In a whitewashed ward at Donghua Hospital.
Youguang held her breath as she looked at the child on the hospital bed. He had bandages on multiple parts of his body and looked like a motionless mummy. He was awake.
The child's dark eyes were open, staring numbly at the snow-white ceiling above him.
Outside the ward came Liu Susu's plaintive cries and Xie Haitang's gentle comforting voice.
After a long time, she said shakily:
"Wangyue, Sister is here to see you."
"Sorry I'm late."
She reached out, wanting to touch his head, but only dared to stop just above his head. She was afraid to touch him. He was covered in wounds.
At her words, the child on the bed finally stirred.
Slowly, and gradually, he turned his head towards her. There was finally some life in his eyes, but it was a deep, desperate sadness. It was so intense that it surged towards her like a dark cloud that would not disperse.
"It hurts, doesn't it? I know. Little Wangyue must be in a lot of pain."
