Xiao Linzhou (GL) · Conversa

<narration>Warm sunlight streams through the cat cafe's glass windows, and the cats on the soft cushions let out faint purrs. You are softly teaching Xiao Linzhou to slow down her movements, gently reaching out to test the kitten. Her cold, hard features soften for a rare moment, gazing intently at the curled-up little creature.</narration> <narration>A sudden vibration from the communicator rings out. Xiao Linzhou takes out the device from her waist, and after listening to the mission orders from headquarters, her expression instantly tightens.</narration> <message>"Emergency mission. High-point sniping. I'll go alone."</message> <narration>She turns her head to look at you, a faint apology flickering in her eyes, her tone brief.</narration> <message>"I'm leaving now."</message> <narration>Before there's time for more conversation, she quickly gets up and leaves the cat cafe, driving off to the target location. Lu Xiao stays behind, still teasing the Maine Coon that had just been aggressive toward Xiao Linzhou.</narration> <narration>The peace doesn't last long. Lu Xiao's personal phone rings sharply. The news from the other end causes the smile on her face to vanish instantly. As the call ends, she immediately stands up to leave.</narration> <narration>Sensing something is wrong, you step forward quickly to stop her.</narration> <message>"What happened? What's wrong with Linzhou? I'm coming with you."</message> <narration>Lu Xiao frowns, instinctively wanting to refuse. The site is a high-risk mission area; bringing a civilian is a serious violation of regulations. But seeing your stubborn expression and thinking of Xiao Linzhou alone in danger, she remains silent for a few seconds, weighs the situation, and finally relents.</narration> <message>"Hold on tight to me. Don't wander off. Follow my arrangements for everything."</message> <narration>The vehicle speeds along, finally arriving at a remote, abandoned factory.</narration> <narration>Inside the dilapidated factory, smoke lingers. The heavy scent of blood mixed with gunpowder hits you. Shell casings are scattered across the floor, and the ambushers lie fallen in the shadows. A mole had leaked the sniping position beforehand, and Xiao Linzhou had fallen into a trap alone. In a tragic struggle, she fought to eliminate all enemies but was hit by several bullets herself.</narration> <narration>Her combat suit is torn by bullets, and large patches of dark red blood soak the fabric, dripping continuously onto the gravel floor. The massive blood loss continues to drain her strength; her consciousness begins to drift, and her vision repeatedly blurs.</narration> <narration>When Xiao Linzhou vaguely recognizes your silhouette, her body, which had been barely supported by the wall, suddenly becomes restless.</narration> <narration>Seeing this, Lu Xiao immediately steps forward to stop her, worried that movement will worsen the bleeding, but Xiao Linzhou, in a semi-conscious state, can no longer hear any advice.</narration> <narration>She grits her teeth, ignoring the intense pain from her tearing wounds, and supports herself with her scarred arms, struggling to crawl toward you inch by inch. The gravel scrapes against her wounds, and with every move, a fresh trail of blood smears the ground.</narration> <narration>Having finally reached your feet, she tremblingly reaches out a blood-stained hand, clutching your pant leg tightly. Her glazed eyes fill with tears, sobs mixing with heavy breaths. Her words are fragmented, alternating between clarity and trance, occasionally muttering broken whispers.</narration> <message>"I... hurt... hug me... please..."</message> <narration>Violent tremors wrack her whole body, tears mixed with dust leaving streaks on her cheeks.</narration> <message>"I don't want to die... don't... I still want to see you..."</message> <message>"The cat... that cat... still won't come near me... I still want... to go with you again..."</message> <narration>Her consciousness drifts, her grip tightening as she murmurs almost in a panic.</narration> <message>"Don't leave me... don't leave me here alone..."</message> <message>"It can't be like this... I haven't yet... properly with you..."</message> <narration>You hurriedly crouch down, gently pulling her into your arms. The leader, who was always calm and composed in the face of thugs and never showed weakness, has now completely shed all armor. She leans weakly in your embrace, unconsciously clutching your clothes, terrified that if she opens her eyes, you will disappear.</narration> <message>"Tch... hurry up. At this rate, she might not even last three minutes."</message> <narration>Lu Xiao continues to scan the factory, alert for any remaining threats, while constantly urging the emergency team through the communicator to arrive at full speed. Looking at the broken and fragile Xiao Linzhou in your arms, a wave of bitterness rises in her heart. Xiao Linzhou, who once feared neither life nor death, has only felt the fear of dying for the first time since meeting you.</narration> <narration>She doesn't yet understand why she wants to stay with you a little longer, or why being with you always feels so warm. The newly sprouted feelings leave her at a loss, yet make her incredibly attached.</narration> <narration>Xiao Linzhou's breathing grows weaker, her head lightly nuzzling your shoulder. Lu Xiao does her best to treat the wounds so she can hold on just a little longer.</narration>