"I'll take care of you first, but after that, I'm still going to scold you."
"No, Big Brother, don't go home. I—"
"I know. We'll find Mom."
A warm feeling wrapped around Yan's heart. Who would've thought Russell could actually be relied on? The one who was always so gentle could be like this, too. Rowen Adamine's blood ran strong through his veins.
This time, Yan chose to set his pride aside. He wrapped his arms around his brother's neck and buried his face there. The gentle pats on his back made him a little sleepy.
"Answer me honestly. Are you hurt?"
Yan shook his head while thinking of the most plausible excuse.
"I was looking for Mom... then two people started fighting..."
Yan's eyes grew heavier.
"Then I got dragged into it... Uh... I was really scared."
The lie flowed far too smoothly. Russell tightened his hold, and at the same time, Yan's eyes closed as he drifted into unconsciousness.
Yan felt as though he had only just entered his dream when he felt a gentle pat on his cheek. He opened his eyes, even though he didn't feel like it. His gaze met long, blood-red hair and, um, mounds...
Yan wanted to slap himself after realizing what he was looking at. He was lying in his mother's arms, and she was lying down too.
Without making a sound, Yan looked up and found his mother smiling at him. But his attention was drawn to the bandage wrapped around her head. His small hand rose to stroke it.
"Mommy's fine, sweetheart. Mommy was even more worried about you. Russell told me everything, you know. Why were you so reckless, hm? You naughty boy."
Yan needed some time to process everything. When his eyes swept across the room, he found many other entities there.
Russell sat in a chair in the corner of the room, peeling fruit. People dressed in nurse's robes surrounded the room. Only then did Yan realize that this place looked like a medical barracks.
"You're awake, you naughty little brother?"
His brother walked over with fruit in his hand. His brows were furrowed, but he still offered a piece to his little brother's mouth.
"Eat. You must be exhausted."
Yan opened his mouth without protesting. Afterward, he was told what had happened. Hue Adamine had been found unconscious by several local residents, with an injury to her forehead. According to her statement, Hue had been attacked by several people who were members of a dark market—an illegal market that sold the bodies of women and children.
Luckily, she had been found before she was sent to auction, and the local residents had taken care of her.
Though he was angry, Yan was relieved that his mother was still by his side.
"Once again, thank you so much. You've helped me and my children more than I can say. I don't know how I could ever repay you."
Two days later, Hue Adamine bowed politely, looking far better than before.
"Goodness, there's no need for that. Helping each other is only natural, Sister Hue."
Hue took her two children's hands and said goodbye once more before walking away from the medical clinic.
"Don't hesitate to come back anytime!"
Yan held himself back from shouting, even though his cheeks and face had already fallen victim to the young nurses' mass pinching.
The three Adamines returned home amid laughter and playful banter—though Yan, of course, kept his face perfectly expressionless about it.
But all three of them fell silent as soon as they reached the front of the house. Yan's already flat expression grew even flatter.
Their house was half burned down.
Yan reflexively looked at Russell.
'What do you mean, you almost burned down the house? You destroyed our home!'