Yuri felt like she’d walked through darkness for ages—no purpose, no fatigue.
Ahead was darkness. Behind was darkness too. A chaotic blur where directions blurred into nothing.
She didn’t know how long she’d wandered when she suddenly stopped…
Because right before her, the gloom shattered into light.
Children’s laughter, adults’ murmurs, distant car horns weaving together.
The gate’s sign was old and weathered, its faded characters barely spelling “Orphanage.”
The girl hesitated… this was her childhood home!
Confusion clouded her face as playing children rushed toward her. She almost dodged—but they passed straight through her body.
Watching them run off, Yuri stood silent for a long moment.
Then, driven by some unnamed feeling, she lifted her feet and walked on.
The place was small; the play area cramped. But the dormitory behind looked clean enough.
Then Yuri’s gaze locked ahead.
Sunlight spilled over layered stone steps. There sat a child, seven or eight years old.
An undeveloped face, shoulder-length black hair—impossible to tell if boy or girl.
Yet the child’s features were exquisitely delicate.
But Yuri knew for certain—he was a boy.
Because… it was her younger self!
He cradled a thick book, reading intently despite his age.
His serious little expression was almost comical.
“Yuri, time to eat.”
Just as Yuri stood frozen, a soft voice floated from behind.
That familiar tone made her eyes sting with tears.
A figure drifted through her body, then crouched gently before the child.
A woman in her thirties or forties, streaks of premature gray threading her hair.
Her plain clothes and calm movements radiated a water-like gentleness.
The boy, absorbed in his book, slightly raised his head at her voice. A sweet smile bloomed. “Aunt Tang, you’re back!”
Aunt Tang chuckled, pinching his fair cheek lightly.
“Mm, I heard you skipped meals again. Reading’s fine, but play with friends too, okay?”
“Hmm… but Da Biao says I look like a girl. I shouldn’t run—I should be quiet.”
Young Yuri puffed his cheeks, wearing a pouting expression.
His words left Aunt Tang torn between laughter and sighs.
Yuri watched quietly from afar. Her lips twitched upward, just a trace.
What a… foolish woman.
She remembered early years, yet no parents ever existed in her mind.
Her childhood had always been here, in this tiny orphanage.
Aunt Tang’s care kept scheming and prejudice at bay—a warm paradise.
But paradise always shatters.
Her younger self hadn’t seen the turmoil in Aunt Tang’s eyes then.
Because… this place would soon be demolished!
The nearby factory’s expansion made the orphanage’s location inconvenient.
They’d pulled strings to tear it down.
Aunt Tang was ordinary. She fought to protect her home, but helplessly…
Without power, nothing stays safe.
Yet that wasn’t what destroyed it…
As Yuri drifted in a daze, the scene warped violently.
Gentleness vanished. Cruel reality crashed in!
Flames roared. Children screamed. Police sirens wailed.
And a woman lying in a pool of blood…
Yuri’s eyes turned hollow. The woman who’d just smiled at her younger self now had no breath left…
Her blood stained the floor crimson, reflecting in Yuri’s gaze.
Like a ghost, Yuri slipped through the barricaded door into the living room.
Children huddled in a corner, trembling.
Two hulking figures blocked the exit.
Their clothes were splattered with blood—the foolish woman’s blood…
Yuri’s eyes found herself among the children.
Unlike the others, her younger self stared blankly, eyes utterly empty.
The little ones didn’t grasp the gunshot’s meaning. He did.
Aunt Tang was dead.
Killed protecting them—murdered without hesitation by these thugs fleeing police.
“Damn it, boss… cops outside are swarming!” The shorter thug gripped his gun, voice urgent.
The boss lit a cigarette slowly.
He blew a smoke ring, eyes sliding to the corner children. A twisted grin spread. “Relax. They won’t attack. Might even pay us to leave.”
The other man blinked, then burst into wild laughter.
“You handle negotiations. After this chase, I need… relief.”
The boss crushed his cigarette underfoot. His gaze turned lecherous.
“Boss, you’re not—?” The thug swallowed hard.
“Hmph. Cops won’t quit. Running just delays death. When you might die today, why hold back?”
Cursing, he strode toward the children—eyes locked on one target.
Few girls lived here. Ragged clothes hid them in the crowd.
But young Yuri stood out like a gem on sand.
His exquisite face decided the man’s choice!
“Hey. You. Come here.”
The man’s finger jabbed at Yuri.
Children flinched away instantly.
Young Yuri didn’t react. His hollow eyes held no light.
The man scowled, stomping over. “I said—move!”
He grabbed the boy’s arm. Pain jolted Yuri—but before he could flinch, his body slammed onto the floor.
The man loomed like a starving wolf, eyes terrifyingly fierce.
Young Yuri watched blankly. Only a soft grunt escaped him—no scream, no dodge.
He let the man pounce, tearing his clothes apart.
His eyes stayed hollow. Terrifyingly empty.
Orphanage fabric was thin. The man’s strength immense.
*Riiip!* Cloth shredded like paper.
Fair skin gleamed beneath, catching the man’s gaze.
Then his eyes dropped lower…
“Damn! A boy!”
He stood, face twisting in disgust.
His hand flew to his waist for his gun—but grasped air!
Where—?
Stunned, he stared at the half-naked child.
“Uh—”
*BANG!*
Fire erupted from the dark muzzle aimed at him.
Recoil kicked Yuri’s hand back. The man’s head exploded like a watermelon!
Blood sprayed, drenching Yuri’s body.
He extended a delicate tongue, slowly licking blood from his lips. A twisted, eerie smile curled his exquisite face…
“BOSS!!”
