The night was silent and still, a dead atmosphere where only the carefree could sleep soundly.
Xia Miao was deep in slumber, though she felt a bit too warm. She kicked off the blankets, limbs sprawled carelessly outside, yet still remembered to tug the covers back over her stomach.
A barefoot boy crept across the floor, moving with exaggerated stealth as he inched closer. He crouched beside the bed, staring at Xia Miao’s silly sleeping face for a long while.
Then, just as he had during the day, he reached out and took her hand. Warmth spread through his fingers again, tingling and pleasant.
Bai Chi’s eyes gleamed with wonder—how could someone as ordinary as Xia Miao possess such a strange power?
After crouching for a while, his legs grew numb, so he crawled onto the bed, curling up beside her. He never let go of her hand.
Elsewhere, under the cover of night, faint rustling sounds broke the silence.
No. 03 wasn’t as bold as No. 05. She whispered, "Are you sure this is safe?"
"We’ve already slipped past all the guards—the hardest part is over. What could go wrong now?" No. 05 tugged No. 03 forward, murmuring, "This is our only chance to escape this hellhole. Don’t be scared. I’m right here with you."
In this hospital, No. 05 had survived the longest among the "female patients." She knew far more than the others.
No. 03 gritted her teeth and decided to trust No. 05—this was their only shot.
Moving forward, they miraculously avoided every patrol and reached the administrative office unharmed.
Suddenly, No. 05 hissed, "Watch out—someone’s there!"
She yanked No. 03 behind a wall.
No. 03 trembled. "A patrol…"
Before she could finish, No. 05 clamped a hand over her mouth.
"Quiet."
No. 03 fell silent. She wanted to peek, but No. 05, ever the loyal comrade, shielded her completely. The tension soon seeped into No. 03 as well—she froze, too terrified to make a sound.
After a moment, No. 05 whispered, "They’re just circling around. I’ll lure them away. You grab the keys."
No. 03 gaped. She hadn’t expected this sacrifice. If caught, No. 05 would surely die.
In that instant, No. 05’s image grew towering in No. 03’s heart.
"If I don’t come back, take the keys and run. See the outside world for me."
With that, No. 05 dashed off without looking back.
No. 03 watched her disappear, moved beyond words. When silence returned, she mustered her courage and stepped out, pushing open the unlocked door to the office.
Inside, the dim space was dominated by enormous crimson flowers, their presence overwhelming. Green vines had crept up the walls, their leaves unfurling among clusters of red buds. The air was thick with floral scent—it was like stepping into a primordial jungle.
No. 03 felt as if she’d crossed into another world. She’d never been to the administrative office before and didn’t know if this was normal. Shaking off her awe, she focused—she had to find the gate key.
Pushing through the foliage, she spotted a wooden cabinet wrapped in vines, its surface adorned with countless keys. To her, it was irresistible.
She fought her way over, rummaging through the keys until she found it—the one labeled "Main Gate," gleaming unmistakably.
Outside, No. 05 waited, tense and impatient.
She’d orchestrated this self-sacrificing act precisely because she couldn’t be sure what dangers lurked inside.
This world was absurd and eerie. Even without guards, who knew what monsters might be hiding?
That’s why she’d brought No. 03 along. If Xia Miao couldn’t be used as expendable bait, then No. 03 would have to fill that role.
After a while with no sound from inside, No. 05 grew restless. Maybe there really was no danger. Or worse—had that woman No. 03 taken the key and decided to run off alone?
No. 05 couldn’t wait any longer. She’d endured too much to fail now. Stepping forward, she gripped the doorknob—just as the door swung open from within.
"HELP—!"
No. 03 lay on the ground, vines coiled around her body. She clawed forward desperately, only to be dragged back effortlessly. Behind her, the crimson flowers gaped like monstrous jaws, revealing rows of needle-like teeth, eager to devour their prey.
No. 03 stretched a trembling hand toward the door. "Save me! Please, I don’t want to die!"
Her screams seemed to excite the carnivorous plants. More vines slithered forth, tightening around her, leaving brutal marks on her skin.
No. 05 staggered back in horror. When the vines began spilling out of the room, she turned and fled without a second glance.
No. 03’s despairing shrieks cut off abruptly as she was yanked back inside. With a sharp thud, the door slammed shut, sealing away all sound.
Dawn broke, ushering in a new day.
Xia Miao opened her eyes to a blinding expanse of white.
It took her a sluggish moment to realize something was off. She leaned back slowly, and as the full picture came into view, she understood—she was staring at the boy’s bare chest.
His snow-white hair spilled across the bed like strands of moonlight.
Curled on his side, the boy slept soundly, his crimson robes slightly parted. The open collar exposed a generous stretch of pale skin, a striking contrast against the vivid red.
With his ethereal beauty and serene expression, he resembled a snow-dwelling fae—a vision too surreal for the mortal world.
Xia Miao’s hand was numb. Glancing down, she saw he still clutched it tightly. How long had he been holding on? And when had he even sneaked into her room?
She resisted, then gave in—kicking him hard.
With a thump, he rolled off the bed, landing on the floor. A delayed groan followed.
"Ow."
