A New Beginning

At 21, Ajin-Rai already carried the air of authority most people only imagined. The 11th generation heir of the powerful Rai family in Korea, he could walk into a room and have everyone obey without question. Yet today, as he stood outside a small, weathered apartment building in China, he felt an unfamiliar twinge of nervousness. This wasn’t a business deal. These were two lives—fragile, complicated, and entirely his responsibility.

He took a deep breath, adjusting the cuff of his sleeve, and muttered to himself, “Alright, Ajin… just do what needs to be done.”

With a single call, the gears of his world began to turn. “Butler, buy a villa here immediately. Lawyer, draw up the adoption papers. Nanny for the young one, a new wardrobe for the older. Everything must be ready in ten minutes.”

The butler raised an eyebrow. “Ten minutes, Young Master?”

Ajin smirked. “I said ten. Don’t question it.”

Within an hour, the villa stood ready: a luxurious three-story home complete with a garden, fully furnished rooms, and a kitchen that would make any chef weep with joy. The lawyer and nanny waited patiently, and a small wardrobe for Xio had been delivered with care.

Ajin-Rai straightened his posture and stepped into the apartment where the children lived. Hao, a whirlwind of energy at five years old, peeked from behind the sofa. His wide eyes reflected curiosity mixed with caution.

And Xio—seventeen, tall, with sharp dark eyes—watched silently from the corner. Her gaze was guarded, wary of strangers, especially those who promised “a better life.”

“I’m Ajin-Rai,” he said, keeping his voice calm but authoritative. “I’m here because I want to adopt you two. I can’t promise a perfect life, but I can promise a safe one… stable. And… I’ll do my best to make it happy.”

Hao blinked, then tilted his head. “You… you’re going to be our dad?”

I nodded, smiling faintly. “Only if you want me to be. You can call me Dad, or not. No pressure.”

Xio’s voice was quiet, hesitant. “Why… why would you do this?”

Ajin-Rai crouched slightly to meet her gaze, letting his expression soften. “Because I can. And because you deserve better than what life has given you so far. That’s all the reason I need.”

There was silence. Hao stepped forward, then darted back behind Ajin, unsure whether this man was a friend or a stranger. Xio studied him, searching for any sign of insincerity.

“Alright…” she said finally, her voice a mixture of caution and hope. “We… we’ll try it.”

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The Move

By afternoon, the children’s few belongings had been packed, and they stepped into the new villa. Hao ran wild, testing every corner, every hallway, every cupboard—sometimes colliding with furniture, sometimes nearly knocking over vases.

“Careful, little tornado!” Ajin-Rai called, diving just in time to save a lamp from imminent destruction.

Xio, however, moved with careful steps, examining her new room, the wardrobe full of clothes, and the tidy setup of her study desk. “It… it’s… nice,” she whispered, almost to herself.

Hao jumped on her bed. “This is mine now! And this is mine!” He claimed three pillows, two stuffed animals, and the corner of her desk. Xio groaned.

Ajin-Rai raised an eyebrow. “Hao… boundaries. Some things aren’t yours to conquer.”

Hao blinked, then shrugged innocently. “But… conquest is fun.”

Xio rolled her eyes, trying to hide the smile threatening to escape. Ajin-Rai couldn’t help but chuckle at her subtle amusement. The chaos, though overwhelming, was oddly comforting.

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Dinner and Early Bonding

That evening, Ajin-Rai decided to cook dinner himself. Hao hovered at his side, watching in fascination as he chopped vegetables with precise, almost absurdly skillful movements.

“You… you cook like a pro!” Hao exclaimed.

Ajin-Rai smirked. “I am a master of many things. Today… you’ll learn humility.”

Xio observed from across the kitchen. “You… really do everything, don’t you?” she asked, a hint of admiration in her voice.

“I do what needs to be done,” Ajin-Rai replied, tossing a spice into the pan like a magician revealing a trick. “Including making sure dinner isn’t inedible for my new family.”

Hao, delighted, grabbed a whisk and attempted to help. Chaos ensued: flour flew, a bowl tipped over, and Ajin-Rai ended up chasing a rolling tomato across the kitchen floor. Xio couldn’t help but laugh—a genuine, carefree laugh that made Ajin-Rai’s chest tighten in a way he didn’t expect.

After dinner, they sat on the couch, tired but happy. Hao sipped on milk while Xio traced patterns on her journal, and Ajin-Rai finally let himself relax.

“I know you’ve had a hard time,” he said gently to Xio, who glanced up. “But from now on… consider this home. And consider me someone you can rely on. For anything.”

Xio’s eyes softened. “Thank you… Dad.”

Hao, ever energetic, added, “Yeah! Thanks, Dad! Can we play games now?”

Ajin-Rai laughed, ruffling Hao’s hair. “Of course. Family time is just as important as dinner, little man.”

As night settled over the villa, the house was quiet. Hao was already half-asleep on the couch, Xio curled up in her new bed, and Ajin-Rai stood on the balcony, looking at the city lights. For the first time in a long while, he felt… complete.

The road ahead would be unpredictable, messy, and chaotic—but it would be theirs. Together.

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