Chereads / Illusory happiness / Chapter 3 - Chapter Three: The Intertwining Dreams of Sorrow and Joy

Chapter 3 - Chapter Three: The Intertwining Dreams of Sorrow and Joy

On a serene weekend morning, the sun gently streamed through the transparent roof, casting a soft glow on the bed. David lay comfortably, welcomed by laughter from his wife Emily and daughter Lily, who were searching for suitable outfits for an outing in the room.

"Darling, wake up. Today, we plan to go to the amusement park," Emily softly awakened the still-sleeping David.

"Oh, alright." David gradually awoke from his dreams, smiling as he rose. His heart was filled with happiness, relishing in the warmth of this loving family.

Excitedly, Lily held up an outfit, attempting to convince her dad to wear it. David willingly agreed, donning the vibrant ensemble, eliciting a burst of laughter.

"Dad, you're becoming quite the expert at this," Emily teased, pinching David's cheek.

"Isn't it because I always get to enjoy such wonderful moments?" David opened his eyes, smiling brightly.

The mother-daughter duo continued searching for clothes in the room. Lily, enthusiastic, held up a colorful outfit, trying to persuade her dad to wear it. David, without hesitation, put on the flashy ensemble, prompting another round of laughter.

"All right, all right, now get up. We need to leave early!" Emily laughed, waving the clothes in her hand.

The family of three swiftly prepared amidst laughter. David grabbed the map of the amusement park. "Which thrilling rides do we want to try today?"

Lily eagerly took the map. "I want to ride the roller coaster, the carousel, and..."

"Alright, alright, all of them! We'll try each one!" David laughed heartily, breaking the morning's tranquility.

The family stepped out of their high-tech home, embracing the sunlight and the dawn of a new day. Outside, a self-driving electric car awaited, prepared for their arrival.

"Family photo, let's go!" David joyfully shouted. The trio walked towards the electric car, welcoming a day filled with laughter and adventure. In this moment, the warmth of the family filled the entire neighborhood, freezing this blissful scene in time.

The electric car waited silently in front of the high-tech home. David opened the car door, Lily excitedly hopped onto the back seat, and Emily took the passenger seat. The car's interior adjusted temperature and music automatically, creating a comfortable atmosphere.

"Autopilot mode activated," David murmured softly. The car smoothly left the house, gliding along the spacious and immaculate roads. Inside, they reveled in the convenience brought by technology, while outside, the cityscape exuded a modern charm.

The transparent sunroof allowed warm sunlight to filter through, making the city's skyscrapers shine under its influence. Screens on building surfaces continuously displayed the latest information and advertisements, creating a unique urban landscape.

"Dad, look over there!" Lily pointed excitedly to a distant skyscraper with a massive virtual billboard floating in the air.

"Wow, it's so beautiful!" Emily joined the excitement. She took out her watch, slid her finger gently, and the curtains automatically rose, blocking the external light to create a private space.

The car adeptly navigated through the city with its autonomous driving system. Electronic road markings guided the direction, and intelligent traffic lights sensed the car's movements, forming an efficient and orderly traffic flow.

"This city truly looks like the future, everywhere filled with the power of technology," David exclaimed.

As the car traveled, they entered the central area of the city. The harmonious integration of towering buildings and lush greenery showcased the city's prosperity and natural beauty. Large screens in the squares displayed colorful artworks, presenting a breathtaking visual feast.

The car gradually entered a massive circular plaza. In the center stood a giant fountain, its water jets dancing to the rhythm of music, creating a radiant water curtain projected onto surrounding buildings. People strolled in the square, enjoying the fusion of art and technology.

"Wow, Dad, can we play by the fountain for a while?" Lily looked at David with anticipation.

"Of course, we have time." David smiled, stopping the car. The family headed towards the fountain. In this moment, they felt the vitality of the city and the wonders of technology.

Against the backdrop of the water curtain painting, this city exists like a fairytale from the future, filled with dreams and miracles. The car departed from the square, traversing the dazzling cityscape, continuing their delightful journey.

The family of three chatted and laughed until, suddenly, the mother was startled by a terrifying red, emitting a gasp that surprised her husband and daughter, who anxiously inquired about what had happened.

"Mom, what's wrong?" Lily asked nervously.

The mother's gaze became distant, a whirlwind of confused thoughts rushing through her mind. She tried to control her emotions, but inner conflicts made her unusually agitated. "No, it's not motion sickness," she quivered, her lips forming the words.

Father and daughter exchanged glances, observing the mother's bewildered expression with deep concern. "Dear, what happened?" the father asked anxiously.

After a brief silence, tears welled up in the mother's eyes. "I saw red, a deep red scene, and then white. I don't know what it was, but it made me feel very uneasy."

The father and daughter stood frozen, unable to comprehend the red-and-white scene their mother described. The sudden change in the mother left the family of three suspended in an unexpected silence.

"Mom, are you feeling unwell?" Emily asked in a hushed voice.

Shaking her head, the mother held back tears. "No, I don't know what it is, maybe just a momentary hallucination." She forced a faint smile, attempting to reassure her husband and daughter.

However, on this sunny day, the once joyous scene of the family was shattered by the mother's words, leaving behind a solemn atmosphere. The entrance to the amusement park seemed like a gateway to the unknown, and in the mother's eyes, the red shadow appeared even more profound.

The family of three finally arrived at the amusement park. Although the father and daughter still worried about the mother's emotional changes, she seemed to have recovered, smiling and saying, "Maybe I just didn't sleep well yesterday. It's okay, don't worry."

The father and daughter exchanged glances, their doubts and speechlessness evident on their faces. The mother's change in the car had unsettled them, but now she appeared relaxed.

The scene shifted to the amusement park, where high-tech facilities filled every corner. An intelligent guidance system welcomed visitors, providing comprehensive play information. Amusement attractions employed cutting-edge technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality, presenting visitors with a marvelous and breathtaking entertainment space.

The father gently put his arm around his daughter's shoulder, and the family of three eagerly headed towards the first amusement ride. The AI-controlled Ferris wheel ahead looked more thrilling than ordinary ones. They couldn't wait to queue up, anticipating the panoramic view of the entire amusement park and city from high above.

The Ferris wheel ascended slowly, and they experienced an unprecedented thrill in the high sky. The city's night scene unfolded before them, brilliant lights creating an enchanting fairyland. The father and daughter excitedly exchanged glances, while the mother couldn't help but smile, as if the previous unease had been instantly comforted by this wonderful scenery.

Subsequently, the family sequentially enjoyed virtual roller coasters and futuristic-themed rides, each filled with creativity and surprises. Laughter echoed through the amusement park, becoming a joyful melody.

In this wondrous space, they seemed to have traversed into a futuristic paradise, immersed in endless joy brought by technological marvels. The father and daughter's speechlessness gradually dissipated amid the laughter, replaced by curiosity and anticipation for the unknown world.

The amusement park became a fantastical dream, where the family forgot all worries in the embrace of technology and laughter, sharing beautiful moments together.

Night enveloped the amusement park, and the dazzling lights outlined a scene of joy. The family of three spent fulfilling time amid laughter, as if they had grasped the happiness code of life.

As the laughter from the amusement park faded away, the mother gradually recalled the touch of red. A year ago, in that car accident, gruesome images surfaced in her mind—the horrific state of her husband and daughter, the blur of blood and flesh, lives extinguished in an instant.

She, on the other hand, became a vegetable in the accident, witnessing her loved ones' departure in a bloody tragedy, unable to express her grief. Those warm scenes were merely virtual reality created by the hospital through cold chips.