Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 130：Autumn Rain

The following morning, the autumn rain fell softly, a gentle, crisp drizzle, as if ethereal spirits had descended from the heavens, dancing and singing, only to vanish into the mist.

In an old district of Kyoto, every household tightly shut their windows to keep out the chilly air carried by the autumn rain. Yet, the biting wind carried the raindrops, tapping against the glass with a rhythmic "crackling" sound. The rain traced down the window, leaving streaks of water behind.

Suddenly, a small gap appeared in the second-floor window, and a plump, fair little hand stretched out. A gust of cold wind sent the rain through the narrow crack, and the little girl shivered involuntarily.

"Ahh..." she hurriedly withdrew her hand and slammed the window shut.

With a childish voice, she called out, "Mommy, Mommy, it's so cold outside! Do I get to stay home from kindergarten today?"

From the kitchen, her mother poked her head out and said, "Xixi, it's Friday today. Tomorrow is Saturday, and you can play at home!"

"Oh!" The little girl pouted, disappointed.

"Then when is Daddy coming home? I haven't seen him in so long!"

Her mother set down the vegetables she was chopping, wiped her hands, and walked over to her daughter. She lovingly scooped her into her arms and said gently, "Daddy is a great inventor, and he's working on something very important. Once he's finished, he'll come home!"

"Is Daddy inventing a spaceship?" the little girl asked innocently.

The young mother gently rubbed the bridge of her daughter's nose and laughed. "Yes, your Daddy is inventing a huge spaceship!"

"Wow, I love spaceships! When Daddy finishes it, I'll take you and Daddy to space! Hee hee..."

"..."

After breakfast, the young mother helped her daughter into her raincoat and prepared to head out to kindergarten.

As they stepped out of the building, a bone-chilling wind, accompanied by rain, greeted them.

"Ahh, it's so cold, Mommy!"

"Wait, I'll open the umbrella!"

As the young mother opened the umbrella, the little girl noticed a figure in the distance and pointed excitedly. "Look! It's Daddy!"

"Xixi, be good. Daddy might not come home for another month," her mother said, comforting her.

It seemed as though the little girl hadn't heard her mother's words. She immediately sprinted toward the figure.

"Xixi! What are you doing? Wait for Mommy!" The woman, holding the umbrella, hurriedly chased after her daughter.

The little girl ran through the rain, calling out, "Daddy! Daddy!"

She flung herself into the arms of the man.

The man grinned widely and scooped her up into his arms.

The little girl burst into a fit of joyful laughter, her eyes turning into crescent moons—she looked like a little angel.

The young mother, seeing this, smiled and hurried over, holding the umbrella over both father and daughter.

"Daddy! Daddy, I missed you so much!"

After the little girl spoke, she kissed the man's face, which had a hint of stubble.

"I missed you too, Xixi."

"Did you bring back the spaceship you invented, Daddy?"

The man froze for a moment, then looked at his wife. She smiled at him.