"Gao Zhiming, Gao Zhiming, move a bit. You’re crushing my hair."


    A familiar woman’s voice echoed in Charles’ ears. He opened his eyes to see the familiar white energy-saving light on the ceiling.


    It was the light in his bedroom—he couldn’t mistake it. He had lived in this place for over a decade. There was no way he could be wrong.


    "What are you staring at? I said you’re crushing my hair." A soft hand reached over and pinched Charles’ shoulder.


    Charles turned his head and saw Anna, who looked slightly annoyed. She lay beside him in her underwear, yawning.


    Charles bolted upright, scanning the room. He was back in his surface bedroom. Everything was exactly as it had been.


    "What’s with you this early in the morning?" Anna got out of bed and started getting dressed.


    Charles, overwhelmed with emotion, walked to his desk and picked up a book. It was *100,000 Whys*, a gift from his father, complete with his childhood doodles.


    "Honey, we really need to get a bigger bed. It’s ridiculous trying to fit two people in this tiny single bed. When Elizabeth joins us, there’s no room to move."


    She sat at the desk, picked up a lipstick from the stationery box, and started applying it.


    Charles put the book down and rushed over, grabbing her shoulders and shaking her vigorously.


    "Anna, what’s going on? I should be dead. Why am I here?"


    Anna pursed her lips to even out the bright red lipstick, then pressed it firmly onto Charles’ mouth like a stamp.


    "Click." The door opened, revealing a ponytailed girl wearing a golden crown.


    She made a gagging gesture at the sight of the two kissing and turned to leave.


    "Gao Suling!" Charles rushed over and hugged the girl tightly, his eyes red.


    "What… what are you doing? Molesting your own sister is illegal." The girl struggled half-heartedly.


    Charles looked up, his trembling hands touching her face. Tears streamed down his cheeks.


    The confused girl turned to Anna. "Hey, your husband’s gone crazy."


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    Anna took off the men’s slippers and put on her red high heels, then walked over and pulled Charles by the arm.


    "Looks like your mind’s all muddled again. Come on, I’ll show you something."


    Anna dragged Charles from the bedroom to the living room and forced him onto the sofa.


    Looking around the unchanged living room, Charles’ mind was a mess.


    "Beep." Anna turned on the LCD TV on the wall. A news report was playing, showing a massive black hole in the desert. Several helicopters hovered above, and the area around the hole was filled with various facilities.


    "With the help of our fellow citizens from the Underground Sea, our scientists have reached the depths and have begun to master most of the Foundation’s technologies. These advancements will elevate our nation’s technological capabilities by a significant margin."


    "And all of this is thanks to the gentleman who wishes to remain anonymous. Let us express our heartfelt gratitude to this noble soul. He is a benefactor to all humanity."


    Anna leaned close to Charles’ ear and whispered, "Don’t you remember? Just as you were falling into the water, the Sun God exploded, creating a breach. The surface was right outside New World City."


    "After you found the surface, you came back and brought me up. And here we are. It’s that simple. Oh, and I have good news—I don’t eat people anymore. Human food sustains me just fine."


    Charles stared at the news on the TV, speechless.


    "Click." The red security door opened, and Elizabeth walked in, her face slightly flushed. She fanned herself as she spoke. "Goodness, it’s scorching outside. Must be at least 40 degrees."


    When she saw Charles, her eyes lit up. She rushed over and sat on the other side of the sofa, leaning against him.


    "Charles, sorry. The Governor of the Land of Light kept wanting to see me. It took forever to finish all the official business before I could come to you. Did you miss me?"


    Seeing Charles’ blank stare, Elizabeth shot Anna a questioning look.


    "Nothing. His mind’s a bit scrambled. Probably a side effect from before."


    "Oh, that’s fine then." Elizabeth, with a hint of excitement, leaned in closer.


    Charles suddenly felt a wet sensation on his earlobe as Elizabeth’s sultry voice whispered, "Tonight, you’re mine. How about we try something different?"


    "That’s not happening. We had an agreement when we came up here." Anna draped her leg over Charles.


    "Wait, both of you. My mind’s… a bit of a mess right now." Charles held them both back.


    "Ding, ding, ding." A crisp sound came from the kitchen.


    Charles turned to see his father tapping a spoon against a plate.


    "Son, lunch is almost ready. Set the table."


    Charles trembled as he stood, about to rush toward the middle-aged man.


    Anna and Elizabeth quickly stopped him. "Calm down. Don’t scare Dad."


    After some chaos, Charles sat quietly at the dining table, looking around.


    Gao Suling, sitting beside him with her crown, was too engrossed in her mobile game to pay him any attention.


    Soon, dishes were brought out: stir-fried pork intestines, sweet and sour fish, sautéed spinach, braised pork. Though simple home-cooked meals, they looked delicious.


    "Mom, let me help you." Charles stood to take the plates.


    Charles’ mother shook her head, her expression filled with emotion. "As long as you’re back, I’d do anything—even carrying plates. Do you know how much I’ve missed you all these years? I thought you were dead."


    "Mom, you’ve worked hard."


    "Come on, let’s not dwell on sad things. You’re finally back. Rest up. Sit down. There’s still soup coming." The middle-aged woman pushed Charles back into his seat.


    At that moment, Elizabeth handed Charles a bowl of rice.


    Charles took it. "Elizabeth, thank you."


    "No need to be so formal. I’m your legal wife now."