CH 442

The snow-white walls, the bright energy-saving lights, and the light green explosion-proof glass with iron grilles.

Wrapped in two layers of restraining clothes, Li Huowang quietly and attentively observed everything around him.

The monotonous environment seemed so vibrant in Li Huowang's eyes, as if the colors had suddenly become more vivid.

This was because everything was real, not illusory.

From Red's memories, Li Huowang learned about Xinsu's exceptionally powerful ability, the innate Qi within him, which was not something else but a part of the Heavenly Dao.

Just like how Xinzhuo could tear apart the heavens and earth, Xinsu's ability could also turn falsehood into reality as long as it was perfectly utilized.

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After understanding this, Li Huowang's confusion completely disappeared from his mind. He didn't need to distinguish between what was real and what was fake. As long as he cared about it, whether it was real or fake, it could become real.

With a clang, the sound of the iron door made Li Huowang look towards the entrance.

First, two tall prison guards walked in from outside, holding weapons and wearing bulletproof and stab-proof clothing, standing on either side like door gods.

Walking in between them was Sun Xiaoqin, carrying a food box. She seemed very dissatisfied with the presence of the two guards.

"You young people, really... I've said that as long as I'm here, nothing will happen. But you still insisted on coming, not just one, but two. Are the people in this prison so idle?"

The prison guards also had complaints. "Aunt Sun, please don't make things difficult for us. This is a direct order from above. Although we are part of the system, our monthly salary is only a few thousand yuan. Look at how high the housing prices are now. It's really not worth risking our lives for such a small amount of money."

Sun Xiaoqin seemed like she wanted to continue complaining, but when she saw Li Huowang looking at her, she immediately walked over with the food box, full of excitement. "Son? Are you awake? Come, eat. Today, I made your favorite winter melon and pork rib soup!"

Li Huowang examined the face of the person in front of him, a face that was extremely familiar yet very kind.

He scooped up half a spoonful of rice and half a piece of rib and winter melon with a plastic spoon from the food box, and placed it in front of Li Huowang.

Li Huowang put this simple yet delicious food into his mouth and chewed gently.

He calmly enjoyed this rare delicacy, no longer needing to worry about whether he was eating winter melon and pork ribs or rusty nails and mud.

Looking at the crow's feet at the corner of Sun Xiaoqin's eyes, Li Huowang whispered, "Mom, there's no need to be around me twenty-four hours a day. You should rest too. I will get better and better in the future."

"What nonsense are you talking about? The more it gets to this point, the more you can't be left alone!"

Upon hearing this, Li Huowang stopped persuading her, because he knew that it was useless to persuade someone with her temperament.

This rare peaceful meal was finished without any accidents.

Just as the two guards at the door breathed a sigh of relief, one of them saw a middle-aged man walking into the ward with another person.

"It's fine, this is the father of the patient in bed 13."

The three guards saw it at the same time. The man was carrying a bag of small oranges in a red net bag and walking towards the bed of the madman.

"Dad." Li Huowang stared at this somewhat unfamiliar man. He didn't have many moments of clarity, and seeing his father by his side was even rarer.

"Why are you here? Why didn't you inform me before coming?" Sun Xiaoqin scolded her husband and pulled his wrist, walking towards the door.

Through the window with iron grilles, Li Huowang saw his parents whispering to each other, occasionally stealing glances at him.

Li Huowang looked at their backs with a complicated expression. The clothes they bought in the past now seemed a bit big, and they had both lost weight.

Five minutes later, Li Huowang saw his father walk back into the room, while his mother left with the food box.

"Do you want some oranges?" Two sugar oranges were taken out from the red net bag by a pair of rough hands.

Seeing Li Huowang shake his head, he peeled the oranges and placed them on the bedside table.

"How have you been recently?"

"Not bad, the environment here is pretty good."

"How's your illness?"

"It's getting better, I'm serious."

"Oh, that's good."

The two of them spoke without much connection, and gradually, neither of them said anything.

The conversation between the two seemed normal. Compared to his mother, who played the role of the good cop at home, Li Huowang didn't have many heart-to-heart moments with his father.

Li Huowang silently observed the other person. The bloodshot eyes and faint dark circles indicated a lack of sleep.

The slightly yellowed collar and the greasy cuffs showed that he hadn't changed his clothes in a while.

And the slightly balding hair, with more white hair than before, and the beard that hadn't been shaved for several days.

This man was his father, Li Jiancheng.

Looking at his son, who was tightly bound to the hospital bed, and the scar that ran across his face, Li Jiancheng sighed deeply. He reached into his jacket pocket and took out a dry and wrinkled cigarette box, took out a cigarette, put it in his mouth, and lit it with a green transparent lighter.Taking a deep drag of his cigarette, he slowly exhaled, his eyes appearing somewhat moist as if smoked over.

"Master, I'm sorry, but smoking is currently prohibited in the entire prison area. Please cooperate."

Upon hearing the prison guard's reminder at the door, Li Jiancheng hurriedly extinguished his cigarette. Looking around and finding no ashtray, he finally wrapped it in the peeled orange skin.

"Dad, didn't you quit? Why are you smoking again?"

Li Jiancheng chuckled, tucking the lighter into his pocket, "I'm just feeling a bit annoyed. Don't worry, these cigarettes are cheap, they won't cost much."

"I'm not talking about the money, it's about your health."

After a long while, Li Jiancheng sighed deeply again, "It's my fault, I didn't realize your condition earlier. I've looked it up online, mental illnesses are best treated as early as possible. If I had discovered it earlier, perhaps--"

"Dad, this has nothing to do with you!" Li Huowang couldn't help but interrupt him.

"This is a matter of constitution. Since I'm a Heart Element, it's my fate, and I can't escape it. You don't need to blame yourself, I'll handle it, don't worry."

Seeing the slight tremble at the corner of his mouth, Li Huowang knew he shouldn't have tried to explain anything to him.

He didn't understand that other world at all. Telling him about the Heart Element would only make him believe more that his illness hadn't improved.

"Huowang," Li Jiancheng's voice was filled with exhaustion and bitterness. "I know you can't distinguish, it's okay, it doesn't matter if you can't. Dad doesn't blame you."

"If you like staying there, then just stay there. If it makes you feel better, don't worry, I've got everything covered here. Dad can still hold on."

Hearing these words, a pang of sorrow hit Li Huowang, but he didn't say anything. He was afraid that the moment he opened his mouth, the tears in his eyes would flow out.

The father and son continued to sit in silence until the prison guard came to escort someone. The weary yet resilient Li Jiancheng finally stood up, patted Li Huowang's head, and left the sickroom.

(End of Chapter)