The spatial bridge snapped into place with a sharp chime.
Lin Mo stepped through the dimensional doorway, his boots touching the clean white linoleum of Jiangcheng First Hospital’s neonatal ward. Behind him walked Su Wan, Sage Shen-Nong, and Fairy Yao Shu.
The air in the ward smelled faintly of antiseptic and baby powder, but beneath it lingered the bitter tang of corrupted heavenly law.
In the center aisle, Dr. Gu Qinghe stood beside twenty glass incubators. His stethoscope hung limp around his neck, and dark circles bruised the skin beneath his eyes. Little Guo’er ran forward the moment she saw Lin Mo, slamming her small arms around his waist.
“Uncle Lin Mo!” Guo’er cried, her little face pressed against his white coat. “Make the machines stop beeping! The babies are crying because their chests feel heavy!”
Lin Mo knelt down, resting a warm hand on Guo’er’s head.
“Don’t worry, Guo’er,” Lin Mo said softly. “Nobody is crying on my watch.”
Dr. Gu walked over, his eyes red from sleepless nights.
