"You don't belong in that body," Mr. Ou said quietly. "And you never did."
Mei's eyes darted between them in disbelief. "You're all insane," she whispered. "You're picking her over me?!"
Yu Holea finally stepped forward, calm and cool. There was a faint smirk on her lips.
"Actually," she said, tilting her head, "I'm just making sure you can't hurt yourself. Or… more accurately, that you can't hurt her body."
Mei froze, her brow creasing. "What?"
Holea reached into her coat pocket and slowly pulled out a folded piece of yellow paper, etched with dark, flowing ink—an old talisman, the kind that shimmered faintly under the light. Power pulsed through it, soft but undeniable.
Mei's eyes went wide. "What is that?"
"A safety seal," Holea said, her smile widening. "Once it's applied… you can scream, cry, and threaten all you want. But you won't be able to move a finger against that body. Not unless Xiaoxiao herself allows it."
Mei's panic spiked. "Don't you dare—"
