Chapter 44

The soft morning glow was just beginning to glisten on the grass when Cai Wen found himself standing in front of the humble, that was the orphanage where he had grown up.

The building was immersed in tranquility, with an air of innocence and simplicity that hadn't changed over the single year he was gone.

It hasn't been so long yet he suddenly felt a pang of nostalgia hit him, like a sudden gust of wind, as he remembered the times he had spent under the care of Sister Yue and Aunt Xiu.

The memories swirled in his mind; the innocent laughter, the shared meals, the comforting bedtime stories from the elders although he doesn't really need it.He could still feel the comforting touch of Sister Yue tucking him into bed, the soothing voice of Aunt Xiu narrating tales of legends to the childrens.

Cai Wen couldn't help but chuckled, he was thinking like he was gone for a long time when it was only a single year that he was gone.

With a sigh, he pushed aside these memories, took a deep breath, and with a sense of feeling of returning home, he walked in.

As he stepped inside, he was greeted by the familiar scent like the old books, a smell that reminded him of the countless hours he had spent lost in stories, cause he doesn't have anything to do this world as it lacks a lot of entertainment and books are just his heaven.

The aroma of warm, home-cooked food wafted through the air, making his heart swell with affection. The walls of the building, still echoed with the laughter and joy of children who called it home.

The surprised gasps of the children playing in the common area brought him back to reality. They stared at him, their wide-eyed innocence bringing a smile to his face.

The caregivers, seeing a familiar face, smiled warmly, their faces alight with recognition. Sister Yue, now seventeen, was the first to notice him. Her eyes widened in surprise, her brows arching in disbelief before a warm smile spread across her face.

"Cai Wen!" she exclaimed, her voice carrying a note of excited surprise. She rushed forward to hug him, her arms wrapping around him in a warm embrace. "It's been a long time! How have you been?"

"It's only been a year actually, but I miss you too Big Sister Yue" Cai Wen reciprocated and hug her also while his buried between her very develop chest.

The surprise visit turned into a pleasant reunion as he started catching up with Sister Yue and Aunt Xiu. Over bowls of steaming soup and warm bread, they discussed the old times and the new thing like Cai Wen's life in the Spirit Hall, their conversation filled with laughter, occasional sighs and shock from what he had done.

The feeling of comfort and warmth that he experienced for his first 6 years of this world was something he hadn't felt in a long time.

After catching up with his old caretakers, Cai Wen decided to spend the day at the orphanage, intending to engage the children and contribute to their well-being. He started with a simple game of hide and seek in the orphanage's small but well-kept garden. The game, filled with laughter and excitement, was a hit among the children.

Once the game was over, Cai Wen planned an art activity in the common room. He remembers that engaging children in art at an earlier age is good for them to develop their creativity. So he bought a lot of things before coming over putting all of it in his essence tool.

The room was soon filled with the buzz of children, their ages ranging from toddlers to teenagers, engrossed in creating colorful paintings and crafts. Cai Wen found himself drawn to their infectious enthusiasm.

He picked up a brush and joined them, his own painting reflecting the joy he felt being amongst them. Although everyone laughed at him for how horrible he is at it.

In the afternoon, Cai Wen organized a small soccer game in the yard. The children, full of energy, chased after the ball, their laughter echoing throughout the orphanage. Sweaty and tired but filled with joy, they retired to the dining hall, where the staff had prepared a special meal for them using the ingredients Cai Wen had brought with him inside his essence tool.

As the day came to an end, Cai Wen felt a sense of contentment he hadn't experienced in a long time. He realized how much he had missed the orphanage and the simple joy that came with being a part of it. He promised Sister Yue and Aunt Xiu that he would visit more often.

That night, as Cai Wen lay in his bed in the Supreme Pontiff Palace, he couldn't help but feel grateful for the day he had spent at the orphanage.

The laughter of the children, the warmth of Sister Yue and Aunt Xiu, and the joy he felt in contributing to their well-being filled his heart with fulfillment and happiness from this simple visit.