Seele Waiting for a Hug

Seele gently rested her forehead against Lin Hai's shoulder and wrapped her arms around him.

The tension that had gripped her for so long eased slightly at that moment, revealing a rare glimpse of vulnerability.

She was exhausted. The responsibility of protecting the Underworld weighed on her like heavy shackles, leaving her barely able to breathe.

Only here did Seele dare cast off every pretense of strength and become a young woman who could feel lost and weary, too.

Lin Hai could feel her trembling faintly. He asked no questions, simply holding her in his steady arms and offering her a quiet, dependable refuge.

"Don't think about it so much," he comforted her in a low voice. "Some burdens don't have to be carried alone."

"But I can't help thinking about it..." Seele's voice was muffled. "I watch the food in storage dwindle day by day, and I hear the children crying out in hunger... I'm afraid, Lin Hai. I'm afraid the people of the Underworld really will end up..."

She didn't continue, but that outcome was too cruel, hanging over everyone's hearts like an endless winter.

Based on current trends, the Underworld's future was indeed bleak enough to inspire despair.

"Don't be afraid." Lin Hai's voice was firm as he gently patted Seele's back. "I may not be able to promise a perfect future or change every hardship, but I can promise you this: as long as I'm here, as long as I have the means, the Underworld will never fall into a great famine!"

The simple yet utterly steadfast promise struck the softest place in Seele's heart.

The tears she had held back finally broke through, slipping silently down her cheeks like pearls from a broken string.

They were not tears of sorrow, but of immense, indescribable gratitude and comfort.

Lin Hai said no more. He simply gave her shoulder a thoughtful pat and changed the subject at the right moment. "These medicines need to be sent back as soon as possible. Everyone's still waiting for them."

Seele nodded, wiped her eyes vigorously, and pulled herself together.

She gripped the Lucky Star, its faint light shimmering, and vanished from the room in an instant.

The next moment, Lin Hai also appeared in the Underworld, carrying several large bags of medicine.

Air tinged with the scents of rust and dust greeted him.

It was somewhat stuffy.

Seele suddenly remembered something. "Oleg... our leader in Wildfire, heard about some of the things you've done. He very much wants to thank you in person and have a talk with you."

Lin Hai considered it for a moment.

Meeting the leader of a faction was no small matter, but he could hear the trust and anticipation in Seele's tone.

"All right." He nodded. "I'll meet him."

Seele led Lin Hai through the Underworld's alleys.

The air here was filled with mixed scents, and dim lights cast flickering patches across the uneven, potholed roads.

They passed piles of discarded machine parts and crossed two bustling market streets, finally arriving at a relatively quiet residential area.

Oleg's residence and office were in one of its unremarkable iron-gray buildings.

The door was plain and blended into its surroundings. The only difference was the two alert-looking Wildfire members standing quietly on guard outside.

They gave Seele a slight nod in greeting and stepped aside to let them through.

The room was furnished with the utmost simplicity, with barely a single unnecessary object in sight.

Metal tables and chairs, a workbench covered by a map of the old town, and several communication devices with faintly blinking signal lights were all it contained.

Oleg was standing in front of the map. Hearing their footsteps, he turned around.

His gaze immediately fell on Lin Hai.

It was the intensely appraising gaze of a man who had seen many battles.

Seele stepped forward and gave a brief introduction. "Boss, this is Lin Hai."

She turned to Lin Hai. "This is Oleg, the leader of Wildfire."

The two men sized each other up.

Oleg was tall and straight-backed. Though plainly dressed, he carried an unquestionable air of authority.

Lin Hai appeared more reserved, but his gaze was calm, and he did not shrink in the slightest under the other man's scrutiny.

"Pleased to meet you." Oleg was the first to extend his broad hand.

"I've heard much about you." Lin Hai reached out and shook it.

Their handshake was brief and firm.

Without unnecessary pleasantries, Oleg got straight to the point. He motioned for Lin Hai to sit while he leaned against the workbench.

"Seele has given me a brief account, but I'd still like to ask you myself: why did you choose to come to the Underworld? Are you looking for a transaction, or... a more lasting partnership?"

His question was direct and sharp, his gaze piercing.

Lin Hai met his gaze and answered just as clearly. "A long-term partnership. I hope to do what I can to support change in the Underworld."

There was no obvious shift in emotion on Oleg's rugged face, but his slightly softer tone betrayed a hint of approval.

"Wildfire welcomes sincere friends. We have the utmost sincerity ourselves, and we remember every act of kindness in our time of need."

He paused, then added, "As a welcoming gift, we've prepared some gold for you. It isn't much, but it's a token of our goodwill."

Lin Hai shook his head slightly and gestured to the bags beside him. "Thank you for the gesture. What I've brought is something you urgently need right now."

With that, he opened one of the bags he had brought along.

When the medicine inside was revealed, even someone as steady as Oleg began breathing heavily.

He stood and crossed to the table in a single stride, brushing his fingers over the neatly arranged medicines.

Well-sealed anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers, fever reducers...

In the Underworld, where medical care and medicine were scarce, every one of them was a priceless treasure that could save lives!

Oleg picked up a box of medicine, examined it carefully, then slowly put it down.

When he looked up at Lin Hai again, the scrutiny in his eyes had been replaced by gratitude and respect.

"...These... are too precious." His voice was low. "On behalf of the people of the Underworld, I offer you my sincerest thanks. Wildfire will never forget this kindness!"

Lin Hai could feel the weight behind his words. "I only did what I thought was right. Like you, I sincerely hope the Underworld can have a better future."

Oleg took a deep breath. "With a start like this, and friends like you... change will surely come to the Underworld!"

The meeting between the two men was simple and highly efficient.

Both sides had set the terms.

Long-term cooperation.

Mutual benefit.

Lin Hai and Seele left the room together and stepped into the street outside.

Seele was very happy and felt relatively relaxed.

She had been quite worried about Lin Hai and Oleg's first meeting.

This was a beginning.

If even the beginning went badly, what followed would be even harder to predict.

Fortunately, the meeting had gone very well. Seele took a few steps forward, then raised her arms of her own accord, waiting for Lin Hai to hug her.