Morning light, like crushed gold, streamed through the clean windows of Unit 4, Area A, washing over Jingyi's pale face. A sharp, cramping pain pierced her dream without warning, yanking her viciously awake. She instantly curled into a ball, like a wounded shrimp. "Ngh..." A muffled groan slipped through her clenched teeth, and a fine cold sweat broke out on her forehead, dampening the dark strands of hair at her temples. Her consciousness struggled to the surface through the severe pain, and she immediately understood that the familiar, monthly torture had arrived on schedule. This pain was noticeably worse than in previous months, feeling as though cold hooks were churning inside her abdomen, reminding her of the darkest moments from her younger days when she had almost passed out. Fortunately, it was still bearable.
She forced herself to sit up, resting her back heavily against the headboard, and pressed both hands hard against her lower abdomen, as if she could push the rebellious organ back into place this way. Her brows were tightly furrowed, and the damp hair clinging to her cheeks outlined the tense line of her jaw. A fierce sense of responsibility and a stubbornness rooted deep in her bones churned within her—she could not fall; the children at the school were waiting, and the restoration progress in the archives could not be delayed. Taking a deep breath, she moved out of bed with slow yet exceptionally resolute movements, changing into her cherished Fontaine acade…
Chapter 121