wavenovel Chapter 35 The Only Ray of Light
Chapter 35 The Only Ray of Light
For He Yuran as a child, she was bound from birth.
In her memory, she lived in a room with white as the main color—or rather, an observation room.
There, all sorts of toys, books, and a projector that couldn't connect to the internet made up her entire world.
Alone.
This is her understanding of "this world".
Diet was strictly controlled, and students received one-on-one tutoring from teachers. Regular experiments and physical examinations—though troublesome—were not scary; they were painless and comfortable.
Those who come into contact with her will try their best to meet all her reasonable requests except for "leaving".
Even as a child, He Yuran understood that she seemed to be some kind of special experimental subject.
Those people called "uncles and aunts" always wore smiles devoid of warmth. They could give her anything, but they couldn't give her anything called "authenticity."
She was like an offering placed in a shrine, exquisite and precious.
Until he appeared.
The boy, who was about her age, entered her world without warning.
"I'm sorry, Xiaoran, I'm late today."
The boy handed the flowers in his hand to her.
"You said yesterday you wanted to see what flowers look like, so I brought one for you to see today!"
"Wow—thank you, A-Xin!"
It was as if the entire pure white world had been tinged with color. He Yuran practically pounced on him, hugging the boy tightly. "It's okay if it's a little late, I'm so happy that Axin could come!"
When did Shen Zixin appear? Eight years old? Nine years old? Or even earlier? Even she herself can't remember.
However, He Yuran was absolutely certain that this was also part of the adults' arrangement. Perhaps they had finally realized her loneliness, so they found her a playmate of the same age.
Shen Zixin could freely enter and leave this white cage, thus bringing her the atmosphere of the outside world.
He Yuran stared at the flower in her hand. White petals and yellow stamens—in her limited knowledge, flowers were all "red blossoms," and this was the first time she had ever seen a flower of this color.
"What kind of flower is this?" she asked curiously.
"I think this flower is called a daffodil." Shen Zixin scratched her head, a hint of apology on her face. "I'm sorry, Xiaoran, this is all I have where I live... I couldn't find a prettier flower."
Actually, He Yuran wanted to see flowers, but it was just a casual remark made during a conversation between the two children earlier.
However, he remembered it well.
There really is someone in this world who would remember her unintentional words.
Thinking of this, He Yuran took Shen Zixin's hand—
"Then, Axin," she looked up, meeting the boy's clear eyes, and asked the question that had been on her mind, "Will you always stay with me?"
"Of course!"
The boy answered without the slightest hesitation.
--forever.
A child's vow may not be so serious. But for He Yuran at that time, it was the cornerstone that supported her entire world.
Day after day, the life of the "experimental subject" continued. However, in that pure white space, thanks to the light named "Shen Zixin," it no longer seemed so unbearable.
However, all seemingly eternal daily routines eventually come to an end.
One day when He Yuran was 13 years old, she could never forget it.
The collapse of the laboratory, the destruction of the surrounding world—
A massive catastrophe, later known as the "Unexpected Natural Disaster," struck Gwangyang City. On that day, the entire city was transformed into a living hell.
Her laboratory, naturally, was not spared either.
The room collapsed, and rubble rained down. She was struck by a huge block of concrete, her body pinned beneath the ruins.
The surroundings were filled with piercing screams, desperate cries, and even... a grotesque, twisted laugh.
My body feels so heavy, and it hurts so much...
she cried.
Faced with the fear of death and the helplessness of disaster, what can a thirteen-year-old child do besides cry?
Ah Xin... how are you now?
You... must be safe and sound...
We promised to be together forever... but now, it seems like I'm going to break my promise.
Resentment and pain filled my heart.
Besides praying for A-Xin's safety, the girl also harbored a sliver of hope—
If A-Xin were here... please save me...
She doesn't want to die.
She wanted to stay with Axin and see this colorful world.
As the crying subsided, He Yuran felt her consciousness drifting further away. Just as the darkness was about to engulf her, a blurry figure appeared before her.
"...Ah...Xin?"
With her last ounce of strength, she uttered that name. Then, she was plunged into darkness.
She didn't know how much time had passed, but when she woke up again, she felt herself being supported by a warm but slightly thin back.
Through the turbulent winds, she saw the outside world for the first time. However, what she saw was not the beautiful world she had expected, but a city ruined beyond repair, like a painting of hell.
In the distance, countless strange rainbow lights tore through the dark sky. She later learned that it was a magical girl from afar, engaged in a fierce battle with a horde of calamity beasts that had descended upon this world.
"Ah Xin...? Are you... hiding behind my back?" He Yuran asked weakly.
"Ah... Xiaoran, you're awake?" Shen Zixin's voice came through, clearly panting and exhausted. "That's great... There's a makeshift aid station nearby, let's go there now."
Carrying a girl her own age on her back as she traversed this rugged wasteland was clearly a tremendous burden for Shen Zixin.
"...Ah Xin, put me down, I'll walk by myself." He Yuran sensed that Shen Zixin wasn't in good condition either and didn't want to be a burden to him.
"Don't talk nonsense," Shen Zixin's voice was firm. She had never seen the boy speak in such a tone before. "You're covered in blood right now, you can't walk at all."
"I……"
Am I really that bad looking...? My right leg is really, really painful... and it might even be broken.
"Xiao Ran," Shen Zixin interrupted her, "do you still remember our promise to be together forever?"
"Hmm..." the girl responded softly.
How could I forget?
"Therefore, I can never abandon you. No matter what danger we encounter in the future, I will protect you."
These words illuminated the depths of He Yuran's soul. At the same time, they made Shen Zixin an irreplaceable "beam of light" in her heart.
A thirteen-year-old boy, carrying a thirteen-year-old girl on his back, struggles step by step forward through the ruins.
He was carrying not only her body, but also her future.
That promise became an inextinguishable beacon in her life, and also the source of all her subsequent obsessions.
When Shen Zixin finally arrived at the rescue station carrying He Yuran on his back, he was finally able to rest.
The scene was incredibly chaotic, but the adults—the rescue workers—found a chair for them to rest for a while before taking them to the doctor for treatment.
When He Yuran got off his back and sat down in the chair, she saw Shen Zixin's hand and was stunned.
Those hands, which were originally just those of an ordinary boy, were now covered with wounds of varying sizes and depths, a scene of utter devastation.
He Yuran had been carried on her back the whole time, so she didn't notice that Shen Zixin's hands were in this state.
"Ah Xin... your hand..." Her voice trembled.
"Oh, this?" Shen Zixin smiled nonchalantly. "You were trapped under those bricks and rubble. I was in such a hurry and didn't have any tools with me, so I had to dig you out by hand."
Dig it out with your hands?
He Yuran was stunned.
To save me... he...
Pain, fear, and an overwhelming surge of emotion made her unable to control her feelings any longer—
He Yuran hugged the boy in front of her tightly and cried loudly.
"Alright, alright... Xiaoran, don't cry." Shen Zixin gently stroked her head. "We... we survived."
Yes, both of them survived the disaster.
However, fate played another cruel joke.
For some time after that, He Yuran and Shen Zixin lost contact.
The only light in her life disappeared from her world.