The dream shifted rapidly.
The child grew up, becoming a boy, then a teenager. The idle gossip of friends and relatives kept ringing in his ears.
"...Be good, and treat A-Gou nicely, all right? Listen to him. He likes you, so he'll give you more things. Understand?"
"...I'm your real dad, got it? Without me, where would a kid like you have come from?"
"...Mom didn't want this either. But if you stay with A-Gou, you'll have money. Look at the classes you take, the clothes you wear, the food you eat... If we hadn't sent you to A-Gou, or if we hadn't been willing to spend the money, you'd have had to live a hard life with us."
"...How come your dad's so old? Is he really your father? You don't look alike."
"...What's your name, anyway? Why does your family call you Xiao Ying? Then sometimes they call you Shen Rong?"
"...Shen Rong, are you lying to me? You people in the arts never tell the truth! A pen name? Pah! Are you already married with kids somewhere else?"
"...Xiao Ying is my son. Why can't he come with me? Shen Ankang is dead! The funeral's over, and he's already knocked the bowl for him. What more do you want?"
"...What do you mean, Xiao Ying? He should belong to the Guan family!"
"...We raised him all these years and spent so much money on him. Oh, now you want to swoop in and reap the rewards?"
"...Xiao Ying, son! Tell them yourself! Do you recognize us as your real mom and dad?"
The din faded into the distance.
The surroundings fell quiet. The chaotic images disappeared, replaced by an expanse of pure white.
The smell of disinfectant in the hospital was overpowering.
The fluorescent lights and