[We, too, are fleeting. A so-called happy story, bittersweet, mixed with pain and loss...]
As the familiar melody played, his body reacted before his mind could. Fu Li looked down at the corner of her coat he was clutching and silently gritted his teeth.
Since he wouldn't really die, what was there to fear?
"Hm? What are you doing?"
Mobius turned her head, her expression one of puzzlement.
She was cute, but also far too precocious.
Fu Li swallowed, his mind racing as he came up with words that fit his current persona.
"I... I want to go with you to deliver the medicine, Sister. It's your birthday today... I don't want..."
I don't want to see you get hit.
He didn't say the last part, but likewise, he didn't let go of her coat.
He had already resolved that if Mobius refused, he would resort to a child's ultimate privilege: pestering her relentlessly, no matter how embarrassing it was.
However, the two simply stared at each other, locked in a stalemate.
After a long moment, a pleasant, light chuckle broke the silence.
"Very well. You can come along."
To Fu Li's surprise, the corner of Mobius's mouth curved into a smile. She didn't refuse and walked directly toward the man's room.
The smile was beautiful, but it held a hint of mocking amusement.
A layer of goosebumps rose on Fu Li's skin for reasons he couldn't explain. While silently lamenting how dangerous Mobius truly was, he quickly followed her.
As they neared the room, the expressions on both their faces grew solemn.
Creeak—
The thin wooden door was pushed open. It wasn't heavy, but the sound it made felt oppressive to Fu Li.
Sadness... resentment... pain...
All sorts of negative emotions emanated from the thin man before them, but Fu Li didn't look at him. Instead, he turned his gaze to Mobius.
The smile was gone from the young girl's face now. She silently held out the glass and the white pill, her eyes filled with pity as she watched the man.
Fu Li sighed inwardly. He knew this man was indeed worthy of pity, but that was no excuse to strike his own daughter.
Suddenly, the man's hand swung out in a slap. Mobius instinctively closed her eyes.
The familiar sound of a strike rang out, but she felt no stinging heat on her face.
Instead, there was the muffled groan of a young boy and the weight of someone falling into her arms.
"Li?" Mobius opened her eyes, looking in confusion at Fu Li, who was now standing in front of her.
She didn't care about her father's occasional slaps; she knew what had transformed him into this.
Those pills, which looked so pure and white, were seemingly tools of salvation. But just as God delivers trials along with redemption, this man had become a complete and utter failure in his trial. A pathetic human.
Humans... such pathetic... laughable... comical and ugly creatures.
Mobius's expression darkened, and the sight made Fu Li's heart pound with fear.
"Forget it, Sis. It's nothing."
Fu Li reached out, wanting to pull Mobius away, but he found that she remained standing straight and tall.
She ignored Fu Li, shielding him behind her, her gaze cold and mocking.
"You look truly hideous."
"We will absolutely never become a human like you."
An anger-fueled slap flew at her, which Mobius took with a slight stumble. This time, she didn't just passively endure it. Her eyes were filled with scorn and derision.
"I will grant [evolution] to all of [humanity]."
"No matter the disaster, no matter the drug, I will not allow them to humiliate [humanity]."
"And I will absolutely never let them become disgusting monsters like you."
Mobius violently shook off the man's hand and, without a single look back, pulled Fu Li from the room.
'Thank goodness. At least this time, Mobius didn't just stand there and foolishly take the beating like in the Elysian Realm memories.'
A sharp pain shot through his shoulder, and Fu Li sucked in a breath of cold air. But when he saw Mobius's expression, he couldn't help but shrink back.
"What's wrong? Scared? I told you not to follow me."
Mobius's tone was laced with complaint as she somewhat forcefully pulled Fu Li in a different direction.
Fu Li spoke his mind with complete honesty, "Ah, it's not that. I just didn't expect you to be able to take that slap, Sister."
"Hmph. Puberty comes earlier for human females than for males. Therefore, I am taller and stronger than you."
Mobius's tone was sharp as she pushed Fu Li down onto a chair.
"Don't you ever do that again. Now, where did he hit you? Let me see."
"Er, Sis Mobius, it's fine, really."
"No. Hurry up and stop dawdling."
"Don't, Sis Mobius, please don't! Use your hands!"
"No, wait, don't pull! I'll take it off myself!"
Seeing that Mobius was about to get physical, Fu Li sighed in resignation, scooted the chair back half a step, and slipped one arm out of his sleeve.
There, the initial redness had faded, revealing a faint bruise on his fair skin.
At the sight, Mobius's expression softened slightly, and the hand holding the medicine bottle paused.
"See? It's just my arm. I'm really fine..."
"Less nonsense. Don't move. I'm applying some ointment."
"Oh..."
[We, too, are fleeting. A so-called happy story, bittersweet, mixed with pain and loss...]
The familiar melody played again. Mobius held the first-aid kit, her expression stern, but her movements were gentle.
[You have made your own choice at a node of fate, protecting the young Mobius in your own way.]
[Congratulations on obtaining the talent 'Pitiable Charm': Girls older than you will feel a sense of pity and affection upon seeing you.]
[Relationship 'Siblings' has been upgraded: Mobius now truly sees you as her younger brother. Mobius's affection has increased.]
Affection increased? There's a stat for that?
Did the original Li not actually bring Mobius any comfort?
That makes sense... Without parents to protect us, even if she put on a brave face, I was ultimately just a burden...
Looking at Mobius's expression, Fu Li sighed inwardly.
They were both children of misfortune. He knew from observing Mobius's lab in the game that she was a person who was cold on the outside but warm on the inside.
So, if he had the chance, he would try to save Klein.
That way, even after he completed his mission and left, Mobius would still have a confidant to accompany and take care of her.
As for the baffling 'Pitiable Charm' talent, he naturally ignored it.
While he was lost in thought, Mobius had already skillfully applied the medicine. She looked at Fu Li, and after some hesitation, she spoke with grave sincerity.
"Li, do you want to leave this home with me?"
Leave this home?
Fu Li's expression faltered for a second. He hadn't expected Mobius to still decide to leave.
After a moment's hesitation, Fu Li nodded.
"Okay. No matter where you go, I will go with you. Until death."