CHAPTER 64: CHAPTER 64: AWAKENING

Just moments ago, the person who had been lying there for three years without any response, suddenly moved their fingers.

Rong Zhi crouched down and extended her hand, carefully holding He Songzhi’s hand, which had just moved, in her palm, as if handling a fragile piece of top-quality glass.

Was it an illusion?

Rong Fengmian came over, baffled: "What’s wrong?"

"Don’t make a sound," Rong Zhi said.

Her eyes were fixed intensely on the woman’s hand she held.

Her gaze burned with such intensity it seemed as if it would scorch the other.

Until Bai Su returned after finishing his cigarette, He Songzhi moved again.

Standing by the bedside, he looked at the visibly emotional young man, pursed his thin lips, and softly said, "In five minutes, Auntie will wake up."

"What?!" Rong Fengmian was the first to exclaim.

He jumped up, his voice trembling: "Brother Su, did you say my mom is going to wake up? Really? Are you not deceiving us?"

As he spoke the last words, Rong Fengmian nearly trembled with excitement.

Bai Su nodded: "Really."

Rong Fengmian’s eyes instantly reddened.

"No crying."

Just as he was about to let out a wail, a calm, cool voice interrupted his tears.

Rong Zhi: "Mom just woke up, she doesn’t want to see you looking like such a crybaby."

She really didn’t know how to comfort people, her words were cold and harsh.

Yet Rong Fengmian was persuaded by her attitude, nodded earnestly, and the tears that had been edging close instantly retreated.

Mom said he should grow up, become a man, protect his sister, she wouldn’t want to see him looking so weak.

Five minutes passed quickly, but for the siblings of the Rong Family, it felt as long as a lifetime.

Rong Zhi lightened her breathing, lest she disturb the fragile hope that had just emerged.

Until, in the silent sickroom, a slightly hoarse, infinitely gentle female voice sounded.

"Zhai Zhai..."

Upon hearing this voice, Rong Zhi immediately looked up, her expression froze, subtly changed, and then restrained.

Rong Fengmian immediately rushed to the bedside, "Mom, you’re awake? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere? Do you want some water? Mom... I’ve missed you so much."

Although having promised not to cry, his face ended up covered in tears.

He Songzhi opened her eyes, still somewhat dazed, and her pupils moved. A hand reached above her, blocking the bright incandescent light.

Her gaze fell upon the Buddha Hand Bracelet on that wrist. Though unable to turn her head to see the person, she knew it was her Zhai Zhai shielding her from the light.

"Zhai Zhai." She called out again, her throat dry and husky.

Rong Zhi furrowed her brows, her tone exceptionally gentle like coaxing a child, "I’m here, Mom, I’m here. Don’t speak yet, I’ll pour you a glass of water."

He Songzhi slowly exhaled, finally adapting to the light. She wanted to smile but found her facial muscles too immobile from inactivity, unable to manage it, so she said softly, "Okay."

Fortunately, He Songzhi had been cared for meticulously even in her coma, and just half an hour after waking, she could sit slightly up and lean against the bed, chatting and laughing with Rong Fengmian.

Her gentle and graceful face held a serene smile, a soothing, calm aura.

The young man stood at the foot of the bed, one leg lazily bent, hands in pockets, his wrist bone bearing the Sandalwood Buddha Hand Bracelet reflecting faint golden light. Her brows and eyes were peaceful as she watched the mother and son converse, her gaze lingering on the woman, harboring deep affection.

He Songzhi was momentarily dazzled by the golden sheen and hastily shooed her clingy son away, patting the spot beside her, "Zhai Zhai, come sit here."

The nickname Zhai Zhai was what He Songzhi called Rong Zhi before deciding on her name, and it stuck for all these years. Aside from her, no one else dared to address Rong Zhi that way.

Rong Zhi lowered her eyes and walked over to sit down by the bed.

A touch with warmth fell onto her head, gentle and slow, rubbing slightly.

Rong Zhi froze for a moment at the affectionate gesture.

He Songzhi chuckled lightly, "Zhai Zhai has grown taller," paused for a moment, and then, with a hint of regret, said, "Why did you cut your hair? Mom worked so hard to grow your hair out, such a shame it was cut."

"Then I’ll grow it back," Rong Zhi succinctly decided, altogether forgetting she had only said she wanted a haircut that afternoon.

He Songzhi’s brows curved, "Zhai Zhai is the sweetest."

Rong Zhi: "Hmm."

...

The night deepened.

Having just awakened, He Songzhi wasn’t in the best spirits. After Rong Zhi checked her pulse and ensured her health was sound, she let her rest.

Rong Fengmian stayed in the room to accompany her, while Rong Zhi went out to find someone.

At the end of the corridor.

The man in a light gray trench coat leaned lazily against the window, his slender frame exuding elegance. Wind stirred his hair over his forehead, his half-lit side profile cloaked in moonlight, casting half shadows.

The almond-shaped eyes now expressed fatigue, stars scattered like a deep abyss luring one to fall.

Noticing movement nearby, he slightly lifted his gaze, a hint of water shimmered beneath, curving into a smile, decadent and casual to the extreme, "Not staying to chat a bit?"

Rong Zhi paused, and after a while, responded slowly, "She’s asleep, I’m taking Rong Jiazze home."

"Jiang Gujun just dropped him off," Bai Su’s voice was languid, "If you can’t sleep, why not go for a late-night snack?"

Rong Zhi: "You looked quite sleepy just now."

She had thought he was asleep when she came over.

As they descended the stairs, Bai Su raised an eyebrow, speaking indifferently, "Just the side effect of casting the Star Calculation Array, it’s better after some fresh air."

Rong Zhi recalled how he looked a moment ago, asking, "Are your eyes affected too?"

So beautiful, as if hiding stars.

An eye more beautiful than anyone she had ever seen.

Bai Su laughed softly, "Yes, did it startle you?"

Rong Zhi shook her head, candidly saying, "No, it’s quite special."

A few dozen meters walk from the hospital led them to the nearest food street. At night, Beijing had few people around, and many eateries on the food street remained closed, so they casually picked a noodle shop to enter.

Rong Zhi ordered beef noodles and asked Bai Su: "What will you have?"

Bai Su replied, "Anything is fine."

Rong Zhi acknowledged, "Boss, two beef noodles."

The noodles came quickly, and the boss courteously added two extra servings of beef.

A wind shield installed on the noodle shop’s doorframe blocked the chilly night air, and the beef noodles were steaming hot, with each taking a bowl, eating elegantly and gracefully.

In a particularly quiet atmosphere, Bai Su looked up, through hazy steam, across at the distinct-featured young man.

With a disarmed rebellious defense, the young man now sat obediently like the boy next door.

Bai Su’s Adam’s apple subtly rolled, eyes lowered to stare at the noodles, suppressing those thoughts and palpitations he shouldn’t have.

Yet some thoughts, like seeds, landed on barren soil, nurtured by rain and sunlight, the ground restores, seeds break through.

The deeply buried joy and excitement rose like towering trees, growing vigorously, unstoppable.

Roots extended miles underground, from which escape was futile.

The sudden simple ringtone interrupted the quiet room.

Rong Zhi took out her phone and answered.

"Zhi Zhi sweetheart, where are you? Do you have time? Luoluo and I stumbled upon a fun contest while shopping, can you come help?"

On the other end came Tao Ruisi’s voice, mixed with indistinct music.

Rong Zhi furrowed her brow, asking, "Where?"

"Fox! I remember you got your Bartender License six months ago? There’s a mixology contest here, the prizes are quite attractive!" Tao Ruisi said.

Rong Zhi immediately understood what kind of place Fox was, thought about Tao Ruisi’s physical condition, a twinge of helplessness crossed her mind, "Wait for me, I’ll be there shortly."