Chapter 243
A dazzling light engulfed everything. For a moment, their souls and consciousness were pulled into a strange, dreamlike space where memories faded—and a world shaped by their deepest desires quietly formed around them.
When Zixu opened his eyes, he found himself lying in a hospital bed.
The nurse who had been monitoring him immediately turned and rushed out of the room, startled by his awakening. Zixu took a deep breath, collecting his thoughts.
My memory's still intact. Did something happen to that guy, Rosinante...? He scratched his head, then took a moment to examine his surroundings.
It was a small hospital ward with only one window. The sky outside had begun to dim—the sun already dipping below the horizon. The only light in the room flickered above him, swinging slightly as it sputtered. Clearly, it hadn't been maintained in years.
The bed was narrow—just big enough to hold him—and aside from the faint smell of disinfectant, the room gave off an unsettling vibe.
Zixu sat up, rubbing his temple. "This looks like a hospital... but I've never been to one like this before. Feels off..."
Just then, an old man in his sixties walked through the door, a wide grin plastered across his face. In his hands, he carried a bowl filled with some thick, black liquid. The medicinal smell wafting from it hit Zixu immediately, and he instinctively wrinkled his nose.
"Hey there, young man! You're finally awake. Scared the hell outta me," the old man said, chuckling.
He set the bowl down on the cabinet beside the bed and sat beside Zixu. "Your condition's stable now. Keep it up and you'll be back to full health in no time. Just look at your face—color's back already! That's a good sign."
Despite his cheerful tone, the man's smile was... off. Too wide. Too fixed. It looked like someone had slapped a mask onto him—like a puppet trying to act human.