The children were asleep. Aponia's voice was calm but clear, like the sound of church bells.
"What kind of woman dares to disturb my boss..."
Next to the boss, a thug raised a knife, ready to throw it at Aponia. But before he could act, the boss himself stopped him.
"I'm very sorry for disturbing the children's rest," the boss said, surprising everyone. He even bowed slightly to Aponia.
The gang members were shocked. When did their boss start showing respect to a nun?
The boss made sure no one made any noise that might disturb Aponia.
Orion and Aponia exchanged looks. Aponia then told the gangsters, "Please leave."
The boss nodded, saying, "We'll leave you alone, ma'am. Have a good evening." He and his men slowly walked away.
Before they left, Aponia added, "The children here like cats. I'm sure they don't want to hear cats screaming at night."
Orion noticed Pardofelis seemed relieved by this.
"You're here to see me," Aponia said after the gang left. The air felt lighter.
Aponia's eyes were focused on Orion , but she said, "Come to the church tomorrow morning."
With that, she turned and walked away leaving Orion and Pardofelis alone.
"I'm telling you, leave here quickly," Pardofelis said, wiping sweat from her forehead. "You're not safe with those guys around."
Pardofelis normally indifferent, seemed genuinely concerned. "You might be hurt if you stay. Don't be brave. Just leave."
She turned and left, leaving Orion to watch her go. He looked at the nursing home and saw a few lights still on, meaning some children were still awake.
"Aponia..." Orion whispered, looking forward to their meeting tomorrow.
The next day, as dusk approached, Orion walked into the church, which was dimly lit with colorful light filtering through the windows. Aponia sat at a table with tarot cards spread out, ready for their meeting.
"Please sit," Aponia said as Orion took his place.
On the table was a deck of tarot cards. "Tarot cards," Orion noted.
"I need your help," he said sincerely.
Her eyes glowed softly — serene, divine, and fathomless. They lacked reflection, yet within them shimmered a thousand unseen constellations.
"To seek answers among the stars," she said, "is to accept a burden few are meant to carry."
Her tone was neither harsh nor gentle — simply inevitable.
"I came here for the truth," Yao Luo said, his voice steady.
"Then look within," she replied, her gaze still and knowing, framed by the holy images.
She then handed Orion the tarot cards to draw from.
Orion picked three cards, representing "the past, the present, and the future." Aponia revealed the first card. It showed a man wrapped in trees and thorns, glowing with light.
Then, with a delicate motion, she revealed the first.
The card was "The Hanged Man."