(Jin Guangyao/Reader) You're my sun, my universe

Chapter 1: The girl from the brothel across the street

Age:

Y/N = 8 (same age as Meng Yao = 8)

You left out a sighed as you observed the twinkling stars that were spread across the night sky from the small window slit that adorned the storehouse. It was yet another evening at one of the many infamous Yunping brothels. Laughter and animated conversations echoed throughout the walls. The fragrance of perfume and alcohol blending together with the courtesans' seductive whispers and actions. Meanwhile, attendants gracefully weaved through the crowd with trays of refreshments.

Being but an 8-year-old young girl, who had not yet had training, nor become of age you had no business being at the heart of all the chaos. Rather your role at times like these was to make yourself as minuscule as possible for customers never liked having any reminders of children when undertaking in pleasurable pursuits.

'You remind them of their wife and kids. Don't make me lose customers and disappear.'

Thus, that was exactly what you did as you made yourself as irrelevant as possible.

The soft creaking of the storeroom door gave you but a small warning of a possible visitor.

"A-Yao" you softly greeted a smile adorning your face as you saw his figure approach in the distance with his perfectly pale doll-like features, that seemed to glisten in the moonlight.

It was Meng Yao, the son of a prostitute from across the street of whom you had befriended, someone of whom could relate to a situation like yours. That of a young child growing up in a world that was surrounded by the secrecy and pleasure of grownups.

Upon hearing your greeting, he smiled in reply, making his face even more beautiful, before he gently shut the door behind him and the two of you were in a darkened room once more, with only the moonlight from the window as any source of light.

'Out of sight. Out of mind' was your job after-all.

"A-(Y/N)"

It didn't take long for him to take a seat next to you, joining you in your stargazing.

"Is your mother with a customer?"

A "mhm" was the only reply given, as his face morphed into a small scowl, most likely at the customer of whom he left her with.

"A-Yao I am sure she will be fine" you replied softly as you turned to face him and forced him to look into your eyes. Gently you took his hands into yours, "She's experienced enough to know how to safely handle the situation".

"I know she will but...I...can't help but be worried" he muttered; his gaze still hardened.

It was understandable, being a prostitute was no easy, and you observed first-hand some of the dire consequences that came from overly aggressive customers.

You couldn't offer any words of comfort, after-all even with all the safety protocols that prostitutes would undertake there was no guarantee it would all work. At that moment all you did was gently caress his hands hoping that doing so would offer some comfort. It appeared to have worked as you could sense that some of tension melted away from his body.

The two of you sat in a comfortable silence before it was eventually broken by Meng Yao.

"She mentioned my father..." he began hesitantly, his hands still clutching onto yours.

You tried to conceal both your surprise and curiosity, and yet it must not have been as well-hidden as you thought for Meng Yao instantly noticed it.

He understood why, pregnancies in brothels were not unheard of, however many of the children would never wake to see the light of day for they were considered a burden. Meng Yao was special, as not only was he kept but cared for properly by his mother.

His father on the other hand was a mystery, his mother would always mention him with a faraway look on her face and with a soft smile adorning her features. She gave information about him sparingly, telling him that she would explain more about him when he became of age. He was only told that he should work hard to live up to his expectations.

Feeling slightly amused by your reaction he softly continued, "He...is apparently from one of the major sects."

Now it seemed that you could no longer hide your surprise as you gasped, eyes glistening with a mixture of wonder and bewilderment.

"He's...a cultivator?"

Meng Yao slowly nodded in confirmation, "I assume so. It would explain why mother always tells me to focus on my studies so that I can make him proud".

Upon hearing those words, you found yourself frozen in place, astonishment written all over your expression, from your rapidly blinking eyes to your gaping jaw. You could hardly believe it after-all to common citizens, such as yourself, cultivators were like mythical heroes.

The average rouge cultivator was enough to enchant any commoner, however, to hail from one of the five major sects of Yunmeng Jiang, Gusu Lan, Qishan Wen, Qinghe Nie or Lanling Jin, meant that they were in an entirely different class.

"Your father must be an amazing person. He must travel to so many amazing places and see so many sights" you finally replied, still not being able to keep the wonder from showing on your face "Plus I heard that the five major sects are constantly on the frontlines of dealing with spirits, ghosts, fierce corpses and more!"

Meng Yao couldn't help but laugh at the excitement you exhibited, "Hm, I truly hope I get to meet him someday and hear of the many adventures he's been in..."

The sound of his laugher made your grin widen even further, "I hope you he comes for you soon then."

However, at that moment there was a sudden shift in the mood, for it was after your words that Meng Yao began to trail off, the smile on his face becoming shakier and more apprehensive, "...Mother tells me he will eventually come for me and that until then I should be prepared but..."

You encouraged him to continue as you gently caressed his hands.

"But...I am worried that he won't want to acknowledge me."

Hearing this you gasped aloud, "You think he wouldn't be proud of you!?"

Startled by your abrupt change in volume, Meng Yao jumped in surprise. However, you gave no indication of caring as you glared at him, "Lies! He would be the proudest father in the world..."

"A-Yao you're...you're amazing!" your tone become more fervent as you continued "You can read and write! You can remember anything just from what glance!"

Meng Yao blushed from the sudden praise and yet he did not let it derail his train of thought, "But that's nothing! What if he's expecting more from me?"

"A-Yao" you berated, shaking your head in disbelief "Who wouldn't be proud to have a son like you?"

"B-But..."

"A-Yao" you began again in your scolding tone, as if educating the most oblivious idiot in the world, "You should have more confidence in yourself".

Still seeing that there was hesitance in his features you continued, "A-Yao you are amazing...and I am sure you're already reaching his expectations but...if it makes you feel any better then..."

It was here that you sighed as if the concept of Meng Yao's father not being proud of him was surreal, nevertheless you wanted to offer some words of comfort.

"Even if he doesn't acknowledge you now, there is always time in the future! If you keep at it then eventually I am sure you gain his acknowledgement. Nothing is impossible."

You ended it by smiling brightly, and the words must have struck a chord within Meng Yao as now he nodded with a newfound determined look in his eyes rather than a downcast one.