Later that same day, Shao Lin went to visit her mother. The nurse had updated her on her mother's condition and said she seemed to be doing better than most days.
Shao Lin arrived, carrying purple hyacinths for the vase in her room. She felt relieved when she soaked in her mother's appearance. Her sunken cheeks were now full. Her harsh features had softened, and she was standing in front of a window with a white shawl wrapped around her shoulders, looking out at the setting sun.
Shao Lin stalked toward her and made a full stop at her side. Her mother's mouth quirked into a ghost of a smile as she said, "Your father loved sunsets," she recounted. "I used to watch it with him all the time when we were young and had more time."
