New Attack Mission

When she came to her senses, You Xi found herself sitting on a park bench.

…Where was this?

She lifted her head and looked around, her expression dazed.

She had no memory of what happened after she ran out the door. All she could do was trace back to the source of it all.

And so, the tragedy that had unfolded in Mo Li’s home replayed in her mind again and again—like a nightmare on loop.

Mo Li collapsing to the floor. Her pained cries. The faint smear of blood on the armrest of the chair… You Xi squeezed her eyes shut, as if trying to erase it all.

When she opened them again, her trembling hands were staring back at her.

There was no denying it—she was the one who pushed her.

The lingering sensation in her palms kept screaming that truth over and over.

—It’s over.

Dark thoughts flooded You Xi’s mind.

There was blood on the armrest. That meant Mo Li must have been cut on the head. If it was just a flesh wound, maybe it was okay. But if her brain was injured…

The thought hit her like a punch to the gut, making it hard to breathe.

What should she do?

Should she go back and apologize in person?

She didn’t have the courage.

Or should she pretend nothing happened and hide, leaving it all to You Dong?

…How could she even think something so irresponsible?

The more she thought, the heavier her heart became.

Yet the weather was bright and clear—so cheerful it made her angry.

She looked up. Warm sunlight touched her cheeks, and something sticky clung to her skin, making it itch.

She reached up to touch it—tears.

“Wuwuwu…”

She began to sob quietly.

“…Mom, I did something terrible again. What should I do?”

Hugging her knees, You Xi buried her face into her chest.

It was past morning exercise time. The park was nearly empty, with only the occasional passerby rushing by. No one noticed the girl curled up on the bench, lost in sorrow.

“Vrrr—”

You Xi pulled her vibrating phone from her pocket. The caller ID read: *Uncle*.

“Hello.”

“Where are you right now?”

You Dong’s voice came through—calm, as always.

“I’m at a park. I’m… uh…”

Holding onto a sliver of anxiety and a tiny hope, You Xi asked:

“Is Mo Li badly hurt?”

“Superficial wounds. But there might be a mild concussion. They’re doing tests at the hospital now,” You Dong answered.

“I see… so it’s like that…”

She’d heard the term “concussion” before, but didn’t know how serious it was. Still, the word “mild” offered a small relief.

“You Xi, listen.”

You Dong’s voice came again, steady.

“I’m calling to tell you—go home and wait. Don’t do anything. I’ll handle this.”

“But… but…”

“Mo Li’s mother is furious. Now isn’t the time to apologize. Understand?”

“…Yes.”

You Xi cradled the phone, nodding quietly.

“Also, your homeroom teacher called me. You’re to stay home for now.”

“…Yes.”

“And one more thing. They’ve filed a police report.”

“…Yeah.”

“Hey, You Xi. Are you listening?”

“…Yeah.”

“Wait. Are you crying?” You Dong asked.

“…I’m not! Of course not!”

You Xi wiped her face fiercely with her sleeve. But the soft, broken sobs from deep in her throat betrayed her.

“You’re crying, aren’t you.”

“Yeah… so what if I am?” You Xi didn’t argue. She just sniffled, over and over.

“Look, this time you really went too far. Honestly… I don’t even know what to do.”

You Dong was angry.

When he was mad, his speech sped up slightly.

People who didn’t know him well wouldn’t notice. But after five years of living together, You Xi could tell.

Normally, even if You Dong got angry, she’d snap right back at him. But not now. She had no strength for that.

They had come to apologize. And because of her impulsive act, she’d only made things worse.

She could already picture how humiliated and embarrassed You Dong must feel, handling this mess alone.

Thinking of how he must have bowed and smiled at Mo Li’s parents, swallowing his pride, guilt swelled in her chest.

Right then and there, You Xi made a silent vow. No matter how harshly her uncle scolded her later, this time—she wouldn’t talk back.

“I’ll stay until the tests are done, then head back to the office. You—where are you? Should I come pick you up, or can you take a cab? Do you have money in your account?”

“…Never mind. Just send me your location. I’ll come get you,” You Dong decided.

The harsh words she had expected never came. Strangely, You Xi didn’t feel relieved. Instead, her heart ached even more.

“I can take a cab back myself,” she quickly refused.

She didn’t know what face to show her uncle right now.

“…Seriously, what a mess…”

Back at the office, You Dong collapsed into his chair like a broken puppet.

He didn’t open his computer. Didn’t check emails. Just sat there, staring blankly into space.

Mo Li’s mother had filed a police report. You Xi would likely be summoned to the station soon. Until then—what could he do to fix this?

It was like when a subordinate made a mistake. As a manager, the priority was damage control—how fast and efficiently he could fix it. Criticism and education came later.

That’s why he hadn’t scolded You Xi earlier. Well, truthfully—he *did* want to yell at her.

But the moment he heard her faint sobs through the phone, all his anger vanished. In its place was only a deep, aching tenderness for the girl he raised.

“…What should I do now?”

He was still lost in thought when his phone suddenly vibrated on the desk.

It was Lao Lin.

“Of all times…?”

You Dong frowned and answered.

“Hey, Dongzi. A new aberration’s appeared.”

“Do we move out now? What about the Fourth Ring?”

“They’re on another mission. Can’t make it in time. Right now, we’re counting on you and Raging Flame.”

“Did you notify You… Raging Flame?”

“Already did.”

“Idiot! Next time, notify *me* first. I go first, then you tell her. Got it?”

With that, You Dong hung up. He grabbed his coat from the chair and rushed out—heading straight for the aberration’s location.