Later that night, the fever claimed Wenzhi.

His temperature spiked so high it nearly sent Xinyuan into a frenzy before he forced himself to calm down, pressing a damp cloth to Wenzhi’s forehead in an attempt to bring it down.

Duan Ze stayed. He moved in and out, bringing medication, water, anything he could find.

Watching him, how attentive he was, and how naturally he took care of Wenzhi, Xinyuan had to acknowledge it.

The guide cared.

Hours passed.

At some point, Duan Ze fell asleep on the opposite sofa.

Xinyuan didn’t.

Wenzhi kept shifting restlessly, his body overheating and unsteady, almost rolling off the sofa more than once.

So Xinyuan sat cross-legged on the floor, watching. Ready to catch him.

The door swung open without warning, and a new presence swept into the room, shifting the heavy atmosphere instantly.

With dark hair and eyes that remained unnervingly calm and observant, Lu Kaiwen didn’t even flinch at Xinyuan’s presence. He already knew they were at his office thanks to Duan Ze.

"Oh. That’s my... um, shirt."

Lu Kaiwen was an SS-rank from Team One.

Each team consisted of five Espers and five Guides. Xinyuan had memorized every name in Team One: Wang Chenxi; Jiang Zhaohe, the world’s only SSS-rank and Commander of the Belium Rift Suppression Corps; Lu Kaiwen; Shu Yuzhen.

And finally, himself.

"Shouldn’t he be moved to the hospital wing?" Kaiwen asked, glancing at Wenzhi.

"I don’t think that’s a good idea," Xinyuan replied.

Kaiwen exhaled, then walked over to the sofa. He removed his coat and draped it over Duan Ze without waking him.

Then he turned back.

"It’s good to finally meet you, Shao Xinyuan," His words came out smooth and relaxed, delivered with an easy tone that didn’t quite match the room. "You’ve got quite the reputation."

Xinyuan stood. They were roughly the same height.

"I need a favor."

Kaiwen tilted his head, amused. "That’s.. direct. Sure. We’re teammates now, aren’t we? Saving the world and all that."

"Your family is one of the pillars in Belium. That means you have a seat at the Old Blood’s table, whether you admit it or not." Xinyuan said without hesitation.

Kaiwen froze, completely caught off guard.

"You know a lot," he said slowly. "For someone who’s been locked away from society for nearly a decade."

Xinyuan scoffed faintly.

"No one knows anything about me," he said. "I’d like to keep it that way."

Kaiwen studied him for a moment then sighed. "Fine. Who do you want to meet?"

"Shao Jingxin," Xinyuan murmured. "Use your identity to draw him out. I’ll be the one to meet him."

Kaiwen studied him, curiosity flickering across his eyes.

"There are rumors he’s your brother," he said. "Is that true, or just a coincidence?"

Xinyuan didn’t answer.

Kaiwen exhaled. "I don’t think this is a good idea. Contacting the Old Blood faction is against protocol."

Xinyuan’s lips twitched. "No one has to know. If they do, it means you told them."

Kaiwen scoffed softly at that.

Xinyuan didn’t look at him again. He returned to Wenzhi’s side, adjusting the cloth on his forehead.

The night passed quietly.

By morning, Xinyuan had already left before Wenzhi woke.

He cleaned himself up, changed, ordered food, and picked out fresh clothes for Wenzhi.

But the moment he stepped into his office, he stopped.

Doctor Bai was already there.

She was seated comfortably, as if the space belonged to her. No lab coat. Hair loose. She looked completely at ease.

Xinyuan closed the door behind him.

She rose with a warm smile. "Oh, my lovely Xinyuan."

She walked toward him, reaching out, her fingers brushing his arm as she looked up at him with practiced affection.

Xinyuan’s body went rigid.

"Do you know how worried I’ve been?" she asked softly. "I heard about the attack on the duplex. Repairs are underway, but the investigation found nothing useful."

Her gaze sharpened. "What happened?"

Xinyuan hesitated. "I..."

Doctor Bai’s smile vanished instantly.

"Do not lie," Her voice was no longer gentle. "Lying is bad. And if you lie, I will have to hurt you. So tell me the truth."

Xinyuan’s lips trembled.

"We were attacked," he said quietly. "By the Old Blood faction. They wanted Wenzhi. Dead or alive."

Doctor Bai’s expression hardened.

"I knew it," she said coldly. "I knew this was a mistake."

She stepped back, her eyes narrowing. "You should still be in the research facility. Out here, you’re exposed. And once people see you, really see you, they’ll want you."

A faint, dangerous edge crept in. "They’ll want to control you. Use you. Xinyuan, they will turn you into something that belongs to them."

"I’m sorry," Xinyuan kept his voice hushed, refusing to meet Bai Qinian’s eyes. "I should have contacted you as soon as it happened. But there’s been a lot going on. I... lost track of time."

Doctor Bai smiled. "Come here."

He stepped forward and bowed his head.

Her hand rose, fingers brushing his cheek with deliberate gentleness.

"I’m the only one who can protect you, Xinyuan," she said softly. "Everyone else wants to use you. Or stay away from you."

Her thumb traced lightly along his skin. "No one loves you the way I do. So next time... you contact me first."

Xinyuan closed his eyes. "...Yes."

"Mother," she corrected instantly, her tone sharpening. "Call me mother. How many times must I repeat it?" 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"Yes... mother," he whispered.

Her smile returned, satisfied.

She withdrew her hand and moved back to the sofa, settling into it with ease.

"The Director is handling the aftermath," she continued. "For now, only we know the attack came from the Old Blood faction."

Her gaze flicked toward him. "If anyone asks, it was a gas explosion."

Xinyuan nodded.

He didn’t mention that Wenzhi, Duan Ze, and Lu Kaiwen already knew the truth.

"Tell Lin Wenzhi the same," she added. "Though, frankly, this situation is almost his fault."

She frowned. "I warned you. Being out here would attract attention. Now look at what’s happening."

A slight edge crept into her voice. "And he removed the cameras I placed. How bold of him."

Xinyuan moved quietly, setting the bags he’d brought onto the sofa. Then he lowered himself in front of her.

"...Mother?" he called softly.

She looked at him, pleased. "Yes?"

Xinyuan smiled faintly. "Thank you for protecting me."

Pride settled easily into her expression. "I would do anything for you, Xinyuan. You know that."

He nodded slowly. His gaze dropping again.

"...I do," he murmured. "I do."