In the glaring white light, Su Jin felt her whole body go numb. A shrill alarm sounded from the machines beside her. She tried to open her eyes, but her eyelids felt as heavy as lead.
The smell of disinfectant gradually faded, replaced by the faint scent of sandalwood. The machines’ hum gave way to the clear chirping of birds. She struggled to lift her heavy eyelids, only to find herself surrounded by carved beams and painted rafters.
“Where am I...?” Su Jin abruptly sat up and realized she was lying on a carved wooden bed, covered by a brocade quilt embroidered with auspicious clouds. Looking down, she saw that she was wearing a pale blue ruqun, its sleeves embroidered with delicate plum blossoms.
A wave of dizziness washed over her. She instinctively raised a hand to her forehead and touched a smooth jade hairpin. Memories surged back: she had been in the operating room, trying to save a traffic accident victim, when the equipment suddenly shorted out. After a sharp burst of pain, she had lost consciousness.
