"Wynn is an orphan, when she was four years old, her parents both died in a fire. When Wynn returned home from playing outside, the ashes of their house were all that remained. In an instant, her world collapsed, and her life became a sea of sorrow and grief.
She could not fathom what fate awaited her now that her parents were gone. The world felt vast and merciless, and she stood in it utterly alone-without a single relative or familiar soul to shelter her, no hand to guide her, no voice to comfort her.
"Father... Mother... what will I do now? You left me... all alone in this world". Her body trembled as sobs wracked her, tears streaming without end.
Many watched Wynn with pity, their eyes heavy with sorrow, yet not a single person stepped forward to comfort her. Surrounded by a crowd, she stood alone-silent, vulnerable, carrying the weight of her pain in complete isolation.
And the sadness deepened within her as memories of her parents' kindness to everyone in their community flooded her mind. Only now did she realize that no matter how good you are, you can never force others to be kind to you in return.
Just when she believed she was completely alone, a familiar voice cut through the murmur of the crowd-a woman's voice Wynn had heard a thousand times before. It belonged to Aunt Lianxi. Though not related by blood, Wynn had always called her aunt, a quiet testament to the bond that tied them beyond family.
Her thoughts drifted back to a cold, restless night when her father was still alive. Suddenly, the night was shattered by Aunt Lianxi's frantic cries. She had been bitten by a venomous snake deep in the heart of the forest-her only source of livelihood, gathering precious herbs that sustained their village. By cruel chance, she had crossed paths with death itself.
Pain and fear drove her to Wynn's father, the village's sole healer, whose hands held the power to save lives. That night, beneath the flicker of candlelight and whispered prayers, he fought to turn back the poison. It was more than medicine; it was hope-and from that desperate struggle, a lifelong bond was forged between their families, bound by trust and gratitude.
"Aunt Lianxi," Wynn's voice trembled with sorrow, tears welling in her eyes. "My parents... they're gone. I'll never see them again." The weight of her loss filled the silence. "But you're still here. We won't leave you-not now, not ever. My son Jianyu-and I, we're here with you. You still have family. You're not alone."
Morning came, and Wynn slowly awoke, her body trembling from the vivid nightmare. In her dream, she had lost her parents to a devastating fire. Before she could fully process the sorrow of the dream, a painful truth suddenly struck her mind-her parents were truly gone. Overwhelmed by the crushing weight of loss, tears streamed down her face once more.
Suddenly, she felt warm arms wrap around her, pulling her close. Aunt Lianxi's voice was soft and steady as she whispered, "Shh, stop crying. I'm right here with you." As her fingers gently brushed through Wynn's hair, the pain in her chest eased just a little, replaced by the quiet comfort of being held and understood.
"Mom... Wynn, come eat," Jianyu's voice drifted softly from the doorway, carrying a gentle urgency. "I made something for us."
Wynn blinked back the tears, trying to steady her voice. "I'm not very hungry... maybe later."
Jianyu stepped inside, setting the tray down carefully. "No 'maybe later,' Wynn. You've been crying all morning. Let me take care of you, just for a little while."
She looked up at him, and in that moment, he wasn't just the son of Aunt Lianxi-he was the brother she never had. The one who stayed when everything else felt like it was falling apart. "You always worry too much," she whispered.
He gave a small, bittersweet smile. "Someone has to. I can't lose you too."
Her breath caught, and she let herself lean into the comfort he offered, the steady presence in the storm. "Thank you, Jianyu. For being here... I don't know how I would've made it without you."
He brushed a gentle hand over her cheek, wiping away a tear. "You don't have to find out. I'm not going anywhere."
"Anyway, did you hear the news already?" Jianyu asked eagerly, his eyes shining as he spoke to his mother and Wynn. His excitement sparked a flicker of curiosity between them, wondering what he was about to reveal.
"What is it, son? Tell us now," Aunt Lianxi urged, leaning forward with anticipation.
Jianyu's eyes gleamed with excitement as he leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Two hunters recently stumbled upon a hidden cave deep within the forest. It's said to be the resting place of a mysterious immortal-an enigmatic figure who vanished without a trace centuries ago."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in before continuing. "Legends say this immortal left behind ancient techniques-secret methods of cultivation that could grant someone the power to transcend mortality itself. No one knows exactly what these techniques are or how to unlock them, but the cave holds clues... and perhaps, the key to immortality."
The room grew quiet, the air thick with awe and curiosity, as the possibilities danced in their minds.
Wynn's voice trembled as she spoke, a fragile mixture of hope and disbelief weaving through her words. "Are those immortals really real? I've never seen anyone like them... not even once." She swallowed hard, searching their faces as if pleading for reassurance. "But if they do exist... if they truly have that kind of power-could they... could they bring my parents back to life?"
Her eyes shone with a flicker of something desperate-hope battling with the cold shadow of reality. "Maybe there's a way. Maybe those immortals hold the answer to undoing what's been lost."
For a moment, silence hung heavy in the air, each of them caught between wonder and the impossible dream that had just been planted.
"I don't know, Wynn," Aunt Lianxi said softly, her voice laced with caution. "If those immortals truly hold such power, it's beyond anything we can understand. Even if they do, we have no way of knowing how-or what must be done-to become immortal like them. Immortality is not merely strength or skill; it's a path veiled in mystery, filled with trials no ordinary soul could endure."