Song Li slowly, with some difficulty, opened his eyes, then closed them, repeating this several times until he adjusted to the light. His gaze gradually focused, scanning the anxious faces around him. When his eyes met Fu Xiaotang’s, her heart skipped a beat, overwhelmed by joy, excitement, gratitude, and a tinge of melancholy. She opened her mouth to say something, but before she could, Song Li, with an indifferent gaze, turned his eyes away from her. Fu Xiaotang tensed—was there something wrong with Song Li’s vision? But she quickly dismissed this thought as Song Li accurately addressed his mother with a hoarse voice, “Mom.”
His mother, overjoyed, laughed and cried, “Ah, Li, you’re awake, thank goodness!”
Song Li, slightly frowning due to the discomfort of stiffness, tried to move and asked in confusion, “Mom, what happened to me?”
His mother wiped away her tears, “Son, you’ve been in a coma for a week. I really thought I’d never hear you call me ‘Mom’ again!” Her voice choked, tears rolling down once more.
Fu Xiaotang felt a pang in her heart and consoled, “Auntie, he’s awake now, isn’t he? Don’t be sad, and he shouldn’t be too excited either!”
His mother, both relieved and happy, nodded and squeezed Fu Xiaotang’s hand in gratitude.
At that moment, Song Li suddenly looked at Fu Xiaotang, his brows furrowed, and asked, “You… who are you?”
Everyone was taken aback. Song Li didn’t recognize Fu Xiaotang? She was stunned, unable to believe it, and after a while, she stammered, “You, you don’t recognize me?”
Song Li examined her for a moment, his eyes calm and expressionless. He shook his head slightly and asked again, “Who are you? Should I know you?” His voice carried the coldness and distance one might reserve for a stranger.
Fu Xiaotang was utterly shocked, her mind blank, unable to respond. Cheng Yu rushed forward, gently shaking Song Li’s shoulder, asking urgently, “Li, what about me? Do you still recognize me? Who am I?”
