Sunlight filtered through thin clouds, passing through layers of leaves and then clean glass windows, casting gently swaying halos into the hospital room.
The air carried the sharp, yet faint and fresh, scent of disinfectant and blooming lilies.
A young girl sat in a wheelchair, her eyes closed as if asleep. Pale golden light illuminated her long, dense eyelashes, and her snow-white face seemed almost transparent.
Everything was quiet and beautifully serene.
A phone notification sound shattered the tranquil atmosphere.
The phone on the bedside table vibrated twice.
Shen Yue slowly opened her eyes, adjusting to the light before her gaze fell upon the phone.
After completing her mission in the previous world, Shen Yue had returned to her own. The system had vanished. Every time she saw the scenery outside, she would find herself questioning: were the things she experienced real or fake? Or had it all been just an absurd dream?
Yet, she still hadn't found the answer.
After her 20th birthday, Shen Yue's heart condition relapsed. She spent months in the hospital, and just when everyone thought she would die, she miraculously survived. Her parents were overjoyed, and it took another month for her heart to stabilize. However, her parents remained worried and insisted she stay in the hospital.
Shen Yue had grown accustomed to the hospital; it felt no different from home. She would spend her days reading, catching up on shows, and soaking up the sun on clear days, which was quite pleasant.
But half a month ago, someone unexpectedly added her on WeChat through some unknown means. Shen Yue had very few contacts. She had grown up mostly in hospitals and didn't have many friends around her. Initially, she didn't intend to reply, but the other person kept sending requests. After some thought, she accepted.
The other person's username was just a period, and their profile picture was blank. Their WeChat Moments were equally bare. After a day or two, the other person sent their first message.
An emoji.
. : A bouncing puppy emoji.
Shen Yue asked for their name and why they added her.
. : I've seen you, at the hospital.
Shen Yue was taken aback. She had been in the hospital for so long and rarely interacted with people. She only went out for walks when the sun was out, and besides doctors and nurses, she hadn't really met anyone else. However, there was another possibility: perhaps the other person, like her, was unwell and lived in the hospital. Maybe they had some interaction at some point that Shen Yue couldn't recall, which was why they added her.
Thinking the other person might be a fellow patient, Shen Yue lowered her guard. They chatted for a bit, and she found them to be very engaging, knowledgeable, and able to subtly steer conversations toward topics she found interesting. After spending so much time in the hospital, even though she was used to it, Shen Yue didn't mind having someone else enter her life.
Shen Yue pushed her wheelchair over and picked up her phone.
. : This kitten is so cute.
Image.
Shen Yue zoomed in on the picture. It was a small white cat with short legs and blue eyes, like a clear, vast blue ocean. Its fur was fluffy, like a tiny snowball. It was indeed very cute. Shen Yue adored kittens, but unfortunately, she could barely take care of herself, let alone a living creature.
Shen Yue: It really is.
. : Do you like it? I’ll give it to you if you like it.
Shen Yue felt a pang of longing. No one could refuse such a fluffy and adorable creature. But she also knew that her health condition made it impossible for her to care for it.
Shen Yue: No, thank you.
. : Why not? Don’t you like it?
Shen Yue had grown used to the other person’s persistent questions. They had never revealed their name or age, yet they were so familiar, always sharing interesting things from their life. Although Shen Yue’s responses were somewhat distant, it didn't dampen their enthusiasm.
Shen Yue: I can’t take care of it.
. : Okay 🥺
Shen Yue glanced at the message and then put her phone down, picking up a book to read.
—
Sang Fan had a dream all night. He didn't know what he dreamt. He woke up in the middle of the night, trying hard to recall but couldn't remember anything from his dream. He couldn't fall back asleep for the rest of the night, and woke up the next morning with bloodshot eyes.
Because of a previous car accident, he had been injured and spent a year recovering. However, this meant he missed competitions, and his hands and feet were no longer as agile as before. He lacked energy during training today and was severely reprimanded by his coach.
"The competition is coming up soon. Look at your condition. How can I be at ease sending you to compete? Sang Fan, if you can't adjust your state in these next few days, you should go home and rest for a while."
Sang Fan's expression was grim. He was handsome, but his features were fierce. He stood nearly 1.9 meters tall with a healthy tanned complexion. Even timid people would run away upon seeing him. At this moment, his stern face could frighten a three-year-old.
Sang Fan went to the locker room to change. Afterward, he stood outside, idly smoking several cigarettes.
After a day or two, the other person sent their first message.
An emoji.
. : A bouncing puppy emoji.
Shen Yue asked for their name and why they added her.
. : I've seen you, at the hospital.
Shen Yue was taken aback. She had been in the hospital for so long and rarely interacted with people. She only went out for walks when the sun was out, and besides doctors and nurses, she hadn't really met anyone else. However, there was another possibility: perhaps the other person, like her, was unwell and lived in the hospital. Maybe they had some interaction at some point that Shen Yue couldn't recall, which was why they added her.
Thinking the other person might be a fellow patient, Shen Yue lowered her guard. They chatted for a bit, and she found them to be very engaging, knowledgeable, and able to subtly steer conversations toward topics she found interesting. After spending so much time in the hospital, even though she was used to it, Shen Yue didn't mind having someone else enter her life.
Shen Yue pushed her wheelchair over and picked up her phone.
. : This kitten is so cute.
Image.
Shen Yue zoomed in on the picture. It was a small white cat with short legs and blue eyes, like a clear, vast blue ocean. Its fur was fluffy, like a tiny snowball. It was indeed very cute. Shen Yue adored kittens, but unfortunately, she could barely take care of herself, let alone a living creature.
Shen Yue: It really is.
. : Do you like it? I’ll give it to you if you like it.
Shen Yue felt a pang of longing. No one could refuse such a fluffy and adorable creature. But she also knew that her health condition made it impossible for her to care for it.
Shen Yue: No, thank you.
. : Why not? Don’t you like it?
Shen Yue had grown used to the other person’s persistent questions. They had never revealed their name or age, yet they were so familiar, always sharing interesting things from their life. Although Shen Yue’s responses were somewhat distant, it didn't dampen their enthusiasm.
Shen Yue: I can’t take care of it.
. : Okay 🥺
Shen Yue glanced at the message and then put her phone down, picking up a book to read.
—
Sang Fan had a dream all night. He didn't know what he dreamt. He woke up in the middle of the night, trying hard to recall but couldn't remember anything from his dream. He couldn't fall back asleep for the rest of the night, and woke up the next morning with bloodshot eyes.
Because of a previous car accident, he had been injured and spent a year recovering. However, this meant he missed competitions, and his hands and feet were no longer as agile as before. He lacked energy during training today and was severely reprimanded by his coach.
"The competition is coming up soon. Look at your condition. How can I be at ease sending you to compete? Sang Fan, if you can't adjust your state in these next few days, you should go home and rest for a while."
Sang Fan's expression was grim. He was handsome, but his features were fierce. He stood nearly 1.9 meters tall with a healthy tanned complexion. Even timid people would run away upon seeing him. At this moment, his stern face could frighten a three-year-old.
Sang Fan went to the locker room to change. Afterward, he stood outside, idly smoking several cigarettes.