Chapter 1: The Day the Rain Fell
The rain had been falling for hours, drumming a steady, mournful rhythm against the cracked windowpanes of the small apartment. It was the kind of rain that seemed to wash all color from the world, leaving everything in shades of gray. Zhang Wei sat beside his daughter's hospital bed, his hands trembling as he gently brushed a stray lock of hair from her forehead. The medical equipment beeped quietly, each sound a reminder of how fragile life could be.
His daughter, Zhang Xinyi, was only eight years old, but her face was pale and thin, her lips tinged with blue. She had always been a lively child, her laughter ringing through their home like music. Now, she barely had the strength to open her eyes.
Wei's wife, Chen Lan, stood by the window, her back turned to him. She was clutching a faded photograph, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. The picture showed the three of them at the park, Xinyi perched on Wei's shoulders, her arms thrown wide as if she could embrace the whole world. That day felt like a lifetime ago.
Wei reached out and took Xinyi's hand in his. Her fingers were so small, so cold. He tried to smile, but his lips quivered. "Xinyi, Papa's here. I'm not going anywhere."
Xinyi's eyelids fluttered. She looked up at him, her gaze unfocused. "Papa… is it still raining?"
Wei glanced at the window. "Yes, sweetheart. The rain hasn't stopped."
She managed a faint smile. "I like the rain. It sounds like Mama singing."
Chen Lan turned, wiping her eyes. She forced a smile and came to sit on the other side of the bed. "Xinyi, do you remember the song I used to sing when you were little?"
Xinyi nodded. "Mama, can you sing it now?"
Lan's voice was shaky at first, but she began to hum a gentle lullaby, the same one she had sung to Xinyi every night since she was a baby. Wei closed his eyes, letting the melody wash over him. For a moment, it almost felt like everything would be okay.
But the illusion shattered when Xinyi's breathing grew shallower. The machines beeped frantically. Nurses rushed in, their faces grim. Wei and Lan were ushered out into the hallway, where they clung to each other, praying for a miracle.
Minutes passed—maybe hours. Time lost all meaning. Finally, the doctor emerged, his expression solemn.
"I'm sorry," he said softly. "We did everything we could."
Wei felt the world collapse around him. Lan let out a wail of grief, sinking to the floor. Wei stood frozen, unable to move or speak. His daughter, his precious Xinyi, was gone.
That night, Wei sat alone in Xinyi's empty room, surrounded by her toys and drawings. He picked up a stuffed rabbit, its fur worn from years of love. He pressed it to his chest and wept.
He thought of all the times he had been too busy with work to play with her, all the moments he had missed. Regret gnawed at him, sharp and relentless. If only he could have another chance. If only he could go back and do things differently.
As the rain continued to fall, Wei felt exhaustion overtake him. He closed his eyes, surrendering to the darkness.
But instead of sleep, he was engulfed by a blinding light. He felt weightless, as if he were floating through a vast, empty space. Voices echoed around him, indistinct and far away.
Suddenly, he was falling—faster and faster, until he crashed into his own body.
Wei gasped and sat up. He was no longer in Xinyi's room. He looked around, bewildered. The walls were painted a cheerful yellow, decorated with cartoon animals. A crib stood in the corner, and beside it, a much younger Chen Lan was humming softly, cradling a newborn baby.
Wei's heart pounded. He stumbled to his feet and rushed to the crib. There, wrapped in a pink blanket, was Xinyi—tiny, perfect, and very much alive.
Lan looked up, startled. "Wei, are you alright? You look pale."
Wei stared at her, unable to speak. Tears streamed down his face as he realized what had happened. Somehow, impossibly, he had been given a second chance. He had traveled back in time to the day Xinyi was born.
He knelt beside the crib, gently touching Xinyi's tiny hand. She opened her eyes and looked at him, her gaze clear and curious.
Wei took a deep breath, his heart swelling with hope and determination. This time, he would do everything differently. He would cherish every moment, protect Xinyi from harm, and never let tragedy touch their family again.
Lan reached out and squeezed his hand. "Wei, what's wrong? You're crying."
He shook his head, smiling through his tears. "Nothing's wrong. Everything is perfect."
As the first rays of sunlight broke through the clouds, Wei made a silent vow. He would be the father Xinyi deserved. No matter what challenges lay ahead, he would face them with courage and love.
The rain had finally stopped, and with it, a new chapter in their lives had begun.