When Bai Fang opened her eyes, it was the following afternoon.
The faint smell of disinfectant in the air, the tube in her nose, the head nodding sleepily beside her bed, and Zhou Nianci's red eyes as she pushed open the door and came in.
Bai Fang let out a breath. She understood everything.
"You're awake-"
"How much longer-"
The two spoke at once, waking Bai Congming, who had been dozing in the chair.
"Mom, are you better?"
Bai Fang forced a faint smile and reached up to touch Bai Congming's tousled hair.
"All better. Thank you for all your hard work, Little Bai."
No matter how old someone grew, they were always a child in front of their elders. That was especially true of Bai Congming, who never grew up.
With Little Bai there, Zhou Nianci said little. She simply did her best to steady herself and said Bai Fang must be hungry after sleeping so long, then sent Bai Congming to the cafeteria to get her some food.
"I took you there at noon. Do you remember the way?"
Bai Congming nodded. "Little Bai knows."
Once he had left, Zhou Nianci finally lost her composure. She rushed to the bedside, looking so stern she seemed ready to hit someone.
"I told you a while ago that you needed to come to the hospital! But you kept putting it off! Look at this! Look where that got you!"
Bai Fang could still smile. She patted the space beside her on the bed, inviting her to sit.
"What did the doctor say? How long do I have?"
Zhou Nianci's tears broke free. She sobbed, "Late stage. With proper treatment... you might hold on for three or four months."
Time was the fairest thing in the world. It stopped for no