Chapter Sixteen: Under Observation in the Hospital

After thirty-five years, the boundary between life and death was crossed, and the two embraced once more.

Sheng Yao held Bai Xiao with utmost care, all his attention focused on the warmth of her body. Bai Xiao leaned against his chest, her arms wrapped tightly around his waist and back, making him feel an indescribable sense of security.

“So wonderful... so wonderful...” Sheng Yao murmured.

Bai Xiao’s sobs sounded like celestial music to Sheng Yao. Even before, if Bai Xiao shed tears while reading a novel, he would be moved to pity and tenderness. Now, it was not an illusion—he truly heard the voice that haunted his dreams, not just imagined it. Even if it was the sound of crying, it was a happiness beyond measure.

Bai Xiao’s emotions did not seem as intense as Sheng Yao’s. After crying for a while, she pushed Sheng Yao away and instinctively reached into her pocket.

Sheng Yao reluctantly loosened his embrace. Seeing Bai Xiao searching her pocket, he suddenly realized and began to check his own. Bai Xiao found nothing, but Sheng Yao pulled out a packet of tissues.

At nineteen, Sheng Yao would never carry tissues. Like most young people of that age, his pockets were messy with all sorts of things. Now, at sixty, his pockets were filled with daily necessities. Though his body had become young again and his mind was a bit hazy—he had forgotten the forty-one years since meeting Bai Xiao, thinking he was just starting college, returning home to his parents’ old house, wearing clothes found in his teenage wardrobe—decades of habits had unknowingly been etched into his soul.

Just like his love for Bai Xiao.

Sheng Yao wiped Bai Xiao’s tears and nose, a smile unconsciously appearing at the corner of his lips.

“Am I saved? Is this a hospital?” Bai Xiao took a tissue herself and blew her nose, curiously looking around.

Sheng Yao was taken aback.

“Honey, you seem to have gotten younger. Did you get plastic surgery while I was being rescued?” Bai Xiao observed Sheng Yao with puzzlement, then laughed at her own words. “Or did my eyes get replaced?”

Sheng Yao gazed at Bai Xiao, his smile turning bittersweet.

“Honey?” Bai Xiao was stunned.

“Shengsheng, listen to me,” Sheng Yao took Bai Xiao’s hand, “Don’t be afraid. For now, patiently listen to what I have to say…”

…

In the consultation room, the doctor finished writing up the medical record. His pen hovered over the pristine paper, and when he turned his head, he saw Sheng Yao and Bai Xiao standing in the corridor.

Sheng Yao faced away from him, but even from the back one could sense his tension. His voice, however, was extremely calm, measured and unhurried, with pauses as if waiting for Bai Xiao to absorb his words.

Half of Bai Xiao’s face was visible; as Sheng Yao spoke, her head gradually lowered, and the stray hair on her forehead concealed her expression.

The doctor capped his pen and closed the medical record. The folder was returned to the file cabinet, while the pen spun between his fingers. The face painted on his fingernail nodded and shook, following his nimble movements.

…

“So, it’s been that long already…” Bai Xiao sighed deeply, her voice muffled as if squeezed from her throat.

“Shengsheng…” Sheng Yao was at a loss.

Bai Xiao lifted her head, forcing a smile. “Thank you, honey. I’m fine, don’t worry. It’s just… it’s really like coming back from the dead. But after so many years… Mom and Dad… Mom and Dad, they…” Tears welled in her eyes.

Sheng Yao pressed his lips together.

“You took care of everything for them?” Bai Xiao rubbed her eyes.

Sheng Yao nodded, giving a soft “mm.”

“Thank you. I’ve been an unfilial daughter, but thanks to you…” Bai Xiao lowered her hand, her smile growing more genuine, though it quickly faded. Hesitantly, she gripped Sheng Yao’s hand again, her fingers caressing the base of his fingers. She asked earnestly, “What about you? Thirty-five years… you…”

“I’ve retired,” Sheng Yao laughed, genuinely delighted. “Just retired, no more work, getting a pension every month—how wonderful. Remember how we used to say retirement was the best?”

Bai Xiao laughed as well.

“And now I’m young again, and you’ve returned… you’ve returned…” Sheng Yao gathered Bai Xiao into his arms once more.

Bai Xiao stood on tiptoe, chin raised, leaning on Sheng Yao’s shoulder. “Honey… Sheng Yao… thirty-five years, you never met anyone else?”

Sheng Yao gripped Bai Xiao’s shoulders, frowning as he met her gaze. “What are you thinking? How could I ever be with anyone else?”

Bai Xiao stared at Sheng Yao in a daze.

“You doubt me?” Sheng Yao was displeased.

Bai Xiao laughed, offering no answer, instead burying her head in Sheng Yao’s chest and hugging his waist tightly.

Sheng Yao patted her back, soothing her like a child. “No one else, only you. Always, always only you…”

Bai Xiao nodded, rubbing her head against Sheng Yao’s chest.

Tap tap!

Two unusual sounds interrupted their sweet and tender moment.

Sheng Yao turned around, and Bai Xiao poked her head out from his embrace.

The doctor sat in the consultation room, legs crossed and hand resting on the desk. The sound came from his fingers tapping on the table. He continued to tap rhythmically. His deep blue eyes met theirs, and their gaze was met with impatience.

Sheng Yao immediately became nervous.

He led Bai Xiao into the room. “Doctor, sorry… thank you so much! You—” Once he finished, he didn’t know what else to say.

Usually, when a family member faces the doctor who saved their loved one’s life, gratitude overflows, and they eagerly grab the doctor’s hand, bow or even kneel, expressing their emotions.

But this doctor hadn’t just saved his wife’s life—he restored Sheng Yao’s youth and brought his deceased wife back from the dead.

Such an event was too miraculous, beyond human capability. It should be called a miracle. The person before him, wearing a dirty white coat and never taking off his mask, might not even be human—perhaps a deity, or…

Sheng Yao squeezed Bai Xiao’s hand.

Bai Xiao was much calmer than Sheng Yao.

She bowed gracefully to the doctor. “Thank you!” After rising, she hesitated slightly and tugged at Sheng Yao. “We really don’t know how to thank you…”

At this moment, kneeling in gratitude would be more sincere than a simple bow.

Sheng Yao thought so, and Bai Xiao, always in sync with him, was already acting.

Just as they were about to kneel, the doctor suddenly spoke. “The clinic is closing.”

It was a rather blunt dismissal.

Bai Xiao exclaimed, “Sorry to trouble you. We’ve disturbed you for so long. We’ll come back tomorrow to thank you properly. If you need anything, please let us know. You’ve done us a great kindness.”

The doctor nodded but mentioned no requirements.

Bai Xiao tugged at Sheng Yao, ready to leave.

Sheng Yao hesitated, glanced at Bai Xiao, and carefully asked, “Is Shengsheng alright like this? Will there be any aftereffects? Should she get any checkups or medicine?”

As he spoke, Sheng Yao felt it was absurd.

Bai Xiao had come back from the dead—not just recovered from illness or been rescued. What follow-up treatment could possibly be required?

He couldn’t imagine.

Bai Xiao looked at Sheng Yao in surprise, as if he had said something silly.

A flash of light appeared in the doctor’s eyes. “The treatment isn’t complete yet.”

Sheng Yao’s heart jumped. “What more treatment is needed?”

Bai Xiao stayed silent, only gripping Sheng Yao’s hand even tighter.

“Stay for observation first,” the doctor said, and laughter echoed from the faces on his fingernails.

Sheng Yao asked uneasily, “Is there something wrong?”

“This is my first time encountering such a situation,” the doctor replied with a hint of amusement, relaxing into his chair with hands folded on his lap. Each fingernail made its own noise, looking quite excited.

Sheng Yao and Bai Xiao only glanced at this oddity.

Sheng Yao hurriedly asked, “What will happen to Shengsheng? Is she not fully recovered? What more treatment does she need?”

“We’ll see,” the doctor answered after a moment’s thought, giving an ambiguous reply.

Bai Xiao suddenly smiled, patting Sheng Yao’s arm to comfort him. “Don’t worry. Even with an appendectomy, you have to stay in the hospital for a day. For me… I’ll stay here and cooperate with the doctor’s treatment. Don’t worry.”

Sheng Yao thought, yes, that’s reasonable, but the doctor’s methods were clearly not conventional medicine.

He was anxious, but didn’t show it before the doctor or Bai Xiao.

Bai Xiao hugged him. “Ah Yao, honey… I’m back…”

Sheng Yao was moved, hugging her in return. “Yes, you’re back.”

Nothing could be more wonderful.

And nothing was more important at this moment.

Sheng Yao tightened his hold, then released it, gently fixing Bai Xiao’s tangled hair. “Just listen to the doctor. Do whatever treatment is needed. Once we’re healthy, we’ll go home.”

Bai Xiao smiled and nodded.

The doctor tapped the table again, urging them.

Sheng Yao apologized hurriedly.

Bai Xiao pushed him toward the clinic exit.

“Listen to the doctor and don’t be afraid.”

“Mm.”

“For tonight, make do. Tomorrow I’ll bring your clothes, toothbrush, and towel. What would you like for breakfast? I’ll bring it tomorrow. I forgot to ask the doctor if you have any dietary restrictions…” Sheng Yao said in frustration, wanting to return to the consultation room.

“Stop worrying,” Bai Xiao pushed him. “Go home and rest early. You must be exhausted.”

Sheng Yao thought of his experiences these past few days and couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m a robust nineteen-year-old now, in great shape.”

“Even so, take care of yourself,” Bai Xiao said gently. “Take good care of yourself. Don’t worry about me.”

Sheng Yao felt a pang in his heart, but seeing Bai Xiao’s face dispelled all clouds.

Bai Xiao stood on tiptoe and kissed him, then pushed him again. “Go home. Whatever we need to say, we can say tomorrow. We have plenty of time ahead.”

Sheng Yao smiled, kissing Bai Xiao in return. “Yes, we have plenty of time.”

He pushed open the clinic’s glass door. Looking back, he saw Bai Xiao still standing at the entrance, waving at him through the glass. He waved back, then noticed the neon sign above the clinic had gone dark. The street was now lit only by the clinic’s lights, which gradually dimmed, as if the doctor was turning off lights room by room, soon to reach the entrance.

“You go inside too! Rest early!” Sheng Yao called.

Bai Xiao nodded, no longer lingering, but turned and entered the clinic.

For Bai Xiao, this was a perfectly normal farewell. They experienced such partings every day when going to work or leaving the house.

Those were the days they had grown accustomed to.

For Sheng Yao, it was the first time in thirty-five years he had experienced such a parting again.

He stared dazedly at the monster clinic’s door until the last light near the entrance was switched off, then left.

He looked around and, in the shadow of the trees and streetlights, recognized the “Friendly Realty” sign next to the monster clinic.

He was near his father-in-law’s house, on the road leading from the western gate.

Just as the young manager of the Little Darling Pet Shop had described: come out of the west gate, walk a bit, next to the real estate agency, there’s a monster clinic with a remarkable doctor.

It was all like the stories of retired old doctors he’d heard as a child. Only, when he was young, he merely listened to elders praise those famous doctors, never seeing one himself. Now, he had witnessed a resurrection that only existed in legends…

Thinking of Bai Xiao, Sheng Yao couldn’t help but smile.

He felt truly nineteen again, walking with a spring in his step, his face lit with joy.

He planned to sleep at his father-in-law’s house tonight, then bring Bai Xiao breakfast first thing tomorrow. She liked the little wontons from a nearby shop, had eaten them since childhood. Surely, she could eat those.

Wait, no, he’d have to go home. His father-in-law’s house didn’t have Bai Xiao’s things. He needed to fetch them. He had kept all her belongings, airing and cleaning them every year… Should he buy new ones? New clothes and towels should be washed before use; towels especially must be new, as well as a toothbrush. Everything else could be old—Bai Xiao would be comfortable with the familiar.

Sheng Yao made up his mind and checked his phone for the time.

The displayed date left him in a trance.

Bai Xiao… had really come back to life…

He wanted to cry for joy, but upon seeing the time, he became anxious.

At this hour, if he hurried, he could still catch the last bus.

Sheng Yao started running, and as he ran, he couldn’t help but laugh aloud.

…

In the TV room, Sheng Yao was shown running on screen—not fast, not like the sprint in the cemetery.

His face carried a smile never seen before, his eyes sparkling, his whole being shining.

The doctor lounged on the sofa, his fingernails boisterous for a time before settling into quiet.

…

Sheng Yao forgot his “current” age. The “run fast” of a nineteen-year-old and that of a sixty-year-old retiree were worlds apart.

He reached the bus stop and found himself with half an hour to spare.

Across the street was a 24-hour convenience store.

Sheng Yao touched his stomach. Maybe it was his young body, but he felt ravenously hungry.

After confirming the bus arrival time, he crossed the road to the convenience store.

Ding dong—

The automatic door opened, bell chiming.

Inside, there was only one other customer, seated at the corner of the long table. The clerk emerged from the staff room, greeting Sheng Yao.

Sheng Yao took the last boxed meal from the shelf, paid, waited for it to be heated, then carried it to the long table by the window.

He unwrapped it and ate heartily, thoughts drifting to Bai Xiao’s cooking.

He hadn’t tasted Bai Xiao’s food in thirty-five years…

He could cook, but only one dish—clam steamed eggs—was truly exceptional, restaurant-quality. Bai Xiao excelled at everything. Her fish was unmatched, though she disliked eating it herself, finding it troublesome. He always picked out the bones and served her. When dining out, their friends would tease them for this.

Sheng Yao ate the boxed meal, smiling like a fool.

He glanced at the bus stop across the street and remembered he had to catch the last bus, quickly finishing the meal.

As he stood with the empty box, he noticed the young man at the corner of the table.

The young man’s head was nearly buried in his meal, chopsticks stirring rice, eyes half-closed, looking listless, as if about to fall asleep. He wore a long-sleeved shirt, the fabric clinging to his arm, the left sleeve marked with stains resembling blood. The tabletop also bore smudges where blood had been wiped.

Sheng Yao paused mid-step.

The young man’s head bobbed, his nose hitting the chopsticks, startling him awake.

He looked around, met Sheng Yao’s gaze, then followed it to his own left arm and the table.

The young man quickly put down his chopsticks, covered his left hand, wiped the table with a tissue, and awkwardly explained, “I, uh, I have a skin allergy. I scratched it and it bled... Just a skin allergy. Sorry. I didn’t touch you, did I?” He scanned other spots with the tissue, adding, “I don’t have any infectious diseases. I even donated blood when I graduated college two years ago.”

Sheng Yao found the explanation familiar, though the young man lacked Bai Xiao’s calm composure.

Thinking of Bai Xiao, Sheng Yao’s mood brightened.

He took the initiative to show concern for the stranger: “Sounds pretty bad. You should see a doctor.”

As he spoke, the sign for the monster clinic flashed in his mind.