Taehyung opened his eyes to find himself lying in a large tub filled with water. He coughed a few times, feeling a little disoriented. He remembered jumping into the lake in the back garden of the Duke's Mansion, so how could he have ascended to heaven? He tried hard to recall what had just happened.

He was unwilling to marry the 37-year-old , who had a bad temper and had even treated his previous wife harshly. He had planned to threaten his father with death to make him change his mind. He had arranged for people to be by the lake to save him, hoping to use a desperate measure to appeal to his father’s conscience. He didn’t expect to really die.

Taehyung was unclear about where he was. The water in the white tub was cool. He dragged his heavy body up with difficulty and stood up. A few images instantly flashed through his mind—a man with a graceful figure and delicate features lying in a white tub, slowly submerging his head in the water. His face was full of anguish, and some bubbles emerged from the water. Soon, the water surface became still and the man was completely immersed in the water without moving.

Taehyung was a little shocked. This man was clearly drowning himself. This was the same tub he had just been lying in. He was puzzled again, unsure of where he was and whether there was any danger

Having lived 16 complicated years in the Duke's Mansion, Taehyung still had some judgement. He nodded and closed the door. Looking around, the room was very messy with bedding and pillows scattered on the floor. Turning his head, he saw another door beside the bathroom. Driven by curiosity, he went over and opened it. The closet was filled with clothes and some strange bags at the bottom. But he didn’t recognize any of these things. Everything here was unfamiliar to him. This life was completely different than his own. Recalling what Aunt Song had been wearing, Taehyung took out a long dress from the closet and put it on. It exposed the arms and legs too much for him, a young male soul in a female body, to accept. He then found a white overcoat and put it on before feeling satisfied to go out. The house was huge. Taehyung walked down the stairs to the living room and saw people talking in a large black frame. He was afraid; he didn’t know how they had gotten in there. He stood stiffly by the sofa to appear calm.

Taehyung took it but didn’t change the channel. Reasons: He didn’t know how to use it and didn’t dare to act rashly. Besides, Taehyung was very curious about how those people had managed to enter the large black box called a television.

The kitchen auntie brought dinner of four dishes and one soup to the dining table. Sitting at the dining table, Taehyung was trying to adapt to this new environment. He sat with a dignified posture and graceful manners.

Although not favored by his stepmother, Taehyung received all the etiquette and treatment due to a young lady in a duke’s household as fitting to her family’s noble background.

When Aunt Song carried the 2-year-old Gukkie down the stairs, she saw Taehyung sitting at the dining table as if waiting to eat together. Aunt Song felt this was strange since Taehyung would never wait for people to eat. He always gave a haughty impression with a gloomy expression, ignoring servants and unwilling to dine with Jungkook. Aunt Song placed Gukkie in the highchair beside the dining table. Taehyung curiously looked at him, and their eyes met. Taehyung gave a slight smile, which scared Aunt Song immensely. For some unknown reason, the 2-year-old milk baby suddenly burst into loud cries. Her cries were so distressing that Aunt Song hurriedly picked Gukkie up from the chair to soothe him. It was difficult to endure the meal.

Taehyung ate a few bites and then returned to the sofa to watch television. Aunt Song carried Gukkie upstairs to his nursery and didn’t come out. After the meal, Taehyung seemed to have a clearer grasp of his own identity—he was married with a child; but it was obvious that he wasn’t well-liked in this family. Taehyung could clearly feel Aunt Song’s dislike of him, yet he had to pretend all was normal. He believed that this thing called television could provide more knowledge for him to better understand this world, so Taehyung planned to make up for his lack of knowledge. At two o’clock in the morning, having watched TV dramas, advertisements, and so on for six or seven hours, Taehyung had gained much more understanding about this era. He learned that what he lived in previously—the Dasheng Dynasty—was termed “ancient” for them, while this modern era had far more advanced things like the television and mobile phones. Taehyung now knew how to use the remote control to switch channels one by one. Just then the front door opened and a man dressed in black came in. The man seemed surprised to see Taehyung and gave no greeting before heading upstairs.

Upstairs had many rooms. The huge master bedroom had an ensuite bathroom, walk-in closets, a dressing room, and direct access into the nursery, which also had an outer door. After the incident two months ago, Jungkook had someone block off the outer nursery door so that the only way to enter the baby’s room was through the master bedroom. When Jungkook entered the master bedroom, he saw that the open door led to the nursery and Aunt Song immediately came out after hearing his door open.

Jungkook let Aunt Song return to rest and pondered for a moment. Her marriage to Taehyung was a commercial arrangement. When her company was just starting out, Taehyung’s family proposed a mutually beneficial marriage alliance which Jungkook accepted. Jungkook had thought that aside from lacking love, Taehyung would have everything a husband should have. But now, she had to reconsider divorcing him.

Jungkook walked into Gukkie’s room. The little milk baby was sleeping soundly on the bed. Gukkie’s nose looked a lot like Taehyung’s, straight and refined. His eyebrows and eyes were all in his image. Jungkook squatted down and stroked Gukkie’s forehead. The little milk baby whimpered twice, pursed his lips, then quietly went back to sleep. Ever since birth, Gukkie had only been cared for by Aunt Song. Jungkook quietly left the room without closing the door.

Taehyung, clever to begin with, had gained some understanding of this era after watching TV all night. Around 6 a.m., he could no longer stay awake and went back to sleep. When he went upstairs, he saw Aunt Song coming out of the room.

It was the first time in three years that the madam had said “thank you” to her. Aunt Song was stunned again when Jungkook came downstairs and asked what had happened.

Thinking of the two-year-old little milk baby, Jungkook decided to have breakfast at home this morning.

Hearing this, Aunt Song’s heart almost melted. Jungkook also shed her usual coldness and used chopsticks to put a shrimp ball into Gukkie’s small bowl. Seeing this, Aunt Song sighed again. If only Taehyung did not dislike the young master.

.

At two o’clock in the afternoon, Aunt Song knocked on Taehyung’s door, knocking for a good while before Taehyung groggily opened the door.

These words frightened Aunt Song again, and she forgot what she was knocking on the door for. She stood there in a daze for a few seconds before remembering.

After Aunt Song left, Taehyung contemplated for a moment. The doctor was probably a modern-era physician. Could it be that he had some incurable illness, so he went to seek death? Taehyung went to the wardrobe, unsure of what to wear. He tried hard to remember the outfits worn by women on TV. He took off the dress he had worn yesterday, put on a bra and white shirt, black skinny jeans, then put on a khaki coat before going downstairs. As soon as he got downstairs, he saw the brother Aunt Song had mentioned. Taehyung didn’t know what the previous Taehyung was like, so he didn’t dare greet him first just to be safe.

Taehyung followed behind Namjoon, intending to head out.

Taehyung looked at his slippers. He had seen shoes on TV that were all kept in shoe cabinets by the door, but there was no cabinet near the front door here. He didn’t see any shoes in his room either. However, there was a small door beside the main door. Taehyung carefully opened it and indeed, inside were many, many shoes. It seemed this family was very wealthy to have a dedicated shoe room. Taehyung picked a pair of white high heels to put on before leaving the shoe room.

In Namjoon’s impression, Taehyung never wore high heels. At 168 cm tall, once Taehyung put on high heels he was immediately 175 cm. High heels didn’t really suit him.

Before Taehyung came to this place from Dasheng, women in Dasheng wore shoes with wooden heels. So when he was picking shoes earlier, he chose a high-heeled pair. Taehyung followed Namjoon into the car. He had seen this kind of car on TV that could go very fast and carry several people. Sitting in the back seat, Taehyung looked around eagerly. As the car drove along, he gained new insights. This car was much faster and more stable than the carriages of Dasheng Dynasty, without any bumps.

Taehyung couldn’t help but marvel at the advanced technology of this era. Outside the car windows were tall buildings and many cars filling the wide roads. He didn’t know if he could return to Dasheng. If not, he wanted to live in this era and would need to learn many things, like driving this car. As he drove, Namjoon observed Taehyung from the rearview mirror in the top right corner. He didn’t dare speak much, afraid of agitating him. The car stopped in an underground parking lot beneath a tall building. After parking, Namjoon got out and opened the rear door.

Taehyung got out of the car and followed Namjoon towards the elevator entrance. Arriving at the elevator, Namjoon glanced at Taehyung’s outfit today, which finally resembled his pre-wedding style. Ever since marrying, Taehyung had let himself go, not to mention after getting pregnant. He hardly looked like a man anymore.

Namjoon knew Taehyung resented him for forcing him to marry Jungkook together with his father, and for knowing his father had drugged him on their wedding night but not telling him. In the elevator, Taehyung was still observing these modern things while Namjoon observed him. He could clearly sense Taehyung’s animosity wasn’t as heavy today. He didn’t glare at him or argue. 48th floor, Counseling Office. Seeing these five words, Taehyung was a little confused. Wasn’t it said they were seeing a doctor, so why were they here? It seemed he still didn’t understand this era. He must watch more TV when he gets back to gain knowledge.

That morning by the bedside, Taehyung had seen his own mobile phone and knew it would be very convenient for communicating with people far away, but he didn’t really know how to use it. So instead of going straight into the room, he stood by Namjoon’s side watching him play on his phone.

Taehyung didn’t reply but turned and entered the room.

Taehyung tried his best not to look around and kept reminding himself that this wasn’t Dasheng. Don’t speak, or you’ll easily give yourself away. He did his utmost to conceal his nervousness, but Somi still noticed.

Jungkook realized Taehyung needed to see a psychologist a month after Gukkie was born. At first he just noticed Taehyung was unhappy, often crying alone and prone to throwing things. Later he discovered Taehyung was extremely averse to Gukkie, in an unhealthy way. So Jungkook contacted Taehyung’s father to ask why he detested Gukkie so much, wondering if he disliked having a child.

Upon hearing this, the family was so frightened they immediately brought Taehyung back home to see a psychologist. The family brought Taehyung here once a month, except the first time when Taehyung’s father accompanied him. All other times it was the family driver who picked him up and dropped him off. Somi had seen Taehyung over 20 times. He was resistant at first, then resigned and compromised. It wasn’t until a year ago that Taehyung first spoke. Somi had only met Taehyung’s father once, when he told her Taehyung’s mind went abnormal after giving birth. She initially thought it was simply postpartum depression. But Taehyung didn’t speak for a whole year, and Somi was about to give up, feeling her presence was just to offer some encouraging words.

Only then did Somi have a sudden realization. So Taehyung was gay. She slowly counseled him and conducted psychological treatment. Taehyung gradually improved as he spoke more and more.

For instance, Taehyung said he liked a man and they were about to be together when his father found out. With his traditional, conservative beliefs, his father absolutely refused to agree. So he schemed for ways to prevent it. In the end, he found a decent man to marry him off to. If word got out that a son of the prestigious family was gay, how would his father keep face? Afterwards, afraid Taehyung would disobey, his father drugged him on his wedding night and had Namjoon get some friends to get Jungkook drunk. And so Gukkie was conceived. When Somi learned the full reasons, she counseled Taehyung on fundamental issues and provided psychological treatment. The effects gradually improved, though seemed to regress slightly the last two times.

Hearing to answer questions like before, Taehyung grew nervous. After all, he wasn’t the real Taehyung and knew nothing. What could he do? He tried hard to conceal his anxiety, but Somi still noticed.

Taehyung nodded in agreement.

Taehyung contemplated. He didn’t know what the previous Taehyung liked doing, but having watched TV all of last night until now, he answered that he enjoyed watching TV. Hearing this reply astonished Somi. Taehyung’s previous responses were always that there was nothing he enjoyed.

When Taehyung heard these words, he obtained a lot of information. It turned out the original Taehyung had someone he liked, and it was even another man. This was a bit beyond Taehyung’s cognitive range. Taehyung was still digesting this issue and didn’t hear what Somi said next. In Somi’s eyes, Taehyung was still contemplating this problem.

Somi already felt victory was right in front of her. She asked some more questions before ending the session. Taehyung’s performance this time made Somi feel like his condition was slowly improving. Next she did some other psychological treatments before ending the session. Somi decided to meet Taehyung’s family this time. So she escorted him to the door. At the door, Namjoon was playing games on his phone. Seeing the door open, he immediately stood up.

Somi felt a little flustered by his gaze. Namjoon’s eyes were too ill-intentioned. She was thinking about how to make her words sound more professional.

Although Somi didn’t want to add Namjoon, he was still a patient’s family member asking about conditions, so she couldn’t refuse. She opened up her QR code. Taehyung didn’t know what they were doing. He only knew that cell phones could make transmitting messages more convenient. It seemed that when he returned, he would have to thoroughly research cell phones and watch more TV.

In the CEO's office, Jungkook was reviewing documents when Liu Assistant walked in.

The spacious office was left with only Jungkook again. He took out his phone and dialed.

Namjoon also became serious and relayed the news Somi had just given him. After listening, Jungkook still couldn't quite believe it. He didn't notice Taehyung's condition improving, nor did he believe he could recover after a few more treatments. Still not understanding, Jungkook nevertheless decided to go home and see for himself.

Liu Assistant thought he was leaving briefly for something and didn't have time to ask if he needed anything prepared. Just as he was about to ask,

In the Weiyuan Group work chat: [Did I see wrongly? Did the CEO just go home?] [But why didn't Liu Assistant leave too?] [Could it be the CEO went back to handle extremely private matters?] [Why didn't he bring Liu Assistant? I totally ship them! Liu Assistant is super meticulous, the CEO is so domineering!] [Ahem ahem, watch your words. The CEO is a married man.] [Speaking of which, what does the CEO's wife look like? Is she pretty?] [Liu Assistant has probably seen her since he often goes to the CEO's house to pick him up.] [Who's close with Liu Assistant? Can someone try asking him sometime?] Liu Assistant had previously joined this chat under a pseudonym. Seeing the messages becoming more outrageous and being dragged into it, he had to defend himself with the pseudonym: [Don't you guys think Liu Assistant is also very handsome? And very coldly arrogant.] Right after sending it, the message got flooded away. No one agreed with his opinion at all. Annoyed, he went out directly to monitor them working diligently.

..

Jungkook had already arrived home. After parking the car and going inside, he saw Taehyung sitting on the living room sofa watching TV again.

Jungkook went upstairs to play with Gukkie for a while before going to the study to continue working. But when he turned on the computer, he couldn't get into a working mood at all. He might as well go accompany Gukkie instead. Carrying Gukkie to the living room, Jungkook was about to put him down on the carpet when Gukkie saw Taehyung sitting on the sofa and clung to Jungkook in fear. Taehyung didn't understand why the baby was so afraid of him. Could he have done something before to traumatize him? But the baby was so cute. He wanted to pinch his chubby little cheeks.

Gukkie looked at Taehyung again before feeling assured enough to play with his toys on the carpet. Jungkook built blocks with Gukkie on the carpet while Taehyung sat on the sofa watching TV. The family of three presented a harmonious and beautiful scene in the living room. Watching them, Aunt Song standing in the kitchen doorway felt a little dizzy. If only it could always be like this, how wonderful would that be? In the kitchen, Aunt Li had started cooking more dishes since Jungkook came home early today. Sour and spicy cucumber strips, scallion oil lettuce, shrimp and winter melon shreds, fish head beancurd soup, sweet and sour pork ribs, and brown stewed chicken. All were ordinary home cooked dishes. Not having eaten all day except for some fruit after seeing the doctor and returning home in the afternoon, Taehyung was starving by now.

Taehyung got up and walked to the dining room, looking over the dishes on the table. He didn't pick up his chopsticks until Jungkook and Gukkie were seated in the dining room. Jungkook noticed this detail. Indeed, Taehyung was no longer the sort to only think of himself yet be extremely decadent, as Taehyung had said.

Standing by the side, Aunt Song felt distressed again, wanting to just let Gukkie eat as much as he wanted. But the master and mistress were present so she didn't dare speak up.

Jungkook didn't know what Taehyung was thinking, but since he was willing to manage these things it was for the best. He focused on eating.

Aunt Li was flustered now. She had never liked Taehyung in the first place, shirking his wifely and motherly responsibilities every day, throwing tantrums about not eating, and putting on airs to everyone. She disliked him even more now.

Taehyung didn't know what to do next. Jungkook had stopped eating as soon as he heard the ingredients weren't fresh. He had also picked out all the dishes for Gukkie.

Taehyung was nearly frenzied internally. He hadn't eaten all day and was starving to death. Now the food was being dumped while he was asking if he wanted to go out to eat instead of directly taking him along. Taehyung got up from his chair, not wanting to humor this man. He walked towards the front door to get his shoes on. Jungkook also went out carrying Gukkie. Only Aunt Song and Aunt Li were left in the kitchen.

Outside the villa,

Carrying Gukkie, Jungkook went to the garage and picked a car with a baby seat. He secured Gukkie in the baby seat before driving over. He stopped the car next to Taehyung and opened the passenger door for him to get in.

This was a villa district with only 5 villas. Not many people lived here, just one supermarket selling daily necessities. It was a city built specifically for Gukkie Manor residents. The entire district was very big with even better green spaces and facilities than a public park. Jungkook drove for quite a long time before stopping at the opening of an alleyway. Carrying Gukkie, he walked into the alley. Taehyung didn't know where this was and silently followed behind father and son. After making a turn, he saw a sign for "Private Cuisine". Gukkie had just learned to talk not long ago and many words were still pronounced inaccurately.

Seeing this scene, Taehyung felt a little emotional. His father must have held him like this when he was little too. But why did he treat him like that afterwards? He was his dear son whom he had cherished for so many years. How could he bear to do that? If he had stopped Xu Zhen later on, would he not have jumped into the water? Would he not have come to this unfamiliar place so different from everything he knew before?

Tears actually flowed from his eyes. This was the first time Taehyung had cried since coming to the modern era. "Taehyung, come in," Jungkook still did not understand what this man was thinking. He was crying just standing outside the restaurant door when he hadn't mistreated him at all. Jungkook got a private room and handed a menu to Taehyung. Taehyung took the menu and looked at the words on it. He found the writing of this era was similar to Dasheng's, and some characters were even simpler than Dasheng's.

When they were almost done with the meal, a man came in. From the way he greeted Jungkook, it was clear the two men were very familiar.

Very few people knew that Jungkook and Taehyung were married, let alone that they had a child together. Apart from the Kim family and Aunt Song and a few others, no one else knew the status of their relationship.

Listening to their casual chat, Taehyung gathered one piece of information — this restaurant belonged to Min Yoongi. That was why Jungkook received preferential treatment here. He was bored. Much of what the two men talked about was currently beyond his comprehension. Gukkie sat in his high chair having just finished gnawing on an ear of corn. Now he wanted more meat. Preoccupied with his conversation, Jungkook didn't hear him. Taehyung picked up a shred of meat and put it in Gukkie's little bowl. Perhaps this was the first time Gukkie had seen Taehyung's face without a fierce expression on it. He had given him meat too. He stared at Taehyung for a long, long time. On the way back, Jungkook could no longer restrain himself and finally spoke up.