Chapter 1: Adopted

The sunlight was just right.

A few distinguished guests arrived at the New Sun Welfare Institute, located on the outskirts of the city. A group of children stood watching from a distance.

They stared with wide, innocent eyes at the crowd, yet their gazes held a scrutiny that belied their expressions.

The one standing at the forefront of the well-dressed group was the most distinguished of them all.

The children did their best to appear well-behaved, their faces boldly overflowing with smiles.

Like goods at an auction, they paraded their charms.

In a small storage shed in the most remote corner of the welfare institute, a sliver of light leaked through the crack in the door, happening to illuminate a pair of eyes.

Those eyes, as clear as a mountain stream, were pressed tightly against the crack.

He clung to the door, watching the scene outside.

He had been locked in here by that group of “friends.”

The clamor of voices from outside drilled its way through the crack and into his ears.

He kept watching until the unfamiliar footsteps had completely faded away and the courtyard fell silent once more.

A-Ling, they said you were here. Why are you hiding?

The door was opened, and the glaring light made it impossible to see.

He was led out by the hand by his teacher, his palm slick with a thin layer of sweat.

Teacher, he said, tilting his face up, his voice soft. Who were the people who came today?

The teacher looked at his small face, smudged with dust, and sighed. She patted the dust off his clothes. Some kind-hearted people who came to visit the institute and make some investments.

She watched as Li Fuling’s thick eyelashes lowered, hiding his eyes.

This child was too beautiful, his features as exquisite as a painting, and he had a quiet temperament. He should have been the most likable, but instead… every time an opportunity like this arose, he would be hidden away by the other children working together.

Here, being too outstanding sometimes became a sin in itself.

Just then, outside the institute’s rust-spotted iron gate, a figure who had left and now returned came to a halt.

The man stood against the light, tall and imposing within the deep shadow cast by a plane tree.

He walked up to Li Fuling in a few strides, then, without warning, he crouched down, bringing his line of sight level with the boy’s.

Li Fuling, the man’s voice was low and gentle. A-Ling…

He watched the child’s pupils suddenly contract and offered a faint smile.

Are you willing to come with me?

Li Fuling was stunned.

He looked at the pair of eyes so close to his own. They held none of the pity or appraisal he was used to seeing, only a calm gentleness.

He nodded, almost subconsciously.

Slender, pale fingers shot out, tightly gripping the front of the man’s suit jacket.

The fabric was soft and smooth, creating a glaring contrast with his own rough little hand.

The teacher watched from the side, unable to stop herself from sighing again as she stroked Li Fuling’s soft hair. Mr. Shen, this child… he’s very well-behaved.

Three days later.

Li Fuling stood before a large, intricately carved oak door, his fingertips curling discreetly into the hem of his faded clothes.

Sunlight passed through the glass of the portico, reflecting a blinding glare off the brass doorknob.

He squinted, his vision blurred by the light, but his gaze was involuntarily drawn to the scene inside the door.

The reflection of a crystal chandelier shimmered on the mirror-like marble floor. In the distance, a spiral staircase wound its way upward, like something from a princess’s castle in a storybook.

This was the first time he had ever seen such a large house.

His gaze swept cautiously across the front yard.

The yard was also beautiful and magnificent. In the pond, orange Koi swished their tails leisurely, their scales glinting like flecks of gold in the sun.

The fish were almost half his size.

His heart leaped with joy.

This was the first time he had been adopted. He was going to have a home.

Suddenly, the crisp sound of a stone striking something rang out.

Li Fuling looked up instinctively. Before his eyes could focus, a sharp pain pierced his temple.

A small pebble had grazed past his brow bone.

Warm liquid trickled down his cheek.

He dazedly reached up to touch it, his fingertips coming away stained with a startling red.

By the railing of the second-floor balcony stood a boy in a sailor-collared shirt.

He looked down with a condescending air, his meticulously styled hair glowing softly in the sun, but his eyes were like shards of ice.

Seeing Li Fuling look over, his face darkened.

Li Fuling stared blankly at the figure. Blood seeped into his right eye, casting a pale red haze over everything in his vision.

He was disliked.

He hadn’t even stepped into this home, and he was already unwelcome.

Oh, my little ancestor!

The butler came running over. Seeing the wound on Li Fuling’s forehead, his graying eyebrows knitted together.

He took out a handkerchief and gently pressed it to the wound, then looked up. Young Master, how could you? The Master specially brought A-Ling back. From now on, he’s your younger brother…

Younger brother? the boy on the balcony sneered. Who knows what kind of bastard he is?

The butler shook his head but ultimately said no more.

He bent down and carefully took Li Fuling’s hand. Come, A-Ling, let’s go take care of that wound first.

Li Fuling let himself be led toward the gleaming front door, his steps feeling unsteady.

Waves of pain throbbed from his temple, but he just pressed his lips together, casting one last look back at the second floor.

The figure was still standing there, like a delicate and cold little statue.

As dusk deepened, the crystal chandeliers inside the mansion lit up one by one, bathing the dining room in a warm, bright light.

The long dining table was laden with exquisite home-cooked dishes. The sweet and sour pork ribs glistened with an enticing sheen, and the aroma of steamed fish mingled with the rising steam.

This was a feast Li Fuling had never seen, let alone tasted.

He held the chopsticks, which were a little heavy for him, and ate in small, delicate bites.

Seated at the head of the table, Shen Hai watched the boy’s obedient manner, a look of satisfaction in his eyes.

He put down his chopsticks, his voice gentle. A-Ling, this is your home from now on. There’s no need to be so reserved. Your room is on the second floor. Have the butler take you up after dinner.

He paused, his tone becoming more solemn. Tomorrow, I’ll have someone open the Family Tree Book. From now on, you are a child of my Shen family.

Hearing this, Li Fuling immediately put down his chopsticks and smiled obediently. Thank you, Father.

Madam Yu gently touched the gauze wrapped around Li Fuling’s head and sighed softly. Look, what a well-behaved child. He really tugs at your heartstrings.

Shen Hai smiled and added affectionately, Then I’ll have to trouble you to take good care of him from now on, my dear.

Madam Yu shot her husband a look of playful reproach. As if you needed to tell me.

After the warm dinner, the mansion gradually fell quiet.

The butler carried a tray upstairs and knocked on the young master’s door.

A muffled Get lost! came from within, followed by the harsh clatter of the tray being knocked to the floor. Food scattered everywhere.

Li Fuling was being led to his own room by the butler. His room was diagonally across from the young master’s.

As he passed the tightly shut door, he heard a suppressed, pained cry that was thick with tears.

Madam Yu was inside, coaxing him in a soft, gentle voice.

The door wasn’t fully closed, and he glanced inside instinctively.

The little young master, who had been so arrogant and domineering during the day, was now lying wretchedly on his bed.

But just before the young master seemed to sense something and turned his head to look, Li Fuling had already ducked into his own room across the hall.

The room was spotlessly clean. A new wardrobe and desk stood silently, but what drew him in the most was the large bed by the window.

On it was a soft comforter printed with an endearing teddy bear pattern.

Li Fuling walked to the side of the bed, hesitated for a moment, then threw himself onto it, burying his face deep in the soft bedding.

The fabric carried the unique, clean, and comforting scent of having been dried in the sun.

He couldn’t help but rub his face against it, the corners of his mouth silently curving into a small arc.

He liked it very much.

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