Chapter Two: Awakening

Fire, the purest light in the universe, was carried to the human world by wind and rain, delivered by lightning. From then on, it ignited the hope of humanity, but it also fueled mankind’s greedy desires.

Through reckless and unbridled consumption, fire became at times gentle, at times cruel, sometimes mournful, sometimes remorseless...

In a hazy twilight beneath a sullen sky, a sea of fire surged and roared, waves of flame crashing one after another, the blazing inferno flinging its claws wildly, as though it meant to devour the entire sky.

Below the boiling flames, smoke billowed in thick clouds, as if the soot-laden storm clouds had descended to the earth... The bricks in the walls were scorched, the steel beams that framed the building glowed red-hot, melted plastic and fibers flowed in rivulets, and even the ground itself spat flames, burning the air thin and searing, making it impossible to breathe.

In the midst of this furious blaze, a boy of about ten lay quietly in the heart of the inferno. He neither cried nor struggled, and not a spark touched him. All the flames, as if endowed with consciousness, became his guardians, encircling him in a perfect ring, sheltering him at the center, gently accompanying him in his slumber.

Not far away, the wails of fire engines, ambulances, police cars, and every manner of rescue vehicle pierced the sky. Amid the swarm of rescuers, shouts and hurried footsteps echoed.

Suddenly, a wild gust whipped through, sending the flames leaping and rolling. In the surging fire, the vague silhouette of the boy flickered into view, catching the eyes of the crowd. Urgent, sharp cries broke out among them: “Over here, over here, quick!” “I think there’s someone!” “Hurry, save him!”

Water, laced with chemical foams, erupted in torrents. United in spirit, the rescuers finally overcame the flames, which, outmatched, slowly receded.

But when they approached, there was nothing to be found. Some sighed, some looked puzzled, while others, after a relieved smile, moved on to the next blaze.

Only the fire itself knew the boy was truly there, and only it knew when he vanished, leaving no trace...

Another spring arrived. At noon, sunlight bathed the world, the sky a flawless blue. Wisps of cloud drifted lazily, as if melting in the sun.

A white, six-story building stood solemn and sacred in the light, gardens blooming front and back. The flowerbeds were dense, trees lush, flowers in full bloom. Pavilions dotted the emerald lawns, their trellises entwined with vines, and the air was fragrant, soothing the spirit.

Winding paths meandered through this pleasing scene, leading at last to a high wall. Beyond the wall stretched a wide road, and across from it, save for a bus stop, lay open, desolate wilds—a world apart, separated by a single wall.

In the middle of the wall hung an iron gate, marked with four bold characters: “Longyan Hospital.”

This was an ordinary hospital in the eastern suburbs of Zhongzhou. Its garden-like grounds invited even the healthy to linger, but something about its layout lent it a hint of mystery, as if it had descended from the heavens.

Entering the grounds, the mingled scents of flowers and antiseptic filled the air. The main office, a dignified white European-style building, stood in perfect harmony with its surroundings—a masterpiece, perhaps, of some master of feng shui.

On the sixth floor, the special care unit—known as the VIP ward—housed only single rooms, each luxuriously appointed and fully equipped, with round-the-clock nursing care. Ordinary patients could hardly afford such treatment.

Suddenly, a mischievous gust blew through, and a shaft of white light pierced the window of room 603, illuminating the room before vanishing into the head of the young man in the hospital bed.

There he lay, utterly still.

Beneath his elegant brows, his eyes were closed; his nose was straight, lips thin, his features chiseled and full of spirit. His bronze skin lent him a touch of wildness, matching the name on the case file at his bedside—Lin Fan—a name that bespoke a destiny out of the ordinary.

If not for the tubes inserted in his body, no one would have believed this robust, rosy-cheeked youth had been comatose for so long.

He seemed merely to sleep, as if he might wake at any moment.

The room was filled with the rhythm of life, the drip of the IV forming a quiet symphony of rebirth for the young man in striped pajamas.

Beside his bed, a young nurse sat with her chin in her hands, oblivious to the sudden change in the room.

Her large, captivating eyes blinked as she stared at Lin Fan, muttering to herself, “How can someone be so handsome? The more I look, the more handsome he is…”

She went on, “How did he end up a vegetable? Such a fine man, doomed to ill fortune! In a world overrun with ugly men, what a waste, what a waste…”

“Chen, what are you doing? Wipe your drool and get to work. I’ll watch here; you need to change the diaper for the patient in 610,” said a slightly older nurse, entering quietly.

“Oh, God, save me! Head Nurse, have mercy, I really don’t want to wait on that old lecher!” Chen wailed, clutching her head.

The head nurse hurriedly closed the door and shushed her. “Keep it down, princess. Don’t you want your performance bonus this month?”

“Zhang, you can have the bonus—just go for me, please?” Chen pleaded with teary eyes.

“I’d love to, but he specifically asked for you. You’re just too popular.” The head nurse shrugged, clearly enjoying herself.

“Oh… fine, I’ll go. Why did the heavens make me so beautiful?” Chen sighed, her spirits sinking.

“Yes, yes, you’re the most beautiful flower around, and there’s a withered weed over there to really set you off. Go quickly, before your ‘weed juice’ spills onto the bed and makes more trouble,” the head nurse teased while tidying up.

“Well, I chose this job, after all,” Chen muttered, aggrieved but resigned, casting one last longing look at Lin Fan.

But this glance left her stunned.

A pair of clear, bright eyes were staring straight back at her, unblinking.

In that instant, Chen melted, gazing back at Lin Fan like a dazed fangirl. As she was about to lose herself, a sudden crash—a cup knocked from the table—snapped her back to reality.

“Head… Head Nurse, come quick… he… he’s awake… he just… he even flirted with me…” Chen stammered, turning to point at Lin Fan.

The head nurse hurried over, but when she looked, Lin Fan’s eyes were shut as before. She gave Chen a playful knock on the head. “Still stalling? Want me to reassign you to the male urology ward? Get going!”

Chen turned back. Lin Fan lay as motionless as ever. “Was it my imagination? That can’t be.” Determined, she swore, “I really saw him open his eyes! If I’m lying, may I become ugly and fat!”

The head nurse hesitated. No one would make such a curse lightly. But ten years in a coma…

They both paused their work, sat by the bed, and watched Lin Fan intently.

Minutes passed. They remained, eyes fixed on him, refusing to give up.

At length, Lin Fan, sensing something, opened his eyes, licked his lips, and with a pained expression said, “Have you two seen enough? Could you move? You’re pressing on my catheter.”

Their shrieks echoed throughout the sixth floor.

“Chen, go call the director! A miracle! This is the greatest miracle since our hospital opened—a comatose patient, under our careful care, has awakened!” the head nurse exclaimed, beside herself.

Chen, snapping out of her daze, rushed off.

“Our hospital’s news board hasn’t had anything new in ages—now we won’t lack for sponsors! Our department’s bonuses will double this month!” the head nurse muttered, pacing excitedly.

Lin Fan, newly awake and weak, fainted again at her words.

When he next awoke, the room was crowded with people, and more filled the hallway. The scene was chaotic, the air abuzz with conversation.

Doctors, nurses, patients—people of all kinds gathered to witness the sensation.

Most conspicuous was a patient in a wheelchair, head wrapped in bandages, gender and age indeterminate, left arm in a splint, but still wheeling forward with the right, eager for the spectacle. Such tenacity inspired genuine admiration.

A middle-aged man stepped forward, examined Lin Fan’s eyes, listened to his heart, and said, “He seems stable, but we’ll need further tests…”

“No need for all that, Director Ao,” interrupted a short, pudgy, balding man with bushy brows, slitted eyes, garlic nose, and wide mouth, pushing through the crowd. “Pack up, I’m taking him home. I won’t trouble you any further.” He reached out to pull Lin Fan’s tubes.

“Fatso, what are you doing?” Lin Fan, somehow mustering strength, sat up and glared at the man.

Everyone rushed to restrain him, especially Chen, who stomped her foot and stepped between them.

“What, you don’t recognize your own uncle? You must have lost your mind! I’m here to take you home,” the balding man said, scrutinizing Lin Fan. “Nephew, don’t tell me you’ve lost your memory?”

Lin Fan scanned the crowd, lingering on the balding man. He tried to recall, but his mind was blank. “Seems so,” he replied.

The balding man protested, “It doesn’t matter if you forgot me, but you can’t forget the huge medical bills I’ve paid for you all these years!”

“I’ve been lying here, just woke up, and you all barge in—I’d forget even if I remembered. What am I, a circus animal?” Lin Fan shot back, annoyed.

“Yeah, what are you all looking at? Move along!” the balding man said, then turned to Lin Fan, “Let’s go home, it’s too noisy here for your recovery.”

As he spoke, he forced his way past Chen, ignoring the others, intent on removing the tubes.

“Lin Hai, stop right there! This is my hospital and he’s my patient, not just your nephew. You can’t just do as you please,” Director Ao protested. “Are you just afraid you can’t afford the follow-up costs?”

“Of course not, just wanted to bring him home sooner to feel the warmth of family. Do I look short of money?” Lin Hai grinned.

“You can start by paying last quarter’s fees,” Director Ao retorted.

Lin Hai fell silent, signaled to a girl in red by the door, and slunk aside.

“Who’s that half-bald man? So rude!”

“Ugly and obnoxious!”

“Who is he? What a slob!”

“Rumor has it he’s the pretty boy’s uncle!”

“No way! Must be a family thing!”

“Maybe their ancestor did too many bad deeds and karma caught up!”

The murmurs reached Lin Fan’s ears, and he couldn’t help but groan inwardly: “Is this sleazy guy really my relative? How unlucky am I—what happened to my family’s genes? What a cosmic joke.”

Just then, the girl in red at the door spoke up, “Everyone, please leave. Let him rest. We have family matters to discuss. The exams can wait till tomorrow.” Her voice was soft but brooked no argument.

The crowd exchanged glances. After all, they were family, and the excitement had run its course. One after another, they filed out.

Nurse Chen reluctantly left, looking back with every step. Director Ao, leaving last, reminded Lin Hai, “Lin Fan’s case is special; he must stay for a complete examination.”

“Of course, of course. I’ll settle the bill shortly,” Lin Hai replied cheerfully, ushering Director Ao out and closing the door firmly.

Only Lin Fan, Lin Hai, and the girl in red remained.

Lin Hai flopped onto the sofa, swung his legs up, and pointed at the girl, “Nephew, this is Lin Qi, my daughter—your cousin. Don’t tell me you don’t remember her either?”

Lin Fan scratched his head, studying the beautiful girl. “Uncle, is she really your daughter?”

“You doubt my genes?” Lin Hai complained.

“She’s my cousin, you’re my uncle, but I can’t remember anything,” Lin Fan muttered, brow furrowed, searching his memory, only to find it blank.

As he closed his eyes, Lin Qi darted to his bedside and pressed a spot at the back of his head. Darkness fell; Lin Fan fainted again.

Lin Hai, unfazed, glanced at his nephew and asked, “He just woke up and you’ve knocked him out again—is that wise?”

“Old man, what else should I do? Let’s go. Or do you want to pay last quarter’s bill?” Lin Qi briskly removed Lin Fan’s tubes, stuffed him into a prepared sack, and tied it up.

Lin Hai shrugged, “You really do think of everything.”

Lin Qi tossed the sack to Lin Hai, who slung it over his shoulder. The pair slipped out the window and vanished as swiftly as they had come.