Tyrant of the Orphanage

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

Leaving the alleyway, Ye Tian looked at Dong'er, who was obediently covering her eyes in his mental space, and spoke softly.

Dong'er gave a soft reply. Seeing that they were now on a bustling main street, she immediately patted her chest in relief and exclaimed in admiration.

"Brother Ye Tian, you escaped from those two bad men! You're amazing!"

Ye Tian did not mention the fact that those two thugs were already gone.

The reason he had killed them without mercy just moments ago was that he had sensed killing intent from Skinny Monkey and his cohorts; they truly had blood on their hands.

Ye Tian would not leave such scourges alive to have the chance to harm others.

Ye Tian responded with a few words, then looked at Dong'er's innocent and cute little face, falling into deep thought.

Dong'er's current appearance was already attracting unwanted attention. He had to leave in five days, and if Dong'er were left alone in Barker City as a five-year-old child, he would be unable to rescue her in time if an accident occurred.

"System, can my rewards be used by others?"

"Yes."

Ye Tian took out the Shapeshifting Mask rewarded by the system, broke down the logic, and explained it carefully to Dong'er.

Dong'er asked with a somewhat bewildered look: "Brother Ye Tian, is this mask comfortable to wear?"

"This mask has magical abilities. Whatever appearance you want to change into, the mask can help you achieve it."

"Really!"

Dong'er looked over with sparkling eyes. Upon receiving Ye Tian's confirmation, she happily took the mask and pressed it against her face.

"It feels cool, and it doesn't feel stifling at all."

"Dong'er, now imagine your own appearance. This Shapeshifting Mask will fix your face and figure."

Dong'er agreed, and soon her cute appearance became ordinary. The special, attractive aura she possessed vanished, leaving her as the type of person who would be completely invisible in a crowd.

"Until Dong'er becomes the best in the world, you must not let a third person see your real face."

"Mm-hmm, I'll remember that!"

Dong'er quickly learned how to control the mask. Faces flashed rapidly in the reflection of the water, and once she had played enough, she changed her face back to the original one.

Following the busiest street to its end, they arrived at the largest orphanage in Barker City.

Before they even entered, the laughter of children could be heard from within.

Dong'er stood still at the entrance, looking at the gate, and a trace of timidity arose in her heart.

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

Dong'er, you are the best; you can definitely take good care of yourself!

Encouraging herself inwardly, Dong'er took a few deep breaths and knocked on the gate. A response soon came from inside.

"Little sister, who are you looking for?" A kind-faced woman in her twenties poked her head out from the gate. Seeing Dong'er standing there all alone, she guessed the situation, and a look of pity appeared in her eyes.

"Big sister, my father gave me some money and told me to come here. He said he would come to pick me up before long."

"Come with me, little one. What is your name?"

"Dong'er."

The woman named Milan noticed the many silver coins in Dong'er's hand and roughly guessed the fate of that father, feeling even more sympathy for the little girl about to move into the orphanage.

Milan took Dong'er's hand and spoke softly as she led her to report to the director first.

The director was a kind woman of forty. After hearing Dong'er's story, she sighed softly in her heart and quickly arranged a place for Dong'er to stay, though she did not confiscate the money in Dong'er's hands.

"Milan, keep an eye on Dong'er from now on and don't let her be bullied."

"Don't worry, Aunt Lan."

That evening, to welcome Dong'er's arrival, the orphanage held a sumptuous welcome dinner. The children cheered for the abundant food, and most of them accepted Dong'er's arrival gladly. A few enthusiastic children even took the initiative to chat with her so she wouldn't feel isolated.

Milan and Aunt Lan watched this scene with smiles, their eyes filled with relief.

After dinner, Dong'er followed the others back to her dormitory, a room for six.

She had just started tidying her bed when the door behind her was kicked open with a bang. Dong'er looked toward the sound to see two girls around eight years old walking in, one on each side. Wearing arrogant expressions, they scanned the room and quickly locked their eyes on Dong'er, the unfamiliar face.

One of them, sharp-eyed, immediately noticed something and leaned over to whisper into her companion's ear. The two girls surrounded her from both sides.

"New here?"

"Do you know the rules here? Every newcomer has to pay us tribute."

As she spoke, one girl reached out like lightning and grabbed the corner of the money bag peeking out from the bed. By the time Dong'er realized what was happening, the girl was already counting the silver coins inside.

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

"I told you, this is the rule. Rules, do you understand?"

"What, you want to resist? Looks like you haven't been beaten enough."

"Put my money down, that's mine!"

Dong'er spat out the words one by one, her gaze gradually turning sharp.

"Why bother with her? This is quite a bit of money, enough to last us a while."

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

They glared back in annoyance, but before they could even get a "you" out, their vision was blocked by a quilt.

Dong'er grabbed a broom from the wall and instinctively unleashed her martial arts.

The solid wooden handle rained down on the two girls, and within moments, their indignant cries turned into wails for mercy.

Dong'er turned a deaf ear to them, only stopping once the two girls were sprawled on the floor, struggling even to stand.

"Don't ever come looking for trouble here again, you hear me?"

"Mm-hmm."

"We understand, Boss."

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

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

"I don't need that. Just don't bother me. By the way, what about those injuries on you?"

"We just tripped while walking at night, that's all!"

The two girls scrambled away, and the room quickly fell silent.

"Dong'er, well done!" Ye Tian did not hold back his praise.

"Hehe! It's all thanks to your teaching, Brother Ye Tian."

Over the next few days, Dong'er integrated well into life at the orphanage. During the days he spent with her, Ye Tian carefully observed Aunt Lan and Milan, and he could tell they were genuinely kind to the children from the bottom of their hearts.

On the tenth day since arriving in this world, Ye Tian clearly felt his consciousness beginning to drift away. Seizing the final moments, he finished giving his instructions to Dong'er and left her a bottle of Foundation Strengthening Pill. The next second, his consciousness suddenly went black.

Ye Tian's voice cut off abruptly. Dong'er's spiritual form appeared in that grey, hazy space, looking around in every direction, but she could not find that familiar figure.