37. Recollection, Past Life

"Ugh... where is this?"

In the pitch-black void, Son Goten struggled to open his eyes. The first thing he saw was his own father, Son Goku, being sent flying by a punch from his own hand.

"Dad!"

Son Goten shouted in panic, but his voice only echoed through the space, leaving him utterly helpless.

"Brother!"

Next was Son Gohan, who had tried to stop his fist from striking the exhausted Supreme Kai. Son Goten grew even more frantic.

"Trunks!"

Having accidentally injured Trunks, Son Goten tried to stop himself, but he was powerless. He could only watch as his friends and family were attacked by his own hands, and Majin Buu, who was supposed to be dead or alive, tried to absorb the Great Ape Transformation Son Goten, only to be beaten back instead.

"No!" Son Goten roared until his throat felt raw. His eyelids grew heavy, and darkness swallowed his vision. As his consciousness faded, only one final, desperate cry remained: "No."

"Brother Xiaotian, time to get up! The sun is already out!"

Amidst the chaos, Son Goten heard a clear, ethereal voice. He opened his eyes slowly to see a playful, adorable little girl.

"Xia... Xiatong..."

Seeing the girl before him, Son Goten's voice trembled. He slowly reached out to pull her into an embrace, but his hands passed through her body as if he were transparent.

"My body?" Son Goten stared at his hands in confusion. He stood before the girl for a long time, yet she didn't seem to notice him.

"No, Xiatong, let me sleep a little longer!" A lazy voice rang out, making Son Goten freeze. He turned his head to see a little boy who looked incredibly familiar.

Son Goten stared at the boy in shock. "Is this... me?"

"You silly Brother Xiaotian, the director said if you don't get up, there won't be any candy left for you." Xiatong puffed out her cheeks in a pout, which only made her look even cuter.

Sun Xiaotian sprang up from the ground, grabbed Xiatong's delicate hand, and ran off anxiously. "That guy better not think he can hog my candy."

"Hahaha, slow down, Brother Xiaotian."

The two small figures gradually disappeared from Son Goten's sight. He began to understand the situation: he must be dreaming of his past life! As expected, Xiatong was just as cute as ever...

Son Goten's previous incarnation was named Sun Xiaotian, and the girl, Xiatong, was named Xia Yutong. They were both children from the same orphanage, childhood sweethearts who had grown up together.

"Sigh, those carefree days were truly wonderful!" Overcome by the sight, Son Goten sank into his memories. He had been so happy back then; even without parents, having a childhood sweetheart meant he was never lonely.

Like a passing traveler, Son Goten watched Sun Xiaotian and Xia Yutong grow from kindergarten to elementary school, then middle school, and finally high school. Memories that had been buried deep within began to surface bit by bit.

Watching that cute little girl blossom into a youthful, lovely young woman, and seeing her share all his happy, sad, painful, and joyful days, a faint smile touched Son Goten's lips.

Everyone had assumed the two would eventually end up together. One night, Sun Xiaotian confessed his feelings to Xia Yutong, only to be rejected. A gaunt, skinny man stepped forward and wrapped his arm around her.

Xia Yutong said expressionlessly, "Brother Xiaotian, this is my boyfriend, Young Master Qian. We are getting married soon, and I hope you won't appear in my sight ever again."

"Xiatong--!" x2.

Sun Xiaotian and Son Goten both roared, their eyes splitting with rage. "Screw you, get away from Xiatong!"

Sun Xiaotian charged at Young Master Qian, swinging a fist at his smug face, only to be kicked to the ground by the man's bodyguard.

Son Goten stared fixedly at Young Master Qian, his sharp gaze seemingly capable of piercing through him. He glanced at Xia Yutong and noticed her slight struggle, which caught him off guard. In his past life, he had been beaten like a dog and focused all his hatred on Young Master Qian, failing to notice her reaction.

Young Master Qian held Xia Yutong close, laughing with satisfaction as he looked down at the beaten Sun Xiaotian. They walked away step by step, leaving behind a devastated Sun Xiaotian lying on the ground.

Sensing something strange, Son Goten slowly followed them. As for Sun Xiaotian, he already knew what would happen next, but he was determined to see the truth of what his past self had failed to understand.

Shortly after they left, Xia Yutong pulled away from Young Master Qian's embrace. Gone was the submissive, bird-like demeanor; she gripped her handbag tightly.

Young Master Qian didn't pay much mind, saying casually, "What a pity. If it weren't for your leukemia and your short time left, I'd really want to take you right now."

Son Goten shuddered. Xia Yutong looked resentful. "If I didn't have leukemia, I would be living with Brother Xiaotian forever. Why would I be with scum like you? Besides, your touch makes me sick."

"It doesn't matter. I've already seen Sun Xiaotian trampled under my feet," Young Master Qian said dismissively. "Even though I didn't get to pin you down and have a taste, I still feel great."

Son Goten stood there, as if he had lost his soul, for he had finally heard the truth he never knew.