Side Story 13: The Rebirth of Xie Hongchu and Xie Xinghe

 

Part 1: Xie Hongchu’s Ongoing Confusion

 

Xie Hongchu woke up from his afternoon nap, expecting to be back in the life he knew—the harsh, ruthless world where he led a gang and fought for survival. Instead, he found himself once again in the small, dilapidated house with two very young, soft, and innocent brothers by his side.

 

“This isn’t a dream.” Xie Hongchu muttered to himself, his voice low, as confusion flooded him. He had been so sure that what he was experiencing was just a vivid, elaborate dream right before death—a replay of some twisted version of his childhood.

 

But no. He was still here.

 

“Big brother, you’re awake!” A tiny voice chirped right in his ear, startling him out of his thoughts. It was Sanzai, the youngest of his two brothers, leaning in close with wide, bright eyes.

 

Xie Hongchu glanced at the small, adorable child in front of him. Sanzai looked nothing like the cold, emotionless brother he remembered from his previous life. Now, with his chubby face and big, shining eyes, he looked so innocent and… cute.

 

Wait, cute? He mentally scolded himself for such thoughts. Since when did he think anyone was cute?

 

But still… His brother was indeed adorable.

 

“Xingrong….”

 

“Who are you calling, big brother?” Sanzai asked, his voice sweet and innocent, clearly confused.

 

Xie Hongchu blinked, realizing he had called him by his grown-up name, “Xingrong.” He shook his head. “I was calling you,” he corrected, awkwardly patting his brother on the head.

 

Sanzai tilted his head in confusion. “But I’m called Sanzai, not Xingrong. Big brother, you’re so silly.”

 

Xie Hongchu frowned. Was his brother always this naïve as a child? Before he could think too much about it, Sanzai climbed up onto his lap, wrapping his little arms around Xie Hongchu. “Let’s go play!”

 

Xie Hongchu couldn’t help but soften at the sight of his little brother. There was no trace of the cold, distant adult he had known. Now, he was just a squishy, innocent child. As much as he wanted to resist, he found himself scooping Sanzai up in his arms and heading outside.

 

Erzai, the middle brother, soon joined them, waving a small game board in the air. “Let’s play Go! I want to beat big brother today!”

 

Looking at the lively Erzai, Xie Hongchu’s heart felt warm. In his past life, Erzai had always been sharp and calculating, but now, as a child, he was just a happy little boy. Xie Hongchu felt like he was caring for his own children.

 

My brothers are so cute, he thought, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

 

In the afternoon, Lin Chuxia called for them to pick vegetables from the garden, and both Erzai and Sanzai jumped up excitedly, running out the door with their tiny legs. Xie Hongchu was bewildered.

 

They’re excited about chores? He couldn’t believe it.

 

Curious, he followed them outside and saw Lin Chuxia wiping their foreheads with a handkerchief, smiling gently at them. When she spotted him, she offered him the same soft smile, wiping the sweat from his brow too.

 

Xie Hongchu blinked. Was this really the Lin Chuxia he had known? The stern, cold woman had been replaced by someone so nurturing. He hadn’t experienced this kind of warmth growing up.

 

“Let’s pick white gourds from the garden,” Lin Chuxia said, pointing to the round, pale fruit hanging from the vines.

 

The kids eagerly ran to the garden, with Xie Hongchu following closely behind. After washing the gourds, they all sat outside on little stools, happily munching on the fresh vegetables.

 

Later that evening, as the house filled with warm light from a lamp that was much too modern for the time period, Xie Hongchu felt a sinking feeling in his chest. He looked around, realizing the house didn’t match the poverty of his past. The furniture, the lamp, the fan—they weren’t things his family could afford back then.

 

He stared at Lin Chuxia suspiciously, wondering what was going on. This can’t be real.

 

Lin Chuxia caught his gaze and smiled warmly. “What’s wrong, Dazai? Don’t you like the food? If you don’t want the pork intestines, there’s braised pork. Or maybe next time we can have lamb ribs.”

 

Xie Hongchu felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Something was wrong. This woman was definitely not the Lin Chuxia he remembered.

 

What kind of alternate reality is this? He vows to figure it out.

 

Part 2: Xie Xinghe’s Rebirth and Realization

 

Meanwhile, Xie Xinghe, the second brother, had also lived a hard life. After climbing the ranks to become a high-ranking government official, he was eventually brought down by his enemies. Choosing death over dishonor, he took his own life.

 

But when he woke up, he wasn’t met with the cold darkness of death. Instead, he found himself lying on a small bed in a dusty room with two children beside him. He blinked groggily, confused by the unfamiliar setting.

 

“Erzai, are you awake?” A soft woman’s voice drifted to his ears.

 

Xie Xinghe frowned, recognizing the voice. It was Lin Chuxia, but… it sounded too gentle, too caring. It was a voice from a time long past, one he thought he would never hear again.

 

“Erzai, go back to sleep. It’s late.”

 

He didn’t respond, letting his body sink back into the bed, too confused to act. This wasn’t his world, was it?

 

The next morning, he woke up again, still in the small house. He looked around at his surroundings—this time more alert. His little hands, the innocent faces of his brothers, the warmth of Lin Chuxia’s care. None of it made sense.

 

What is happening?

 

When Lin Chuxia came to call them for breakfast, Xie Xinghe sat up slowly, his sharp eyes observing her closely. This can’t be right. Lin Chuxia wasn’t supposed to be this kind, this attentive.

 

“Come on, Erzai, it’s time for breakfast. I made your favorite—steamed buns and eggs.”

 

Xie Xinghe didn’t move at first, his mind racing. How could this be? He was an adult, not a child. His mind told him he was far too old for this, but his body… his body was that of a four-year-old child.

 

He reluctantly followed Lin Chuxia to the table, where a simple but satisfying breakfast awaited him. Meat buns, steamed eggs, and milk—all luxuries that his family couldn’t afford when he was young. He stared at the food, speechless.

 

This was not the childhood he remembered. Something was seriously wrong.

 

As the days passed, Xie Xinghe quietly observed Lin Chuxia, his brothers, and the world around him. It became clear that this wasn’t his past. It was too comfortable, too full of love and warmth.

 

And then there were the subtle signs—modern conveniences like dish soap and a fan that didn’t belong in this era. This isn’t real, is it?

 

At first, he thought maybe he had been reborn, but no—this wasn’t just a rebirth. He had been placed into a world where things were different, a world where Lin Chuxia was loving, and where his childhood had been vastly improved.

 

Yet despite the unfamiliarity, Xie Xinghe began to feel… content. It was a life without the burdens of ambition, without the constant struggle for power.

 

As he watched his brothers laugh and play, and as Lin Chuxia smiled at him with genuine affection, he realized something he had never considered before.

 

Maybe this world isn’t so bad after all.

 

For the first time in years, Xie Xinghe felt a sense of peace.