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Then, Suning took his parents to experience the beauty of Qingdao in a different way. The brand-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan glided smoothly across the asphalt road of Qingdao Binhai Avenue, like a silver-gray fish.

The car window was lowered by a crack three fingers wide, and the sea breeze, carrying the unique salty and humid scent of the ocean, gently flowed into the car, brushing against Su Daqiang and Wang Xiuying's slightly uneasy cheeks, and also dispelling the coldness of the high-grade leather in the car.

In the distance, the azure sea merges with the horizon, and several white yachts move slowly like scattered diamonds on blue velvet; closer, the old town with its red tiles and green trees unfolds along the coastline, and the century-old German-style buildings gleam with a warm luster in the sunlight.

This was a beautiful view of their hometown that Su Daqiang and his wife had never properly appreciated in most of their lives, but now it seemed somewhat unreal because of the incredibly soft leather seat beneath them.

The car was surprisingly quiet, with only the faint blue light from the dashboard and soothing piano music playing from the premium sound system.

The roar of the engine was perfectly isolated, and even the sound of the tires rolling over the road was as light as a feather.

Wang Xiuying quietly rubbed the seat with her fingers. The delicate touch made her subconsciously soften her movements. It was a world apart from the ten-year-old pickup truck at home.

That pickup truck was not only as noisy as a tractor, but it could also shake a person so badly that their internal organs would shift when driving on bumpy roads. The truck bed was always piled with seafood waiting to be sold, and the fishy smell could seep into your bones.

"Suning..." Wang Xiuying finally couldn't suppress her doubts any longer. She leaned forward, her voice low and filled with disbelief and trepidation, "Tell Mom the truth, you said you made money from stocks... how much did you actually make?"

Su Ning was focused on the road ahead when she heard this and glanced at the rearview mirror.

In the mirror, the father, Su Daqiang, had his hands clasped on his knees, his eyes fixed on the chrome trim on the car door, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly; the mother looked worried, as if afraid he would say something about "ill-gotten" figures.

He couldn't help but chuckle, his tone as relaxed as if he were talking about the weather: "Mom, don't worry, the money is honestly earned, clean and simple, enough for our family to live on for a lifetime. Don't worry about the exact amount, anyway, buying three or five cars like this is no problem at all."

The back row fell silent instantly upon hearing this.

Wang Xiuying opened her mouth, wanting to ask another question, but Su Daqiang stopped her with a look.

Seeing this, Su Ning added, "Dad, I'll go with you to the auto mall later and get you a new pickup truck. Our old buddy's engine is practically falling apart. Last time we were hauling seafood, it broke down halfway, and you had to push it for two miles. It's time for it to retire."

Upon hearing this, Su Daqiang quickly waved his hand, raising his voice several decibels: "No need! No need! That car can still run! I just had Old Li from the repair shop fix it up last week, it should last another two years without any problem! We can't just squander money like this, we have to be careful!"

Although he spoke resolutely, the hint of expectation that flashed in his eyes did not escape Su Ning's notice.

Su Ning smiled and shook her head: "Dad, stop being stubborn. I heard you complaining to Uncle Li that you're always worried when you're hauling goods, afraid that one day it will just lie down on the road. It's settled then, we'll go pick one out tomorrow!"

Seeing their son's confident and determined look, Su Daqiang and Wang Xiuying exchanged a glance, and the last bit of doubt in their hearts finally disappeared, leaving only a sense of relief and pride.

They didn't understand stock trading, nor did they know how much money their son had made, but they knew that their son had grown up, become capable, and hadn't forgotten to care for his parents.

……

As evening approached, the Mercedes-Benz slowly pulled up in front of the "Blue Ocean Fishing Port" restaurant.

This is a famous high-end seafood restaurant in Qingdao. Doormen in smart uniforms stand at the entrance, and the floor-to-ceiling windows are spotless, allowing a clear view of the elegant chandeliers inside and the stunning sea view outside.

As soon as Su Daqiang entered the restaurant, he was startled by the price list at the entrance...

A plate of braised prawns costs over 300 yuan, which is more than he earns selling a basket of prawns at the market!

He quietly tugged at Suning's sleeve and whispered, "How about we go somewhere else? This place is too expensive..."

“Dad, it’s rare for me to take you and Mom out for a meal, so let’s celebrate.” Without waiting for a reply, Su Ning pulled them to a seat by the window, picked up the menu and handed it to her mother. “Mom, take a look and see what you would like to eat. The crabs and abalone here are freshly caught from the sea, they’re very fresh.”

At Suning's insistence, Wang Xiuying finally ordered a few hearty dishes that she usually couldn't afford to eat.

Before long, steaming hot seafood was served: golden crabs, plump abalone, and fresh white scallops...

The family watched the sunset outside the window, the orange afterglow spreading across the sea, the distant lighthouse gradually lighting up, soft music playing in their ears, and the occasional clinking of glasses. The atmosphere was so warm that Mr. and Mrs. Su almost shed tears.

This was the most luxurious and comfortable meal they had ever eaten in their lives.

……

The next morning, Suning took Su Daqiang to the car market.

Instead of choosing those flashy imported brands, he picked a high-end domestically produced pickup truck...

With its robust body, strong loading capacity, and a more refined interior than the old pickup truck, the best part is its high cost-performance ratio, which perfectly meets Su Daqiang's needs.

During the test drive, Su Daqiang sat in the driver's seat, touching the brand-new steering wheel, feeling the smooth ride and strong power, and his smile never stopped.

Especially when he saw that the truck bed was spacious enough to fit two baskets of hairy crabs, he couldn't stop smiling and couldn't bring himself to say "no".

After the paperwork was completed, as the used car dealer drove away with the old pickup truck, Su Daqiang stood there for a long time, his eyes filled with reluctance...

That car had been with him, hauling seafood, delivering to Suning stores, and enduring countless days of working from dawn till dusk; it had long since become a part of the family.

But when Suning handed him the keys to the new pickup truck, he gripped the cold keys, his heart filled with more anticipation for a new life.

In the days that followed, life gradually returned to normal.

Suning devoted most of his energy to preparing for the college entrance examination. Thick stacks of review materials piled up on his desk, and he did practice questions and memorized knowledge points every day without fail.

Compared to before, he is more composed, and his eyes have a certain confidence that his peers do not have.

Having experienced a life-or-death struggle in another world, the college entrance examination in his eyes was more like a battle he had already prepared for.

When Su Daqiang drives his new pickup truck to the seafood market, it always attracts a lot of envy from his old friends.

"Daqiang, your new car is really impressive!"

"I heard your son is doing well and making a lot of money?"

Whenever this happens, Su Daqiang would wave his hand modestly, but he couldn't help but smile, feeling sweeter than if he had eaten honey.

Wang Xiuying prepares a variety of nutritious meals for Su Ning every day, afraid that it will interfere with her son's studies.

……

June has quietly arrived in Qingdao. The early summer in Qingdao carries a faint sea breeze, the sycamore leaves are lush and green, and the sunlight filters through the branches and leaves, casting dappled shadows.

That afternoon, Su Ning was doing a math test in her room when her phone suddenly rang.

The caller ID showed Hao Jinming, the producer of "Under the Zhengyang Gate".

"Hello, Mr. Hao." Su Ning pressed the answer button, her tone calm.

"Hahaha! Xiao Su! Great news! Huge good news!" Hao Jinming's hearty and excited laughter came from the other end of the phone, almost overflowing from the receiver. "The premiere date for 'Under the Zhengyang Gate' is set! June 4th, next Tuesday night during prime time, Hubei Comprehensive Channel, nationwide premiere!"

Su Ning paused for a moment, a surge of indescribable excitement welling up inside her.

Although his participation in "Parents' Love" and "Under the Zhengyang Gate" was purely an unexpected "side job," this filming experience made him realize another possibility in life.

He poured a lot of effort into the role of Taozi, and hearing the news of the release date is like seeing the seeds he planted finally blossom and bear fruit.

"That's great! Congratulations, Mr. Hao!" Su Ning's voice also carried a hint of laughter.

"Congratulations! Congratulations!" Hao Jinming's voice was even louder. "Your portrayal of Taozi was outstanding. The director said you're a talented kid! Just wait and see, it'll definitely be a hit after it airs! Remember to tune in on time!" "Definitely!" After hanging up the phone, Su Ning held her phone, paused for a few seconds, then couldn't help but stand up, walk to the window, look at the sycamore trees below, and a slight smile appeared on her lips.

He turned and walked into the living room, where he saw Su Daqiang and Wang Xiuying picking vegetables.

"Dad, Mom, I have some good news to tell you."

"What good news?" Wang Xiuying looked up, still holding a green vegetable in her hand.

"The TV series I filmed in Beijing has been scheduled for release. It will premiere next Tuesday night during prime time on Hubei Comprehensive Channel," Su Ning said with a smile.

"What?!" The vegetable basket in Su Daqiang's hand fell to the ground with a clatter. He stood up abruptly, looking at Su Ning in disbelief. "You said... the TV series you're in is going to air? You're on TV?"

“Yes! We can watch it at home next Tuesday night.” Su Ning nodded.

Wang Xiuying was so excited that her hands trembled. She quickly wiped her hands and walked to Su Ning's side: "Really? You're not lying to Mom? You can really be on TV?" In their simple mindset, only big stars could be on TV. For their son to be on TV was a more glorious thing than making a lot of money!

"Really, Mr. Hao just called me and told me," Su Ning said with a smile, trying to reassure him.

For the next few days, the whole house was filled with anticipation.

When Su Daqiang went to the seafood market, he would casually mention to everyone he met, "My son filmed a TV series, which will air on Hubei TV next Tuesday night. You should watch it if you have time."

Wang Xiuying found a red marker and circled June 4th on the calendar, even writing the words "Suning TV series premiere" in big letters, afraid of forgetting.

Finally, it was the evening of June 4th.

The family finished dinner early, and Wang Xiuying tidied up the living room. Su Daqiang turned on the TV half an hour early and tuned it to the Hubei Comprehensive Channel.

The coffee table was piled high with watermelons, grapes, nuts, and potato chips, which Suning loves to eat, creating an atmosphere as festive as Chinese New Year.

At 7:30, the opening theme song started playing on time.

When the four large, gold-plated characters "Zhengyangmenxia" appeared on the screen, Su Daqiang and Wang Xiuying involuntarily sat up straight, their eyes fixed on the screen, even their breathing becoming soft.

Wang Xiuying quietly tugged at Su Daqiang's clothes and whispered, "Look, it's about to start!"

Su Ning sat between them, looking at her parents' nervous yet expectant expressions, and then at the familiar scene on the screen, a strange warmth welled up in her heart.

He recalled his days filming on set, his time with Fan Lin, Hao Jinming, and others, and the various unexpected events brought about by time travel...

It turns out that this seemingly bizarre experience will ultimately be returned to those who love him in such a heartwarming way.

In the video, when young Taozi, dressed in blue overalls, appeared in the alley with a bright smile, Wang Xiuying excitedly pointed at the screen: "Old Su! Look! It's Suning! It's Suning!"

Su Daqiang nodded vigorously, his eyes gleaming with pride, muttering repeatedly, "So alike! So alike! My son is amazing! But why is he such a stuttering little hooligan?"

Looking at herself on the screen, and then at her parents beside her who were beaming with joy, Su Ning couldn't help but smile slightly.

Outside the window, the night in Qingdao is deepening, and a gentle sea breeze carries a faint, salty scent.

The turmoil in the dungeon world has long since subsided, while the warmth and everyday life of the real world are gently enveloping his future.

……

In the outpatient hall of Hangzhou People's Hospital, people come and go, and the smell of disinfectant mixed with a faint medicinal fragrance permeates the air.

A girl wearing jeans and a beige trench coat, with a medical mask on, revealing only a pair of clear but somewhat apprehensive eyes, walked hesitantly through the crowd toward the emergency room.

She is the female driver who hit and injured Suning last year.

For the past few months, she has been constantly on edge.

Although all medical expenses had already been paid, and in accordance with the demands of Suning's parents, the nutritional expenses and compensation had been paid in full in one lump sum.

But whenever she thinks about the moment the car accident happened, or Su Ning's pale face when she was lifted into the ambulance, she can't sleep all night.

"Excuse me... is the head nurse here?" The girl walked to the emergency room nurses' station, her voice soft as if afraid of disturbing something, her fingers unconsciously fiddling with the strap of her canvas bag.

In the nurses' station, a middle-aged woman in a pink nurse's uniform with a "Head Nurse" badge pinned to her chest was sorting through medical records. Hearing this, she looked up at the girl and said, "That's me. How can I help you?"

The girl took a deep breath and mustered her courage to ask, "Head Nurse, I'd like to inquire about a patient named Su Ning from last year? He was brought in last September because of a car accident. He suffered a head injury and lost his memory... I'd like to know his contact information, or how he's recovering now."

The head nurse's eyes instantly sharpened with wariness. She put down the medical record in her hand and leaned forward slightly: "You're looking for Su Ning? You're the female driver who caused the accident, right?"

"it's me."

"I'm sorry! Our hospital has regulations that prohibit the disclosure of patients' personal information, as this involves privacy protection."

The girl's heart sank. She quickly waved her hand and explained urgently, "Head Nurse, don't misunderstand! I just want to know how he is doing."

"Are you two still having a dispute?"

"No! We paid all the medical expenses, nutrition expenses, and compensation to his parents back then. We didn't owe him a single penny. I'm just... I've always been worried and wanted to ask him if he's recovered well and if his memory has improved. I didn't mean anything by it, and I don't want to cause him any trouble."

"Are you sure there are no other disputes?" The head nurse was still a little worried and asked again, "When his parents came to handle the discharge procedures, they didn't mention any problems, did they?"

"No! Absolutely not!" The girl shook her head quickly, her tone even more sincere. "The compensation was settled a long time ago. I was just really worried about his health. The car accident that day was all my fault. I was distracted while driving and that's how I hit him... If he suffers any aftereffects because of my mistake, I will never have peace of mind for the rest of my life."

Seeing the genuine guilt and worry in the girl's eyes, the head nurse's tense expression finally eased a little.

She then sighed softly, picked up the water glass on the table, took a sip, and slowly said, "Don't worry! Su Ning recovered quite well during her hospitalization; her injuries are mostly healed, it's just..."

The head nurse paused, her tone tinged with regret: "The doctors conducted several examinations on him and consulted with neurology specialists. The final diagnosis was that his amnesia is permanent. His previous memories, including details about his friends and family, as well as his own experiences, may be lost forever. Fortunately, his cognitive abilities are fine, and he can take care of himself, so the impact on his future life won't be too significant."

"Permanent amnesia..." the girl murmured, repeating the words over and over, feeling a pang of guilt.

"So... how is he now? Has he had any emotional problems because of his amnesia?" the girl asked cautiously, her voice trembling slightly.

"His emotions are quite stable," the head nurse recalled Su Ning's appearance when he was hospitalized, a gentle smile appearing on her lips. "This child has a good attitude. Although he lost his memory, he didn't complain much. He would read a book every day, and he was quite cheerful when chatting with his parents. His parents also said that as long as he is okay, he can gradually adjust to his memory. There are still many days ahead of him."

"Did he come back for a follow-up visit after being discharged from the hospital?"

"No! There are plenty of good hospitals in Qingdao, so there's no need to go to Hangzhou for a follow-up appointment."

Hearing this, the girl finally felt a little relieved. She bowed deeply to the head nurse: "Thank you, head nurse, for telling me this. I know I shouldn't ask for his contact information, but as long as I know he's alright, I'm at ease."

Seeing her sincere expression, the head nurse couldn't help but comfort her, saying, "Don't blame yourself too much. The car accident wasn't intentional, and you've taken responsibility for it. Just be more careful when you drive in the future; safety comes first."

"I will, thank you." The girl nodded, bowed again toward the nurses' station, and then slowly turned and walked out of the emergency room.

"..." At this moment, the head nurse looked at the girl's tall figure as she left, and really wanted to give the girl Su Ning's information.

...(End of chapter)