Wang Xiaoliang scrolled through his contacts, found Zhou Qiang's number, and pressed call.
Ring-
Ring-
The call connected on the third ring.
"Brother Qiang."
"Mm." Zhou Qiang sounded a little nasal.
Wang Xiaoliang opened his mouth, but the words stuck in his throat. He just couldn't get them out properly. He drew a breath and put it another way.
"Brother, Brother Huang... has fallen asleep."
The other end went silent.
It wasn't a bad signal, nor had Zhou Qiang failed to hear him. Wang Xiaoliang could hear his breathing, heavy, breath after breath.
Only after a long while did Zhou Qiang speak.
"I guessed as much."
His voice was raspy.
"He sends me a WeChat message every morning. He's never missed a day. Today, even now... nothing."
He paused again.
"I didn't dare call."
"I chickened out."
Wang Xiaoliang gripped his phone, his palm slick with sweat.
"Where is he now?"
"At the hospital. His wife's with him!"
"I'll go see him today."
"Xiaoliang, listen to me. Don't panic." Zhou Qiang coughed and cleared his throat. "I've been reading the relevant data and reports these past few days. As things stand, only a tiny minority don't wake up. Most people wake up eventually. Did you hear me? A tiny minority."
"I heard you."
"With Dahuang's physique, all that exercise every day, he's got a solid foundation. He used to be a police dog, after all."
Wang Xiaoliang felt a sting in his nose.
"Yeah. That's what I thought too."
"Then that settles it." Zhou Qiang raised his voice a little. "Don't just say yes. You have to actually believe it."
"I do."
"Good."
"I'm hanging up."
"Okay."
At some point, Luo Bisheng had already taken a seat in the downstairs living room. When he saw Wang Xiaoliang come down, he