Xin Yu settled into life at the orphanage. Initially, he was somewhat worried he might suddenly return to his original world, leaving without saying goodbye. However, he discovered that his countdown timer remained frozen, not ticking at all.
Perhaps because the countdown was frozen, his transmigration constitution didn't activate either. He lived here for a whole week without any changes.
During this week, he got acquainted with all the children at the orphanage. He memorized each child's appearance and name and even learned about their hobbies.
While spending time with these children, without the pressing sense of death nipping at his heels, Xin Yu entered an inexplicable state of relaxation.
Thinking back, ever since waking up, he seemed to have been wandering aimlessly, never truly relaxing.
Even with the so-called life-and-death countdown chasing him, he was just like a sheep pursued by a sheepdog, only focused on running forward, unaware of what lay ahead.
Now, without the sheepdog's pursuit, the sheep finally stopped its steps. He finally stopped.
"Big Brother Xin Yu! Come play hide-and-seek with us!"
"No way! Big Brother played with you guys all day yesterday. Today, he should play house with us."
"Big Brother Xin Yu is a boy! Boys should play with boys! Besides, playing house is boring!"
"Hmph! Big Brother isn't rough like you bullies! And how is playing house boring?!"
Xin Yu eventually stepped in himself to break up the argument between the boys and girls. It was hard to believe that in just one week, these children had grown so fond of him and often sought him out to play.
Isn't my appearance supposed to be rather unattractive and off-putting?
Xin Yu sat on the ground, watching the children nearby playing house with dolls, and curiously voiced the doubt in his heart.
Upon hearing Xin Yu's confusion, the girls immediately refuted him.
"Not at all! Big Brother Xin Yu is very handsome!"
"Yeah! Much better looking than those stinky boys who only know how to roughhouse!"
"Father taught us that regardless of whether someone's appearance is beautiful or ugly, we can't judge them based on first impressions. If we dislike someone and refuse to play with them just because of their appearance, that's wrong behavior. Father said it's not right."
"Mhm! And Big Brother Xin Yu is really good-looking!"
Listening to the children's chattering discussion and their simple, unadorned praise for him.
Children's compliments weren't convoluted like adults', lacking flowery words, but these simple sentences brought an inexplicable warmth to Xin Yu's heart.
It felt like a hot water bottle had suddenly been tucked into his chest, which had been chilled by the cold wind.
"Thank you, everyone."
Xin Yu smiled sincerely, thanking the children for their praise.
Of course, life at the orphanage wasn't always about playing. Father Otto also took on the role of a teacher, giving lessons on basic culture and knowledge.
Although Xin Yu had forgotten the things Otto taught before, when Otto retaught the knowledge, those concepts, along with subsequent related information, would inexplicably surface in his mind.
He even recalled some blurry images, like studying intensely at a desk under a lamplight late one night.
At first, Xin Yu couldn't remember what that scene represented, until he saw the children doing the homework Otto assigned. Then he suddenly realized, oh, that picture seems to be of me catching up on homework.
And the main reason Xin Yu managed to integrate so quickly with everyone within a week was that when the children encountered problems with their homework, they would ask him for help.
Although the knowledge Otto taught differed somewhat from what Xin Yu recalled, Xin Yu, who also listened attentively during class, could still solve the assigned homework problems.
However, Xin Yu didn't just do the work for them; instead, he carefully tutored them one-on-one.
After all, everyone struggled with different things.
Xin Yu also asked the children what they did when they encountered problems before he arrived. Everyone said they could only ask Father during the next class. The children didn't want to disturb Father with their problems, as he always seemed very busy, handling various matters in his office.
And the only adult in this orphanage seemed to be Otto. It was hard to imagine how this guy managed to raise children, teach classes, and run the orphanage all at once. And how did he maintain the orphanage's cleanliness?
Xin Yu didn't keep the question to himself but asked Otto directly.
Otto took off the glasses he was wearing, smiled at Xin Yu who looked like a curious baby, walked aside, and patted a metal box near his feet. The middle of the box suddenly split open, revealing a door, and a cylindrical robot automatically rolled out.
"I can't clean the entire orphanage by myself. Hygiene is handled by robots."
"As for being a teacher, it's not difficult either. Just because I opened the orphanage in a relatively remote place doesn't mean I'm completely cut off from the world. I use the internet too; lots of online resources can help."
"...So, according to you, you're not actually that busy?"
"Mm... You could say that. But even I need some private time, don't I?"
Xin Yu watched as Otto smilingly returned to his desk, turned his laptop around, revealing a game interface open on the screen.
"This is my little private secret. Don't reveal it to the children, okay? If they knew I sometimes hide in the office to play games alone, they might start pestering me. You know, it's hard to refuse when children look at you with pleading eyes."
Suddenly, Xin Yu felt Otto had become much more alive. Previously, he always felt an inexplicable sense of unreality about Otto. But when Otto revealed his imperfections and shared his little secret, Xin Yu somehow felt the distance between them had shortened considerably.
Just like that, after Xin Yu had spent a happy month at the orphanage, as he was going through his usual routine just like any other day during that month, the bell suddenly rang.
Xin Yu arrived at a small chapel within the orphanage.
He saw the usually lively children, each face now filled with solemnity. Their laughter was gone; some even had expressions of grief.
And Otto stood on the platform, his face lacking its usual gentle smile, replaced by solemnity.
"Children, Lei Anmi... has left us forever."