After what seemed like an endless stretch of grogginess and sleep, the long dream finally reached its end.

Tong Shan’s eyelids fluttered, and finally he opened his eyes. Afternoon sunlight streamed in through the window as the outpost bustled with voices.

“Oh, look who’s awake! No-Fun’s finally up?” A face covered in scars and still wrapped in bandages poked into view. Ji Liu grinned and waggled his eyebrows. “You’ve actually been unconscious for twenty years. You’re twenty years older now. Isn’t that right, Ji Xue?”

“Yep, yep, absolutely!” Ji Xue, sitting in a wheelchair, nodded furiously with a delighted grin. “The doctor said your certain organ was too badly damaged to save, so they had to cut it off. Shan, you’re a beautiful girl now!”

Tong Shan spoke weakly, his voice barely audible. “You…”

“Hm?” Ji Liu froze. He waved for Ji Xue to go get the doctor, then leaned closer. “What is it? Do you feel uncomfortable somewhere?”

Tong Shan rasped weakly, “You… are sitting on my oxygen… tube…”

Ji Liu looked down in horror, only to find absolutely nothing beneath him. He turned back toward Tong Shan and finally noticed the sly smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Ji Liu could no longer hold it in and burst out laughing. He bent down and hugged him tightly. “Welcome back, Shan!” 

The commotion continued for a little while. After his colleagues finished visiting and the doctors completed their examinations,...