ǒu​duàn​sī​lián

apparently severed but still connected

  1. lotus root
    the edible, fleshy, underwater stem of the lotus plant, characterized by its holes and stringy fibers when broken
  2. to break
    to break or snap; to cut or sever into pieces
  3. strand
    anything thin and long like a thread, such as wire, hair, or julienne strips of food
  4. to link
    to link; to join; to connect