In the courtyard of Sunflower Orphanage, Chen An and Chen Xi sat lazily on the steps, shoulders leaning against each other, basking in the warm afternoon sun.
Off to the side, Qin Shou held the latest model of a fruity-brand smartphone, furiously tapping away at the screen, engrossed in one of the hottest mobile games of the moment.
While playing, he muttered without lifting his head, "Brother An, don't you two get bored just sitting around doing nothing all day?"
Chen An squinted under the sunlight. "Why would we be bored? Don't you think this is… kinda nice?"
Qin Shou grumbled, "Sure, for a day or two maybe. It gives people a false sense of relaxation. But stretch it out, and trust me, you'll go nuts."
"Let me stay here ten days or half a month? No way I'd last."
That comment gave Chen An pause. He shifted his arm and nudged the girl gently at her soft waist.
"Xiao Xi, what do you think?"
The girl bumped him lightly with her forehead in response. She liked this subtle physical closeness with Chen An. It gave her a sense of safety.
"No thoughts," she said softly.
"You don't find it boring?"
Chen Xi shook her head. She never lied in front of Chen An.
Chen An grinned toward Qin Shou. "See? Neither of us feels bored. So clearly, you're the problem."
Qin Shou seemed to hit a critical point in his team fight. His tapping intensified, and even his posture tilted to match the angle of the phone—as if he were playing a motion-control game instead of a touchscreen one.
"Tch. You two weirdos are the only ones who could actually enjoy this," he muttered.
Chen An didn't argue. Instead, he asked, "So how long are you staying this time?"
"'Til the weekend's over. I'm already here, right?"
Qin Shou waved dismissively. "Though my folks aren't thrilled about it. They don't want me staying too long—want me to head back early if I can."
He paused, then, as if suddenly remembering something he just couldn't resist bragging about.
"They're always trying to drag me to those high-society banquets or whatever. I don't even get the point—just a bunch of people pretending they're something."
"Way better just chilling at home and gaming, right?"
He sounded like he was downplaying it, but the smugness in his voice was unmistakable.
It was like hearing the world's richest man say, "Ugh, I hate money."
Truth be told, for someone with Qin Shou's temperament, there weren't many peers who could get along with him. Outside of rich-kid party friends, Chen An might've been the only exception.
Because Chen An didn't care. He lacked the kind of fragile ego common in boys their age.
Turning his head, Chen An gently ran his hand through the girl's silky hair, then gathered a small strand and began braiding it—something they'd done often as children.
Back then, with just one director overseeing the orphanage and so few volunteers visiting this remote place, no one could give all the kids equal attention.
Especially children like Chen Xi, who required far more care and patience than others.
Now that she was older and more independent, things were easier. But when they were little, if Chen An so much as stepped away for a moment, tears would silently stream down her cheeks.
She wouldn't cry out loud, wouldn't throw a tantrum—just sit alone, motionless, while the tears soaked her entire face.
If no one noticed, she could sit like that, crying in silence, for an entire afternoon.
Chen An tied off one braid and began another. Her hair felt like smooth silk in his fingers, impossible not to enjoy.
Casually, he asked, "So if you're not heading back today, what'll you tell your folks?"
Qin Shou looked up, grinning cheekily. "Isn't that what you're here for?"
"What's that got to do with me?"
Chen An raised a brow. Even Chen Xi perked up a little, clearly intrigued.
Qin Shou, still gaming, complained about his teammates for a bit before finally explaining, "You forgot? Back then, the one they really wanted to adopt—was you."
Even now, after all these years, even though his parents had never treated him poorly, the memory still left a subtle pang in Qin Shou's heart.
"The moment I mentioned you were also from the orphanage, they immediately agreed to let me stay another day. Said if they didn't have business commitments, they'd come visit you themselves."
His tone carried a distinct note of sourness.
Chen An paused, then chuckled. "Your parents are lovely people. If they weren't, I wouldn't have mentioned your name that day."
Qin Shou owed his current life to Chen An.
If Chen An hadn't declined their offer to adopt him and casually mentioned Qin Shou's name instead, there'd be no "Young Master Qin" lounging around today.
Qin Shou heard this, curled his lips, and lowered his head to focus on his game again.
Chen An continued braiding Chen Xi's hair.
The afternoon in this small-town orphanage always carried a lazy, drowsy kind of peace.
Suddenly, Qin Shou's angry outburst shattered the quiet.
He slammed his screen and muttered furiously, "Damn it, this guy's the worst—got solo killed and blames the jungler?"
"For crying out loud, I just tapped the red buff!"
The next few minutes were filled with his one-man tirade.
Stuff like "Are you speed-walking in the jungle?" or "Even a chicken could juke better than you if I sprinkled rice on the screen!"
Soon, the verbal barrage escalated into a full-on flame war with his teammates, complete with flying spit and a flushed red face.
Chen Xi couldn't take it anymore. She inched closer to Chen An, butt sliding against the step.
Leaning in, she whispered, "He's so loud…"
Chen An chuckled softly. "He's just defending his parents. What crime has he really committed?"
(TL: You know how when you're playing a game they trash talk you're parents and all they lol.)
—
At the same time, outside the orphanage's boundary wall—
In a dim corner, Zhang A-Si curled his lips into a cruel smile.
Cloaked in shadow, he stood utterly still. Passersby strolled by without even noticing someone was standing right beneath the wall.
Zhang A-Si stepped forward, letting sunlight fall across his figure.
Far from comforting, the warm light made him instantly frown.
He hated bright places.
Only damp, shadowy corners brought him solace. And if those corners came with terrified screams and horrified faces for seasoning… all the better.
He crept toward the entrance of the welfare home, squinting through the gate.
Seeing only a bunch of helpless, ordinary mortals inside, he relaxed completely.
I, Zhang A-Si, always make my moves with utmost precision—foolproof and flawless!
He clenched his fists and licked his lips, a flicker of crimson flashing in his eyes.
Turning around, he gazed down the street.
Come on. Hurry up and come.
Zhang A-Si murmured silently.
Didn't you want to capture me? Didn't you crave my Earth Burrow technique? Come on, then.
Without you as the main course, how am I supposed to start the feast?