Trying out her little paws, she picked up a small piece and brought it to her mouth. Yi Longlong sucked on it. The hard egg shell dissolved like fruity hard candy, intense flavours flooded her mouth and flowed down her throat, becoming sustenance for the body.
All of a sudden, Yi Longlong reminisced about the words from a friend with whom she briefly shared the hospital wards. “Being able to eat is a type of happiness.”
At the time, she was only eleven or twelve. Because she lived in the hospital for so long, resentment had begun growing in her heart. She resented being so unlucky as to live with such a body. How come other children could live freely without worries in their life, while she faced the endless medical treatments?
One afternoon, the big sister who was older than her by ten years was eating lunch while giggling. “Being able to eat is a type of happiness. With every mouthful I take, from the depths of my heart I thank the gods for letting me live another second.” Her face was completely blanched because of her illness, but her eyes still shone brilliantly and full of life.
That big sister only lived with her for around twenty days. She died when her illness acted up, however Yi Longlong had always remembered her words, even till today.
Does this count as being a new life?
Although this appearance did not appeal to her, this at least was another way to continue living her life.
To be able to have warmth, continue breathing and have a heartbeat. To be able to eat and think. This was already a type of happiness.
She sought contentment.