Transmigration; A Mother's Redemption and a perfect Wife.-Chapter 333; Momma, what’s that?

Headmaster Lin gestured briskly toward the broad table in the center, already laid out with neatly stacked files, digital tablets, and a biometric scanner, "Everything you requested for, Secretary Li is here. The student registration, background clearance, and authorization for special protection protocols."

Secretary Li nodded curtly taking a seat.

Tang Fei took a seat beside Huo Ting Cheng. Twilight stood behind her, silent, alert, her sharp eyes noting every surveillance point and exit route.

Huo Ting Cheng placed Minghao gently on the chair next to him. The surroundings weren’t new to her, she had been studying here, and she was just coming back after failing to do well in the military academy.

Secretary Li was already moving through the files with mechanical precision. His fingers barely made a sound as he flipped through data sheets and confirmed biometric readings.

"Fingerprint scan here," he said without looking up, "and the parental signatures on the digital pad."

Tang Fei complied, pressing her thumb to the scanner and a soft beep echoed. The holographic screen lit up, displaying Minghao’s student ID in glowing gold text. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Twilight leaned down to assist Qin Xinyu, who fumbled awkwardly with his documents.

Within minutes, it was all done, efficient, seamless, and uncomfortably quiet.

When the last form was signed, Tang Fei exhaled softly and leaned back in her chair. Her mind was elsewhere, that flicker in the smoke, the image of her daughter that wasn’t her daughter. It kept replaying, tugging at the edges of her composure.

She rose slowly, brushing her palms together.

"Excuse me for a moment," she excused herself, her tone polite but distant, "I need to use the washroom."

Immediately, Huo Ting Cheng’s gaze lifted from the files. His voice was low, calm, and steady, "Do you need Huo Wu or Zhen to escort you?"

Tang Fei’s lips curved faintly, though the smile never reached her eyes, "No need. Twilight will come with me."

He studied her for a second longer, gaze unreadable, before giving a slight nod and turning back to the documents.

Secretary Li remained focused on his tablet, while Headmaster Lin gestured absently toward the hallway.

"Third door on the right, Madam Tang."

Tang Fei inclined her head in thanks and stood, signaling Twilight to follow. The door slid open with a soft hiss, and the two women stepped into the corridor.

The soundproof seal closed behind them, shutting out the low hum of machinery and quiet voices inside.

The hallway was long and cold lined with white walls, black marble floors, and the faint buzz of fluorescent lights overhead. Their reflections followed them on the polished surface as they walked in silence.

Twilight’s hand hovered near her hip, her tone worried but sharp, "Momma... you’re not feeling well. You look pale."

Tang Fei gave a faint smile, though her eyes didn’t match it,

"I’m fine," she murmured. "Just... slightly uneasy. I don’t know why. My heart feels restless."

Twilight said nothing, but her brows furrowed slightly. She had seen her mother walk through storms, wars, and blood without flinching. But this stillness, this tension, was different. It wasn’t fear of danger. It was the unease that came when something unseen brushed too close.

They reached the washroom door, glossy black with the Phoenix Academy emblem etched into it. Tang Fei pushed it open. The door released a soft sigh as it swung inward.

Inside, the lights were bright, too bright. Everything gleamed: the marble counters, the silver faucets, the spotless mirrors stretching from wall to wall. The faint scent of citrus disinfectant filled the air.

Tang Fei walked toward the sink, her heels clicking softly on the tiles.

"Wait for me by the door," she said. "I’ll be really quick."

Twilight nodded and stepped aside. Her eyes swept the room automatically, stalls empty, vents clean, no signs of movement. Satisfied, she leaned casually near the doorframe, though her body remained alert.

Tang Fei turned on the faucet and water rushed out in a smooth stream, loud in the silence. She washed her hands slowly, eyes lifting to meet her reflection.

Then her heart stopped, missing a heartbeat.

Something was wrong. Utterly wrong...

The world around her dimmed as the hum of the lights softened, and the sound of the water faded.

Her reflection wasn’t moving.

Tang Fei froze. Her own image stood perfectly still in the mirror, with the same face, same eyes, but lifeless, empty, and staring right at her.

"Twilight," Tang Fei whispered, voice tight.

The younger woman turned instantly, "What is it, Momma?"

Tang Fei couldn’t speak. She simply lifted a trembling hand and pointed at the mirror.

Twilight stepped forward, and the lights flickered.

A faint sound broke through the silence and it was a baby’s cry.

It was so soft, distant, almost muffled, as if it came from somewhere deep beneath the floor. Yet it sent a chill down both their spines.

Twilight straightened, hand brushing the blade hidden beneath her sleeve, "That sound... where is it coming from?"

Tang Fei’s pulse spiked. Her eyes locked on the mirror.

The reflection moved, but not the way she did. It tilted its head in the opposite direction, eyes hollow and unblinking.

At first, faint shadows began to ripple across the mirror’s surface, spreading like ink in water. Slowly, the shapes took form, tiny hands pressed against glass, rows of white cribs lined in perfect symmetry, and the soft glow of a hospital ward she had never seen before.

Then, from the far end of that blurred vision, a tall figure stepped into view, it was a broad-shouldered and dark-suited man.

Huo Ting Cheng.

He stood in the reflection, half-hidden by static light, his hands red and wet. He was holding something small and limp. His expression was unreadable, his face half in shadow.

Tang Fei stumbled back, her breath catching, "No..." she whispered trying to calm down.

" Momma, what is that?" Twilight’s voice was steady, but her body was coiled tight, ready to pull Tang Fei away if needed.