chapter 1

Chapter 1: Gathering the Courage to Come Out!

"Madam, push with all your might! The young master is about to be born; we cannot falter now!"

The woman was tormented by pain, her wails rising and falling, sounding as if she were on the verge of exhaustion.

Shen He felt an intense squeezing, as though a blanket was tightening around him.

He drowsily wondered if he was experiencing a nightmare or sleep paralysis.

This constriction made him incredibly uncomfortable, but thankfully, it didn't last long. Accompanied by a short, sharp scream from the woman, Shen He was released from the warmth and pressure. Cold air brushed against him, and sounds around him became notably clearer.

"The baby is born! A beautiful young master! Madam, please take a look!"

The woman weakly said, "Summon the Crown Prince. Please bring him here."

The newborn was quickly cleaned of the amniotic fluids and wrapped in fresh cotton and silk, revealing a wrinkled yet relatively adorable face, softly crying.

A child, around eight or nine years old, dressed in splendid attire, entered the room.

Despite his young age, his face was stoic, showing maturity that belied his years. The pungent scent of blood made him pause momentarily, his expression changing swiftly.

The woman, having just given birth, pale-faced, pleaded, "Your Highness, please name the child."

Lady Shen gestured to the maid holding the baby, indicating that she should hand the child to the Crown Prince.

The maid hesitated for a moment, then gently placed the baby into the young prince's arms.

The young Crown Prince's face finally displayed the innocence expected of his age, his eyes wide and uncertain as he held the baby.

Outside the dilapidated temple, lightning illuminated the sky, accompanied by rolling thunder and pouring rain.

The woman's pleading voice grew weaker, mustering her remaining strength, "Your Highness, please bestow a name upon him."

Half-lifting her body, the woman gazed intensely at the young yet composed Crown Prince, whispering, "He is the legitimate heir of the Shen family estate and its future successor. I beseech you to ensure his safety, and when he comes of age, he will undoubtedly stand as a pillar by your side, aiding you in ruling the empire."

She continued, aided by her maid to kneel, "My past transgressions against the Queen due to my sister's matters were my own mistakes. However, this child is innocent. As long as he lives, the Shen estate will forever stand by your side, Your Highness."

The prince gazed at her for a long while, the confusion fading from his face, seemingly pondering the worth of Lady Shen's words. After a long silence, he softly uttered, "He will be named Shen He."

The woman murmured in response, "Shen He, good. I thank you, Your Highness."

Inside the temple, the scene was filled with the distressed cries of maids as the woman collapsed.

At that moment, the baby held by the young prince suddenly became alert, his pupils dilating in shock.

This conversation, this scene! Wasn't it the opening scenario between the male lead and a side character in the political drama novel he'd binged on last night?

Shen He vividly remembered staying up all night to finish the story. The side character, sharing his name, was handed over to the male lead by his own mother, entrusting the male lead to protect both him and the family's legacy, raising him with his own hands.

He was set for smooth sailing, basking in luxury and privilege with the backing of the male protagonist—a golden start. Yet, who could have expected that this cannon fodder would have a death wish in the latter part, brazenly betraying the male lead, ultimately meeting his demise under the male lead's retribution.

As he faced his death, the male protagonist stood on the execution platform, still murmuring the name of the child he had raised: "He He."

So, he's now inside a novel, is he?!

Transmigrated into this top-tier cannon fodder, and from birth, no less?!

Shen He pouted, wanting to cry but finding no tears.

He had just finished his college entrance exams and mustered up the courage to come out to his family. He hadn't even found a boyfriend yet.

Shen He, who came out to a lonely reception: QAQ

The young Crown Prince, Qi Zhuoyun, lowered his eyes, gazing at the fragile infant in his arms who seemed like he could perish with just a little squeeze. After a while, compassion arose in his dark eyes: "You and I are the same now; we both have no mother."

The little baby wrinkled his face, whimpering softly, unaware that he had lost a crucial figure in his life from the moment of his birth.

Qi Zhuoyun couldn't help but gently rock the child, his young voice ordering in a mature tone, "No more tears. Prepare Lady Shen for her final rest. Once the rain stops, send her back to the Shen mansion with respect."

Inside the broken temple, the maidservants, finding their pillar of support, hurriedly acted on the child's command.

Shen He, held in the male lead's arms, could barely open his eyes. He could only listen to the male lead, thinking how worthy he was of the title.

So young, yet already possessing the steadiness and wisdom of an adult.

Shen He's thoughts shifted to the recent tragic death of the woman who gave birth to this body. Though they shared no bond, he felt a tinge of sadness.

Their misfortune of seeking refuge in this dilapidated temple began when they were ambushed by assassins on their way back from the burial of the late queen.

The pregnant Lady Shen and the Crown Prince took shelter from a sudden downpour, becoming stranded in the temple. Lady Shen died shortly after giving birth to the month-premature Shen He, partly because she was poisoned.

Some sought to spread rumors that the Crown Prince was cursed. They forced Lady Shen and the prince together, intending to ensure both mother and son perished together. With the recent passing of the queen, these three deaths would have fueled public speculations about the Crown Prince's fate.

All these challenges, each deftly handled by the male lead. How did the original Shen He lose sight of this, thinking he could successfully rebel?

Now as Shen He, he couldn't fathom betraying him.

It's better to be the male lead's faithful companion.

Reflecting on all the impressive feats of the male lead, Shen He grew tired. The energy of a baby is limited, and he fell asleep in the prince's arms.

The storm raged on, the shadows of the trees outside the temple danced wildly.

Qi Zhuoyun stood at the entrance, slightly turning to shield against the wind and rain. He looked down to find the baby in his arms with a puckered mouth, pitifully asleep.

The eunuch, Zhong Hong, approached, "Your Highness..."

Qi Zhuoyun whispered, "Shh, he's asleep."

Zhong Hong nodded, lowering his voice, "We have prepared the inner chamber, and Lady Shen's remains are ready. Please step inside to avoid the wind."

Qi Zhuoyun turned with the baby in his arms. Zhong Hong attempted to take the child from him, aiming to relieve him of the burden.

Qi Zhuoyun said softly, "It's fine."

Qi Zhuoyun couldn't quite pinpoint his feelings. Recognizing that this child was born under his watch and named by him, he felt a unique connection.

Qi Zhuoyun leaned by the fire, exhausted physically but mentally alert and even somewhat exhilarated.

Every so often, he would glance down at the infant in his embrace. Only when the storm outside began to wane did he doze off by the fire's warmth, still cradling the child.

By dawn, soldiers reached the decrepit temple. Lady Shen's remains were placed on a carriage by the Shen family's servants. Zhong Hong gently awakened the prince and noticed that the young Shen He had already opened his eyes.

Unclear when he had awoken, those clear eyes observed the sleeping young prince without making a sound, ensuring not to disturb his rest.

Zhong Hong sighed softly, reflecting on how Lady Shen had paved a clear path for her son's future.

Given the young prince's disposition, he was destined for greatness.

Shen He looked at the male lead's trusted eunuch and opened his mouth, making soft "ah-ah" sounds in a thin, milk-fed tone.

He was hungry.

An 18-year-old high schooler reborn as an infant, the first hurdle in this new life was figuring out how to express his hunger.

Shen He had been awake for a while, observing the world through an infant's eyes, which was intriguing.

Resting in the male lead's embrace and seeing his soft chin, he was again reminded that the formidable male lead was but an eight-year-old boy now.

While some at eight are already embarking on a life of grandeur, others at eighteen are worried about the repercussions of coming out to their parents.

In an attempt not to wake the male lead, he remained silent. But upon Zhong Hong's arrival, he couldn't help but express his hunger.

Misinterpreting Shen He's impeccable behavior, Zhong Hong praised, "The young master is so well-behaved, not causing any trouble at all."

Shen He: "..."