Chapter One: Berlin or Kiel (Four)

  On July 25, 1894, the Battle of Pungdo Island broke out, and the Kow Shing sank, the Guangyi was beached and burned, the Jiyuan was damaged, the Jingyuan was captured, and the Beiyang Fleet suffered heavy losses.

  The course of the Far Eastern war did not change due to Wang Haitian's crossing, and the Qing Empire, which was in a desperate situation, was rushing forward on the road of self-destruction. The news of the Northern Fleet's defeat arrived, and the military commentators and naval experts of various German newspapers that were optimistic about China were busy picking up broken glasses.

  The Qing Navy consisted of two Sachsen-class ironclads and several excellent ironclad cruisers. The Chinese had a large number of German-made ironclads and armored cruisers, many Krupp heavy guns and German-designed fortifications, as well as sailors and gunners personally trained by the German advisor, von Hanneken. This modern fleet was so heavily influenced by Germany that after the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War, there were pro-Chinese sentiments in Germany. In contrast, the Japanese Combined Fleet had too much of a "John Bull" and "Gallia" flavor to it, which made the Germans quite uncomfortable. The Germans felt complicated about the defeat of the Beiyang Fleet, not to mention the feelings of Wang Haitie, who was purely Chinese.

  Wang Haitie was worried about the country's numerous disasters and difficulties, and was resentful of the old Taoist priest who was not skilled in his craft. He couldn't sleep at night, thinking about how he couldn't change the course of history, save the nation from turmoil, or prevent the collapse of a great building. On the other hand, he was grateful that history had not changed, and the outcome of the Battle of Tsushima provided a stunning opening for his recruitment interview at the Kiel Naval Academy.

  " Facts speak louder than words. Even if that interviewer, Stenzel, didn't take a liking to me, the Kiel Naval Academy won't reject my application..."

  "Do you still want the newspaper? There's no cigarette paper..." Brown asked in a low voice, pointing at the newspaper in Wang Haitian's hand.

  Brown picked up the extra about the Russo-Japanese War in the Far East, tore off the corner with the news of the Beiyang Fleet's defeat, rolled a cigarette, looked around, and slipped into the tall cargo pile.

  "Browne, you're lazy again, be careful or I'll split your egg open."

  Lehman, dressed in bright and beautiful clothes, leaned on a civilized stick, with sharp eyes like an eagle, patrolling back and forth on the dock, soon noticed Heidemarie Seiler leaning against the cargo rack reading the newspaper.

  Leyman's mustache-covered lips moved, and he immediately shifted his gaze away, directing the flames of anger at Brant. The old slickster's usual tricks couldn't escape Leyman's sharp eyes, and just as Brant had slipped into the cargo hold to sneak a smoke, Leyman's bellowing voice arrived hot on his heels.

  "Damn Jew!"

  Lehman is the bread and butter of the porters, with absolute authority on the docks in Kiel. Brant muttered a low curse, put out the cigarette he had just lit, shouldered his load and walked away. Wang Haitie was also flustered, threw down the newspaper and busied herself aimlessly.

  "Wow..." The sound of the bored sailor and the tired porter's whistling echoed in her ears, Heidi Wang raised her head and saw Annie running towards her from a distance.

  "Annie?" Wang Haiting's heart sank as she put down her load and walked towards her.

  "Hey Slade, is she your little plaything? Good Lord, she's got a complexion white enough! Slade, you're one lucky dog!" The forty-something-year-old old-timer Brant ambled over, cracking jokes in good humor.

  "Brown, if you want women, go downtown, to Holsten Street, where the streetwalkers are. Don't bother Annie here!" Heidemarie shouted at Brown, turning her head towards him.

  Wang Haitie's anger and shame brought joy to the rough sailors and coarse stevedores, who burst out laughing and began to mock Brant's misfortune. The commotion spread across the dock, even Leiman, the "black-hearted Jewish devil" whom Brant often cursed, couldn't help but raise the corner of his mouth and stretch his neck to look over this way.

  "You all say that Silim is a bookworm, and a good kid of Kiel, but I've always thought that Silim is one of us. Haha, listen, Silim's nonsense sounds so smooth..." Brant also didn't get angry, and proudly raised his fist.

  Wang Haitie's fellow workers and the sailors on the merchant ship whistled and jeered shamelessly, causing Annie to blush. She ran over with the hem of her flower-print dress fluttering, her forehead covered in fine beads of sweat, her eyes slightly red and swollen.

  "Xilem, Heather is not doing well, hurry back home and take a look..."

  Is Heather okay? Wang Haiting's body trembled slightly, and she asked in a low voice with a hint of luck.

  "She was fine when she was about to leave, how did she become like this? Have you found a doctor? What did the doctor say?"

  "Hester's illness had taken hold before you left for work, it just hadn't shown itself in front of you. After you left, she couldn't take it anymore, even the doctor said..."; looking at the pale face of Wang Haitian, Little Annie couldn't bear to speak the truth.

  "Go ahead, I can take it..." Wang Haitian had long expected this day. He thought that as a time-traveler who was not related to Heathcliff, he could be carefree and uninhibited, but unexpectedly, even his big heart, which was numb to the 90s, couldn't withstand the torment of such anxiety.

  The doctor asked to prepare for the aftermath. Annie hesitated for half a day before finally speaking up.

  "Are you prepared for the aftermath?"; Anxiety had turned into reality, whether it was grief and loss of a loved one or secretly rejoicing at being free from burdens. Having taken over Heidi's body, she had been enjoying Hester's maternal love without reason, and having promised Freesia to take care of Hester, Wang Hei could only put aside her complicated emotions, forcing herself to calm down, and turned to walk towards the workshop.

  "Mr. Lehmann, I know the rules of the dock, wages are paid daily, but my mother is seriously ill and I must go home. Mr. Lehmann, for God's sake, please advance me a little wages, even ten pfennigs will do."

  Death has never been a simple matter, in 21st century China or 19th century Germany. Custom-made stone coffins and tombstones, advance booking of cemetery plots, and according to Protestant customs, the purchase of baptismal candles, communion candles, and holy light candles are all necessary, not to mention the old wine and flower wreaths required by Northern German funeral customs, all of which cost a lot of money. Leiman is known as the "Jewish vampire", but Wang Haitian, who has never begged for help from others in his past life, can't afford these things now, and with a humble attitude, he begs in a low voice.

  "Westlem, you're a good kid, God bless your mother." The eyes of the formerly stingy and miserly Jew Leyman flashed with a hint of tenderness, he patted Heidi's shoulder, and pulled out five marks from his pocket. "I'm advancing you a month's wages, go on, good kid..."

  ****

  The mirror at the entrance was covered with a thick layer of gray cloth. In German folklore, mirrors are seen as tools of the devil and a hiding place for death gods, so people cover their mirrors with cloth before they die to allow the deceased to depart this world peacefully. On the small dining table stood an old bottle of wine, a traditional custom in northern Germany that has been passed down since the Middle Ages. It is said that this "deathbed wine" is holy and can awaken the spirit of the dead, drive away the evil spirits surrounding the bed, and bring peace to the dying person. Many years' worth of unused baptismal candles, communion candles, and sacred light candles were lined up in front of the bed, and a newly purchased large red candle had already been lit. They would bless the person who was about to pass away and illuminate the path to heaven for the deceased. All this hinted that Heathcliff wouldn't make it through today.

  The doctor administered a sedative to the bedridden Hester, muttered a few words and shook his head as he left. The frail and shapeless Hester lay in bed with her eyes closed, barely clinging to life, only holding on to see her son one last time. Reverend Shrickel from the local church and his wife stood around the bedside, softly comforting Hester.

  "Heather, Annie has gone to call Silas back home, he will be back soon."

  Outside the door came the sound of hurried footsteps, Wang Haitie stumbled into the room, he had lost one shoe while running, his pant legs were covered with mud stains, and his spirit was somewhat depressed.

  "Over here, Sillem..."; Old Mrs. Shrecktet hugged King Haider and gave him a cheek kiss, lightly tracing a cross."; May God bless you and Heather. Alright, go now, go see Heather one last time..."

  Mr. Hait didn't say anything, he bowed to Mrs. Schrader and walked over to sit down beside the bed. Mrs. Schrader smiled with relief and left with the priest, leaving space for Mr. Hait and Heather.

  "Heidi, is that you?"; Although Hester could not see, she could hear her son's breathing and was familiar with his scent. The old woman opened her eyes and felt for her son's hand in the air, excitedly.

  Wang Haitie had never experienced death before. His grandparents in his previous life were very healthy and ate well, and even his grandfather boasted that he would help Wang Haitie and his little girlfriend bring their great-grandchildren. Wang Haitie was at a loss for what to do, as he didn't know how to face the person who was about to pass away, especially since this person was his nominal mother. He pressed his face against Hester's hand, letting her gently stroke his face, and softly comforted her: "Hester, it's me, I'm here."

  "Heidi, my dear child, tell me, didn't you really get into the University of Berlin?" Despite being on her deathbed, Hester was still devoted to Heidi's future.

  "I'm sorry, I deceived you..." Wang Haitian sighed, pulled out the admission notice that had been hidden deep under the bed, and stuffed it into Hester's hand.

  Hester smiled and sat up in bed with Heidi's astonished gaze, tightly grasping the notice, almost word by word:

  "Heidi, go to Berlin, attend university, fulfill your dreams, don't let that old scoundrel Freyser fool you; serving in the military is a German man's duty, as a former naval wife, I hope you never fall in love with the navy again. The Schreck family are good people, Anni may not be pretty and didn't read much, but she's a good girl, forget about Katharina, marry Anni instead. And take care of your father Freyser, that stubborn Prussian old sailor who never gives up, but he's getting old, has a lame leg, rheumatism, and is full of scars."

  "I promise, I promise..." Wang Haiting sobbed uncontrollably, nodding desperately.

  "Heidi, my son, since you got hurt on the head, I haven't heard you call me mother. Heidi, maybe you're resentful that I didn't let you join the Navy, or maybe you're blaming me for ruining your relationship with Catherine...or maybe there are other reasons...but Heidi, I'm dying soon, regardless of whether what I did was right or wrong, can you please, for God's sake and Fr?ulein's sake, call me 'mother' just once?"

  Wang Haitian moved his lips, but he couldn't shout it out. Since Wang Haitian realized that he couldn't go back, he had been keeping a small mind: Wang Haitian was not an unfeeling person, he decided to take good care of Haitian-Xilem's parents, guard his first love, and complete his ideals. However, Wang Haitian would never call Freeci and Heather "father" and "mother", nor would he fall in love with Catherine. Wang Haitian simply felt that his parents and little girlfriend were everything to him, the only things he could grasp after crossing over with nothing. They were the only remaining connection to his previous life. However, Heather was a dying person, and her request made Wang Haitian hesitate.

  Hester didn't give Haitide time to weigh in, her pupils suddenly enlarged, and her face began to contort. She pounded her chest with all her might and wailed: "God, are you going to take me away? I hate it, I hate that I couldn't hear my child call me mother, I hate that I couldn't see my child get married and have children, I hate that I couldn't accompany Freesi to the end, I hate it......"

  After a few gasps, Wang Haitian finally abandoned his last obsession as an interdimensional traveler, desperately holding back the tears that welled up in his eyes, and shouted hoarsely:

  "Don't be like this, mom..."

  Heather's cracked lips curved up slightly, her smile frozen, her body cooling down, and the deeply sunken eyes lost their focus. It was only then that Wang Haitang realized that what had happened earlier was just Heather's last flash of consciousness. Heather, Wang Haitang's mother in this life, really left.

  ****

  "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. May the Lord's love be with you forever. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen." The priest in black attire held a Bible and slowly finished the eulogy, making the sign of the cross towards the black stone coffin.

  "Rest in peace, amen..." There weren't many people attending the funeral. Schneider's uncle stood among the mourners, neither sad nor happy. After listening to the priest's prayer, the relatives dressed in black and holding white flowers bowed their heads in silence and quietly walked around the grave site.

  The funeral ceremony was not complete, at least without the church choir singing hymns and playing mournful music, but no one could blame Heidi-Selim too much. After the ceremony, several strong men carried the stone coffin and carefully placed it in the grave. The iron shovel flew up and down in the hands of the strong men, and soon the stone coffin disappeared from view, and a tombstone stood in front of the mound.

  In Germany, cemeteries are always adorned with evergreen fir and spruce trees, as well as vast expanses of small daisies in shades of purple and red. On this particular day, it was raining, the sky a deep grey, with fine rain swirling through the air, making everything feel gloomy. Heidi Wang stood under a large black umbrella, gazing indifferently at the scene before her until Mrs. Schreckter approached.

  "Xī Lài Mǔ, huí jiā ba......"

  Translation: "Slime, go home..."

  "Mrs. Shrek, you go ahead, I want to be alone for a while."

  Little Annie was uneasy and wanted to stay with Heidi. Mrs. Schrader shook her head and pulled her away. Relatives and friends came forward to bid farewell to King Heidi, and in an instant, the cemetery returned to calm.

  Wang Haitie dropped her umbrella and sat down on the soft, damp grass with a thud. She reached out to gently stroke the stone monument, and dry, hoarse sounds occasionally escaped from her parched throat.

  "Hathaway, my mother, I am not your son. I am a thief who stole the body of your son...” A small raindrop slid down Wang Haitian's collar, bringing with it a hint of coolness. Wang Haitian involuntarily wrapped his old clothes tighter and continued: “In my past life, I often watched those who crossed over into other worlds, those main characters who could easily accept reality, break free from the shackles of their past lives, and start new chapters. But after crossing over for six months and twenty-one days, I only now understand that familial love is not something that can be forgotten with just a few cold words. In this life, I still cannot come to terms with your passing, so how much more painful must it have been for my parents in my past life to send off their child? In this life, there's still Frey and me to take care of you, but who would have taken care of my parents in my past life?"

  This is an unsolvable proposition, just like the famous proposition "which came first, the chicken or the egg". Wang Haitie sat blankly on the grass, her soul lost.

  P.S. I'm a low-output writer, and 6,000 words are a bit beyond my capabilities... sigh... From now on, it'll be one update per day... Also, please click, collect, comment, and recommend, all kinds of requests...