Shi Xia was terrified, her mind a tangled mess.

Yet she masked it perfectly, offering a poised smile as she faced the person who would become the future… master of her and her younger siblings.

She had no illusion—she and the children stood zero chance against this seemingly gentle, even refined young master.

All she could do… was submit.

Even sacrifice herself alone to protect her siblings.

As the eldest, Shi Xia knew her body was changing. But the others were still so young… so innocent…

Ye Chang'an, however, seemed oddly awkward. He kept double-checking with staff: “Are these really the orphans I’m supposed to care for?”

After repeated confirmation, he suddenly dialed a call and scolded his cousin fiercely.

*Definitely his playboy cousin’s doing!*

*Who did he think I was?!*

Ye Chang'an had been clear: he only wanted to run a modest orphanage, give back quietly. He expected children with challenges—not picture-perfect faces. After all, they were abandoned.

He came to serve society. His cousin twisted it into something vile—misreading his kindness, even suspecting him of being a lolicon!

Damn it. People like that tarnished the foundation’s name.

Thankfully, as family head, Ye Chang'an held authority. For days, he ignored the orphanage and thoroughly reformed the foundation.

Such individuals had to be purged from their ranks of integrity—only then could the foundation’s light truly shine upon the world.

But the Chang’an Orphanage children couldn’t return home. Compared to their old facility, Chang’an’s conditions were undeniably world-class… even luxurious.

They truly lived like young masters and misses.

Reluctantly, Ye Chang'an remained director.

Sure, he was appearance-conscious—who isn’t?—but surrounded by super adorable lolis and shotas? Stress was inevitable.

Shi Xia had no idea what happened that day. The young master never entered. After one call, he left—stranding them at the gates.

Days later, he returned.

No grand welcome this time.

Everyone stayed tense around him.

(Though truthfully, *he* seemed nervous too—but Shi Xia refused to believe it.)

Whenever Ye Chang'an spaced out, Shi Xia’s fists would tighten. *Was he choosing his next target?*

His life was leisurely. As director, he mostly played games with kids or taught simple lessons. Dedicated tutors handled academics.

This orphanage felt like an elite private school fused with charity.

For once, Ye Chang'an stepped away from gaming. The children’s laughter eased his lingering shadows—his quiet depression, his solitude.

Shi Xia, as eldest, became his reliable helper, caring for the little ones.

Yet… something felt off about her gaze. Whenever he glanced her way, she’d instantly soften into gentle sweetness.

*Strange…*

*Even stranger!* Shi Xia thought.

This young master… wasn’t the spoiled heir she’d imagined!

He folded paper planes. Taught grass-blade whistles. Sang. Told stories.

Sat calmly before Japanese-style architecture reminiscent of Shirou Emiya’s home, wearing a haori like an old Edo-era noble.

Taught Western dining etiquette—while dressed in a bizarre cosplay outfit, murmuring, “Nothing is true, everything is permitted.”

He had many such outfits (cosplay, though Shi Xia didn’t know the term). Wore them on whims. Textbook chuunibyou.

To her, he just seemed… eccentric.

Then one day—she noticed it. A special, doting tenderness toward one little girl.

Panic seized her.

*This was the sign.*

The deeper she thought, the colder she grew. *The young master is terrifying!*

His gentleness wasn’t kindness—it was the calm of absolute authority. Unshakable confidence.

Everything here belonged to him… *including the children.*

He had no need to rush.

Shi Xia would not stand by and watch that “tragedy” unfold.

So she found Ye Chang'an—and signaled she wished to speak with the young master… alone.