The rain hadn't stopped by the time Rui carried Meilin into the small safehouse at the city's edge.
Her skin was cold, her breathing shallow — yet faint pulses of light glimmered beneath her veins, like blue fire tracing the map of her body.
"Xiaoya, stay close to the wall," Rui said, his voice firm but shaking.
The little girl nodded, clutching her small doll as tears rolled down her cheeks. "Is Mommy going to die again?"
Rui froze, his heart twisting. "No. I'll never let that happen."
He laid Meilin on the couch, pressing a damp towel to her forehead. Her body trembled violently, her lips pale.
Then suddenly, she gasped — her back arching as if lightning ran through her. Her eyes flew open, glowing faintly with that strange blue hue.
"Rui…" she whispered, her voice layered — human and something more.
"I'm here," he said quickly, gripping her hand. "You're safe."
She blinked rapidly, confusion flickering across her face. "It hurts… like fire under my skin."
Rui tried to stay calm, but fear gnawed at him. "It's the serum," he said quietly. "Whatever Liang put in you — it's waking up."
She clenched her teeth. "No. I can fight it."
"You don't have to fight it alone."
For a moment, their eyes met — two souls bound by pain and stubborn love. And then Meilin's body began to glow brighter, energy radiating through the small room. The lights flickered; the air felt charged, alive.
"Mommy!" Xiaoya cried, running forward. Rui caught her just in time. "Don't — the energy could hurt you!"
But Meilin's voice was soft, broken. "No… let her come."
The little girl hesitated, then stepped closer until her tiny hand touched her mother's arm. The light dimmed instantly, the glow retreating into calm waves of warmth.
Rui's eyes widened in disbelief. "She stopped it."
Meilin's tears spilled silently. "It's her… Xiaoya. She's the only thing that keeps the darkness quiet."
Xiaoya smiled faintly. "Mommy, see? You're okay now."
For the first time in hours, Meilin laughed weakly. She reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her daughter's face. "You're my miracle."
Rui knelt beside them, his expression softening. "We'll find a way to end this. Whatever Liang started, I'll destroy every trace of it."
Meilin shook her head slowly. "It's not just him anymore. The serum is changing — it's alive, Rui. It's like it knows me."
He took her hand. "Then we'll make it remember who you are — not what they made you."
A heavy silence filled the room. Outside, thunder rumbled again, echoing like a warning.
Meilin stared out the window, her reflection faintly glowing. "If the serum is awakening, that means others like me might still exist. Liang isn't working alone."
Rui's eyes hardened. "Then we'll find them before they find you."
She turned to him, voice trembling. "What if I lose myself in the process?"
He leaned closer, resting his forehead against hers. "Then I'll remind you who you are every time you forget."
Her tears fell again, quiet and pure. "Promise me… if I become something else — something dangerous — you'll protect Xiaoya."
"I'll protect you both," he whispered. "Even if it kills me."
The storm outside raged on, but within that small, dimly lit room, love b
urned brighter than fear — fragile, defiant, and unyielding.