The sun had just peeked over the horizon, painting the room with a warm, golden glow. The modern house felt cozy and inviting, like a warm hug that the man was just starting to feel. He stood near the doorway, taking a deep breath as he watched the light filter through the window.
The kitchen was busy, filled with the rhythmic sounds of his new family preparing breakfast. His heart raced in anticipation, as this would be the first time he would truly interact with them. The mother, aunt, and niece were all gathered around, creating a warm, familial atmosphere.
The first person to catch his eye was his mom. She was standing by the stove, stirring something in a pot with these super graceful motions. Her name was Zhao Meilin. Her striking features were impossible to miss—her long, dark hair was framing her face in these soft waves, and her blue eyes were like the clearest of skies. She looked to be in her mid 30s, with a figure that was both commanding and enticing. Her curves were full, especially her bust and hips, making her an undeniably stunning woman. There was this aura of elegance about her, but her eyes held this certain softness as she turned to look at him.
"Good morning, Zhao Yun," she said, her voice like a gentle breeze, but there was a little surprise in her eyes. The warmth in her voice couldn't quite hide her nervousness.
For a moment, the man froze. This woman, beautiful beyond words, was his mother now. He hadn't known what to expect, but this was nothing like the cold, distant relationship the original Zhao Yun had with her. Despite the confusion, he nodded.
"I'm… fine," he finally said, his voice a bit quieter than he intended. He wasn't used to talking like this.
His mother's brows furrowed slightly at the change, but she didn't press him. She smiled softly, her gaze lingering on him a moment longer than usual. "That's good. Breakfast is ready. Please sit down."
Before he could respond, his aunt entered the room. She had fiery red hair, a stark contrast to her dark complexion, and black eyes that sparkled with life. Her name was Zhao Xiaolin. She was a few years younger than his mother, in her early 30s, and though she lacked the same overwhelming curves, her figure was petite but alluring in its own right. Her confident aura radiated as she approached, but there was a noticeable pause in her step when she saw him standing there.
"Morning, sleepyhead!" she greeted with her usual playful tone, though there was a slight hesitation in her voice today. "You look like you finally woke up on the right side of the bed!"
The man nodded stiffly, still not used to being the center of attention. His aunt's usual playful teasing tone was different this time. There was a hint of caution in her eyes as she watched him closely, maybe sensing a change in his mood.
"Come on, sit with us," she urged, her voice now a bit softer, though still warm. "We've got pancakes today. You don't want to miss that."
The man approached the table with a hesitant step, feeling a strange sense of openness. Things were different now, and he yearned to connect with these people—to make them his true family. But there was still a lingering doubt, a feeling of uncertainty. He wasn't sure how to overcome that gap.
Before he could even catch his breath, a soft voice interrupted his thoughts. "Brother! You're awake!" His niece's voice carried a cheerful warmth, but there was a subtle hint of worry beneath it. She sat at the table with a composed yet casual posture, her golden eyes bright with excitement and a touch of nervousness. Her purple hair, tied loosely in a ponytail, shimmered under the light, accentuating the delicate maturity of a girl on the verge of her teenage years.
For a split second, the man just locked eyes with her. Her name was Zhao Lin. She was young and innocent, yet there was a strange distance between them that hadn't been there before. He hadn't spoken to her much, and she had gotten used to the quiet between them. Her eyes darted around, a mix of hope and dread in them as she watched him, unsure of what to expect next.
"Good morning, little Lin," he said quietly, though his voice still felt alien to him. There was something inside him—something he couldn't quite explain—that stirred when he saw her. He didn't know her, but he could feel the bond forming already, as if it was something inevitable.
His niece gave a tentative smile, but there was an almost shy hesitation in her expression. "Brother," she repeated, her voice soft, almost as if she were testing whether he would respond.
The man's heart ached slightly at the sound of her calling him that. He hadn't known how much he wanted to be her brother until now.
His mother and aunt exchanged glances, both surprised by the warmth in his voice, a contrast to the distant Zhao Yun they'd known. His mother's gaze lingered a moment longer on him, her expression soft but concerned. His aunt, too, gave him a searching look, as if trying to gauge what had changed.
"Please, sit," his mother encouraged gently, her voice betraying the quiet surprise in her. "Breakfast is ready."
The man nodded again, feeling the weight of their expectations. Despite the awkwardness, he couldn't help but want to be a part of this family, to feel like he belonged here, even if only for a moment. He sat down at the table, the warmth of the food and the presence of these people strangely comforting, even though he knew deep down they weren't truly his family—not yet, anyway.
As he picked up his fork, he glanced at his niece once more. She smiled a little more brightly now, her earlier tension easing as she seemed to sense the change.
Despite the unfamiliarity of the situation, the boy couldn't help but feel a deep yearning inside him—a yearning for something more, something he hadn't had before. A real family.