Kelly stood frozen inside her space.
The metal badge felt cold in her hand.
Yet the jade pendant hanging around her neck remained burning hot.
The system screen hovered before her.
[MAIN QUEST UPDATED]
[SEARCH FOR THE LOST DAUGHTER]
[QUEST PROGRESS: 1%]
[WARNING]
[SOMEONE ELSE IS ALSO SEARCHING]
Kelly stared at the final line.
Someone else.
Who?
The question lingered in her mind long after she left the space.
Back in her room, the children slept peacefully.
Lu Cheng's arm was still draped protectively over his younger brothers.
The sight calmed her slightly.
No matter what secrets the future held, these children came first.
Carefully, Kelly hid the badge inside her space.
Then she lay down.
But sleep refused to come.
Something felt wrong.
As though unseen eyes were watching.
Outside the house, winter wind rustled through the trees.
Everything appeared normal.
Yet Kelly's instincts screamed otherwise.
Eventually, exhaustion pulled her into sleep.
Unknown to her—
a shadow stood on a distant hillside overlooking the village.
The figure's gaze never left the Lu family home.
In one hand was an identical metal badge.
The moonlight reflected off its surface.
The same eagle.
The same wheat.
The same symbol.
"She's alive..."
The shadow's voice was hoarse.
Almost disbelieving.
After a long silence, the figure turned away.
Then disappeared into the darkness.
---
The next morning, Kelly woke early.
The children were already awake.
Or rather—
they were pretending to be asleep.
Kelly immediately noticed.
A smile tugged at her lips.
"Lu Chuan."
The little boy instantly squeezed his eyes shut tighter.
Kelly laughed.
"Are you planning to sleep all day?"
Lu Chuan finally peeked open one eye.
Seeing Kelly smiling, he grinned sheepishly.
The room filled with laughter.
Even Lu Cheng looked less guarded than before.
After breakfast, Kelly prepared the malted milk.
The rich smell immediately attracted the children's attention.
"What is that?" Lu Tuan asked.
"Malted milk."
The boys stared.
They had heard of it.
But never tasted it.
Kelly poured a cup for each child.
Lu Chuan took a cautious sip.
His eyes widened immediately.
"It's sweet!"
The little boy looked as though he had discovered treasure.
Kelly couldn't help laughing.
Soon all three boys were drinking happily.
The warmth in the room felt almost unreal.
Then—
someone knocked on the door.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
The laughter stopped instantly.
Kelly frowned.
Visitors were rare.
Especially this early.
Outside, a familiar voice called out.
"Comrade Kelly."
Kelly's expression darkened immediately.
The reborn female lead.
What did she want now?
The system suddenly appeared.
[WARNING]
[STORY DEVIATION EVENT DETECTED]
[UNEXPECTED VISITOR HAS ARRIVED]
Kelly moved toward the door.
But before opening it, she noticed something strange.
A folded piece of paper had been slipped beneath the door.
Her heartbeat quickened.
Slowly, she picked it up.
There were only six words written on it.
The eagle is watching. Trust no one.
Kelly's pupils contracted.
Because beneath the message—
was the same symbol engraved on the