Chapter 139
Chapter 139: Adoption
[……]
Yun Wan Ning was utterly bewildered. She widened her eyes to glance at Yun Wan Ye, then at the little boy in his arms.
The boy clung to Yun Wan Ye, his expression unreadable. His jet-black eyes were fixed steadily on her, his lips pressed into a tight line.
“Uh… Yun Wan Ye, who is he?”
Holding Yun Wan Ning, Yun Wan Yao studied the child with interest. She knew this was the one her little sister had mentioned in her heart voice, but she didn’t understand why Yun Wan Ye had brought him back.
“He’s our younger brother,” Yun Wan Ye replied casually.
Yun Wan Yao: “……”
Since when had her parents given her another brother?
[Oh, second brother, that’s a terribly misleading thing to say. Aren’t you afraid that if Mother hears it, she’ll think Father secretly had an illegitimate child outside?]
[No wonder people say you have no filter. You really do say whatever you want… anything at all…]
Clinging to Yun Wan Yao’s neck, Yun Wan Ning gave Yun Wan Ye a disdainful look, unable to stop herself from silently ridiculing him.
Yun Wan Ye: “……”
Surely Mother wouldn’t think that, right?
He quickly glanced at Madam Yun. Her expression was calm and unreadable, which made him uneasy. He hurried to explain:
“Mother, his name is Little Rui. His parents passed away, and with no home to go to, he’s often bullied. When I came back today, I happened to see a group of older children picking on him. I felt sorry for him, so I brought him here. I hope you’ll agree to adopt him.”
At those words, Yun Wan Ning’s attention returned to the little boy.
[Tsk, no wonder my spiritual power noticed him—turns out he really is fated to cross paths with our family.]
[But why is Second Brother acting so strangely?]
[Not only did he bring a child home, but he’s even asking Mother to adopt him. That’s not like him at all.]
[Isn’t Second Brother usually indifferent to other people’s lives? When did he become so kindhearted?]
[Strange, strange indeed…]
Yun Wan Ye: “……”
Was he really as bad as his little sister made him out to be? Had he ever done anything truly awful?
Feeling a twinge of guilt and uncertainty, Yun Wan Ye rubbed his nose. After a moment, he pushed aside his thoughts and looked at Madam Yun in a hopeful, ingratiating way: “Mother, what do you think?”
Madam Yun didn’t answer right away. Instead, she studied the boy.
He was filthy from head to toe, his clothes torn and ragged, his face too smudged to see clearly—but the many scars were visible. His eyes were unusually bright, and he was staring straight at her without blinking.
Such a pitiful little thing. Something in Madam Yun’s heart softened, and she recalled what Wan Ning had said that day.
The boy’s fate was noble yet cursed. She couldn’t help wondering if adopting him would bring trouble to the Yun family.
She stepped closer, crouching down before him, and asked gently, “You’re Little Rui, right? How old are you?”
The boy pressed his lips together. Though they had just met, he showed no fear of her gaze.
“I’m four… maybe five,” he said uncertainly, shaking his head.
At that, Madam Yun’s eyes stung.
He didn’t even know his own age. That likely meant not only had he lost his parents, but there were no other adults in his life.
So young, yet already surviving alone. She couldn’t imagine how hard his days must have been.
Since becoming a mother, she found she could no longer bear to see such things.
She suppressed her emotions and asked, “Do you have any other relatives?”
The boy shook his head.
Madam Yun sighed and reached out to gently touch his head. He flinched instinctively but did not move away, allowing her hand to rest there.
[When Heaven is about to place great responsibility upon someone, it first tries his resolve, wears out his body, starves him, leaves him destitute, and thwarts his plans, all to strengthen his spirit and enhance his abilities…]
Listening to their exchange, Yun Wan Ning’s thoughts drifted again.
[Ahem, what I mean is—most great figures have difficult childhoods.]
[Put another way, only those who have tasted the world’s bitterness and endured its hardships can develop the determination to achieve great things.]
[Such people are often more likely to succeed.]
[After all, when they’ve been tempered by so many trials, nothing can easily bring them down.]
[If someone like that still fails, where’s the justice in that?]
Everyone: “……”
Mm, that does make sense!
The boy’s eyes flickered. He sneaked a glance at the little milk doll in Yun Wan Yao’s arms, a dark glint passing quickly through his gaze.
Then another hand took his.
Startled, he turned to find Madam Yun smiling at him and leading him toward the little one.
“Little Fourth, what do you think of this big brother? Would you like him to be your brother?”
Madam Yun stroked Yun Wan Ning’s small face and asked with a laugh.
She knew her own limits. Facing someone with such an unusual fate, she had no way to shield the Yun family from danger. She dared not agree to the adoption without caution.
If Little Fourth knew his destiny, she might also know whether his curse would harm their family.
She wasn’t hoping for the boy to bring them glory in the future—she only wanted to be sure he wouldn’t bring disaster.
If his fate truly marked him as a lone star of calamity, she wouldn’t dare invite such trouble.
Ye’er had been working tirelessly day after day to change the Yun family’s doomed fate. She could not plant the seed of their destruction with her own hands.
[Sure, if he really has no one left, and you want to adopt him, then do it.]
[In fact, I’m curious to see if his fate will change after joining us.]
[I also want to see how strong he’ll become when he grows up.]
[He may carry a curse, but with me here, nothing will happen.]
[A little calamity star is nothing—I can suppress it easily. It won’t affect our Yun family.]
As she thought this, something occurred to her, and her eyes widened at Madam Yun.
[Wait, Mother, why are you asking me? Isn’t this your decision?]
[Why would you come to me?]
[I can’t talk, and even if I could, you wouldn’t understand me.]
[Fine, fine, I’ll just take it as a sign of respect. After all, suddenly gaining a brother is indeed something to ask my opinion on.]
[The question is, how do I tell you my answer?]
[Got it—I’ll just smile. When you see me smile, you’ll know I’m happy, and if I’m happy, that means I agree.]
[Yes, yes, that’s perfect.]
One arm around Yun Wan Yao’s neck, the other stretching toward Madam Yun, Yun Wan Ning gave her a big, bright smile—complete with a happy little sound.
[I’m this cute, smiling so brightly, even laughing out loud—Mother will definitely understand, right?]
Everyone: “……”
The onlookers were so amused by her heart voice that they had to fight to keep straight faces. Yun Wan Yao nearly burst out laughing, struggling to hold it back until her lips ached.
Her little sister’s heart voice was always this entertaining. She could hardly contain herself.
Little Rui pressed his lips together and glanced from Yun Wan Yao to Yun Wan Ye and Madam Yun, a strange look in his eyes.
“Ahem… Little Fourth is smiling so happily, it seems she really likes her new brother,” Madam Yun said softly, forcing a graceful smile.
Hearing this, Yun Wan Ning nodded furiously in her heart—then shook her head just as quickly.
[Ah, Mother, you’re both right and wrong.]
[You did understand my meaning, and that’s great—please keep it up—but liking my new brother? You’ve got the wrong idea there.]
[I only feel some pity and interest in him. Liking is a bit of a stretch.]
[Still, that’s not important.]
Madam Yun: “……”
Choosing to ignore her daughter’s heart voice, Madam Yun bent down to the boy’s level.
“Little Rui, would you like to stay with us and be my son?” she asked gently. “I can promise that as my son, I’ll treat you as my own and do what I can to care for you.”
She didn’t dare promise equal treatment in all things—she couldn’t know for certain whether, in a crisis, she’d treat him the same as her four other children.
The boy’s face grew solemn, his demeanor serious, no trace of extra emotion showing.
The room fell silent. Everyone waited patiently for his answer.
“Yes. I’m willing.”
At last, he nodded firmly, speaking with quiet resolve.
Overcome with emotion, Madam Yun pulled him into her arms.
It was strange—just moments ago she had felt only sympathy for him, yet now, after his acceptance, her heart swelled with a mix of joy, protectiveness, and tenderness.
That night—
When Yun Zheng and Yun Wan Chen arrived, Madam Yun brought the boy out to meet them and explained his situation.
Now clean and dressed in fresh clothes, his delicate features stood out, making him look like a finely carved jade figure.
“Husband, I’ve decided to adopt Little Rui. Little Fourth also likes her new brother. I hope you’ll treat him as your own and love him as one of our children.”
Before Yun Zheng could respond, she added, “I know such a matter should be discussed with you first… but I thought, with your kindness and sense of justice, you’d never object. So I took it upon myself. You won’t blame me, will you?”
Yun Zheng: “……”
How was he supposed to refuse now?
And she’d even invoked Little Fourth. If he said no, wouldn’t that make him the bad guy?
What if Little Fourth stopped liking him after that?