The Secret Realm of Time, His and Her Life Through the Changes

Grandpa said he wasn't Wang Jie, and the atmosphere in the room became somewhat heavy.

However, Wang Jie was not surprised. He knew that he couldn't hide it from his closest grandfather, and this conversation was bound to happen sooner or later.

He sat up straight, his hands clasped nervously together, and calmly said to his grandfather, "I didn't mean to hide anything from you. I... I don't know what happened."

Upon hearing this, a complex emotion flashed in Grandpa's eyes. He reached out his aged and trembling hand, wanting to grasp Wang Jie's hand resting on his thigh, but paused in mid-air before lowering his hand.

“Where did you come from? Where did Wang Jie go? We have no idea what happened. I’ve been observing you for the past few days. No matter who you are, you have one thing in common with Wang Jie: you are a kind child.”

"Because I don't understand what happened, I don't know how to tell you. What if I say something wrong and Wang Jie can't come back, and I can't go back either? How about we wait and see?" Wang Jie said rationally.

“Wang Jie has always been an obedient and ambitious child, and so have you. Strange things can’t happen without a reason, so it’s always good to be careful,” Grandpa said worriedly. “Actually, I’m not Wang Jie’s biological grandfather, and Wang Jie himself has known this for a long time, but he is still very filial to me.”

As he spoke, Grandpa couldn't help but wipe away tears, his voice trembling as he continued, "Twenty-two years ago, I found a child in the construction site's shed. The child looked to be only about one year old, sitting in a bamboo basket, neither crying nor making a fuss. At first, I thought the child's parents were nearby, perhaps running errands, and would come to pick him up soon. I waited there until after 10 p.m., but no one came looking for the child."

I took the child back to the workers' shed. My coworkers ran to report to the boss, who told me to give the child away. I lied, crying and telling my coworkers and the boss that my son had died, and my daughter-in-law had remarried and didn't want the child anymore, so she gave the child to me.

I have never been married, so I have no son, let alone a daughter-in-law.

This child is like a gift from God; God have mercy on me.

Fearing that my boss would call the police and attract local officials to investigate, I quit my job the next day, without even asking for my wages for that month.

I worked odd jobs while raising my child. He suffered a lot with me at a young age. Later, when he reached school age, I took him back to Xichuan and found him a job at a cement factory, finally settling down.

The factory leaders also took care of me by letting me live in my current house. There are good schools here so my child can go to school. My child's elementary school teacher said, "We hope that my child can be like the Chinese character '捷' (jié), able to adapt quickly and respond nimbly in learning, work, and life, and achieve success. At the same time, the character '捷' also carries a positive and upward spirit. We hope that my child can forge ahead and constantly pursue progress and transcendence."

The Chinese teacher gave the child a formal name, 'Wang Jie'. Both Xiao and I like this name. Oh, the child's nickname is 'Xiao'. When I first found him, he didn't know his name, so I just called him 'Xiao'.

My life with Wang Jie was tough and bumpy, but we always received help from kind people. I often told Wang Jie, "You should know how to be grateful and repay kindness."

Grandpa managed to say so much, which triggered a violent coughing fit.

It turns out that the "former Wang Jie" had such a pitiful past. He had blocked out those sad memories in his mind, so he only transmitted positive, sunny, and warm moments to Shang Yibo. A warm feeling welled up in Shang Yibo's eyes. Wang Jie's life was so difficult, but he was always willing to show his best side to those around him.

As soon as Jian Zheng entered the room, he saw an old woman and a child sitting on the edge of the bed wiping away tears. He quickly said, "Don't worry, I'll have my mother find a good doctor later and have her do some further tests."

"Jian Zheng, thank you for your mother this time. Don't trouble your mother anymore. I know my own body. I've prepared some herbal medicine. I'll try it first."

"Why don't you go to Xida Hospital for a CT scan?" Wang Jie advised his grandfather.

"No, no, don't waste money." Grandpa got off the bed, his back hunched, and walked towards the kitchen by the door. "I've worked so hard to save this money for your trip abroad. You should bring plenty of money with you when you go out."

Jian Zheng whispered to Wang Jie, "What happened just now? I saw you and Grandpa crying. Is something wrong? Tell me, I can help."

"It's nothing, Grandpa's just sad that I'm leaving," Wang Jie said, trying to cover it up.

“That’s true. You’re my only family member, of course I’m reluctant to leave you,” Jian Zheng said. “We should go now, it’s still more than forty minutes on the way.”

"Why go?"

"You forgot your appointment with Zhang Qian tonight?"

"No, I haven't forgotten, let's go."

Before the two left, Wang Jie said to his grandfather, "Grandpa, we're going out for a bit. If it gets late, we'll sleep in the dormitory and won't be back."

-

Summer nights come late; it was already seven o'clock in the evening, but the sky was still bright.

The roadside barbecue stalls have become lively one after another. At each stall, charcoal fires are lit on homemade barbecue grills, and sparks are crackling and jumping, as if they are ready to add to the fun of the night.

The owners skillfully waved their bamboo fans, each wave sending plumes of smoke from the charcoal fire rising into the air, enveloping the entire area in a hazy mist.

Rows of meat skewers are neatly arranged on the grill, sizzling and releasing a mouthwatering aroma as they roast over the charcoal fire. Soon, the aroma mingles with the smoke, filling the air and whetting people's appetites.

When Wang Jie and Jian Zheng arrived at their usual barbecue stall, Zhang Qian and the two boys had already arrived.

Seeing Wang Jie and Jian Zheng approaching, Zhang Qian quickly stood up and said, "Let me introduce you. These two senior students are Professor Zhou's students, Ban Ning and Qiu Chunliang."

Then he turned around and said, "These two are my classmates, Wang Jie and Jian Zheng. We are good brothers in the dormitory."

The group of young men didn't need to stand on ceremony; they each pulled up a chair and sat together.

Seeing that there were many people, the owner brought over a barbecue grill and placed it among them, and also distributed some lit charcoal.

Jian Zheng said to the boss, "Boss, give me 50 meat skewers and 5 bottles of ice-cold beer."

"Alright, the beer's over there chilled, go get it yourselves." The owner happily agreed as he set up the barbecue grill for them.

Jian Zheng: "Let's also call you senior brothers, just like Zhang Qian did."

He spoke to Ban Ning and Qiu Chunliang, but turned to look at Wang Jie, his eyes seeking his opinion.

When Zhang Qian introduced them as "senior brother," Wang Jie almost laughed, thinking to himself: Society really does hone one's skills. Zhang Qian went out for a two-month internship and already mastered the art of getting close to people. He's only been in the lab for one day and has already made two "senior brothers."

Wang Jie couldn't help but scrutinize the two top students from the prestigious university.

Banning is fair-skinned, not tall, slender, and wears glasses.

Qiu Chunliang, on the other hand, looked the complete opposite of him; he was tall and rugged, with thick eyebrows and big eyes.

Qiu Chunliang chimed in, "There's no need for so many formalities, let's just call them by their names."

This suited Jian Zheng perfectly. All that talk about senior and junior brothers was so old-fashioned and dull.

Thinking this to himself, he politely said, "Not just anyone can become Professor Zhou's disciple. Hahaha..."

Banning adjusted his glasses and said, "That's true."

The group of people were momentarily at a loss for words.

The owner walked over with a handful of meat skewers in each hand, put them on the grill, and said, "I'll give you 30 skewers to start, have some."

"Thanks, boss," Zhang Qian said, then turned to Wang Jie and said, "Let's go get the beer."

Wang Jie followed Zhang Qian to the barbecue stand to get some beer.

When the two returned, Jian Zheng was already engaged in a lively discussion with Ban Ning and Qiu Chunliang, sharing their thoughts on life...