Chapter 1: A Fate Worse Than Death

The moment the human trafficker took me away, I did not feel sadness—only relief. I silently wished he would hurry up and take me far from here. I even turned around and shouted, "Dear Mom and Dad, we will never see each other again."

In my previous life, I was abandoned on the roadside as a newborn for reasons unknown. A kind-hearted trafficker found me and raised me, and in time, I came to regard him as my foster father. Seventeen years later, my life took an unexpected turn. The Lynn family from Jinghai City found me, claiming I was their long-lost young master. At first, I didn't believe them, but when the paternity test results were presented to me, I had no choice but to accept the truth.

I was taken back to the Lynn family, expecting a heartwarming reunion filled with familial love. But reality was far from what I had imagined. Instead of welcoming me with open arms, the Lynn family treated me like an outsider. They immediately assigned me laborious tasks under the guise of helping me "adjust." I ignored their treatment at first, believing that we simply needed time to bond. I had longed for family, and I thought they did too.

But I was wrong.

No matter how hard I tried to please them, all I received in return were accusations, insults, and disgust. Meanwhile, their adopted son, Lin Cohen, was showered with love and care. It was as if I were the outsider—the adopted one—while he was the rightful heir.

Then, one fateful evening, everything changed.

After dinner, Lin Cohen suddenly claimed that his favorite music box had gone missing. Without hesitation, every gaze in the room turned toward me. I naturally denied taking it, but no one believed me. They barged into my room, rummaging through my belongings, and conveniently discovered the missing music box under my pillow.

Lynn's father struck me across the face with such force that my nose bled instantly. None of my three sisters spoke up for me. Instead, they all looked at me with sheer disgust.

Later, I learned that this was all a scheme orchestrated by Lin Cohen. His goal was clear—to drive me out and secure his position as the sole heir of the Lynn family. But by the time I realized this, it was too late.

That night, Lynn's father demanded that I write an apology letter to Lin Cohen. If I refused, I wouldn't be allowed to eat. When they left for a family vacation, Lin Cohen locked my door from the outside, leaving me trapped without food or water. I was imprisoned in that room for over a month. In the end, I starved to death.

The excruciating pain of dying from starvation imprinted itself deep into my soul. But what was even more agonizing was their reaction upon discovering my body. The Lynn family didn't mourn me. They didn't even feel guilt. Instead, they immediately devised a plan to cover up the scandal. They spread a false message that the paternity test had been mistaken and that I was never their son to begin with.

Aside from my former foster parents shedding tears, no one else in this world grieved for me.

Even heaven seemed unwilling to let me suffer such an unjust fate. After death, I did not reincarnate as one might expect. Instead, my soul entered a strange spiritual space—an endless library filled with countless books. Within those pages, I could find the answers to any question I had.

With time, I came to terms with my fate. There was no point in grieving over a heartless family that never wanted me in the first place. And then, in the depths of that spiritual space, something miraculous happened.

I was reborn.

"Lin Mo, is your brain not working properly? It's just a peace amulet, is it really worth angering Lin Cohen over something so trivial?"

A familiar yet grating female voice echoed in my ears, snapping me out of my thoughts. My head throbbed, and I instinctively reached up to touch my temple.

"Don't think pinching yourself will get you out of this. Apologize to Lin Cohen right now! If you don't, then don't ever call me your sister again!"

Lin Cohen stood nearby, his eyes red with feigned grievance. "Sister Ruan, don't be mad at Brother Lin Mo. I'm sure he didn't mean to hit me…"

"What?!" A shrill voice erupted. "How dare you lay a hand on Lin Cohen?!"

Before I could react, Lin Andong stormed down from upstairs and struck me across the face. A burning numbness spread across my cheek, but instead of reacting with fear or submission, I chuckled coldly.

How ridiculous. I had only tried to retrieve my amulet, yet somehow, they twisted the story into me attacking Lin Cohen.

My second sister stood with her hands on her hips, her expression filled with the same disdain as always. Then, the eldest sister's voice rang out from behind her.

"Growing up in the countryside is one thing, but you still can't change your bad habits. It's disgusting."

"Lin Mo!" My mother, Zya, scolded from behind. "You're getting ruder by the day! As an older brother, don't you know how to yield to your younger sibling?"

The favoritism was so blatant that even a fool could see it. In my previous life, I was blind to it. I had foolishly believed in their words, in their love. Back then, I would have bowed my head and apologized, clinging to the illusion of family.

But not this time.

This family? I don't need it.

I am the one burdened by their presence.

I carefully picked up my tattered talisman and dusted it off. Without another word, I turned and walked toward the small, dilapidated room that was designated as mine. I shut the door behind me, sealing myself away from their venomous stares.

Lin Andong stood frozen, clearly not expecting such a response. Anger flared in his eyes, and without thinking, he grabbed the cup from the table and smashed it onto the ground.

To be continued.