Orphanage Bully

"Dong'er, you can open your eyes now."

After leaving the alley, Ye Tian looked at Dong'er, who was obediently covering her eyes in the Mental Space, and spoke softly.

Dong'er answered, and when she saw that they were on a bustling main street, she immediately relaxed and patted her chest, praising him.

"Brother Ye Tian, you escaped from those two bad men! That was amazing!"

Ye Tian didn't tell her that the two thugs were already dead.

He had killed them without mercy because he'd sensed murderous intent from Skinny Monkey and the others. They really had taken lives.

Ye Tian wasn't about to leave such scourges alive, giving them another chance to hurt someone.

After replying to her a couple of times, Ye Tian looked at Dong'er's innocent, adorable little face and fell into thought.

Even now, Dong'er's appearance was already attracting the wrong kind of attention. In five days, he would have to leave. Then Dong'er would be all alone in Barker City at just five years old. If anything happened to her, he wouldn't be able to come to her rescue in time.

"System, can I give my reward to someone else?"

"Yes."

Ye Tian took out the Shapeshifting Mask the system had rewarded him with and carefully explained everything to Dong'er, laying it all out clearly.

Dong'er asked, her eyes a little dazed, "Brother Ye Tian, is this mask comfortable to wear?"

"This mask has a magical power. Whatever you want to look like, it can make it happen."

"Really?"

Dong'er looked over with shining eyes. When Ye Tian confirmed it, she happily took the mask and pressed it to her face.

"It's cool and silky. It doesn't feel stuffy at all."

"Dong'er, now imagine what you really look like. This Shapeshifting Mask will lock in your appearance and figure."

Dong'er answered, and soon her adorable appearance became plain and unremarkable. That special, captivating air about her was gone, too. She was the kind of person who could disappear into a crowd without drawing a single glance.

"Until you become the most beautiful girl in the world, don't let anyone else see your face, all right?"

"Mm-hmm, I'll remember!"

Dong'er quickly learned how to control the mask. In the reflection on the water, faces changed one after another. After she'd had her fun, she changed back to her original face.

They followed the busiest street all the way to its end, where they found the largest orphanage in Barker City.

Before they even went inside, they could hear children's laughter and chatter.

Dong'er stopped at the entrance and looked at the gate in front of her, a faint trace of fear rising in her heart.

If only Brother Ye Tian didn't have to leave.

Dong'er, you're the best. You can definitely take care of yourself!

She secretly worked up her courage, took a few deep breaths, and knocked on the gate. A response quickly came from inside.

"Little girl, who are you looking for?" A kind-faced woman in her twenties poked her head out. Seeing Dong'er standing there alone, she guessed what had happened, and a trace of sympathy appeared in her eyes.

"Miss, my father gave me some money and told me to come here. He said he'd come get me before long."

"Come with me, sweetie. What's your name?"

"Dong'er."

Milan noticed the many silver coins in Dong'er's hand and roughly guessed what had become of her father. Her heart softened toward the little girl who was about to move into the orphanage.

Milan took Dong'er's hand and gently led her to the director's office to register.

The director was a kind woman in her forties. After hearing Dong'er's story, she sighed quietly to herself, then quickly arranged a place for Dong'er to stay. She didn't take the money Dong'er was holding.

"Milan, keep an eye on Dong'er from now on. Make sure no one bullies her."

"Don't worry, Aunt Lan."

That evening, the orphanage held a lavish welcome dinner for Dong'er. The children cheered at the feast laid out for them. Most of them welcomed Dong'er, and a few friendly children even went out of their way to chat with her so she wouldn't feel left out.

Milan and Aunt Lan watched with smiles, their eyes full of relief.

After dinner, Dong'er went with the others to her dormitory, a room shared by six people.

She had just started making her bed when the door behind her burst open with a bang. Dong'er turned toward the noise. Two girls, around eight years old, came in side by side, wearing matching looks that said they were the bosses. They surveyed the room, then quickly fixed their eyes on Dong'er, the unfamiliar face.

One of the sharp-eyed girls immediately noticed something. She leaned close to her companion and whispered a few words. Then the two of them came over, one on each side.

"New here?"

"You know the rules, don't you? Every newcomer has to pay us tribute."

As she spoke, one of the girls darted out a hand and snatched the money pouch poking out from beneath the bedclothes. By the time Dong'er noticed, the girl was already counting the silver coins inside.

"Give my money back!" Anger crept into Dong'er's voice. She clenched her fists and stared at the two girls, who were a head taller than her.

"I told you, these are the rules. Rules, understand?"

"What, you want to fight back? Looks like you've never been beaten before."

"Put my money down. It's mine!"

Dong'er spat out each word, her gaze growing sharper by the moment.

"Why bother with her? There's a good bit of money here. It'll last us a while."

The two girls took the money and turned to leave. The moment they did, something struck them from behind.

They glared back in anger, but they'd barely managed to get out the word "You" when a blanket blocked their view.

Dong'er grabbed the broom leaning against the wall and instinctively used her fist technique.

The hardwood handle landed on the two girls. Before long, their angry cries had turned into pained screams for mercy.

Dong'er ignored them, not stopping until both girls were sprawled on the floor and could barely get back up.

"From now on, don't come looking for trouble with me. Got it?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Got it, Boss."

"What did you call me?" Dong'er asked, startled.

"Boss! You're stronger than us, so you're our boss."

"I don't need that. Just don't come looking for trouble with me. Oh, and those injuries you've got?"

"We tripped while walking around at night!"

The two girls scrambled away, and the room soon fell quiet.

"Dong'er, well done!" Ye Tian praised her without holding back.

"Hehe! It's all thanks to you teaching me so well, Brother Ye Tian."

Over the next few days, Dong'er settled into life at the orphanage. During the days he stayed with her, Ye Tian carefully observed Aunt Lan and Milan. Both of them genuinely cared for the children.

On his tenth day in this world, Ye Tian clearly felt his consciousness beginning to detach. With only a little time left, he finished giving Dong'er his instructions and left her a bottle of Foundation Strengthening Pills. The next second, his consciousness suddenly plunged into darkness.

Ye Tian's voice cut off mid-sentence. Dong'er's spirit appeared in that vast, hazy space. She looked around in every direction, but couldn't find the familiar figure.