Thud.
The old wooden door, worn with age, was shut heavily. The old Director sat down in her chair and gestured for Fu Li to sit opposite her.
"Little Li, the underground factions seem to have been a bit restless lately, haven't they?"
A cup of hot tea was pushed in front of Fu Li. The old Director spoke as if hinting at something profound.
"It's manageable, Director. The recent movements have indeed been a bit big, but please rest assured, all of this will calm down soon."
Accepting the tea, Fu Li blew on it gently, not at all surprised that the old Director knew about this.
Having fought in underground rings for over a decade, the Director naturally had her own network of contacts.
At Fu Li's candor, the old Director's lips curved into a smile. She was clearly very satisfied with his answer.
"Little Li, I didn't call you over for any other reason. It's just… there's something I want you to see."
With that, the old Director pulled open a drawer and pushed a medical file in front of Fu Li.
"This is…" Fu Li paused, a sense of unease growing in his heart as he took the file.
He opened it, and the list of illnesses inside made his heart pound.
Putting aside common ailments like high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and arteriosclerosis, Fu Li's gaze fell to the very bottom.
A cerebral nerve tumor. Even in the final days of the Previous Era, it was an incurable disease.
The only hope would be a gene fusion surgery, similar to the one involving a Honkai Beast like Śeṣa.
But not only had Śeṣa not yet appeared at this point in time, but the gene rejection alone would be enough to claim the old woman's life.
"Old Director, this…"
Fu Li looked up, wanting to say something, but the old Director raised a hand to stop him.
"Li, I know you have money now, but some illnesses can't be cured with money. You know what I care about the most."
"Li, I watched both you and Little Nia grow up. I also know that you've had people secretly protecting the Sanatorium."
"The doctor said I only have four months left. I've never had children of my own; the children of the Sanatorium are my children, especially Aponia. She is the most well-behaved of them all."
"So, after I'm gone, I will entrust the Sanatorium to Aponia. But she is still young and doesn't know how to interact with the outside world. So please, I ask that you take good care of her."
As she finished speaking, the old Director took a deep breath, her eyes turning red.
Seeing that she was already resigned to her fate, Fu Li fell silent for a moment before nodding. "I will protect the Sanatorium and Aponia, Director."
"Should we tell Sister Nia about this?"
"There's no need. It's just an old woman's business. There's no reason to make her suffer. Just let me rest alone for a while."
"Alright, I understand."
The tea had gone cold. Fu Li drank it in one gulp.
He didn't tell the old Director about Aponia's special ability.
However, when he pushed the door open and his eyes met that pair of beautiful, weary ones, his steps faltered for an instant.
But in the next second, he moved as if nothing had happened, closing the door behind him.
Aponia didn't speak, merely walking ahead in silence. By tacit agreement, neither of them said a word.
It wasn't until they returned to the somewhat old-fashioned dining hall, facing the children, that smiles returned to their faces.
But even Aponia's smile, usually so genuine, seemed stiff for a moment.
Beneath a beautiful appearance hid a gray, despairing, and lifeless soul.
How could one possibly deceive a girl who could perceive the threads of fate?
The answer is: the girl lets you think you can.
---o---
[After that day, your lives continued as usual.]
[You brought Aponia more storybooks, textbooks, and workbooks, allowing the children to experience the joy of learning through entertainment.]
[Aponia, for her part, looked after the children just as she always had, seemingly having no intention of interfering with the old Director's fate.]
[The peaceful days were shattered one day, four months later.]
[It was a dark and rainy night when Aponia knocked on the church door.]
"Aponia? What's wrong?"
Seeing who it was, Fu Li hurriedly ushered her inside, grabbing a long, black trench coat and draping it over her shoulders.
However, Aponia just sat there, her body trembling slightly. Her eyes were vacant, and her hands gripped the coat on her shoulders with all their might.
It was as if that coat was her last lifeline. Even when her long, slender fingers had scratched marks into the fabric, she refused to let go.
Fu Li seemed to have guessed what happened. He leaned against a nearby chair, reached out, and gently placed his hand over Aponia's, offering silent encouragement.
"The old Director… she just left this world. The children don't know."
After a long silence, a voice, hoarse and choked with tears, finally spoke.
This was the first time Aponia had watched someone important die. It was also the first time she discovered just how powerless she was to change a predetermined fate.
"It's not your fault. I'll have Vera look after the children. You should go change into some dry clothes and get some proper rest."
Looking at Aponia's haggard state, Fu Li comforted her softly.
In the previous simulations, he had only ever met Aponia for the first time after the Sanatorium disaster, when he had stepped in to save her.
So, this was the first time he knew Aponia had such a past, and that she could have such a fragile side.
Her golden, rain-soaked head came to rest on Fu Li's shoulder. He didn't shy away, but instead reached out and carefully brushed the wet strands of hair away from her forehead.
"I'm here, Sister Nia. You haven't lost the person you can rely on."
Aponia didn't speak, only closing her eyes gently as tears rolled down from their corners.
......
The next day, in the church.
Following the old woman's last will, her funeral was to be kept simple. As such, not many people were in attendance.
Besides all the members of the Sanatorium, the only others present were people from the church and a few of the Director's old friends.
One of them had also been one of Twilight Street's former bosses; he was the one who had leaked what Fu Li had been doing recently to the old Director.
From his sorrowful expression, it was clear he held a special affection for her, though for some reason, he had never voiced it.
"Life blossoms like a flower, but it also withers like a flower…"
"The threads of fate have long been woven by an unseen hand, guiding us through birth and death, until we return to the earth."
"You were a kind mother of noble character. Your children received your grace, and all that you were will be remembered and passed down by them."
"Life will decay with time, but your spirit will be immortal."
"I, Li, pray that Madam Delis ascends to the Kingdom of Heaven, a place free from suffering, where there is no sickness, nor hunger."
"May your soul find eternal life in the Lord's kingdom. Amen."