144: Her changes

Those large hands, unlike the warmth she had imagined, were so cold.

But surprisingly, she didn't feel uncomfortable.

The cold hand, carrying a gentle breeze, touched her forehead, lightly stroking down, brushing away a stray weed she hadn't even noticed. Then, after tidying her hair and seeing she remained silent, he repeated himself.

"I just knew it."

"It's okay, things will get better. I'm here."

He slightly raised his gaze, and those clear, cold eyes under the moonlight were captivating, making her close her mouth as if by a ghost's whim.

Although Jun Lingxiao didn't say much, she still saw the answer in his eyes; he truly knew, even better than she did, that feeling.

He wasn't born to be trusted by everyone, nor was he born standing so high. In fact, one could say—

The higher one stands, the more gossip there is.

His father was absent, and his mother carried a burden of hatred. Only his grandfather visited him occasionally. Besides that, Jun Lingxiao was truly alone in his position as the Divine Son, without anyone to rely on.

He could always only rely on himself.

Of course, there was gossip. Although the rumors gradually dissipated as he rose step by step, they had certainly existed.

So, he knew.

Jun Siyu fell silent then. She buried her head in the covers, only peeking out with her eyes to secretly observe Jun Lingxiao's handsome profile. A question suddenly popped into her mind, one that she couldn't shake off.

'What was my brother like when he was little?'

Coming back to her senses, she finally began to ponder this question, and then it became unstoppable.

'Perhaps he was born to be flattered by everyone, with everyone scrambling to please him?'

'Or perhaps... he was born like me, ostracized by everyone?'

The former seemed impossible no matter how she thought about it, and for the latter, she truly couldn't imagine what kind of situation that would be.

Now she had a brother protecting her, but it still couldn't hide everyone's malice. So, what kind of situation would it have been if her own brother hadn't had anyone to protect him when he was little?

She didn't dare to think about it.

Moreover, he didn't even have a father... As she thought, Jun Siyu tossed and turned. Although she truly didn't want to admit it, a very serious fact now lay before her.

The reason she hadn't been able to like Jun Lingxiao before was because she subconsciously believed that Jun Lingxiao had stolen her father. But now, it seemed... she was actually the one who had stolen her brother's father instead... 'He's so amazing, I'm the superfluous one, I'm the culprit who destroyed his family...'

Once this thought appeared, she couldn't shake it off, no matter what. A sense of guilt always lingered in her heart, and even repeated denials were useless.

'No, everyone is the same, there's no such thing as one stealing from another...'

'No, no, if it weren't for me, then brother would have had a complete family...'

'Even more wrong!' What about me! Am I just superfluous?'

'Although he is the Divine Son of the Jun Family and has awakened incredible power and achieved remarkable things, I am useful too! I am!'

"I am..."

After thinking for a long time, Jun Siyu was surprised to discover a fact: she seemed to have been quite useless her entire life.

Before, she was a treasure in her parents' hands, and now, she was still a treasure in her parents' hands, no different from before.

But her brother was different. Perhaps her existence was truly a mistake? If one of them had to disappear, she would definitely be the most useless one.

But... 'Brother, why did he let me join the Jun Family?'

Gradually, Jun Siyu understood. She understood the hostility of those people. It wasn't simply looking down on her white hair, nor simply blaming her father. Instead... it was feeling it was unfair to him.

They felt it was unfair to the Divine Son of the Jun Family, Jun Lingxiao.

He's so amazing yet has no father, while I'm so useless yet always have my father with me... It's too unfair.

Looking at it this way, there should be no reason for her to join the Jun Family. It would be harmful and offer no benefit, a thankless task. But why... And also, why did Father ask Brother to bring me home, yet never came to see Brother even once during this time... Father clearly knew the Jun Family wouldn't accept her, but why did he still want her to return to the Jun Family... In an instant, countless questions swirled in her little mind, so she asked directly.

"Brother, why did Father want me to return to the Jun Family?"

She opened her large eyes, filled with confusion.

Then she saw her brother open his exceptionally handsome eyes and hum softly, looking at her: "Because the Jun Family is safe."

That's right, because it's safe.

Not returning to see her brother for so many years was one thing, but he only remembered him when he had something to ask of him.

Jun Siyu began to feel it was unfair to Jun Lingxiao, and a thought, one that would have been impossible before, began to emerge in her heart:

'My father is a bad person.'

'He's very good to me, but he's still a bad person.'

Thinking this, Jun Siyu asked another very important question.

"Brother, why did you let me join the Jun Family?"

"I'm completely useless..." She finished, a little dejected, admitting her uselessness.

Jun Lingxiao's answer was as frank as ever. He wasn't impatient, nor did he say he was tired. Instead, he continued to feign sleep, answering every question, and always looking at her when he spoke:

"Because I am the Divine Son of the Jun Family. Everyone in the Jun Family is for me, and I am for everyone in the Jun Family."

Lord Dragon was somewhat moved by these words, but he still didn't turn around.

Jun Siyu, however, felt that Jun Lingxiao was being perfunctory with her.

She pouted: "But I'm not a member of the Jun Family."

"Do you want to be?"

The question was so matter-of-fact, spoken with a tone that placed the decision entirely in her hands, leaving her momentarily stunned.

Because, this seemed to be the first time she could decide something.

Abandoned, forsaken, cared for, found, vaguely entering the family home, kicked around like a ball—before this, she had never decided anything for herself. But now... she could.

So Jun Siyu lowered her head, hesitated for a long time, then looked up and said: "I want to be. Because..."

She still wanted to give some reasons to convince Jun Lingxiao, to let him know that she seemed to have a reason to stay here, but before she could speak, he interrupted her.

"Mm."

"Then you are."

With a soft "Mm," any explanation seemed pale and powerless.

No reasons were needed. As long as you wanted to, you were a member of the Jun Family, and an object of my protection. So, what need for reasons?

Jun Siyu was completely sleepless that night. Although she knew Jun Lingxiao was tired, in her understanding, 'tired' meant not sleeping well the previous day, so she didn't pay attention to it. She clung to him, asking many more questions, and he answered them all.

She finally fell into a dazed sleep at some unknown hour, a smile on her lips, clearly having a good dream, learning more about her brother, Jun Lingxiao.

Father is a bad person, and Brother is a good person.

She liked Brother... The next day, before dawn, she was woken by a faint rustling sound.

At some point, their blankets had come together. Jun Siyu rubbed her eyes and looked up, seeing Jun Lingxiao, already dressed.

"Brother... *huff* ~ What are you going to do?"

She propped herself up with one hand, her eyes heavy with sleep, very disoriented. In the blur, she could only make out Jun Lingxiao's outline, asking in a childish voice.

"To morning practice."

"Aren't you going to sleep a little longer?"

"No, you sleep."

After Jun Lingxiao finished speaking, he saw Jun Siyu vaguely slump back down; she seemed truly sleepy.

After Jun Lingxiao tidied up, he casually set up a soundproofing Formation for her and walked out. Under Lord Dragon's teasing gaze, he stood at the doorway. Outside... was an endless line of Jun Family Disciples.

It was still dark, but they were already waiting outside the house, standing one after another. Everyone's gaze was fixed on Jun Lingxiao, their expressions varied: awe, admiration, pursuit, reverence, and joy. Their gazes were like beams of light, following him closely. No one spoke, they just watched him, as if he were some rare treasure, drawing a crowd.

By this day, Jun Lingxiao had become the faith of the younger generation of Disciples. Without any notice, they had gathered here spontaneously.

Jun Lingxiao believed they would come, just as they believed Jun Lingxiao would appear.

He gave them a deep look, then took a step forward and said sternly:

"Then, let's begin."

"Don't let me see anyone fall behind."

"Yes!"

Everyone shouted in unison. With that, the Jun Family's day began.