Chapter 1728: Reaching Reconciliation with the Dead
Xu Huo obtained a work permit and, along with Zhao Yiming and his girlfriend Meng Xiaoman, entered the residential area.
During the free clinic, a recorder would accompany them, monitoring their behavior throughout the process. So before entering, Zhao Yiming reminded Xu Huo not to be "impulsive" under any circumstances, otherwise, they might be pursued by robots.
This was not a densely populated residential area, so each building had only a few residents. Before entering, they had to register and verify their identities, state their purpose again, and then the residential management center would contact the residents to inform them of their intentions. Only after the residents expressed willingness to accept the free clinic could they enter.
Each time, they could only enter one household. After the clinic was over, they could go to the next one. Before starting and after finishing, they had to sign on the tracking monitor.
A ping-pong-ball-shaped monitor continuously circled around them, recording their behavior, avoiding them when they moved, and reminding them of the direction of the household they were about to visit and what kind of knocking method they preferred—although all communication was done through a one-way channel.
After a tedious process, they finally met the first household. This family had three people. The elderly man had been bedridden for several years, but after treatment, he could now walk on the ground, though his legs had not fully recovered and required rehabilitation therapy. This family was a regular at the free clinic.
"A new doctor today." The hostess opened the door, smiling as she welcomed Xu Huo and the others inside. She poured them tea and then brought out previous treatment and clinic records, letting them understand the elderly man's physical condition.
Zhao Yiming and Meng Xiaoman, having obtained the free clinic qualification, certainly had some understanding of rehabilitation therapy. The two were responsible for hands-on work, while Xu Huo was responsible for talking, providing some psychological counseling.
The hostess stayed by their side the entire time. To express her gratitude, she personally prepared tea and snacks for them and enthusiastically left her contact information, saying that if they ever needed anything in the future, they could come specifically for her, and the cost wouldn't be a problem.
After completing several such households, Xu Huo and the others finally arrived at Pu Hui's home.
Pu Hui lived alone. In his early years, he had married and had a child, but his wife had a genetic issue, and the evolution agent had poor effects, so she passed away early. His son was the same. After that, he remained single.
This somewhat gloomy old man said to them, "I don't have any treatment records, but I want to consult about some psychological issues."
Zhao Yiming looked at Xu Huo. "Teacher Xu here is an expert in psychological disorders. You can ask him any questions you have."
After sitting down, Pu Hui first asked Xu Huo a question: whether he had any religious beliefs.
This was a double-edged question. His purpose in asking was to preliminarily judge whether Xu Huo could resonate with him. However, Xu Huo adjusted his glasses and said gently and harmlessly, "There's no need to take this too seriously. Some emotional blockages in life can also be considered psychological issues. You can think of us as robots that can give some real feedback. Don't worry too much about us."
Pu Hui was silent for a moment, then said, "When I was young, I didn't believe in such things. District 019 was thriving. Everyone had a long lifespan, and accidents rarely happened in a lifetime. Where was there any talk of fate?"
"But later, my wife and children died one after another, and two women I met later died in accidents because of me. I began to believe in fate. Every mistake a person makes must be paid for in the rest of their life."
Hearing this, it seemed that the price for a person's mistakes was the loss of their loved ones. But what mistakes had those loved ones made?
"Which consequence do you think is more severe: losing your life, or living out your days in guilt and peace?" Xu Huo asked him.
"I understand. I am the one still alive, so I have no right to say much," Pu Hui had obviously thought about this. "But my living is my punishment, and their deaths are also my punishment."
"The older I get, the harder it is to sleep at night. I'm afraid that one day I'll die in my dreams with my sins, and after death, I won't be able to reunite with my wife and children."
"Have you committed a great sin?" Meng Xiaoman couldn't help but interject. Zhao Yiming quickly signaled her to be quiet, but Pu Hui didn't mind and continued along the topic. "I indirectly caused someone's death. In a mining accident, I was supposed to do the test that day, but I let an acquaintance I knew go in my place. He died in the accident."
Zhao Yiming and Meng Xiaoman exchanged a glance at Xu Huo. Obviously, this person had little to do with the mining accident; it was just a psychological problem caused by his own survival.
Seeing Xu Huo silent, Meng Xiaoman spoke again, "Forgive me for saying this, but this is survivor's syndrome. You yourself are not at fault."
This seemed to touch a nerve for Pu Hui, and he suddenly became angry. "If I am not at fault, then why did my wife and children die?! If I am not at fault, they shouldn't have died!"
Meng Xiaoman was slightly startled and was about to follow his words to defend him when she heard Xu Huo speak from the side. "From the results, someone did die because of you. Whether you meant it or not, this is an unchangeable fact."
"I guess your request is not to alleviate your inner guilt, but rather to worry that this sin will prevent you and your family from finding peace even after death. Have you ever gone to pay respects to your friend?"
Pu Hui showed an extremely pained expression, slowly raising his hand to cover his face. "No, not once..."
This time, even Zhao Yiming and Meng Xiaoman were shocked. What kind of contradictory weirdo was this? On one hand, he tormented himself, believing his misfortunes were retribution for causing someone's death, but on the other hand, he had no intention of atoning at all. Was he crazy?
Xu Huo's expression remained unchanged. "You must have your reasons for making this choice that you can't tell others. But my suggestion is that you can quietly take care of your friend's family, or find some of his belongings, or recordings, and talk to them face-to-face to relieve your emotions."
"Your guilt is directed at your friend. You only need to confess to him alone. Of course, this may not be enough to soothe your heart, but it might be a good path. If souls exist after death, the lighter your sins, the better. If you don't say anything, who would know that you realize you've done something wrong?"
Pu Hui slowly raised his head to look at him, his eyes somewhat dull. "Will this allow me to reunite with my wife and children after death?"
"If you don't try, who knows?" Xu Huo pushed the water cup toward him. "You can't reach reconciliation with yourself, perhaps because you haven't tried to reach reconciliation with your friend."
Pu Hui's gaze fell on the water cup, and then he slowly picked it up. "You make sense."
Xu Huo stood up at this point. "Then we'll take our leave."
Zhao Yiming and Meng Xiaoman followed him out. "Shouldn't we take the chance to ask something? It feels like this person knows quite a bit." (End of chapter)