Xihu District, Hangzhou City, Southern Wu;
The doorbell's tune echoed through the quiet morning.
Jiang Xueli, still wrapped in a thick robe, shuffled toward the entrance, rubbing sleep from her eyes. When she pulled open the door, she blinked in surprise. "Xiao Zhu?"
Tianzhu stood there in a sweatshirt and joggers. His hands were in his pockets, shoulders relaxed like he had been at her house multiple times. He gave a small, pleasant smile. "Morning, Jiejie. Sorry for not calling ahead. I was out to jog around the Park, but stopped by, realizing your house is nearby."
A beat passed before she stepped aside, letting him in with a smile. "Not a problem. It's your house. You can come at any time. Come in."
The living room was warm, and the scent of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air. Xueli sat across from him; her husband, Zhao Mingze, also slouched beside her, still groggy from being woken up.
Birth name: Qin Li
Legal Name: Jiang Xueli
Age: 48
Ethnicity: Han
Arcane Path: Fighter
Ability: One Punch
Ability Rank: S
Mana Reserves: Tier-3
*
Name: Zhao Mingze
Age: 45.
Arcane Path: Mage
Ability: Sharing is Caring
Ability Rank: A
Mana Reserves: Tier-5
*
"Proceed with both of them." He quietly muttered under his breath while appearing as if he was taking a sip of coffee.
As Tianzhu shifted awkwardly on the couch, Mingze spoke. "So, I, uhh... heard that you stayed 15 years in Kitezh City, is it? How was your life there?"
Tianzhu exhaled and explained, altering the events slightly to suit his fake identity. "Life is good there. My sister might have already mentioned it. I used to work at Egmor, but later, because of too much work and my kids, I resigned and now run a convenience store." He glanced at his sister and added. "That's why you couldn't reach me at the company, Jiejie."
As Xueli's eyes widened in surprise, Tianzhu further pulled out his smartphone and showed them a picture, a teenage girl with striking green eyes, and a teenage boy as tall as him, looking almost identical to him. "This is my daughter, Veronika. And this is my son, Theodore."
Mingze blinked at him, "Your son and daughter?"
As he glanced at his wife, Tianzhu shrugged. "Well, Jiejie might have given birth to them, but I raised them. Additionally, I legally adopted them. So…"
At that, Xueli's face slightly darkened, but Tianzhu continued, "Anyway, originally, I had no intentions to return, but since our father is no more, and the kids also became big enough, I thought there is no need for Jiejie to visit all the way to Kitezh every quarter. I also had no reason to stay back there.
Mingze leaned back on the couch with arms crossed, still processing Tianzhu's words. "So, you're planning to stay here permanently," he pondered. "That wouldn't have been an easy decision."
Tianzhu nodded with a smile, swirling the remnants of his coffee in his cup. "Yeah. But as I said earlier, my children are now big enough. They reached a stage where they will start seeking independence and rebel if I try to control them for their own good. I feel like I should let them grow in their homeland, where they could think of the possibility of having a future."
Xueli observed her younger brother carefully. Tianzhu looked like someone more composed, like a proper parent who had gone through much. She couldn't help but miss the carefree brat who does things on a whim and lets things fall into place.
"I still think adjusting to this place isn't going to be that easy for your children and you as well," she said, setting her cup down. "Considering the fact that Vera wants to pursue an idol career…"
"Well, being an idol is so much better than becoming a hunter." Sungjun shrugged, placing the phone away. After a brief pause, he further added. "Unlike Theo, who has inherited your musical genes but wants to become a hunter."
"That's not surprising." Xueli nodded plainly, "I was also a hunter once, despite being in the acting field."
"But, Jiejie… you were talented… Theo doesn't have the potential to become a hunter. His ability lies in…"
Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps came from down the hallway. A moment later, a girl's voice rang out. "Auntie! Where's my hairbrush? I can't find it."
"Excuse me…" Xueli sighed, already pushing herself off the couch. Then she raised her pitch in the same intensity. "It's in the bathroom drawer, second row."
"It's not there… Fetch it for me!"
A few seconds later, a girl appeared in the doorway with her hair half-brushed, her pajamas wrinkled. Her eyes darted to Sungjun, and she froze. "Who...?"
Tianzhu smiled gently. "Hello. You must be Park Soojin."
Park Soojin
Age: 18
Ethnicity: Han/Goryeo
Awakening Status: Unawakened
*
Park Soojin was Zhao Mingze's first wife's daughter, who had been living with him and Xueli for the past few years. Because Mingze had not officially obtained her custody yet, she retained her mother's surname, who was from the Goryeo Islands.
Soojin subtly narrowed her eyes, then turned to her father. "Dad, who is he?"
Mingze chuckled. "That, sweetie, is your uncle, your mother's younger brother. Sungjun."
Soojin blinked, her lips parting in surprise. "The one who disappeared 22 years ago?"
As Tianzhu smiled and gave a slight nod, Soojin glanced at her own clothes and hurriedly hid behind Xueli, peeking out shyly. "Uhh… I'm sorry. I'll just be in a minute. Be right back."
Soojin awkwardly bowed before dashing back to her room and shutting the door.
Xueli and Mingze exchanged glances; the latter looked at Sungjun. "Don't mind her. She is just not good with first meetings."
A few minutes later, she returned, now dressed in proper clothes with a composed expression. Taking a graceful bow, she greeted Sungjun once again, "Hello, uncle. I'm Park Soojin."
Mingze scoffed at her behavior. "And now you're acting like some graceful lady?"
Soojin shot him a glare before turning to Sungjun with a polite smile and taking her seat.
"Uncle, I didn't know you were coming. I never expected to meet you in person."
"Oh?" Tianzhu raised a brow.
Soojin nodded eagerly. "You're famous at my school, atleast in our club, you know."
Mingze blinked. "What club?"
Xueli smiled. "Oh, I forgot to mention. Xiao Zhu, Soojin is attending your alma mater. She is also the same as Veronika and Theodore."
Qin Tianzhu was visibly surprised. "Oh"
Soojin leaned forward excitedly. "You're really well-known in our Archery club. Our instructor always talks about his favorite student. He either uses your name to motivate us or to scold us. You're like a legend in the club—the prodigy who defeated the legendary archer, Lin Shu never took a break and dominated every competition."
"Is Teacher Han still there?" Tianzhu asked, curiosity evident in his eyes. In both of his lives, he respected this archery instructor who even took private time to look after his practice. However, unfortunately, after awakening
Xueli and Mingze then exchanged surprised glances. "Wait... since when are you in the Archery club? Aren't you in the Orchestra Club?" Xueli asked, interrupting them.
Soojin shrugged. "A couple of years now, Auntie. And our school allows us to sign up for multiple clubs anyway."
"Is that why you were being late? I thought you were having fun with your friends, not practicing archery…" Xueli's eyes narrowed.
"A couple of years..." Zhao Mingze looked betrayed but held his tongue, stealing a glance at Tianzhu.
Noticing the slight tension, Tianzhu took his phone into his hands again. "Ah, Vera seems to have woken up. I need to go."
"Eh? So urgently?" Xueli was taken aback.
Tianzhu smiled. "We have a few things to do at the immigration office today, Jiejie." He then got up. "I'll be back later with Vera."
Mingze nodded. "Come back for lunch or maybe dinner?"
Tianzhu tilted his head. "Don't you both have work? We can visit on the weekend. No rush."
Xueli waved him off. "It's fine. Consider it a welcome home meal." Mingze added. "And who knows whether one of us will suddenly become busy on the weekend?"
Tianzhu thought for a bit and nodded. "Alright. Let's have dinner."