Chapter 12.. Awakening

A sharp beeping sound filled his ears.

Liang Chen's eyelids fluttered open.

White ceiling. The smell of antiseptic.

He gasped, sitting up in a hospital bed.

Zhao Rui was asleep in a chair beside him, head resting on his arms. Liang Yue stood at the window, staring outside, her hands trembling.

Liang Chen tried to speak, but his voice was weak.

Liang Yue turned, her eyes widening in shock.

"Liang Chen?"

At her voice, Zhao Rui jerked awake, blinking rapidly.When he saw Liang Chen sitting up, his expression went blank—then his eyes filled with tears.

"You… you idiot," Zhao Rui whispered.

Liang Yue ran to his bedside, gripping his hand tightly. "You were in a coma for months. We thought—" Her voice broke.

Liang Chen squeezed her hand.

"I'm here," he whispered.

Zhao Rui let out a shaky breath, rubbing his eyes. "You scared the hell out of us, man."

Liang Chen smiled faintly. "Yeah… I scared myself too."

But deep inside, he knew—he had survived the book.

And now, it was time to start over.