The kid floated, Just—rose up Like something had him by the forehead, lifting him slowly. There was this soft blue glow, shining from a weird mark on his head, right between his eyebrows. It didn't feel violent or dramatic. It was slow and gentle, Like... like something was being careful with him.
Then he came back down, just as slow and landed on the bed like a feather.
Li Shen froze, and his mouth hung open. His eyes looked like they'd seen a ghost.
Meiyin stepped back so quickly that she bumped into the table.
Xun? He yawned. Scratched his stomach like it was the most boring thing in the world. Then Xinyin came in from the kitchen, holding a ladle, humming something stupid. "Mom, Dad,Soup is ready—"
She averted his gaze from the bright infant. That dimly lighted mark on his forehead.
Like a light turning on inside of her, Xinyin's demeanor changed as she blinked.
"Did you see that, Xun?" There was a crack in his voice. "We have a new brother?"
Xun only muttered, "Dream. "I'm going back to bed; this is just another dream."
Xinyin remarked, "You're such a stupid," and looked at him as if he were insane. "You you believe you're sleeping at this moment?"
Xun gave his eyes a rub. "I hope so."
Xinyin chuckled to himself, a little unsteady. Then he approached the bed.
Meiyin, who had previously disliked the child, approached the bed and reached for him. She picked the infant, slowly up. She held him as she was supposed to, silently, without saying a word. It was time to eat, so she simply walked to the dining table without looking at anyone.
She yelled, "Xinyin, bring the soup."
She remained silent. As if this were finally real, she simply nodded. She then hurried back to the kitchen, picked up the pot, and returned quickly.
Her gaze remained fixed on the infant as he put it down.
"Cute," he murmured. "It's also kind of handsome. At least more attractive than Xun. I'm confident that you won't be as foolish as he is."
Xun narrowed her eyes. "Watch your damn mouth."
However, she snorted, stood up, and approached the infant, kissing him on the cheek.
They began eating, and no one said anything initially. Just breathing and the clink of spoons.
"What do we call him?" asked Meiyin.
Li Shen gave his ear a scratch. "Ling Tian? Or—little Li Shen, perhaps?
Meiyin simply nodded while staring at him.
Xinyin became alert. "Mu Chen?"
Everyone halted. It felt, well right.
Li Shen gave a nod, and Meiyin grinned slightly. "Yes, Mu Chen is good."
Xun remained silent. He only tapped the table with his spoon. It's becoming louder and louder. Tap. Tap. Tap.
"I loathe this kid," he whispered. "I don't require an additional brother. I was given Xinyin."
After rolling his eyes, Xinyin took an empty bottle from the table and slapped over Xun's head. "Shut up."
Leaping to his feet, Xun snatched up the bottle and chased him around the table. They both shouted and screamed like little kids in a cartoon. Li Shen and Meiyin just laughed. That kind of exhausted laugh you don't even plan. The baby—Mu Chen—sat there in Meiyin's lap. Just... staring at them and watching everything with wide eyes. Li Shen leaned over, tried to get close to Meiyin. They looked at each other. Their faces drew closer and barely an inch apart.
Mu Chen still confused of how Li Shen has postured his lips. Then Mu Chen reached up and slapped Li Shen right on the lips. Li Shen flinched. Meiyin burst out laughing, covered her mouth, and they sat back quick, embarrassed.
Eventually, night came. They shut the lights and Lay down. Meiyin on one side and Li Shen on one side while Mu Chen in between
The room fell silent.
In his sleep, however, Mu Chen twitched.
It was not a peaceful dream.
He saw a city full of people eating together, holding hands, and giggling.
The sky then opens up, revealing a massive fireball that annihilated everything as it dropped to the ground.
Everything was on fire.
Two faces blurred next to him, and he saw himself, still a baby. They tossed him into a portal after creating a shell. His eyes closed as the shell dropped into an ice-filled tunnel.
He awoke rapidly and let out a loud nighttime scream.
When they heard the scream, everyone's eyes opened.
Meiyin jumped up, panting. "Li! Get up! He's screaming—something's wrong!"
Li Shen let out a moan. "What time is it?"
"Just pay attention!"
The infant continued to wail.
Xinyin ran in as the door swung open. "What's going on?!"
Meiyin remarked, "We don't know," as she lifted Mu Chen. "He just began to cry out."
"You feed him?"
"The darn refrigerator is empty."
"I'll check um once more."
Running to the kitchen, Xinyin opened the refrigerator. After noticing that it was empty, he noticed a bottle of milk concealed at the rear.
"Got something!"
Breathing heavily, he ran back and handed it to Meiyin.
It was inserted inside Mu Chen's mouth. He took it by himself. Like an untamed animal, chug. After that, they dropped the bottle, turned over in bed, and fell asleep.
Everyone let out a sigh.
He shouted once more within three minutes later.
But then again and again. In all, four.
Xun emerged from his chamber with a pillow above his head. Growling, "You little demon," he said. "Shut up already."
They resembled zombies by dawn.
Li Shen, whose eyes were red from lack of sleep, leaned against the doorframe. Meiyin drank cold tea while sitting on the couch. In his slumber, Xinyin curled up on the floor and whispered absurd things.
Xun emerged, appropriately attired for school. Hair is untidy and the shirt is crumpled. He shot Mu Chen a shady glance.
He said, "Screw it…" and left to go to school.
"Are you not attending school, Xinyin?" Li Shen inquired.
Xinyin let out a yawn. "I'll remain and look after my younger brother."
"Fine," answered Meiyin. "Lock the doors."
Slowly and exhausted, they departed.
Sitting on the floor, Xinyin held Mu Chen in a towel.
The morning light leaked in a calm and warm environment.
"Little cutie," she said softly as she prodded his cheek. "My name is Xinyin. You're Mu Chen. We are now stranded together.
He looked at her without blinking, as if he understood.
She giggled and said, "Are you getting this?"
She took him in her arms. Start spinning in a leisurely circle while holding him tight.
Birds flew from the wires and leaves fell from trees due to the strong winds outside.
A portal opened and man emerged after it glowed like fire.
Barefooted, with purple eyes and white hair. as pale as the moon.
He examined his hands. As if they were brand-new, then he grinned.
With a whisper, "Bienvenido al mundo humano," he said.
(This means welcome to the world of humans.)
The portal then shut down.
His arms were tucked inside his sleeves, similar to a monk.
Then, as if he knew where he was going, Quiet walked.
Mu Chen narrowed his gaze back in the home.
As a child, he played with his sister despite feeling as though something was about to happen.