XI
In the courtyard, Uncle Wang had already started leading the exercises.
Today's routine was an upgraded version of "Happy Little Pony"—"Run, Little Pony!"
The movements were even more exaggerated than yesterday. Not only marching in place, but also swinging arms and tossing heads.
Lu Shiyan stood at the back of the line, following along.
He did it earnestly. Though still stiff, at least he looked somewhat human now.
Su Tang led at the front, shouting as she moved: "Clip-clop! Run! Charge forward!"
The patients followed: "Clip-clop! Charge forward!"
"The Alien Prince" shouted loudest: "Clip-clop! Charge back to my home planet!"
Uncle Wang shouted: "Clip-clop! Charge toward one hundred years!"
Lu Shiyan opened his mouth to shout, but nothing came out.
Su Tang saw this, looked back at him, and smiled. "Mr. Lu, shout it out!"
Lu Shiyan took a deep breath and shouted with the loudest voice he could muster:
"Clip-clop!"
The shout was so loud it startled Uncle Wang beside him.
"Good! Once more!" Su Tang encouraged him.
"Clip-clop!" Lu Shiyan shouted again, even louder than before.
"Again!"
"Clip-clop!"
He shouted again and again, each time louder, each time more powerful.
By the end, his throat was hoarse, but he felt a sense of exhilaration he'd never experienced before.
Like a heavy stone that had been lodged in his chest for a very long time had finally been removed.
Su Tang looked at him and smiled.
"Mr. Lu, you did very well today."
Lu Shiyan looked back at her, breathing hard, the corners of his mouth turned up high.
"Not bad," he said.
Uncle Wang watched from the side, thoroughly amused, and whispered to Su Tang, "Xiao Su, this one's going to make it."
Su Tang smiled. "I know."
Sunlight filled the courtyard, falling on the group doing exercises, falling on Lu Shiyan's face.
He stood in the sunlight, and for the first time, thought—
It feels good to be alive.