Wang Xiaoliang pushed himself up from the sofa. His legs still felt a little weak, and he had to steady himself against the edge of the coffee table.
Huang Xueli was his brother. Since he had asked, Wang Xiaoliang had to go and plead his case.
At worst, Qishan would turn him down. There was nothing to be embarrassed about.
He had barely taken two steps when the doorbell rang.
Wang Xiaoliang stopped.
He had no choice but to turn toward the front door and answer it first. After all, he was the host here now. Luo Bisheng had already sprung off the sofa and rushed to the entryway in a few quick strides.
He pulled the door straight open.
The young man leaned against the doorframe, blocking half the doorway with his body.
"Who are you looking for?"
A voice came from outside.
"Is Wang Xiaoliang here?"
Wang Xiaoliang jolted.
He knew that voice all too well. Low, with a slightly lazy drawl, always unhurried-even when cursing someone out. He used that same tone with everyone.
Xiao Mo.
"Bisheng, that's my brother."
Luo Bisheng glanced back at him and stepped aside.
The moment the door swung all the way open, Wang Xiaoliang froze.
Xiao Mo came in first.
Yes, he walked.
Without crutches.
Two legs, left and right, planted on the floor as he made his way inside, step by step.
That strange dream flashed through Wang Xiaoliang's mind. His first reaction was that he must be seeing things. He stared at Xiao Mo's legs, from the knees down, beneath the trouser legs, over the tops of his shoes. Nothing looked unusual.
But he moved very slowly.
There was a slight hesitation in every step, a tiny hitch in his body as his weight settled onto each foot. It