Chapter 0 Part 1: Prologue

In the peak of summer, scorching sunlight pierced through the clouds.

Rows of lush camphor trees cast elongated shadows.

The concrete pavement sizzled under the relentless heat.

A dark gray McLaren parked at the orphanage gate.

It was the third visit this month from the car’s owner, a woman coming to see the children.

This time, she brought her daughter along for the first time.

The orphanage children adored this gentle, kind auntie.

The moment her car stopped, they swarmed toward it.

The boy sitting under the tree’s shade, engrossed in a book, was the sole exception.

He didn’t dislike the beautiful auntie who always brought new clothes and toys.

He simply preferred avoiding the noisy crowd of children.

Savoring a moment of solitude was what he cherished most.

Because of this, adults often labeled him as silent or withdrawn.

As the most obedient child here, Lu You was surprisingly ungregarious.

The kind, elderly dean who passed away three months ago was the only person he considered a friend.

Lu You turned a page in his book.

He continued reading the words with focus.

He didn’t notice the figure quietly approaching from behind.

“This isn’t a book for a kid your age, you know.”

A voice, melodious as a lark, pulled Lu You’s thoughts from the pages.

He looked up at the girl beside him, her face beaming with a smile.

She was strikingly beautiful, about five or six years older than him.

Her waist-length black hair was tied into twin tails.

Her willow-leaf brows framed radiant eyes.

Her fair, delicate skin glowed on a face as refined as a doll’s, untouched by makeup.

Though she seemed too young for high school, she exuded the mature aura of someone long accustomed to authority.

“It’s the only book here I haven’t read.”

Lu You responded calmly.

He couldn’t fully grasp the emotions the author tried to convey.

He saw what the characters did and said but didn’t understand why they acted or spoke that way.

“Would you like to come to my house to read?”

“My family has lots of books, surely some that suit you.”

“Thanks, but…”

“No buts! The dean will definitely agree.”

“My name’s Mo Yuan. What’s yours?”

“I’m Lu You.”

“Lu You, come on, let’s go meet my mom.”

“She’s the Yun Xi auntie who often supports your orphanage.”

“You’ve probably seen her before, right?”

“She and the dean have something important to tell you.”

With that, Mo Yuan grabbed Lu You’s hand without hesitation.

She led him toward the slightly weathered white building in the distance.

At the same time, she plucked the yellowed copy of No Longer Human from his hands.

The children’s moods were tinged with disappointment.

Their favorite Auntie Yun arrived today.

But unlike usual, she didn’t play or chat with them.

Instead, she went straight to the office behind the hall with the dean.

A few mischievous boys pressed their ears against the office’s wooden door.

They tried to eavesdrop on the conversation inside.

“Forgive my bluntness, Ms. Yun.”

“I know how much you’ve supported this orphanage.”

“You’re a benefactor to these children.”

“Your desire to adopt is perfectly reasonable.”

“But why insist on such changes to the adoption agreement?”

“Don’t you think this request is a bit absurd?”

Li He looked awkwardly at the elegant, statuesque woman before her.

Her tone carried a hint of helplessness.

It was Li He’s third month as the orphanage’s dean.

She took over shortly after the previous dean’s passing three months ago.

Nearing her fifties, she had seen all sorts of people in her decades of experience.

She thought herself unflappable, no matter who she met.

Yet, seeing the woman before her, she couldn’t help but marvel at time’s favoritism.

This woman embodied every trait deemed beautiful.

A fair, delicate oval face.

Full, rosy lips.

Deep, clear eyes.

A tall, slender figure with graceful curves.

She looked less like a mother in her thirties and more like a fresh university graduate.

Li He knew this woman was far more than just beautiful.

She was the chairman of a renowned multinational pharmaceutical company.

A true powerhouse.

Also, a well-known philanthropist in the city.

Every orphanage in the city had benefited from her support.

She even made time in her busy schedule to personally visit the children.

“Such a request may seem unreasonable.”

“But it’s something my daughter asked for.”

“She’s a sensible, well-behaved child.”

“She’s never asked me for anything before.”

“This is the first request she’s made of me in years.”

“As a parent, I’m sure you can understand my feelings.”

“And I know your capabilities, Ms. Li He.”

“This shouldn’t be too difficult for you, right?”

Li He sighed.

She couldn’t fathom why such a mature, rational woman would agree to her child’s odd request.

Though reluctant, she couldn’t afford to offend someone of this stature.

“Fine. If you insist, I’ll do my best to handle it.”

“I’ll try to resolve it as quickly as possible.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re a smart and understanding person.”

“I trust you won’t disappoint me.”

“Can I go see the child now?”

“Please, go ahead.”

As Yun Xi stepped out of the office, she saw her daughter approaching.

Mo Yuan was smiling, pulling a boy by the hand.

Yun Xi’s face softened into a warm, gentle smile.

“Mom, did the dean agree?”

“She did, Xiao Yuan.”

“The paperwork should be completed soon.”

“And this boy beside you is…?”

Yun Xi glanced at the thin, somber boy next to her daughter.

“Hello, Auntie Yun.”

Noticing Yun Xi’s gaze, Lu You greeted her politely.

All the orphanage children liked this motherly, gentle woman.

Lu You was no exception.

He just never joined the others in eagerly seeking her attention.

“Hello, little one.”

“You’re Lu You, right?”

“I’m a friend of your dean, and I’d like to adopt you.”

“Would you like to come home with me?”

Yun Xi’s sudden words caught Lu You off guard.

He looked up at Mo Yuan, who stood half a head taller than him.

‘Was this what she meant earlier?’

‘Me? Why me?’

This was the first time anyone had offered to adopt Lu You.

He was the gloomiest, most introverted child here.

He never knew how to win adults’ favor.

No one had ever wanted to adopt him before.

Yun Xi’s words left him stunned.

He had never felt genuine kindness from anyone besides his father and the old dean.

Overwhelmed, he neither agreed nor refused.

Mo Yuan noticed Lu You’s other hand tightly clutching his clean white T-shirt.

She frowned slightly.

Then, stepping in front of him, she gently pressed his head to her chest.

“It’s okay, Lu You.”

“Don’t be afraid.”

“We mean no harm.”

“We want to become your real family.”

“Come with us.”

“Let us show you the gentle side of this world, okay?”

As she spoke, Mo Yuan gently stroked the boy’s short black hair.

Her eyes brimmed with sincerity and affection.

The boy in her arms didn’t respond.

But she believed her words had touched his heart.

“You’re a good kid.”

“You deserve a better life, a better future.”

“If you agree, we’ll take you away from here.”

“I’ll always be with you, supporting you, helping you.”

In his seven years of life, Lu You had never heard such words.

Neither his father nor the old dean had ever made such promises.

These words were like a powerful hand.

They forcefully pulled him from years of lonely darkness toward the light.

He didn’t know why this girl, whom he’d just met, made such a promise.

But in her words, Lu You sensed no trace of deceit or greed.

She was just a few years older than him.

Yet she carried herself with such maturity, such confidence.

She spoke her promise with unhesitating sincerity.

She was like a dazzling beam of light.

He couldn’t help but want to reach out and grasp it.

He gave a slight nod.

Before he could say “okay,” that light surged into his life.

The girl hugged him tightly.

“I saw you nod.”

“You’ve agreed, so no take-backs, okay?”

“Okay!”

This time, Lu You gave a clear, firm answer.

Mo Yuan was overjoyed.

She had never felt such happiness.

This overwhelming joy of regaining something lost was new to her.

She gripped Lu You’s hand even tighter.

‘This time, I won’t let go.’

“From now on, I’m your big sister.”

“You can call me Sister Yuan.”

“Okay, Sister Yuan.”

“And me? What should you call me?”

Yun Xi, who had been quietly watching, chimed in.

“Mom…”

Lu You hesitated.

This woman would likely be his adoptive mother.

Calling her “Mom” made sense.

But he stumbled, unable to say the word smoothly.

Seeing Lu You’s shy, clumsy demeanor, Yun Xi’s smile grew warmer.

She crouched down and gently patted his head.

“It’s okay, Xiao You.”

“No need to force yourself.”

“You can call me Auntie Yun.”

“In some ways, you don’t have to call me Mom.”

Lu You felt a twinge of strangeness.

‘Don’t people who adopt kids usually want to be called Mom?’

‘Why does Auntie Yun seem unbothered by the title?’

‘And what did she mean by that last part?’

He didn’t voice his questions.

He simply let her soft, jade-like hand lead him out of the orphanage gate.