Chirp… chirp… chirp…
Morning arrived gently.
Birds sang their favorite melodies as they fluttered across the brightening sky, their wings carrying them freely from branch to branch. Their voices blended into a soft harmony, echoing through the calm air like nature's lullaby awakening the world.
A cool breeze drifted through the land—
Whoooosh…
It carried with it delicate petals and rustling leaves, scattering them across the ground in a quiet dance.
Peaceful.
Warm.
Alive.
Inside the hospital room—
Tianzun lay still on the bed.
Asleep.
Or so it seemed.
The sleep he experienced this morning was deep… unusually deep, like he was sinking into an endless ocean. Yet beneath that calm surface—
Pain lingered.
His body was turned slightly toward the window, his face hidden against the pillow.
Tears…
Slid down silently.
No sobbing.
No sound.
Just quiet grief.
Then—
"Wakey, wakey."
A soft voice broke the silence.
Footsteps followed.
Tap… tap…
She walked closer.
Standing beside the bed, she looked down at him for a moment, observing his still form. Then, without waiting, she turned and made her way toward the window.
Creaaak…
She opened it.
Sunlight poured in instantly, golden rays spilling across the room like warmth itself had entered.
The breeze followed—
Whoooosh…
Curtains fluttered.
The room came alive.
She turned back, walked toward Tianzun, and gently carried him up into a sitting position.
Then—
She pointed toward the sun.
"When you are feeling down… always think about the sun."
Her voice was calm.
Measured.
"There is a saying—joy comes in the morning."
The light reflected in her eyes as she continued.
"In the end… everybody will die."
Her words were blunt.
Unfiltered.
"You have to do what you can… for yourself and your loved ones."
Then—
She smiled.
Bright.
Radiant.
To Tianzun…
It was the brightest smile he had seen.
And strangely—
For someone who had lied to him the first time they met…
Her words carried weight.
Truth.
For reasons he couldn't explain—
He felt at peace again.
A small, fragile peace.
"Oh… that's right," she said, as if remembering something. "I haven't introduced myself."
She placed a hand lightly on her chest.
"My name is Jin Rouyan."
"I am the youngest sister of your father… your aunt."
Then she pointed at him.
"Your turn."
Tianzun looked at her for a moment before responding calmly.
"Jin Tianzun."
"The only child… and son of my parents."
She clapped her hands lightly.
"Good."
But within her mind—
Her thoughts twisted.
Exactly…
If I didn't know who you were, you wouldn't have been targeted.
You would still be with that stupid maid of yours… saving me the trouble.
Her smile didn't falter.
"Alright," she said cheerfully. "Time to get dressed."
"You're getting discharged today."
"Prepare to leave the ward."
Soon after—
Tianzun changed into fresh clothes
Quietly.
Obediently.
And together, they made their way out of the hospital.
At the exit—
He paused.
"There's something…" he said slowly. "Where is Jin—"
He didn't finish the name.
But his intention was clear.
He was asking about the maid.
Jin Rouyan's expression didn't change.
"She's busy," she replied smoothly. "You'll see her later."
A lie.
Simple.
Effortless.
She reached out and held his hand, leading him forward.
"Come."
They entered her car.
Click.
Seatbelts fastened.
The engine roared to life.
Vrrrmmm—!
And soon—
They were on the road.
The journey was long.
Very long.
For Tianzun—
It was something new.
Despite his parents' wealth, he had never gone on such a long road trip before.
His eyes lit up with curiosity as he gazed out the window.
Mountains.
Roads.
Buildings.
Everything passed by like a moving painting.
He watched silently, absorbing every detail.
Time passed.
Hours.
One after another.
Until—
Fatigue caught up to him.
His eyelids grew heavy.
Slowly…
He drifted into sleep.
But what was meant to be a short nap—
Turned into a deep slumber.
When he woke up—
Yaaawn…
He blinked.
Confused.
"We're here," Jin Rouyan said.
"It's already midnight."
His eyes widened slightly.
"I slept that long?"
She smiled.
"Don't be shocked."
"You just experienced a sense of relief after such a big incident."
Her tone was gentle.
"Alright," she continued. "We're here."
"Welcome to my home."
Tianzun stepped out of the car.
This was his first time visiting a relative.
He didn't know how to act.
He felt…
Nervous.
But that feeling quickly faded—
When he saw it.
A long staircase.
Stretching far upward.
His eyes widened slightly
As they began climbing—
Step by step—
His energy drained.
"I'm tired…" he muttered.
Then he turned to her.
"Isn't there an elevator that will take us straight to the house?"
"I'm already sleepy…"
For a brief moment—
Her face distorted.
A twitch.
A hidden expression.
As if she had just been slapped—
Indirectly.
But she quickly composed herself.
After climbing for a while—
Tianzun suddenly pointed ahead.
"Is that it?"
In the distance—
A house stood.
A two-story wooden house painted red with black roof tiles.
Old.
Yet—
Made with expensive materials.
It had an aura of uniqueness.
"Where is this place?" is this your home he asked.
"That's right," she replied.
He looked around.
"What are we doing up here?"
His eyes wandered.
And slowly—
A look of wonder appeared.
"It's… unique."
The scenery was mesmerizing.
Lush green bushes.
Beautifully patterned stones.
Dim road lights casting an unfamiliar glow.
And in the distance—
Shhhhhhh…
The faint sound of a waterfall.
"What's that?" he asked.
She explained everything to him.
His curiosity grew.
"Can I take a tour?"
"No" she immediately replied
But—
"No." Her answer was immediate.
"I'll show you around tomorrow."
Inside—
She smiled.
Satisfied.
Finally… getting back at him.
They reached the house.
Slide—
The door opened.
Immediately—
Voices greeted them.
"Oh! You're back!"
Children rushed forward.
"You're still awake?" she asked.
They smiled brightly.
"Yes, we were waiting for your return, Mother!"
She had five children.
Three boys.
And two girls
Their eyes shifted—
Landing on Tianzun.
"Who is he?"
She pushed him slightly forward.
"Go on. Introduce yourself."
Tianzun stepped forward.
His voice—
Soft.
Shy.
"…Jin Tianzun."
The change shocked her.
So bold earlier…
Why so timid now?
Does her children have more pressure than her?
The children began introducing themselves.
First—
An agile, restless boy stepped forward energetically.
"I am Mo Li!"
"Age five!"
He puffed his chest proudly.
"I'm older than you by three months!"
Then he turned to his aunt.
"Wait… aren't you my father's younger sister?"
"How is he older than me?"
"You're young…"
He sighed dramatically.
"…young people."
Silence.
Then—
Pfft—!
Laughter erupted.
Are you serious for real he's acting like an old man
Even the serious ones couldn't hold it in.
Tianzun blinked.
Confused.
Next—
"I am Mo Hao, the first son. Nice to meet you."
He extended his hand.
Tianzun shook it.
"I am Mo Yun, the second son."
"I am Mo Caili, the third born… and second daughter…"
Her voice was soft.
Shy.
She avoided his gaze.
But Tianzun—
Kept looking at her.
Curious.
It was his first time seeing such a reaction from a girl.
After a moment, he said calmly—
"You are pretty."
Silence.
Then—
Her face turned bright red.
"Ah—!"
She ran upstairs immediately.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
The others stared at him in shock.
Ehehheheii!!! Rang out he doesn't only turn out to be a comedian but a romantister.
Then the last one stepped forward.
"Don't try that with me," she said quickly. "What you did to Mo Caili—"
"Did I say I wanted to?"
The response came instantly.
Pffft—!
The brothers burst into laughter.
Her face stiffened.
She had tried to assert dominance—
But failed completely.
Her pride shattered.
She turned angrily—
And stormed off.
"Short temper… just like me," Jin Rouyan muttered.
Then she turned back.
"Go on—introduce yourself—"
But the girl had already disappeared.
Two reactions.
One embarrassed.
One angry.
They turned back to Tianzun.
"It's not my fault," he said, raising his hands.
The others giggled.
He was… amusing.
Mo Hao placed a hand on his shoulder.
"She's Mo Rongyan. The first child. My twin."
"And those two with glasses? Twins as well."
"Only Mo Li is alone."
Mo Li smiled proudly.
"Alright, kids."
Jin Rouyan interrupted.
"Time for bed."
"Go and sleep."
The children began to leave.
Tianzun followed—
But—
"Wait."
She stopped him.
"We're not done introducing you yet."
She turned to the children.
"Where is your father?"
They told her.
She walked to a door.
Knock. Knock.
The door opened—
And—
A man stood there.
Half-naked.
Wearing only a bathrobe.
His lower body—
Jin Rouyan froze.
Her hand flew to her mouth.
"What are you doing?!"
"There's a child here!"
She quickly turned.
"Tianzun, wait here. I'll be back."
She entered the room.
BANG!
The door shut.
Minutes passed.
Five.
Ten.
Tianzun stood there.
Waiting.
Then—
He moved.
Quietly.
He walked away from the main building.
Toward the distant light he had noticed earlier.
Step by step—
Curiosity guiding him.
Into the unknown.