The Ghost King's KeeperCh80 - A loss of a Loved One

Zihan sat looking outside the window which was no longer frosty under the winter’s cold. These days the roads were often wet as the soft snow melted under the sun’s glare. The streets were finally more visible, and children could be seen playing in the park opposite the street.  

Faint laughter could be heard as the children shouted and stomped around with gleeful smiles and cheerfulness.  HBiO7G

But Zihan was in no mood to cheer along, her lips which were always raised in soft smiles were now downturned with grievances and worry. For she had lost her child just recently, the same child she had raised with so much patience and love. The only child that had always remained by her side was now gone, his body in coma, on the verge of death… his presence forever silent. 

A lone tear fell from her eyes as she found herself caught in the malicious cycle of self-loathing and pain. If only she had been more careful, if only she had kept her child inside the safe space… if only… 

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“Zihan, don’t cry anymore, I can understa-” 

“You don’t understand anything!” Zihan didn’t want to hear her husband consoling her again, what would he know how much she had cared and loved her child. He was always been busy with office work, he didn’t stay at home like her, he didn’t feed the child like she did, he wasn’t the one who spend time with their child the most. He did care, but his care wouldn’t compare to hers. She had watched over every little thing their child did, always around him, taking in his chatter and emotions. Even if her child was no longer a child, she was well aware of how fragile he was, how much he tried his best to please her and achieve his goals. “What can anyone understand… how I feel. A mother’s pain cannot be simply consoled.”  CT47mg

Liran knew he couldn’t do anything to lessen the pain, but he still tried to coax his wife, who he knew had skipped her meal again. She was always the most emotional one in the family, unlike himself and even their child, she was always the bonding element in their family. Her smiles and laughs always managed to bring them together, and her patience with him and their child was the most astounding. 

These days, she spoke rudely, argued and even cried. So far from her usual self, that it worried Liran. It wasn’t that he didn’t feel the pain, but he was better at handling himself than his wife.  

“Ruzen wouldn’t want you to cry like this, wherever he is, I know he would be happy.” 

“…no, how can he be happy? He isn’t even de-dead! He is in coma Liran, how can you say that?”  

Being glared at by his wife, Liran understood that he misspoke, but he knew after reading the doctor’s report, that their child would live no longer than a few days more, there was no hope for him. He not only got hit in the head by a heavy object, but even his body was greatly affected by something odd. The Doctor told them that Ruzen was showing signs of radioactive contamination and therefore the body was rested in an isolated chamber.  

They weren’t even able to touch Ruzen who was sleeping so peacefully through all their pain. 

Even the doctor was puzzled by this, therefore, there were several senior doctors who came in to see the situation. If one of them came up with any theory, a high-level meeting would assemble that day.  

But whatever the case, Liran and Zihan both knew that their child was already lost. There was no hope of waking him up.  dm0hAI

Because Ruzen was found lying on the inner street, several people had come in contact with him when they transferred him to the hospital – like casual witnesses, those who called the hospital, the ambulance staff, nurses, and even the doctors. All of them were called in for a checkup and those who were influenced by contamination were asked to self-isolate under care.  

No one had any severe symptoms, just stomach upset, rashes and slight headaches, but all this really puzzled the medical staff and authority. The locality didn’t have any factory or high-risk industry, not even a small science Insititute. So where did the high dosage of radioactive material come from? 

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An investigation was still going on but authorities were coming up empty handed. There was also a deduction that Ruzen was murdered by a planned method, but no one could find anyone odd, Ruzen’s school background was also good, and because of his silent and modest character, his classmates had no issues with him. His university professors even confessed that he was a model student and they had high hopes for him in the industry. 

Liran had to go out every day, either to see the doctor or the investigation officials. He had no time to take care of his wife who was now falling into depression. He could tell that this sudden loss impacted her the most and she was not even eating.  P7ui L

He also felt the loss, but he felt helpless in the face of urgent matters. If they could find the culprit, then his soul would finally rest, but if they couldn’t find anything solid, then all his running was useless. It would be easier to blame someone for this whole ordeal then to face the written fate that wrote such an abrupt ending for their son. They had already lost their first son in a car accident, now the one left was also taken away. 

Liran sometimes thought that they had done something very bad in their past lives, because to have such bad luck and fate, surely, they were being punished by God. 

Liran heard muffled cries of his wife again, and fell into a daze. He could only shoulder the crying woman and pat her head. It was a very sad thing to lose a child, the older generation should never watch their younger generation being placed in a coffin, it was a very pitiable thing. 

“If there is a miracle, I hope to see my child awake again.” Zihan murmured as she leaned in further into the embrace of her husband. Now he was the only one who would ever listen to her plea.   lbjHmc

“I don’t believe in Miracle Zihan, but I wish to believe it now, if only to see my son again.” 

~~ 

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The next day, Zihan didn’t even get up from her bed when Liran tried to make her eat. She was staring so soullessly into the wall, he feared she would no longer be able to go on with life. It scared him. He had already lost both of his sons, now even his wife was showing signs of severe depression. 

In the end he wasn’t able to make her eat, so he reluctantly went to the hospital to see the doctor in-charge who had called him to come, he had sounded urgent.   Spyxn8

The day only got worse when the doctor spoke to him with a solemn face, “I am sorry for your loss. He passed at 12:36. We called as soon as we could.” 

Staring blankly at the doctor, Liran didn’t even remember if he nodded or not, all he could see was the great loss finally being etched into his heart. He may have signed some papers of discharge and such, but he couldn’t even go to see his son due to his contamination, it was awfully bleak. 

He couldn’t even stop his tears from falling when he took a seat at the end of the clean corridor, the smell of disinfectant and medicines clogging his nose.  

When he returned home that day, the home no longer felt vibrant, it seemed rather desolate, and a strange sense of heaviness filled his gut. He couldn’t walk any further, he didn’t know what impact the news would have on Zihan.  vSHdDC

He was aware of how afraid he was for his wife, and he didn’t even know what he would say to her. 

Still, he had to be the bearer of bad news.  

When he entered through the door, the first thing he saw was his wife sitting on the chair by the lobby, staring right at him, her eyes shockingly clear. He didn’t even have to say anything when she burst into tears. Her wails loud and painful, her figure shaking and trembling.  

It seemed like she had already predicted it.  lBSd7H

Liran wished he could give her some love and consolation, but his body felt surprisingly heavy and he couldn’t even step over to support her crumpling form.  

~~ 

The funeral was supposed to be on the 5th, but it had to be scheduled earlier due to some complications in the time slot. Liran saw many classmates of Ruzen’s University and School coming in to pay respect. But he didn’t see anyone who was dubious, it was just useless to investigate anymore, even sentencing the criminal a life imprisonment won’t lessen their pain. 

After her breakdown, thankfully, Zihan was back to her calm self again, but Liran knew she was hurting inside and it would take years to heal… but a scar would be inevitable. Both him and Zihan had lost their only remaining son, and it was becoming even more bleak as time passed.  EDhzfi

“Liran, my condolences.”  

Liran turned to look at his long-time best friend, who stood right in front of him, patting his shoulder comfortingly. His eyes were sad and he genuinely looked lost. “Zixuan.” 

Zixuan had often taken Ruzen to visits zoos and lake sides, he was the only one who could get close to their son. It could be said that Zixuan had been like an older friend to Ruzen. 

“This was too sudden; how did it happen?”  gOABKI

Liran shook his head, not knowing how to explain. “He is just gone Zixuan, no point in thinking too much about it, I don’t have the strength to follow the investigation anymore, it feels so painful, just to think about it. Whatever the case maybe, Ruzen won’t come back anymore… He-He is lost…” 

Zixuan sighed, moving to accompany Liran as they walked away from the crowd, “Let me know if I can do anything. I will always be there to support you. Don’t fall now, Ruzen wouldn’t want you to lose your way. He had always been a clever child, he always wanted your good.” 

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Liran nodded, his throat feeling cloggy.  

“And also, how is Zihan, I see her, but she doesn’t look good. I mean I understand why, but you know… how to put it… “ Zixuan seemed to hesitate, “she looks like she needs her time.”  QqwZmh

Liran groaned into his hands, speaking softly, barely audible, “After losing Fanru, we placed all our hopes and expectation on Ruzen, and to Zihan who is sentimental and emotional, her only consolation was Ruzen. She could cope from Fenru’s death because we had Ruzen with us. At that time also, Zihan had taken her time to recover, but now… there is no one else who… no… no one else can do anything. Maybe we were born to live alone.” 

Zixuan didn’t speak for a while as the two of them sat on the bench nearby. But after a long time of just sitting there, Zixuan suddenly said, “If you get a chance to go and see your child, be by his side, will you do it?” 

Listening to the odd question, Liran looked at Zixuan’s profile with a subtle feeling. “Why do you ask this Zixuan.” 

“Just answer it, will you?”  n0Hl5B

Liran looked at him some more, and only after a period of time, he answered back, “If possible, I would like to see both of my kids again. But I know I can’t, it is just not possible. And if I… I wouldn’t want to disturb them… wherever they are, whatever they are doing. You know me, I believe in afterlife, so I hope they are well and good wherever they are.” 

Zixuan nodded, “Liran, I understand you well, but my friend, if you ever get a chance to see your children, don’t take that chance, because some things are meant to happen and some things aren’t. Leaving this world is not an option to you.” 

Liran was slightly muddle headed so he went along the flow, but if he had been clear headed, he would question why Zixuan was talking like this. 

“Liran, take care of your wife, I am afraid she would do something she would forever regret if she goes on like this.”  Nk9ecy

Liran nodded, standing up, as Zixuan also stood up with him. “I will do my best to take care of both of us, please don’t worry.” 

Zixuan nodded, and with Liran, started to walk back towards the crowd.  

Liran saw Zihan standing by the lone tree staring out, so he left Zixuan to himself and went for her. “Zihan?” he called catiously. 

Hearing her name, she turned to look at him, but her eyes weren’t clear at all, they looked dull and lifeless again.  bj0e1v

“I wish to see them again, my children.”  

The whisper was vague, but Liran heard it all the same. And he wasn’t shocked to hear it, he had already heard this statement several times at night, when they both went to bed. 

“Leave them be Zihan, they must be busy, exploring new things.” 

Zihan nodded numbly, maybe she didn’t even know what she nodded to.  KhwHfl

After the ceremony, both wife and husband went back home, and Liran started to prepare some sandwiches for the two of them.  

At present, he wasn’t thinking much, but months later, he would wonder why he hadn’t paid more attention to his wife’s plummeting mental health. 

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

~

A/N – I am not a medical expert, this story is fiction. And sorry for the short break again, but I was shifting home, working and other stuff. Q0wH1t