Chapter 1

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Fate can be rather mysterious.

One doesnt know when it will change. And Xiao Yuan never knew that lying there in that cold run-down alleyway was where he would meet his future family, his gē ge and the love of life.

It was just a moment of kindness extended by Wei Qian, who knew how it felt to be unwanted and all alone. But who could have known at that time that one small deed of kindness, repeated each day, would lead to what Xiao Yuan is today and shape the course of his future? The alleyway, once a symbol of despair and loneliness, became the place where Xiao Yuan's life took a turn for the better. Wei Qian's compassionate act not only provided Xiao Yuan with a home but also with a sense of belonging and love that he had long been deprived of.

No matter how much time passes, Xiao Yuan will always wind up there, especially on New Year's Eve. The day his whole world changed. The day he went from being an unwanted street urchin, that no one wanted to someone who had people who wanted him, cared for him and gave him shelter.

The day he got comfort.

The day he got his people.

The day he got his 'home'.

Xiao Yuan's past was fraught with hardship. Born into a loving family, he was kidnapped by human traffickers at the age of five. Sold to a childless couple, he initially found some semblance of care. However, when the woman miraculously became pregnant a few years later, Xiao Yuan's life took a dark turn. Neglected and abused, he was forced to do chores and often punished harshly, even being thrown out in the cold winter. The relentless mistreatment pushed him to run away, wandering from city to city, haunted by the trauma of his past.

He was grateful to the love and comfort the Wei siblings offered him, but a part of him always felt lonely. He had gotten whatever he had wished for when he had lost his parents and faced immense amounts of difficulties at a young age, but he still missed them. And coming down here, sitting in the corner, it was his way of paying homage to his past, where he was lost and hungry but still had their memories to comfort him. And it was his way of showing gratitude to the universe for sending another family his way.

Wei Zhiyuan would never forget his roots, no matter how warm he was in his bed. He would never forget what it felt like to be lonely and alone.

Sitting here, lost in his thoughts, he heard the footsteps of his gē ge as he approached him, donning a jacket and black tshirt, tired but comforting. His hair soaked from the steam of the food he must be preparing for today's dinner.

And Wei Qian always looked beautiful in his eyes. And Yuan could never keep his eyes off him. There was something powerful in the way the young man walked, the strength he radiated in his aura and the confidence he had while carrying out his actions.. Something Yuan always craved for but shied away. Just like now, he dropped his eyes as Wei Qian approached him.

"Are you not hungry?" Wei Qian asked as he came to stand in front of him. He nodded his head towards the home, beckoning him to come home. "Time for dinner"

That made Yuan look up at him. He wasn't ready to go home yet. This day always brought back too many memories, which Yuan couldn't handle in front of anyone and especially in front of the Wei siblings who were always loud. He needed some time out.

"I want to be here a bit longer." Yuan mumbled as he dropped his eyes away. He heard his gē ge sigh before he crouched in front of him.

Yuan knew Qian was used to this. It has happened every 'New Year Eve' since he was adopted.

"What for?" Qian asked, looking tired and worried.

It pained Yuan to think that he was the one who caused Wei Qian to worry more, the young man was doing enough already. It wasn't easy to not only put himself through college, but he worked hard to also put Yuan and Lili through school. Yuan just wanted to distract Qian from feeling anything that would later make him lose sleep over.

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