree like a fool.
But when you remember everything, all overlooked details, all moments worthy of remembrance flood into the heart at the same time. The body needs time to bear these memories, the brain needs time to process them, but once processed, they can be quickly accepted.
Because this is real, this is the complete self; people can quickly accept past events and the real self.
Gradually, those complex sounds disappeared from Qin Huai's ears.
Ahead of him, no longer were flickering memories and a bright light; his vision began to focus, familiar scenes started emerging, Qin Huai saw the stove, the white walls, a terrazzo floor with no tiles, and the spirits gathered around him, looking at him with anticipation.
Chen Huihong, Qu Jing, An Youyou, Chen Gong, Wang Gen Sheng, Zhao Cheng'an.
Along with Mr. Xu.
Shi Dadan wasn't there, likely unable to make it in time, living a bit too far to reach Qin Family Village within minutes.
Chen Huihong was on a video call, with Gong Liang on the other end.
Seeing Qin Huai's eyes regain clarity, Chen Huihong approached with a smile, looking at Qin Huai, her expression somewhat proud, somewhat meaningful, and a few parts gleeful like, see, now you understand.