"Nuannuan, wake up. Nuannuan."
An aged but gentle voice called softly beside Nuannuan's ear. Her eyelids fluttered. Her body felt heavy, as though a huge rock were pinning her down.
She struggled to open her eyes, and a sea of white came into view. Snow-white walls, snow-white sheets, and a snow-white ceiling.
She smelled a faint trace of disinfectant, along with the delicate fragrance of plum blossoms. Her throat felt very dry, and a little sore.
She moved her eyes toward the voice. An old man with white hair sat beside her bed.
He wore a crisp military uniform, golden stars gleaming on his epaulets. His face was covered in wrinkles, but his eyes were filled with affection and worry. He held a peeled tangerine, carefully separating a segment and bringing it to her lips.
"Nuannuan, have some tangerine to soothe your throat." The old man's voice was very soft and gentle.
Nuannuan's gaze settled on him. She sensed the same comforting familiarity from this old man as she did from her uncle, Su Mingfeng.
It was a feeling of warmth, safety, and being protected. She remembered that her uncle had felt this way too. It was what Mommy had told her about-the feeling she would get from the uncles in green.
She opened her little mouth and gently took the tangerine segment between her lips. It was sweet, with a hint of refreshing tartness, and eased her dry throat a little.
"Nuannuan, how do you feel? Does anything feel uncomfortable?" The old man looked at her, his eyes full of concern.
Nuannuan shook her head. She wanted to speak, but her throat felt blocked, and no sound came out.
Seeing her shake her head, a flicker of heartache crossed the old man's eyes. He reached out and gently stroked her sparse, yellowed hair. His hand was large and warm, and its touch felt comforting to Nuannuan.
"Don't be afraid, Nuannuan. This is a hospital. The doctors will make you better." The old man's voice was gentle. "From now on, no one will ever dare bully you again."
Nuannuan looked at him. She could feel the sincerity in his words. This old man was very kind to her. His presence made her feel safe.
She remembered what Mommy had said: if she ever got lost, she should find an uncle dressed in green. She had found her uncle, and now she had met this old man too.
"Grandpa..."
Nuannuan's little mouth parted, and a faint, slightly hoarse voice emerged. It was the first time in days that she had spoken of her own accord.
Su Zhenbang jolted. As he looked at Nuannuan, tears instantly welled up in his deep-set eyes. He had waited five years. Five whole years. He had thought he would never hear himself called that again for the rest of his life.
"Nuannuan... what did you call me?" Su Zhenbang's voice trembled as he reached out and clasped her little hand tightly.
"Grandpa..." Nuannuan called again. Her voice was still very quiet, but a little clearer than before. There was a hint of uncertainty in her gaze, and a hint of dependence.
Su Zhenbang could no longer hold back. He pressed Nuannuan's little hand against his face, and scorching tears instantly soaked the back of it. This founding hero, who had spent his life on the battlefield, steely and merciless, now wept like a helpless child.
"My Nuannuan... my sweet little darling..." Su Zhenbang choked out, his body trembling slightly. "Grandpa has let you down... Grandpa came too late..."
At the hospital room's doorway stood Su Mingfeng, Lin Wanyi, Su Mingguo, Su Mingzhe, and Su Mingyuan. Everyone was there. Watching Su Zhenbang hold Nuannuan and weep, all their eyes reddened. Lin Wanyi was already sobbing too hard to speak, supported by Su Mingguo.
"Dad..." Su Mingfeng stepped forward, his heart filled with a jumble of emotions as he looked at his father. He knew what Nuannuan calling him "Grandpa" meant to Su Zhenbang.
Su Zhenbang lifted his head. His aged, tear-streaked face was filled with immense grief and joy. He looked at Su Mingfeng, then at the others in the doorway.
"Nuannuan... Nuannuan is awake..." Su Zhenbang's voice trembled. "She called me Grandpa..."
Lin Wanyi pulled free of Su Mingguo's hand and rushed to the bedside. She gripped Nuannuan's other hand tightly, tears blurring her vision.
"My little Nuannuan... Grandma's precious granddaughter..." Lin Wanyi's voice choked with sobs.
Nuannuan looked at the people gathered around her. They all wore green clothes or dark Zhongshan suits. Their faces held both sorrow and joy. She could feel that they all loved her. She could feel that she had finally returned to a warm home.
"Uncle..." Nuannuan's gaze settled on Su Mingfeng, and she called out again.
Su Mingfeng felt as though an invisible hand had seized his heart hard. He hurried to the bedside, reached out, and gently stroked Nuannuan's forehead.
"I'm here." Su Mingfeng's voice was hoarse. "Your uncle is right here. From now on, I'll always stay with you, Nuannuan."
A faint smile appeared on Nuannuan's little face. Her body felt very weak, but her heart was filled with warmth and reassurance unlike anything she had ever known. She knew she had finally found her home. She had finally found a family who loved her.
"Big Kitty..." Nuannuan looked out the window, a trace of worry in her eyes. She still remembered that Big Kitty was outside.
Su Mingfeng knew what she was thinking. He gently patted her hand.
"Big Kitty is keeping watch outside," Su Mingfeng said softly. "He won't leave. He'll always stay with you."
At Su Mingfeng's words, a flicker of reassurance passed through Nuannuan's eyes. She closed her eyes again and fell into a deep sleep. Her breathing was still faint, but much steadier than before. Though her body was weak, her heart had received immense comfort.
The Su family gathered around the hospital bed, watching Nuannuan sleep soundly. They knew that although her condition had improved, she still faced a long recovery. And the Su Family would spare no expense to cure her, cherish her, and make up for all the suffering she had endured over the past five years.
Outside the hospital room, the enormous snow leopard still lay quietly in the snow. His eyes were closed, but his ears twitched slightly. He could hear the voices coming from the room. He knew his cub had woken up.
He knew his cub had found her family. He would remain here, keeping watch, until his cub had fully recovered.