One Useless Rebirth

He had never expected that his works would be quite popular, which sometimes went viral, and thus won him a group of fans.

The fans of Di Qiuhe and Jun Chen who were once active all disappeared, as the gossip news were not popular anymore. Instead, those who truly loved his works stayed at his Weibo and the comments below also became more harmonious.

He Bai was quite satisfied with this change. He liked many people with the same interest gathered together and discuss in a nice atmosphere, instead of an instant popularity like a flash in the pan.

He got off at a park. Following the elder who came to exercise, He Bai entered the park. He invited some of them to be his models and took some photos, with the theme “A Relaxing Day in the Park”. He had a lot of fun.

“Mr. He?”

He Bai, who was talking with an old man about the weather, got confused and turned around. He saw He Bai pushing Fan Da, just several miles away from him. Hu Zhao was surprised and excited to meet him.

He Bai was more confused, “Mr. Hu, Mr. Fan, why are you here?”

Hu Zhao was amused and replied mildly, “You forget? Uncle Fan and I just live near the park.”

“...Oh!”

Half an hour later, He Bai was invited to their villa and said embarrassedly, “Last time I just remembered the name of the villa, but not the route. I cannot believe that I have not realized that I’m just around...I’m so sorry.”

“It’s not a big deal. It must be fate what we meet again.” Hu Zhao served him tea and dessert. Then he sat beside Fan Da and said with a smile, “So, you come here to take photos? That park is pretty good, perfect for photographing.”

He Bai took the tea and thanked him, also replying with a smile, “I just want to wander around and take some pictures for my homework. The air here is quite fresh, I like it.”

“Taking some pictures?” The silent Fan Da without any movement just now suddenly said and looked at the camera in He Bai’s hands. He stretched his hand and asked, “Can I see them?”

He Bai was baffled and gave him the camera.

Hu Zhao hurriedly stretched his hand below the camera in case that Fan Zhao couldn’t hold it steady and break it. He gave He Bai an apologizing smile.

He Bai waved to assure him.

The memory of this camera had been cleared by him. The photos of filming set and Di Qiuhe had all been transferred to an encoded file on his computer. So, now there were only pictures of landscapes and passers-by snapped by He Bai. It wouldn’t take long for Fan Zhao to browse.

Two minutes later, Fan Zhao put down the camera. He Bai didn’t know whether it was an illusion or not, but he felt that the old man’s eyes were brighter.

“Do you have more pictures like this?” Fan Da returned the camera to him and sized him up carefully. He smiled, “I remember you. You have saved Qiuhe’s life, right, Xiao Bai?”

His conditions must have been getting better...He took the camera and smiled at him: “Elder Fan, I’m glad that you still remember me. I have more pictures like these, but on my Weibo and computer. I can send you if you like.” Fan Da was still that old man who longed for freedom, who could even be inspired by landscape pictures.

Fan Da shook his head and corrected, “No Elder Fan, but Grandpa Fan. Lian Xiu is my only daughter, and you are Qiuhe’s best friend.”

“OK, Grandpa Fan.” He Bai obeyed him.

Fan Da nodded with satisfaction and turned to Hu Zhao , ordering, “Go help He Bai bring me his Weibo and computer, I want to see those pictures.”

“But...” Hu Zhao looked at He Bai with hesitation and nodded. Then he stood up and said, “Of course. Wait a second, I am bringing them to you.”

He Bai shut his mouth before he explained to the old man that Weibo was not a physical thing. He talked with the old man while wondering how Hu Zhao would bring his Weibo and computer.

Three minutes later, Hu Zhao came back with a laptop.

He Bai noticed that the log in page of Weibo had been opened. He felt surprised and entered his account. Then he opened the Weibo photo album, turning the screen to Fan da and said mildly, “Grandpa Fan, these are the pictures.”

Fan Da took the presbyopic glasses from Hu Zhao and picked the computer, gazing at the screen. He appreciated every picture as if he were examining a treasure.

The living room was silent only the clicking of keyboard could be heard. He Bai drank a mouthful of tea. He found Hu Zhao and Fan Da were busy with the computer, He Bai looked around the newly-decorated living room and got more anxious to take photos for it.

So many antiques and artware!

There were a number of antiques of various styles spinning each period on every corner of the living room. He didn’t pay much attention to those at the first sight, only feeling that the room was quite elegant and artistic with pleasant colors. But when he took a careful look, surprises were everywhere! Art in the air.

The living room was filled with precious treasures.

“You can take photos if you like.” The old man suddenly said. His tone was no longer vague, it became clearer and powerful.

He Bai came to himself and turned to him, meeting his wise and unfathomable eyes.

Fan Da looked away at the direction that He Bai had gazed at. His eyes shed a light of nostalgia, “That double-faced embroidery was bought by Qiuhe’s grandmother, and Lianxiu also liked it. I exhibited in the study in our old house. After Qiuhe’s grandmother passed away, I left the house, which was torn down, so the embroidery had been locked in the bank’s safe, even Lianxiu forgot it.”

Complete sentence, normal tone, clear logic, serious face, now Fan Da was a changed person. Hu Zhao goggled at him with shaking hands: “Uncle...uncle Fan?”

Hearing that, Fan Da turned to him with an amiable smile, “After some many years, you’ve also aged. I have given you too much burden.”

“No, not at all. Please do not say anything like that, I...I...I’m so glad that you are getting your old self back, I...” Hu Zhao was so thrilled that he was almost incoherent, with eyes reddish about his rims.