The Aurora Project laboratory was not located in the city. It was buried beneath an artificial hill, protected by security layers that appeared on no map.
Lin Mo entered using his new credential as the majority shareholder. Su Qingyue accompanied him.
"This is where the real change begins," she said in a low voice.
Lin Mo nodded. "And where protagonists are usually born."
Clear thought: "Or the most problematic heroines."
The Variable
A woman stood before a holographic table. White lab coat. Hair pulled back. Eyes calm, yet attentive. There was no shyness in her, only control.
"Doctor Han Xue," the director introduced. "Head of the nano-regeneration team."
The system reacted instantly.
Alert: Major Event Heroine Detected Type: Intellectual / Technological Pillar Original Destiny: Alliance with Son of Luck #2 Original Outcome: Joint ascension
Qingyue felt a slight knot in her stomach. "Another one..."
Lin Mo did not respond. He was observing.
"She isn't like the others."
Han Xue looked up and met his gaze directly. "You are Lin Mo," she said. "The new owner of the project."
"One of them," he corrected. "I prefer to talk about results."
She arched an eyebrow slightly. "Then you won't waste my time."
Immediate thought: "Interesting."
First Contact
They walked through the laboratory. Han Xue explained processes with surgical precision. She wasn't trying to impress; she only said what was necessary.
"This project was designed to save lives," she said. "Not for trade wars."
Lin Mo looked at her. "The world doesn't separate the two."
Clear thought: "And you know it."
She stopped. For an instant, she felt something strange. "¿Why do I have the feeling that... I've already discussed this with you?"
Qingyue tensed. "Do you hear her?" she whispered.
Lin Mo shook his head. "No. She doesn't hear thoughts. Not yet."
Hidden thought: "But she does feel the cracks in destiny."
The Warning
In private, Han Xue was blunt. "Before you arrived," she said, "someone else promised me total support."
"Son of Luck #2?" Lin Mo asked.
She looked at him coldly. "A young man very convinced that 'everything would turn out fine'."
Lin Mo nodded. "And it didn't."
Silence. Han Xue looked down for a second. "I don't care who wins," she said. "I only want the project to continue."
Lin Mo thought: "She doesn't want love. She wants stability."
That made her dangerous. And valuable.
The system vibrated.
Warning: This heroine does not respond well to direct manipulation. Recommendation: Real investment, not emotional.
Lin Mo smiled internally. "Perfect."
Decision
"Doctor Han," he said. "You lead the project without interference."
She looked at him, surprised. "Just like that?"
"Just like that."
Final thought: "For now."
Han Xue held his gaze. And, for the first time, she doubted the path she had originally taken. Not because of attraction. Not because of romance. But because of something more dangerous: Trust.
Closing
The system emitted a soft notification.
Major Event Heroine: Status: Unstable Affinity: Undefined Possible Outcome: Total deviation from the original destiny
Su Qingyue looked at Lin Mo. "This one is different."
"Yes," he replied.
Clear thought: "And that's why she's worth it."