1 .4.Evil Uncle Of Villain

Mu Xiao nearly missed a step when Wu Zixuan's soft question drifted into the night air.

"Uncle Mu… are you adopted by the Wu family?"

For a heartbeat he froze, then forced calm into his voice.

"Yes. Old Master and Old Madam Wu took me in when I was twelve. I'm not your blood-related uncle. If that makes you uncomfortable, I can arrange for you to stay with Grandpa Wu—"

"No!" Zixuan's small hands clenched the lapels of Mu Xiao's coat. "I like being with Uncle Mu. I don't care if you're adopted. I love you. Do you… love me too?"

A warm ache spread in Mu Xiao's chest. He offered the boy a gentle smile. "I love you very much, Zixuan."

► Villain blackening –3 % → 27 %

Only Mu Xiao and Kiwi heard the system chime.

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The Next Morning

The manor's foyer looked as if a toy store had exploded. Towers of brightly wrapped packages—remote-control cars, drones, plushies, gaming consoles—rose higher than Zixuan's head.

The child blinked in confusion. "Uncle Mu, what is all this?"

"Apologies from the parents of those bullies," Mu Xiao explained lightly. "Guilt delivered by courier. What would you like to do with them?"

Zixuan's fists trembled. Memories of jeers and shoves flickered behind his eyes. "Throw them away," he whispered, jaw tight.

Servants exchanged uneasy glances. Mu Xiao signaled Steward Zhang with a nod. At once, staff began clearing the gifts—straight out to the donation truck.

► Villain blackening +1 % → 28 %

Mu Xiao noted the spike and swiftly scooped Zixuan into his arms. "Grandpa Wu isn't happy with your current school," he said, voice light. "He wants you transferred to Yaxian Elite Academy—top teachers, better security, no bullies. Any objections?"

Zixuan hesitated. His old school had been a battlefield he'd kept secret from his father. A new start sounded like sunlight after rain. He shook his head. "No objections."

Mu Xiao's smile returned. "Good. Go wash up and change—we'll shop for uniforms and anything else you want."

Zixuan's face brightened. "Okay, Uncle Mu!"

He dashed off, hope quickening his steps, while Mu Xiao watched, determined that the next chapter of the boy's life would be written without fear.

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Mid-afternoon sunlight scattered across the shopping district as Mu Xiao carried a very satisfied Wu Zixuan in his arms, the boy's new uniform bag swinging from one hand. Zixuan's grin stretched ear-to-ear—he'd spent the morning choosing notebooks, shoes, and a school satchel shaped like a cartoon lion.

"Uncle Mu," he pleaded, tugging Mu Xiao's collar, "Can we go to my old house—please, please?"

Mu Xiao's smile thinned. Old Master Wu had strictly forbidden taking Zixuan anywhere near his previous home. Since morning, Zixuan had been subtly circling back to the topic, and Mu Xiao had dodged it all day with vague excuses.

He sighed. "The house is under renovation. It's not safe right now."

Zixuan clearly didn't believe him, but instead of pushing further, he changed tactics. "Then… can we just go to Grandma Jiang's shop? I want her red-bean buns."

Mu Xiao hesitated. That should be harmless, right?

But then—a voice, quiet and ominous, echoed faintly in the back of his mind:

Don't take him there.

It wasn't Kiwi. It was something else. Something… older.

A sharp headache bloomed behind his eyes. Irritated, Mu Xiao shrugged it off. "Fine," he conceded. "Only the bakery. No detours."

"I love you, Uncle Mu!" Zixuan cheered—and before Mu Xiao could react, the boy leaned in and planted a quick, innocent kiss on his lips.

Mu Xiao froze, utterly baffled. He gently set Zixuan down and crouched to his level, his tone serious. "Zixuan, you shouldn't kiss people on the lips. That kind of kiss is only meant for your love partner."

Zixuan tilted his head. "What's a love partner?"

Mu Xiao paused. "It's someone you'll grow up to love, someone you'll want to spend your life with and marry. Only they should get lip kisses. I'm your uncle, remember?"

Zixuan's bright face dimmed. "So… can't Uncle Mu be my love partner?"

Mu Xiao's heart skipped. "No. I'm much older than you, and we're family. I can't be your love partner."

The light in Zixuan's eyes faded. His small shoulders trembled. A dark, gloomy aura seemed to settle over him.

► Villain blackening +12 % → 40 %

Kiwi's stunned voice echoed in Mu Xiao's mind. What just happened? That's a full spike!

Zixuan's voice came soft and broken, "So… I can't even kiss Uncle Mu?"

Mu Xiao quickly switched to comfort mode. "You can—just not on the lips. You can kiss me on the cheek or forehead, okay?"

"…Really?"

"Really." Mu Xiao tapped his cheek.

Zixuan brightened instantly and gave Mu Xiao a warm kiss on the cheek.

► Villain blackening –12 % → 28 %

Mu Xiao forced a smile, ignoring the lingering unease in his chest. He ruffled the boy's hair and said, "Come on. Let's get those buns."

Neither of them noticed the faint glint of a hidden lens far off in the shadows—someone was watching and recording everything.

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The delicious scent of freshly baked cream buns filled the cozy corners of Grandma Jiang's tiny shop. As she handed over a paper bag to her last customer, the bell above the door tinkled softly. She glanced up, only to pause mid-step.

A small figure stood shyly at the threshold, his face glowing with a brilliant smile.

"An'an… is that you?" Grandma Jiang called out, stepping closer.

"Yes, Grandma—it's me!" Wu Zixuan replied, beaming as he hurried over to hug her.

Grandma Jiang bent to hold him, warmth rushing through her chest. "Oh my heavens, child—how are you?" she asked with visible concern. "I heard what happened at your house. Are you hurt? Are you okay?"

"I'm okay now," Zixuan said reassuringly. "I live with Uncle Mu now. He takes really good care of me."

Grandma Jiang exhaled in relief, patting his head fondly. "That's good… that's very good."

Just as she was about to take him behind the counter, the bell jingled again.

A tall man in a sleek, tailored three-piece suit stepped inside, looking slightly out of place in her modest shop. Grandma Jiang instinctively straightened, assuming he was just another wealthy customer—until her eyes caught his face.

Her mouth parted in disbelief.

"Is that… Mu Xiao?" she whispered aloud.

The man nodded politely, smiling in quiet recognition. "Yes, Grandma Jiang. It's me."

"Xiao-Xiao!" she exclaimed, hurrying out from behind the counter. Without a moment's hesitation, she threw her arms around him. "You've grown so much! It's been years! How have you been? Where did you go? What happened after—"

Mu Xiao chuckled, gently rubbing her back. "Easy now. You'll spike your blood pressure like that."

Grandma Jiang pulled back, tears glistening faintly in her eyes. "You brat. Vanishing like that, not a single word!"

"I'm alright now," Mu Xiao replied, his voice gentler than usual. "Really."

They caught up for a while—memories, laughter, and lost time swirling in the air like old dust in sunlight. Wu Zixuan stood by the counter, watching them intently, head tilting slightly in curiosity.

Finally, Mu Xiao glanced at the time. "Grandma Jiang, could you pack some of your special cream buns for An'an? I have to pick up something quickly—would you mind keeping an eye on him while I'm gone?"

"Of course, of course," she nodded brightly. "Leave him with me. He'll be safe."

Mu Xiao gave her one last grateful hug before slipping out of the shop. The bell chimed softly behind him.

Zixuan tugged lightly on Grandma Jiang's sleeve. "Grandma Jiang… how do you know Uncle Mu?"

A deep sigh escaped her lips as she sat on the low stool near the stove, sorrow softening her gaze.

"Many years ago," she began, "Mu Xiao lived in the same house you did. That very shop was once run by him and his mother. His father was in the army, always sending money home—but corrupt officials stole every bit of it. Xiao-Xiao and his mother struggled, but he was brilliant. He won scholarships, juggled studies and part-time work just to make ends meet.

"But then… his mother fell gravely ill. The kind of illness poor folks can't afford to fight. He begged and pleaded for help, but no one could do anything—until a powerful family came forward.

"They offered to treat his mother… but only if he agreed to be adopted into their household. In desperation, he agreed."

Her eyes clouded.

"That was the last day we saw him. Servants from that family later told me… they worked him like a dog. Never even let him visit his mother. We never knew if he got to say goodbye."

Wu Zixuan sat in stunned silence, small fists clenched at his sides.

Grandma Jiang reached for his hand. "An'an, listen to Grandma. Don't ever make desperate choices like Xiao-Xiao did. Don't get close to powerful families like the Wu family. They're dangerous. They only know how to use people."

Her voice dropped lower, more stern now.

"Promise me—you'll stay away from them."

Wu zixuan nodded slowly. Unknown to grandma jiang , the very family she is advising wu zixuan to stay away from is his biological family.

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The car ride back home was unusually quiet.

Mu Xiao occasionally glanced at the little boy sitting beside him, but Wu Zixuan remained unnervingly still. His usual chatter, curiosity, and questions were absent. Not a word passed his lips.

Something was off.

When they finally pulled up at the estate, the butler opened the car door as always. But before Mu Xiao could even step out, Wu Zixuan had already bolted.

"Zixuan?" Mu Xiao called after him, but the boy didn't even look back.

He ran through the foyer like a shadow chased him, his small footsteps echoing sharply against the marble floor. The servants barely had time to react before the sound of a door slamming shut reverberated through the mansion.

Mu Xiao stood frozen at the threshold, eyes narrowing.

Even the driver, startled, exchanged a confused glance with a nearby maid.

Inside the room, Wu Zixuan leaned against the closed door, chest rising and falling rapidly. He didn't cry. He didn't scream. He simply turned.

And there—sitting casually on his bed—was a man.

An adult man.

He wore an oversized hoodie, the hood casting a shadow that obscured half of his face. Despite his laid-back posture, his lips curled into an all-too-familiar smirk.

"You're late," the man drawled, as if they'd made plans.

Wu Zixuan slowly stepped forward, eyes flickering with a dozen emotions. He stood before the mysterious figure and said quietly,

"She told me exactly what you told me."

The man's smirk widened into something chillingly satisfied.

"Now," he said with a soft chuckle, "do you believe me when I say… I'm your future self?"

Wu Zixuan's breath caught in his throat.

His wide eyes reflected the stranger's twisted smile.