Comfort

"Hm? Em, who is this handsome young man?"

Suppressing the desire to pull his dear wife into a bearhug, Weston, Emily's husband, first inquired about Tylem with interest. The beautiful young girl also noticed the good-looking boy who appeared to be around the same age as her. For some reason, Lynne felt her heartbeat rising; his calm, collected gaze was just too eye-catching.

"Let's go in first before I explain anything. Please make yourself at home, Tylem!"

Giggling, Emily gave her husband and daughter both a big smooch on the cheek. Taking off her sneakers, she gestured for Tylem to come in and not to stand on ceremony.

It couldn't be helped. Tylem motionlessly stood outside. In his view, he felt like he was intruding into a pure world free of the evil and disgusting stains of the human world.

[I'm dirty.]

Emily was his benefactor.

However… his heart was tainted and filled with anger against the world; he didn't belong here.

It wasn't until Emily scooped him up to sit on her arms did Tylem exit his trance. To her side, Weston curiously watched without saying a single word.

Plopping herself on the black sofa, Emily gave Tylem a pillow to sit on while unhurriedly turning on the television, calling out to her husband and daughter.

"My babies, what are you two dumbly standing there for? Hehe, come and sit down."

The inside of the house was very clean and beautiful. In the living room, numerous family portraits hung off the tall white walls, which showed how happy their little family was. The house brightened up from all the joyful frames. From the pictures, it seemed that the family loved the beach: Tylem had never been to the beach before.

Tylem observed this mysterious woman called Emily, who had brought him, a worthless waste, to her beautiful, unblemished home with a pair of questioning eyes. Just what was going through her mind?

"Mn."

Weston scratched his stubbly chin, carrying Lynne, his confused daughter, to the sofa. Instead of sitting down next to his wife, he straightforwardly placed himself beside Tylem.

Like his wife, the attractive, sturdy husband was around thirty years of age, his features sharp. The man wore a black collared shirt, his long black hair flowing down to cover a bit of his bright green eyes.

The saying was true. If one did not go through hardship in their life, it would be difficult to appreciate the smaller things in life.

Right now, Tylem's mind was complicated; his heart just couldn't carefreely accept the situation.

The family and he had no connection; thus, there should be no reason to receive their help. Sighing, Tylem leaned against the sofa on the pillow. In the end, he shouldn't get too attached.

What if Emily had a change of mind and kicked him out? Blood ties were valued in this world, after all. Nevertheless, since he had opted to receive their help, he would try his best to treat them like family.

[For now, I'll live with them and repay this debt one day]

When Tylem saw Emily's open palm, he ended up placing his right hand atop of hers. Upon doing so, he felt her tightly squeeze his hand, which somewhat comforted him.

"Weston, you must be wondering about who this handsome young man is." Emily smiled, taking in their odd reactions, then she continued.

"From this point on, he is our dear son. Lynne, I hope that you'll treat Tylem, your elder brother, well."

Of course, since Emily had seen Tylem's papers, she knew that her daughter was slightly younger. The entire time, the father-daughter duo was speechless in front of this nonchalant mother, their mouths gaping downwards.

"Th-this… he's going to be my big brother?"

Taking a closer look at Tylem, he really did look magnificent. Unknowingly, Lynne thought that it wouldn't be too bad to have a big brother like this?

However, she still didn't let her emotions show. What if this big brother bullied her because she seemed weak?

Giving a 'hard' look, Lynne stared at this possible big brother, and she declared, "I don't know what's happening, but just know that I haven't acknowledged you as my big bro!"

Raising his brow, Tylem nodded to show that he understood. In the meantime, Weston showed a thoughtful face.

"Em, how about we let the kids go play while we discuss this matter? Remember, like I've said many times before, I will respect your choices." Weston laughed, continuing, "Tylem, I trust all of Emily's decisions, so please be at ease. Make yourself at home."

"Very well. Lynne, please show your big brother around." Emily knew that her actions were a bit unreasonable, but Weston still decided to support her; she was grateful to have such a great husband.

It was also a good chance for her cute daughter and Tylem to get closer. With one look, Emily knew that Weston had already subconsciously accepted this new son of theirs.

Furthermore, it also somehow seemed like Lynne, her usually disapproving daughter, had a much better reaction toward this new big brother than she had predicted?

"Erm, okay~ Follow me, Little Hatchling." Lynne giggled, signaling for Tylem to hurry up.

Humming his approval, Tylem followed the beautiful little girl to her room before looking back at the husband-wife pair, his emotions unknown.

When Emily saw this new son of hers looking back, she let off a big smile while waving back. Tylem was unaware, but a faint smile had also flickered across his thin lips.

"For yourself and me, please may your future be full of bliss."

Closing her eyes, Emily's throat clogged up in emotion.

* * *

The bedroom was full of color. Scattered with lots of pink clothing, tens of dolls piled up atop Lynne's bed, forming a small kingdom. Like her carefree appearance, everything was bright and cheerful.

"Little Hatchling, this is the room of I, Lynne Xin." Displaying a proud look, Lynne grinned.

"It's a great room." Showing an amused smile, Tylem praised. From the looks of it, Lynne was very proud of her room. In spite of not knowing her well, he thought that it definitely did suit her.

Jumping on top of her bed, Lynne had the hearty look of someone digging for treasure. Tylem patiently watched her petite figure hop about, wondering what she was wholeheartedly searching for.

"But Little Hatchling, Lynne has a question!" Sorting through her dolls, Lynne suddenly turned around as if she had finally realized something, holding her most favorite bear doll.

"Why have you become Lynne's big brother all of a sudden?" Tilting her head, Lynne didn't catch Tylem's complication as he came up with an answer.

"I lost my home, and your mother took me in. So… I guess Lynne will have to ask her mother for an answer." Somewhat dodging her question, Tylem awkwardly smiled. It was indeed harder to deal with children than adults.

"Oh." Not pressing for more information, Lynne started walking toward the bizarre boy, a mysterious smile emerging on her little cherry lips.

"Since Mommy said that you'll be Lynne's big brother, you mustn't bully me!" The beautiful girl had a reluctant expression as she held her hands out like she was giving up a very precious treasure.

Enunciating each word, Lynne repeated very carefully, "Boys are stronger than girls, but Lynne is not easy to bully!"

In front of the girl's cuteness and her 'peace offering', Tylem couldn't resist the urge to chuckle. Unknown to even him, he was beginning to slowly open up to his new family. In the past, he had not laughed for many years.

Yet… it was just a tiny bit.

"Yeah, of course." Revealing a row of straight white teeth, Tylem placed a palm on top of Lynne's long black hair. Just maybe… this new life of his wouldn't be that bad.

[You're my sister now. I wouldn't ever hurt you; instead, I will protect you.]

Tylem secretly thought.