The Feeling of Home

In October, the autumn breeze gently swept through, carrying away summer's heat and bringing autumn's coolness.

With the arrival of the holiday, the students eagerly left Nuoding Academy, preparing to go home or do whatever they wanted.

Students could be seen everywhere in the academy, gathering in bustling groups to discuss their holiday arrangements and plans.

Early the next morning, Jun Lin left Nuoding Academy with Ah Yin, the two of them traveling together.

Along the way, sunlight spilled across the earth like scattered gold. A gentle breeze brushed past, carrying the faint fragrance of flowers and grass.

Jun Lin and Ah Yin walked side by side. The breeze softly caressed them, and the roadside flowers and grass swayed gracefully in the wind. Sunlight filtered through the gaps between the leaves, casting mottled shadows.

Their laughter never ceased as they teased each other about embarrassing incidents while heading toward Jun Lin's home.

"A-Jun, is your home inside Nuoding City?"

Having left Nuoding Academy, Ah Yin was clearly in an excellent mood.

"Yeah, at the easternmost edge of the city."

"By the way, Ah Yin, do you remember that time you weren't watching where you were going at the academy and walked into a tree? The way you clutched your head and cried in pain was hilarious."

Jun Lin smiled teasingly. He gave a slight shrug, folded his arms across his chest, and wore a mischievous grin.

At his words, Ah Yin blushed and retorted. She raised her chin slightly, placed one hand on her waist, and pointed at Jun Lin with the other.

"Hmph, you're one to talk. Last time, you got a question wrong in class. I still remember that awkward look on your face."

A faint blush spread across Ah Yin's cheeks. There was a hint of annoyance in her eyes, while her slightly pursed lips made her look especially adorable.

"Oh? Then I wonder who was late for class, sneaked in through the back door, and got caught red-handed by the teacher?"

Jun Lin's brows rose slightly, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

Ah Yin refused to be outdone and struck back, a playful glint in her eyes.

"Hmph hmph, then who fell asleep in class and got called on by the teacher to answer a question? When he stood up in a daze, his legs went weak and he nearly fell over."

As Ah Yin spoke, she gestured through the scene with her hands, her eyes full of recollection.

The two kept teasing each other, as though time itself had become especially lighthearted in that cheerful atmosphere.

Before long, they arrived at the entrance of a small courtyard.

The courtyard was not lavish, and because no one had cleaned it for a long time, its gate looked worn and was covered in dust.

When they pushed open the gate, a stale scent rushed at them. Sure enough, having been away from home for so long, the state of the house's cleanliness was truly worrying.

"Looks like we've got our work cut out for us."

The moment he entered and saw the house overgrown with weeds, Jun Lin smiled awkwardly at Ah Yin.

But Ah Yin said energetically, "It's fine. We'll clean it together, and it'll be tidy in no time."

After that, the two silently divided the work and began cleaning.

They chatted as they worked, and the atmosphere was warm and harmonious.

Half a day later...

After the two busied themselves for a while, they finally finished cleaning the house.

"Ah! I'm exhausted!"

"Stupid A-Jun, you're really something! You said you were bringing me to your house as a guest."

"I think 'being a guest' was nothing but a lie. The truth was that you tricked me into helping you 'clean up.'"

Lying on the soft mattress, Ah Yin complained weakly.

There was a trace of resentment in her eyes, and she still clenched the rag she had not put down, as though it too was venting her dissatisfaction.

Jun Lin stood to the side. Hearing Ah Yin's complaints, he could not help scratching his head, looking extremely embarrassed.

At that moment, Ah Yin wiped the sweat from her forehead. Looking at Jun Lin beside her, she asked curiously,

"A-Jun, do you live here alone? Where are the rest of your family? Why haven't I seen any of them?"

Her eyes were full of curiosity, as though she was deeply interested in Jun Lin's family life.

Jun Lin froze slightly, then realized that he had never told Ah Yin about his family.

So he slowly said, "My parents passed away two years ago, but I still have an older sister."

A warm smile appeared on his face. Clearly, he held deep affection for Sister Linglong.

When Ah Yin heard this, an awkward look first flashed across her face. Realizing she had accidentally brought up something painful for Jun Lin, she hurriedly apologized to him.

Then a trace of envy flashed through her eyes. She sighed softly and said, "That's nice. You still have family, but me... where is my home...?"

A trace of loneliness showed in her eyes. Her halting words made one's heart ache.

Seeing Ah Yin's sorrowful expression, a wave of tenderness rose in Jun Lin's heart, and he was just about to say something.

However, at that moment, the system's voice rang out in Jun Lin's mind.

"Ding dong! A friendly reminder from the system."

"Congratulations, Host. You have a new Wish List. Please check it."

"???"

Jun Lin...

The system interrupted the melancholy mood just like that, and Jun Lin harshly complained about it in his heart.

He then activated the system and checked the system information.

A system interface immediately popped up.

[Wish List]

"Name: Ah Yin"

"1: As a Hundred-Thousand-Year Transformation Rebirth Spirit Beast, I hope to cultivate safely until reaching maturity."

"2: ..., 3: ..., 4: ..."

"5: As a Transformed Soul Beast, I hope to have family of my own in the human world."

"6: As a Transformed Soul Beast, I hope to have a true home of my own in the human world."

After reading Ah Yin's Wish List, an indescribable feeling welled up in Jun Lin's heart. He opened his mouth, wanting to offer some comforting words, but when they reached his lips, he could not say them.

Sure enough, Ah Yin was still just like in the original story. Gentle and kind.

Even after being deceived into sacrificing herself by Tang Hao, she had not regretted it. From beginning to end, all she had ever wanted was a home...

Don't be fooled by how gentle and easy to deceive Ah Yin usually seemed. She was actually sharp as hell.

Put bluntly, she was just plain stupid.

Put nicely, she possessed the heart of a child.

That was what Jun Lin had learned from spending the past year with Ah Yin.

Did anyone really think Ah Yin in the original story could not see through Tang Hao's intentions? She simply had no choice...

Pulling himself from his thoughts, Jun Lin let out an almost imperceptible sigh and softly said to Ah Yin,

"Ah Yin, if you don't mind, then from now on, you can treat this place as your home."

"And I happen not to have a younger sister. How about you become my little sister?"

Jun Lin stood there, nervously watching Ah Yin as he waited for her answer. His eyes were full of tenderness.

Jun Lin's sudden words left Ah Yin stunned for a moment.

Looking at his nervous expression and the warmth in his eyes, she recalled all the little moments from the past year.

Then Ah Yin's lips curved upward slightly, revealing a warm smile. "All right. From now on, this will be my home. For the rest of my life, please take care of me, Brother Jun Lin."

Her eyes were full of hope, as though she had found a harbor she could rely on.