...
KNOCK~ KNOCK~ KNOCK~
A soft knocking sound came from the door, startling Gao Lingwei from a deep sleep. Her eyes flew open, but then she suddenly remembered—she was at home in Songbai Town.
After a few seconds, the sharp look in her eyes softened slightly. From outside the door came her mother's soft call, "Xiaowei?"
But this time, her mother didn't wait for a response and opened the door.
CLICK. Cheng Yuan fumbled for the wall next to the door and flipped on the light switch.
White light flooded the room. Gao Lingwei squinted, her eyes adjusting to the brightness as she looked toward her mother at the door. "Mom, what's..."
Before she could finish, Gao Lingwei saw that her mother's eyes were red-rimmed.
Gao Lingwei quickly sat up. Cheng Yuan walked in, sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes still red, and pulled Gao Lingwei into her arms.
"Mom, what is it?" Gao Lingwei gently rubbed her mother's back, her tone soft. "What happened? Tell me."
