Chapter 1, Winter Household Affairs

That somewhat hollow gaze lingered on the tilted small frame, and suddenly he went mad, trembling hands pulling open the top drawer of the bedside table.

In the four-person dormitory, only a slightly chaotic sound of breathing remained. Beneath the thick comforter on the bed in the small compartment, a slightly trembling body was curled up.

In the unchanging future, his mother will stay in Mao County for an extended period to take care of his grandmother, until the day of May 12

At this moment, chaotic memories surged wildly in his mind

He picked up a cup nearby, filled it with tap water, and rinsed his mouth several times in succession. He then washed his hands twice at the sink to alleviate his mild obsession with cleanliness

Dudu ... ... Hello, Xiaoyuan?

After vomiting, he splashed his face with icy cold tap water, which helped him regain some clarity as he looked at himself in the mirror

Tormented by drugs and illness, he fell into a deep slumber, utterly exhausted. Only the occasional twitch of his sword-like eyebrows revealed the pain that had not left his body.

I just went the day before yesterday; your grandmother is ill, and your mother is worried.

Is it serious? Is there enough money to use?

He subconsciously glanced at the surrounding environment, and Huang Xiuyuan was very familiar with the furnishings here, which could be vividly recalled alongside the books.

By the way, did Mom go back to Maoxian more than half a month ago?

In a state of forgetfulness, Huang Xiuyuan finally came to his senses and hurriedly replied: "Dad, I heard you."

Dad, it's just a slight cold, I'll be fine in a few days. Let's talk about what's happening at home.

It was a little past one o'clock in the quiet of the deep night.

Under the light, there is a glass of water, a bottle of medication packaged in plastic, with the English name "OxyContin" printed on the label, and a prescription slip placed underneath the bottle

Hello? Can you hear me? This signal is terrible...

Tossing and turning on the bed for most of the night, he remained in a state of half-sleep, half-wakefulness, trying to regain clarity but getting lost in the chaotic memories, like a drowning person desperately struggling.

I caught a cold yesterday

Wealth is merely an external possession; if it is lost, it can be earned again. Father, you can rest assured and go to Sichuan!

After hanging up the phone, Huang Xiuyuan clenched his fists. If his memories were correct, he must prevent his parents from staying in Maoxian.

United States

Date: January 20, 2008

The effects of hyperthymesia are not limited to an exceptional memory and a vast knowledge of books; there are also uncontrollable psychological issues.

Scenes from memory flashed through his mind like slides

A robust voice of a middle-aged man came from the opposite side, a voice that was both so familiar and yet so unfamiliar.

In a hurry, I opened my phone, and the small screen emitted a grass-green glow, prominently displaying:

Why are you panting like that?

Cambridge, in the Boston metropolitan area of Massachusetts

Huang Xiuyuan ... ... My name is Huang Xiuyuan. " He murmured to himself, yet his gaze appeared vacant, as the memories in his mind created a sense of dreamlike illusion.

The bedside table lamp emits a bright yellow light from the tungsten filament of the bulb

Suddenly, he felt a wave of intense nausea, struggling to lift his heavy body, and stumbled his way to the dormitory bathroom

Well then! The amount of money I can provide you for your startup may be somewhat reduced

Here lies the renowned member of the Ivy League—Harvard University

It stirred the softness deep within, almost bringing tears to his eyes. He hurriedly calmed his emotions and then said:

In the quiet and desolate dormitory, the curled-up figure appeared even paler, as if enduring intense discomfort

He licked his dry lips, and his hands trembled as if afflicted by Parkinson's disease, seemingly both fearful of something and yearning for something.

The faint stubble emerging, the whites of the eyes filled with blood vessels, and the colorless face appear frail and delicate

In Huang Xiuyuan's eyes, there was both excitement and fear, and his trembling hands, gripping the phone, showed noticeably pale knuckles

After a bout of vomiting, there followed the sound of flushing, along with heavy and disordered breathing

Do not worry about matters at home; focus on your studies with peace of mind

By the time he hurriedly returned to the country from the United States, it was all too late; this matter became a lifelong regret for Huang Xiuyuan

Um ... um ...

On that very day, my father was also visiting my grandmother in the hospital

Moreover, these mental issues will become increasingly severe as his memory capacity improves

Until around 6 o'clock in the morning, in the quilt dampened by sweat, he performed a sit-up, breathing in large gulps of fresh air

Dad, don't worry about my uncle; he will definitely not agree to go to Rongcheng. At worst, our family will cover the expenses. After all, I am about to graduate, and the family can still manage.

Dad was silent for a moment before he spoke about the specific situation: "He is in a coma due to a cerebral infarction and is currently being observed in the ICU. I will also go over in a few days"

The slanting rays of the evening sun seep through the window glass, bringing with them a trace of warmth; however, this scant warmth is insufficient to bring comfort to the interior of the room

The campus appears desolate, with only some remnants of Christmas festivities such as ribbons and scraps of paper, awaiting the arrival of the new academic year

The finger pressed on the phone key, 01186 - 18371... 888, and then pressed the dial key, and the phone emitted a series of ringing sounds

Where am I

The biting west wind howls outside the window, the old oak tree outside the dormitory has shed its green leaves, and on the lawn at the entrance of the dormitory, the shade-tolerant and cold-resistant grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue, are covered with a layer of pale white snow

Indeed, Huang Xiuyuan's eyes flickered uncertainly as his mind raced. After a short while, he came up with a solution: "Dad, the medical standards of the small hospital in Maoxian are quite average. If Grandma's condition stabilizes, I suggest we go to West China Hospital in Chengdu."

Inside the drawer, there lies a black mobile phone, with a small screen and outdated buttons; this is a Nokia N73

There is also a small photo frame under the slanted light, containing an old photograph of a family of three. The child in the picture bears a striking resemblance to the young person curled up in the blanket.

These vast memories have plunged Huang Xiuyuan into a state of extreme mental instability. The side effects of hyperthymesia, combined with these immense memories, have resulted in difficulties with concentration, mental anxiety, and mild depression

The afterglow of the setting sun outside the window fades into the horizon, while the cold wind from the Great Lakes, mixed with moisture, raises the question of whether it is the onset of night or the clouds gathering overhead; in any case, the sky is a deep shade of ink.

After seemingly vomiting, although his face was devoid of any color, his breathing had become much smoother. Returning to bed, he only felt a wave of dizziness, as if a supernova had been stuffed into his brain, a supernova that was currently erupting.

What? Grandmother is ill? What illness is it?

There are still nearly four months until the day of 512, and there are many things he can do.

Who am I

Because individuals with hyperthymesia do not forget any memories throughout their lives, these memories are extremely chaotic and difficult to categorize, which can severely impact their cognitive abilities

Within this red brick building of the last century, those international students who did not return to their hometowns have instead become the overwhelming majority on campus

The person's face was somewhat distorted, and it seemed that breathing was also somewhat difficult, with cold sweat pouring down.

I will arrive there in a few days and will assess the situation then. There is a hint of helplessness in my father's tone