บท 13: Fated Friends

Lin hurried towards Mia, clutching her close, desperately calling her name to no avail. His heart pounding, he checked her pulse, his shock palpable.

Hastily, he dialed his grandfather's number, "Grandpa, Mia's affected by the cold toxin. She vomited blood and lost consciousness. What can I do to help her?"

Lin's grandfather Bo Yang, anxious upon hearing about Mia, cautioned Lin against the hospital, advising, "No matter what don't take her to hospital. Take her home. I'll bring aid. Hurry, but be cautious!"

Placing his cell phone away, Lin gently lifted Mia, carrying her to his car. Shock and concern rippled through the entire office as the staff witnessed Mia's state. Driving towards Mia's home, Lin's mind was consumed with worry.

"Mia, please hold on a little longer. I'll ensure nothing harms you. Few people in this would've been kind to me, and I can't bear to lose them," Lin said, his eyes teary, glancing at unconscious Mia seated beside him. Checking her pulse every minute while driving, he hoped for signs of life.

As Lin carried her into the house, Mia's siblings rushed towards them.

"Sister," Cheng called out.

"What happened to my sister?" Liana asked, tears streaming down their faces.

As they stepped into the living room, Bo Yang, accompanied by the elderly Wen couple, awaited them.

"Take her to her room," Bo Yang instructed Lin, while Grandma Wen stepped forward, saying, "Allow me to guide you."

Following Grandma Wen, Lin escorted Mia to her room. Grandpa Wen arrived and gently held Mia's hand, checking her pulse. His closed eyes caused tension to grip the room, but when he reopened them, a deep sigh escaped him.

"My dear Mia, always neglecting yourself. Look at what has happened now," Grandpa Wen lamented, his concern evident.

"How can we cure her?" Lin inquired impatiently, seeking answers.

Grandpa Wen smiled and cryptically remarked, "Fate brought you back together."

Perplexed, Lin raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"I'll explain in due time. For now, help me transport her to the island," Grandpa Wen said with a serene smile, creating a portal. Lin, without hesitation, carried Mia through the portal as instructed.

The twins hurried towards the portal but found themselves gently repelled by its magic.

"You both stay here with Grandma Wen. Your sister will recover soon," Grandpa Wen reassured them before stepping into the portal, which vanished promptly.

Feeling downhearted, the twins were comforted by Grandma Wen's. "Don't be sad. Your sister wouldn't want to see you like this. Come, cheer up and wait for her return," she encouraged them warmly.

Embracing her, the twins found solace in Grandma Wen's comforting presence as they awaited their sister's return.

Lin and Mia emerged on the other side of the portal, joined by Grandpa Wen, finding themselves facing a majestic healing tree.

"Bring her close to the tree and sit beneath its branches," Grandpa Wen instructed Lin, who carefully settled unconscious Mia against the tree's trunk, supporting her back.

Grandpa Wen joined them, taking a seat nearby. "Sitting here will alleviate her pain temporarily. However, she's both physically and emotionally weakened by an insidious dark magic. The cold toxin is manageable, but the underlying malevolent force is the root cause of her condition. This darkness continually tries to overpower her, attacking her strength. When the cold toxin entered her, the malevolent force absorbed it. Her complete recovery hinges on ridding her of this darkness. Only one thing can help her: the golden blood drop," he explained to Lin.

Lin inquired, "What exactly is the golden blood drop?"

Grandpa Wen smiled knowingly. "That's why I brought both of you here. Mia possesses the golden blood, and her blood possesses miraculous qualities. Other than her, there's no one else in the world with this golden blood except you."

Shocked, Lin exclaimed, "You mean my blood can perform miracles like hers? I should hurry and give her my blood."

Reacting impulsively, Lin reached for a magical knife. Old Wen swiftly grasped Lin's hand with seriousness etched on his features.

"Son, think this through carefully," Old Wen urged, his gaze unwavering.

Looking at Mia, Lin was resolute. "She must stay alive."

Relaxing his grip, Grandpa Wen allowed Lin to make a small cut on his palm, gathering a few drops of blood to administer into Mia's mouth for her healing.

Amused, the old man chuckled, "You're quite impulsive. You gave her your blood, but she hadn't consumed it."

Realizing his mistake, Lin glanced at Mia.

Grandpa Wen performed a magical act above Mia's face, causing her to swallow the blood. Rising from the ground, he assured Lin, "She'll awaken soon. Stay by her side until she recovers, and tend to your wound; that blood is precious."

Lin called out to him, "Mr. Wen, please wait. Earlier, you mentioned something about our fate."

He turned back, casting a glance at Lin. "Call me Grandpa Wen, as Mia does. As for what you seek to know, I regret I cannot disclose it presently. Mia will reveal it herself someday. However, remember this: both of you are destined to protect each other. Please take care of my dear Mia."

Grandpa Wen gazed sadly at the unconscious Mia, his features reflecting deep sorrow. "She is rumored to possess great power, yet some label her as cursed. In public, she maintains a facade of strength, refusing to display her vulnerability or pain. She selflessly safeguards others, often neglecting her well-being. But in truth, she is remarkably sensitive and fragile."

Turning to Lin with a gentle smile, he continued, "Now that you are her friend, you have to protect and care for her. Should she fall ill or get hurt in the future, bring her here. You can also use herbs for her treatment. She never had any friends in her life. For the most part, she has been alone, lacking someone to watch over her. Always be there for her. I am old and can no longer shield her."

With a serene smile, Old Wen concluded his words and departed.

Lin regarded Mia's face tenderly. "Indeed, it seems we are fated to be friends.'"