— August 11 —
My sun has fallen.
— Old Memories —
"Aunt Chun, Teacher says that every one of our names has a special meaning."
"Usually, before we are even born, our parents and the elders in the family carefully select characters that can be used."
"Then what about me? Does my name... have a meaning too?"
"Of course it does."
"Your name, Zhao—it means the brightness of the sun and moon, shining clearly."
"Our Zhaozhao must live a bright and brilliant life, walking a path paved with sunshine."
...
— Apartment —
At 5:30 in the morning, Chu Zhao jolted awake from a nightmare.
Her back was soaked with cold sweat. She sat half-collapsed on the carpet, sitting in silence for a long time before she could steady herself.
The lights came on, but the thick, sticky darkness of the dream still clung to her heart and limbs like a shadow.
For no reason, Chu Zhao felt a sense of ominous unease.
She picked up her phone from the carpet. The moment she woke the screen, nine missed calls popped up.
"Suian Hospital..."
Chu Zhao’s pupils dilated. The hand holding the phone began to tremble uncontrollably.
Even though it was the height of summer, she felt ice-cold, as if she had fallen into a frozen abyss.
"Aunt Chun..."
"Impossible. Nothing can be wrong."
Nothing can be wrong.
Chu Zhao called back. She stood up from the floor, glancing around the apartment.
Ignoring that she was still in her home clothes, she grabbed a coat, wrapped it around herself, slipped on her shoes, grabbed her keys, an…
Chapter 66