Vagabonds by Hao Jingfang

Author:Hao Jingfang [Jingfang, Hao]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781786696496
Publisher: Head of Zeus
Published: 2020-04-13T22:00:00+00:00

*

Reini entered the room. He nodded and smiled at the youths. When Luoying saw him, she sensed the arrival of a dependable source of strength. Reini’s gaunt face, clean-shaven chin, strong and steady hands, and frameless round spectacles seemed to form a steadfast presence from which she could seek aid.

“Dr. Reini, am I ready to be discharged?” she asked hurriedly.

“Of course,” said Reini, smiling.

“Don’t you need to examine me one more time?”

“There’s no need. I’ve see the scans from this morning, and you’re healing well. Just come back for your periodic checkups.”

“All right. Thank you. I guess we should go.”

Luoying got up and put on her coat, checking the room one last time for any stray possessions. The others got up as well and helped her with the luggage. Some began to clean up the room.

All at once, the confrontational air was replaced by purposeful busyness. Everyone had their own task. The room was filled with questions like Is this your cup? Soon everything was ready, and they filed out. Rudy was in the front, with Gielle following immediately behind. Pierre followed Gielle. The other four came after, with Luoying bringing up the rear.

The moment they stepped out of the room, Anka moved next to Luoying and gave her shoulders a squeeze. None of the others saw it. She looked at him, but he kept his eyes forward, a smile on his face. All of a sudden Luoying felt a sense of peace drape over her.

“This afternoon . . . ,” he whispered to her.

“Two o’clock, at station three.”

“All right.”

They parted. Anka joined Mira and the others on one side, while Luoying went over to Rudy.

Reini emerged from the room. He had sensed the awkwardness in the room from Luoying’s expression, and so he said nothing as he watched them leave. Walking up to Luoying now, he handed her an envelope.

“This is for you.”

The envelope was sealed with a metallic film with red markings. It was a personal identity seal, something akin to a wax seal in the age of quills, used only for the most formal and important documents, such as powers of attorney.

Luoying looked up gratefully at him. “Thank you.”

Reini nodded. “Be careful.” Then he stood at the top of the stairs as the friends filed away. Luoying waved at him from the bottom of the stairs, and he waved back.

Luoying cast one last look at the room that had been her home for the last twenty-plus days, reluctant to leave. She knew that outside the hospital was a world busy with demands and activity, and she would never again experience this secluded life like a hermit’s. The days in the hospital had been so peaceful, as though the last decade had dissolved into illusions, with dust settling and the surging currents turning placid. She didn’t know what kind of fate awaited her, but she knew she would miss this place. Only after a long while did she make her way down the stairs, swaying a bit unsteadily.

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