A Brief Return to Life

More than twenty years had passed since they last met, and this reunion had come at a terrible price. Zhang Hong had nearly lost his life.

"Mom, wait."

With that, Zhang Yang took out the red Qi-Supplementing Pill and said to Zhang Hong,

"Take this, and you can go home."

Zhang Hong did not hesitate. Even if it were poison, he would gladly swallow it to atone for his past mistakes.

"This..."

Qian Rong was still absorbed in Zhang Yang's acupuncture technique when Zhang Hong swallowed the Qi-Supplementing Pill. By the time he tried to stop him, it was too late.

Zhang Hong's resolve made his feelings clear. He bore Zhang Yang no grudge for kicking him, nor did he ask a single question about it. Right now, he only hoped Zhang Yang would understand him and accept the father he had only just met.

Before Qian Rong could recover from his shock, Zhang Hong pulled out the tubes attached to his body, turned, and lowered his feet from the hospital bed.

"Where are my shoes?"

Patients in the ICU had no need for shoes. At his question, a young nurse hurried off to fetch him slippers.

"Let's go home."

Zhang Hong paused to take stock of himself. Even the dull ache in his body was gone. It felt as though he had merely slept long and deeply here—a sound, peaceful sleep unlike any he had managed during his busy life before.

Luckier still, when Zhang Hong opened his eyes, he saw the mother and son from whom he had been separated for over twenty years. What greater blessing could life offer?

Outside the ICU, a group waited anxiously, each with their own concerns. Zhang Daoru only hoped Zhang Yang would succeed as he had before, curing Zhang Hong and