A Century of Turbulence Was Ultimately Just a Dream

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In the distance, dusk was falling, attempting to conceal all light...

In a small rented room, a man held his phone, smiling at the image of a woman nearing sixty. “Mom, how are you and Dad doing lately?”

“We’re both well enough. How are you managing alone, working out of town? I heard this winter is especially cold—should I send you the padded coat we bought last year?”

The old woman gazed at her son on the screen, her eyes full of warmth. Perhaps this was a mother’s innate love for her child, unchanged after decades.

“No need, that coat was for Dad, wasn’t it? Has his back been acting up lately? I recently met a doctor here and asked about Dad’s problem. He says he can cure it for good. Why not let Dad come here for treatment?”

He glanced beside his mother, but the tall, steadfast figure of his youth was nowhere to be seen.

“Where’s Dad? Why isn’t he there? It’s been so long since I last saw him. Mom? Mom!”

Seeing the flustered look on his mother’s face, a sense of foreboding surged within him.

He asked softly, “Mom, what happened to Dad? Please tell me.”

His tone was gentle, yet there was no room for evasion.

“It’s nothing. Your father went out with a couple of friends, just taking a stroll and chatting to pass the time. I’m left home alone and it’s a bit dull.”

After so long at his job, he could spot the nervousness in her eyes at once. Still, he didn’t confront her, only nodding mechanically.

“All right, Mom, you and Dad take care of yourselves. It’s not that safe these days. It