The sun was already climbing toward its peak when Gu Junyi found himself walking down a dirt path with an unfamiliar man—his adopted father, Gu Yi. The man was thin and worn, his clothes patched in too many places to count, but there was a quiet dignity to his posture even as his head remained bowed.
As they entered the village, Gu Junyi quickly became aware of the stares. Whispers trailed after them like an invisible cloud, thick with mockery and disdain.
"That's him, isn't it? The brat the beast family picked up?"
"Hmph, a cursed child for a cursed family."
"Look at Gu Yi, still holding his head down. He should've let the brat die in the river instead of bringing trouble to their doorstep."
Gu Junyi glanced at the side of Gu Yi's face. The man said nothing, his weathered features tight with discomfort as he gripped the woven basket slung over his shoulder. Instead of replying to the insults or glares, Gu Yi simply walked faster, as though shortening the time spent under scrutiny would ease the burden.
This man… he's endured this for how long?
Gu Junyi felt something stir in his chest—a strange sense of protectiveness for this man and the family he belonged to now. Back in his old life, no one had cared for him, nor had he cared for anyone. Yet here was a man who had saved a dying child and, despite facing ridicule, brought him home.
"Father," Gu Junyi called softly.
Gu Yi's steps faltered. Slowly, he turned to look at Gu Junyi, his eyes widening with surprise.
"What is it?" His voice was hoarse but gentle.
"Nothing." Gu Junyi smiled faintly. "Let's go home."
Gu Yi blinked, a flicker of emotion passing through his tired eyes. He nodded quickly, adjusting the basket. For the first time since they entered the village, his shoulders seemed just a little straighter.
When they finally reached the outskirts of the village, Gu Junyi saw the house—a small, thatched structure barely holding itself together. The roof sagged in places, and the walls, made of mud and wood, looked as though a strong gust of wind might knock them down.
Yet, as they stepped inside, warmth embraced him. It wasn't physical warmth—the interior was dim and cool—but something intangible that tugged at his heart.
"Ah, you're back," a gentle voice called.
A woman appeared from a corner of the room, her graying hair tied neatly into a bun. Despite the lines on her face, her eyes were soft and kind. This was Mi Hua, Gu Junyi's adopted mother.
"Mother," Gu Junyi said, testing the word on his tongue. It felt foreign, yet oddly soothing.
Mi Hua froze for a moment, her eyes widening. Then, her expression softened even further, and she wiped her hands on her apron.
"Ah, good boy, you're finally calling me that!" Her voice trembled slightly, as though the words were a balm to an old wound. "Come, sit. You must be tired."
Gu Yi set the basket down, and Mi Hua busied herself preparing a meal with what little they had. As Gu Junyi sat on the rough wooden bench, his gaze drifted to the rest of the family.
First, there was Gu Jian, the eldest brother, a man in his late twenties. He was broad-shouldered and strong, though his hands were calloused and his expression stoic. Sitting beside him was his wife, Lianhua, who had a sharp tongue but soft eyes. Their twin children, a boy and a girl no older than five, peeked out shyly from behind their mother's skirt, staring at Gu Junyi with curiosity.
Then there was Gu Nian, the second brother. He sat on a stool near the doorway, his right leg stretched out awkwardly. The leg was thin and twisted, clearly the result of an old injury. Despite this, Gu Nian's hands were busy carving a small wooden toy with practiced precision.
The third sibling, Gu Xun, sat in the corner of the room, rocking back and forth as he muttered softly to himself. His eyes were distant, unfocused. The villagers called him "stupid," but Gu Junyi could see that Gu Xun was simply lost in his own world—a world no one else could understand.
Beside him sat Gu Wei, the fourth sister, her milky-white eyes staring blankly ahead. Blind since birth, her movements were careful and deliberate. She held onto the hand of her twin, Gu Fan, the fifth brother. Unlike the others, Gu Fan's face was pale, his breathing weak and labored. He had been sickly since birth, and it was clear that his health had always been a fragile thing.
This family…
They were a patchwork of misfortunes and struggles. Yet, despite their hardships, there was an unspoken bond that tied them together. They were broken in ways that society refused to accept, but they were whole in their love for one another.
Gu Junyi's heart ached.
Back in his world, he had lived in a grand, empty manor. Cold walls. Empty rooms. No voices calling for him. No one to care whether he was dead or alive.
Yet here—in this humble, broken home—he had a family.
"Little Yi," Mi Hua called softly, using the nickname she had given him. "Come eat."
Gu Junyi moved to the table. The meal was simple—thin porridge, a few slices of dried vegetables, and a single piece of salted fish that Mi Hua carefully split among everyone.
As they ate, the twins giggled quietly, Gu Xun continued to hum, and Gu Yi occasionally glanced at Gu Junyi as though still surprised by his presence.
"Mother," Gu Junyi said suddenly, breaking the quiet hum of the room. "Thank you… for saving me."
Mi Hua stilled, her chopsticks halfway to her mouth. The room grew quiet.
"When you found me… you didn't have to help. But you did."
Gu Jian cleared his throat awkwardly, while Lianhua glanced at her husband, her lips pursed.
"It wasn't easy," Gu Yi admitted softly, staring at the table. "You were covered in blood, and the villagers said it was a bad omen. They told us to leave you there."
Mi Hua nodded, her voice steady. "But we couldn't. You were just a boy, barely breathing. How could we leave you to die?"
Gu Junyi looked at each of them, his gaze lingering on Mi Hua's gentle face and Gu Yi's weathered hands.
"You saved me with your humanity." His voice was calm but firm. "I will never forget that."
Mi Hua's eyes glistened with tears, and Gu Yi's jaw tightened as he looked away. Even the stoic Gu Jian paused, his rough hand resting gently on his son's head.
For the first time in this new life, Gu Junyi felt warmth—not the fleeting kind given by the sun, but the enduring kind that only a family could offer.
As the meal ended, Gu Junyi stepped outside to find a moment of quiet. The breeze carried the faint sound of the village in the distance—a place that had scorned this family and himself.
This family saved me, he thought, his fists clenching. They didn't have to, but they did. And now… they're mine to protect.
The memories of his past life as an orphan flashed through his mind—cold rooms, silent halls, the weight of loneliness crushing his chest. He wouldn't let that happen here.
"Home can be built," he whispered to himself. "Family can't."