Chapter 181: Engagement.
’Is this how the old people feel?’ Was Lee’s first thought after waking up.
His body ached all over, and even the sunlight coming through the window hurt his eyes.
This time he wasn’t in the Healing Hall, but in his own room. Or so it seemed. It was hard to tell because his vision swam, and he mostly saw everything covered in a thin mist.
After crawling out of the bed with a move that more resembled a stumble, on wobbly legs Lee slowly proceeded to the door, and stepped outside. Sunlight shone his face, blinding him, and guided mostly by touch and memory, he found a barrel of water around the corner.
He washed his face first, then drank, then washed again. And then a curious thought sprung to his mind.
’I wonder how I look with a gray beard?’ Lee laughed to himself, but then realized that he just washed himself and it felt like usual.
’Probably nurses from the Healing Hall take a good care of the elderly like me. I wonder if my job from now on will be raking leaves or something similarly menial ...’Lee thought, and looked at his own reflection in the barrel of water.
The ripples distorted the image, with waves shifting the focus, but Lee didn’t really care. He had made the peace with what was about to come, and didn’t feel sad or in any way bad about himself. He was curious, though, whether the impulsive stunt had any effect and allowed the Healing Hall’s experts to save Xiao Lian in time.
"You look like shit!" Familiar voice behind him answered his question.
"Have you seen yourself?" Lee glanced in Xiao Lian’s direction, but only saw a person supporting themselves on a tall stick.
For a split moment he had a funny thought that both of them had aged overnight and till the death could hang out as old men. Fortunately, judging from the posture, it was clear that the guy was supporting himself on his weapon out of habit, not because of necessity. And while Lee couldn’t see Xiao Lian’s face clearly, his voice was energetic and youthful.