Then—
They were gently clasped by a frail hand.
“Xiao Cheng!”
Zhen En cried out, rushing to the bedside in a surge of emotion.
Yin Xia Mo froze for a beat. Her gaze slowly lifted from the dark shadow pooled on the floor until she saw Xiao Cheng’s fingers delicately returning the grasp of her own hand, holding it loosely in his palm. His hand was so slender, so long; she could almost trace the faint tracery of veins beneath the skin near the knuckles.
“Sis—”
Yin Cheng struggled, trying to push himself up, but his weakened body offered no resistance, leaving him utterly immobile.
“You’re awake.”
Yin Xia Mo’s smile was as light as scattered petals, yet she carefully avoided his eyes, ensuring he wouldn't see the shimmer of moisture welling there. She reached out to brush his hair, the recent effort of sitting up having brought a fine sheen of sweat to his brow. She picked up a towel from the bedside table and gently dabbed it away.
“Sis… I worried you again…”
“No, not at all. You were just a little tired, that’s all, so you drifted off.” Yin Xia Mo’s voice was soft and quiet as she used her fingers to smooth his slightly damp hair. “Perhaps you’ve been painting for too long recently. You need to rest more from now on, alright?”
“...Okay.”
“You’re still very tired, aren’t you?” She pulled the blanket up, tucking it around his shoulders and hands. “Rest a little longer. Your sister will stay right here with you.”
“I’m not tired…” Yin Cheng gazed at her, his expression gentle, though his voice came out haltingly. “Sis… your dress is beautiful… Did you have fun at the party tonight…”
“I had a wonderful time. The party was magnificent, so many friends attended. Swan Castle was as beautiful as the legends claim, illuminated by countless lights, its reflection shimmering on the lake—it was as beautiful as a fairy tale…” Yin Xia Mo spoke to him in a low, soft tone, like a lullaby, watching as his eyes slowly drifted closed, his breathing evening out. She knew he had fallen asleep again.
She stood silently, gazing at Yin Cheng’s sleeping face.
After a long while.
Yin Xia Mo slowly pushed herself upright. Her movements were deliberate, as if some unseen force pressed down upon her, causing her body to sway slightly. Zhen En gasped softly and moved to steady her. Yin Xia Mo shook her head, refusing Zhen En’s support, and managed to stand steady. Her face was stark white as she slowly walked toward the door of the room, appearing entirely transformed from the woman who had been speaking with Xiao Cheng moments before.
Zhen En looked at her with concern, then glanced back at Yin Cheng on the bed. For a moment, she couldn't decide whether to go out and accompany Xia Mo or stay behind to look after Xiao Cheng.
Yin Xia Mo exited the room.
The door swung slowly shut behind her.
The long corridor stretched out.
Her eyes were a vacant, inky blackness; her face was unnervingly white, as if she had been suddenly struck blind, seeing nothing at all, yet she walked step by step toward the solitary figure standing waiting there. Her soft footsteps echoed hollowly in the silent hallway, much like the emptiness in her gaze.
She reached Ouchen.
Slowly, she raised her head.
Like a slow-motion scene in a film, her eyelashes lifted languidly as she gazed at him, her eyes an infinite, empty expanse, like the dark sea under a moonless night.
In the driving rain!
A car sped out of the torrential downpour!
The moment the vehicle screeched to a halt, Luo Xi threw open the door and burst out! He charged into the hospital lobby, racing to the nurse's station to confirm Yin Cheng’s location, and then he sprinted toward the stairs, leaving the on-duty nurses staring at his retreating figure in disbelief.
He ran up the stairs!
He shoved open the door to the corridor!
He ran desperately down the long hall!
It felt as if fire was searing his lungs! Summer of Foam III