Another Chance, Another World (FYJT)

Chapter 1: Another Chance

It was supposed to be a clear summer day strolling alongside the lake.  He was going to be a father soon and couldn’t help smiling, wondering whether the child was going to be a boy or a girl, or even better a set of twins. Either way it didn't matter because he finally found his own happiness despite all the riches within his hands.

He was the Crown Prince, but none of that matters because within the palace of Xi Lei, he was never seen as one. He was always tormented and ridiculed by Rong Tian, the regent king, who was not much older than he was. Every day if it wasn't mockery or harassment, then it would be providing sexual pleasure to Rong Tian. His body never stood the chance of Rong Tian's cruel abuse, deep wounds and bruises are still apparent on his smooth white skin. He would cried and plead for the torture to stop, but it never. Even his mother, the Empress had never comforted him or taken his side. Sometimes he wondered if he is actually her real son for she always praised Rong Tian and all of his accomplishments instead.  He was never seen as a Crown Prince in their eyes, but more of a checker piece, being played around and kneeling at their mercy.

However, his life changed when he finally met her. She was beautiful, caring, and everything he had hoped for. The day she told him she was pregnant was the day he felt he had a purpose in life, someone he can look forward to every day.

The sun was about to set soon and he decided it was time to head back to his quarter.  Just when he was about to turn around and walk back, a pair of hands pushed forcefully against his back causing him to lose balance and slide face forward into the lake. Before he knew what happened, he had already fallen into the cold water. He tried to struggle but was only able to gasp for one breath of air before he was again swallowed up by the water surrounding him. Several people were calling out for him, but he couldn’t reply back or reach out his hand for them. The water continued to suffocate him until he finally decided to stop struggling.

This pitiful life that he just started to enjoy, will he have another chance again? He was exhausted, but he didn't want to leave this world, he didn't want to leave her, and most importantly he didn't want to leave his unborn child -- fatherless.

An He exhaled deeply as if he was still gasping for air. He opened his eyes slowly, everything was a blurred at first, but the image of his surrounding became clearer. A female attendant wearing a white coat was examining him. He looked around him and noticed that the surrounding was not the same familiar bed he rested on before. Strange lines hanging from a water bag were attached to him and his head and arms were wrapped with bandages. 

Didn't he just drown? He didn't remember breaking any bones or bleeding. Where is this strange place and why does his body ache all over?

The female attendant waved at her staff and ordered: "Tell the person responsible for him that he woke up."

Her staff immediately nodded and rushed out the room. Moments later, a tall, handsome young man entered the room. "Doctor, is he alright?."

That voice, he had heard it before. The same voice that always torment him every night. However, the tone was different, it was more caring with a bit of worry.

An He thought everything was a dream and had been keeping his eyes closed, hoping that everything he just saw and heard was an illusion. He didn't want to open his eyes again and find Rong Tian sitting at his bed side. That was the last person he wanted to see right now.

The doctor lead the young man into the corner of the room and explained: "The patient has just woken up, it's an improvement since the car accident a few weeks ago. His vital signs look normal with a bit of anxiety, but there's nothing to worry about. He will need lots of rest, rehab, and lab testing before he is well enough to be discharged.  If there is any other questions, feel free to ask the nurse in charge or myself. Other than that, I'll leave the two of alone now."

"Thank you, Doctor."

The door closed a few seconds later and An He could hear the heavy footsteps coming closer towards him. Suddenly, the footsteps stopped and he could hear a chair sliding in his direction. Without having to guess, he could feel that person sitting down and staring at him. His face grimaced as he wondered what this person might do to him and just the thought of that frightened him. 

"I understand you're lonely and scared. You don't have to be anymore. I'll be here for you." These words were strange. They were something he had never heard before, especially coming from that voice. He could felt a hand gently holding onto his. An He turned his face towards that person and slowly opened his eyes. He was curious about the person that said those reassuring words.  

An He's eyes were wided as he saw that familiar face once more. However, that person was slightly different from how he remembered. The differences were that this person had short hair and his eyes seemed a bit kinder. This person wasn't wearing heavy robes instead he was wearing a simple outfit he had never seen before.  However, the difference that shocked him the most was when this person smiled with delight in front of him.

"Hello, how are you? My name is Rong Yi."