The room was private, quiet, smelling of antiseptic and recycled air. Three IV lines ran from Ji Yuzhe's arm to the bags hanging above him. His eyes were closed when she came in. She stood in the doorway for a second before she stepped inside.
She had seen patients in hospital beds her entire career. She knew how to read the setup: three IV lines, clear fluid, the blood pressure cuff already in place. She knew what the pre-surgical prep looked like and what it meant. She had stood at bedsides like this hundreds of times. It landed differently when the face was his. She didn't try to talk herself out of that.
He turned his head toward the sound of her footsteps. A small smile.
"Suyin. You came."
"I told you I would." She sat in the chair beside him and touched his arm just above the IV line. "How are you feeling?"
"Starving."
She laughed, low and quiet. "I'll bring food after. Whatever you want."
