In a prolonged stupor and sleep, it seemed as if the long dream had finally reached its end.
Tong Shan's eyelids twitched as he opened his eyes.
He saw the afternoon sunlight outside the window and heard the noisy voices within the outpost.
"Hey, is the plant awake?"
A face covered with scars and bandages peeked out, grinning; it was Ji Liu, who made a playful gesture: "Actually, you've been in a coma for twenty years. Now it's twenty years later. Isn't that right, Little Xue?"
"Ah yes, yes, yes!"
Ji Xue in the wheelchair nodded frantically, beaming with joy: "The doctor said some parts were too badly damaged to save, so they helped you cut them off... Shan, you're a pretty girl now!"
Tong Shan's lips moved difficultly, his voice frail: "You…"
"Hmm?"
Ji Liu was stunned, then waved for Ji Xue to fetch the doctor and leaned in closer: "What's wrong? Are you uncomfortable?"
Tong Shan's voice was faint: "You… you're sitting on my oxygen... tube…"
