[S1] 2- "New Reality"

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The room opened, and the person on the bed was struggling to sit up. Gomo Lee went over to help, giving him a few glances up and down. Her face showed a look of tender pity. With some frustration, she quickly said: "Such a fine young man, how did he end up beaten like this... Does it hurt, child?"

The young man she called "child" had slightly reddened ears but remained silent throughout, his entire being seeming as though it existed in a world of its own.

It seemed that because he had lost his memory, he also appeared timid. So as not to startle him, Jungguk took Gomo Lee outside, saying they should discuss things further.

For humans, if one of the five senses is lost, the others tend to become more acute. However, Jungguk didn't deliberately lower his voice; he merely exchanged a few words with her: "Helping others is a duty. If it weren't for my adoptive Abeoji back then, I might not even be alive today."

Gomo Lee hesitated. Though she felt sorry for the boy, the injuries on him didn't look like the work of bandits. "What if he offended someone and that's why they wanted to kill him? Otherwise. look at those eyes- he must have been blinded by poison powder."

But even as she said this, she didn't seem to hold much concern. She wasn't the type to turn a blind eye to someone in need. "Use more herbs to treat his eyes for now. Once the wounds heal, you can wrap them with a strip of white cloth to shield them from light. lf he recovers, there might still be a chance for him to see again. But if you've really decided, you could take him as your dongsaeng. That way, you won't be so lonely in the future. Having a family member could also be a companion."

However, adopting a stranger wasn't something to be taken lightly. Jungguk responded: "Mm, once he recovers, I'll try to help him find his family."

After sending Gomo Lee away, the young man inside seemed to finally let out a breath of relief. Earlier he had feared encountering bad people, but now that he had overheard the entire conversation, he was certain these were genuinely good-hearted individuals. Jungguk noticed the young man's head swaying slightly and sat down beside him to ask: "You're injured and won't be able to leave for a while. Plus, you can't even remember who you are. If you don't mind... I'll take care of you for the time being. Is that acceptable?"

"You saved me, I'm already deeply grateful..." The young man's voice was timid, yet clear and soft.

Since he had no name, Jungguk wasn't sure how to address him. After hesitating, he asked: "What should I call you? Can you recall your name?"

It was undoubtedly a difficult question for someone with amnesia. Faced with the young man's blank shake of the head, Jungguk sighed and casually picked up a book lying nearby.

Whether it was random or deliberate, he decided to use the first character he saw as the boy's name.

Opening the first page, the first character that caught his eye was: Yeon (연) means beauty or lotus.

"I'll call you Tae-Yeon." Jungguk said calmly.

Here, in Wang-ga Village, having just a single name seemed too simplistic. Yan Jingqing gave him a surname as well, calling him Lee Taeyeon. The name was simple yet meaningful, and the young man quickly embraced it. Smiling sincerely, he said: "Thank you. Then, how should I address you, my savior?"

During the earlier conversation, Taeyeon had overheard the woman calling him by name. However, to be certain, he asked the question, worried this person might not like how he addressed him. Jungguk didn't mind such things, he could be called anything. The elders simply called him Jungguk, but since the boy was now like a younger brother to him, Jungguk solemnly said: "You can call me Jungguk hyeong. That way, others will know you're the dongsaeng l've taken in."

Jungguk wasn't exactly a humorous person, yet somehow, his words always managed to make people smile. Even though Taeyeon's eyes remained closed, the corners of his lips were subtly curved upward. Jungguk served him a small portion of food. In this rural place, fine cuisine was out of the question, what was served barely counted as edible.

Still, Taeyeon wasn't picky. As he ate, a faint and hazy memory surfaced in his mind. It seemed like he had eaten this kind of simple noodle soup before, wolfing it down in a frenzy even more hurriedly than now.

After watching Taeyeon finish his meal, Jungguk cleared away the bowls and chopsticks, then picked up some herbal medicine. He had Taeyeon lean against the bed's headboard as he slowly applied the herbs to Taeyeon's injured eyes. The herbs were cool and soothing, seemingly easing the pain instantly. Taeyeon couldn't even remember what he had looked like when he was first injured.

Just as Jungguk was about to leave, he suddenly grabbed his arm. "Jung...Jungguk hyeong, don't go yet."

The boy really did call him "hyeong". With his naturally innocent and delicate features, Taeyeon looked even more pitiful at this moment, making it hard not to soften one's tone. Jungguk let out a soft "hmm" and held his hand. "What's wrong? Are you scared?"

"...Mm."

The sun outside had risen, and rays of sunlight streamed through the cracks, landing on Taeyeon's bed. He stretched out his fingers into the emptiness, as though trying to grasp something intangible. "I can't see anything. It's so terrifying..."

"Don't be afraid. Until you're better, I'll stay with you the whole time." Jungguk sighed softly. Living alone for so long, this was the first time he'd ever needed to fully devote himself to caring for someone else.

Back when he first wandered into this place, he hadn't suffered any major injuries, though he was amnesiac as well. His foster Abeoji didn't need to devote much effort to caring for him, and Jungguk's physical condition was far better than Taeyeon's. Knowing how fragile Taeyeon was now, he exercised extra patience. Still, it wasn't possible to stay by his side all day.

Jungguk spent the morning seated nearby quietly reading a medical book. His soft murmurs filled the air, both keeping Taeyeon company and allowing him to listen while being looked after.

After they had lunch, Jungguk brewed a decoction of medicinal herbs. Taeyeon, drowsy after drinking it, quickly fell asleep. Once Taeyeon was resting, Jungguk took the opportunity to head out and prepare supplies for the coming days.

The firewood at home was running low. Given that Taeyeon was in recovery, he couldn't eat the fish Gomo Lee had brought, foods that could aggravate inflammation were off the table. Jungguk planned to make a creamy tofu soup and get some fresh meat. Hunting was a skill he had spent a full year learning.

There were plenty of wild pheasants on the small hill below the mountain. Their meat was even more tender than that of domesticated chickens. If luck was on his side and he managed to catch one today, there'd be no worries for the next few days. With this plan in mind, Jungguk grabbed his tools and deftly descended the slope, heading deeper into the woods.

Of course, the mountain wasn't without its dangers. At night, one might even encounter a pack of wolves.

Jungguk couldn't afford to waste too much time. He'd have to return home empty-handed if he lingered here too long without a catch. Taeyeon, unfamiliar with the area and unable to see or walk, would be in trouble if anything happened in his absence.

Fortunately, fate seemed to favor him. In the distance, he caught sight of a flash of bright feathers. Jungguk immediately readied his bow and quietly approached. Wild pheasants in the mountains, with their vibrant plumage, were even said to rival phoenixes, carrying an auspicious meaning since ancient times.

Taking careful aim, Jungguk let the arrow fly. The pheasant didn't even have time to react before it fell lifeless to the ground.

Joy filled his heart as Jungguk walked over picked up the pheasant, and tossed it into the bamboo basket on his back. At last, he was returning home with a satisfying haul.

Mushrooms lined the roadside, but Jungguk had never dared to eat them. He didn't even slow his steps as he passed by. Living in a mountain village, far from the county town, most residents grew their own vegetables for sustenance.

The elder at the village entrance had a stone mill, making his tofu the only available source. Jungguk carried a few coins in his pocket. Tofu wasn't expensive, but he only bought two pieces. He wasn't particularly fond of it himself. Though not yet twenty, his body was still growing, and he preferred meat for its nutritional value. After paying Old Hong, the elder noticed the wild pheasant on Jungguk's back, his eyes lighting up. "You caught a pheasant? How about I waive the payment, and you let me have it instead.."

This time, Jungguk felt a bit embarrassed. He replied earnestly: "I rescued a young man yesterday. I've taken him in as my dongsaeng. He's severely injured and needs nourishment... If you'd like, I can try to catch another one for you next time."

Jungguk spoke with an innate calmness and composure that even the elder admired. Old Hong waved his hand with a chuckle. "Ah, this old man was just joking. Still, your home seems to have its share of fateful encounters. First, you showed up, and now you've brought someone else in. I'll come by tomorrow to see if there's anything I can help with."

"Thank you very much." Jungguk said, glancing at the sun. It was already nearing sunset, and he realized he had spent quite a bit of time on the trip. Worried that Taeyeon might wake up before he returned, he quickened his pace back home.

When he arrived, Taeyeon was just waking from a dream, coughing violently. Jungguk immediately went to his side, gently patting his back. "Nightmare?"

Taeyeon nodded quickly, but then his lips curled into a soft smile, his demeanor very gentle, "You're back?"

Surprised, he asked: "You knew I left?"

"Mm..." Taeyeon's response was low, but he soon shifted his tone, adding lightly: "I woke up once and called your name, but no one answered. Still, I fell asleep again."

"I went hunting and got a wild pheasant for you. Wait here- I'II go butcher it." Jungguk didn't notice the slight tinge of grievance in Taeyeon's voice toward the end. Instead, he felt even more pleased, thinking that having something nourishing to eat would help Taeyeon recover faster.

The other party came and went in a hurry. Meanwhile, Taeyeon, moving sluggishly, tried to make sense of his surroundings, though his blindness rendered it futile. He slowly propped himself up, the motion tugging at his wounds and eliciting a sharp hiss of pain.

Leaning back against the headboard, he calmed himself and listened intently to the sounds outside.

The pheasant was just being slaughtered, and its cries were pitiful. Jungguk worked silently, not one to talk to himself. Soon, there were the sounds of water being poured, a knife being sharpened, and eventually chopping and simmering noises from the kitchen.

Time passed, and by the time the meal was fully prepared, the moon had already risen high into the sky.

Carrying the dishes into the room, Jungguk prioritized feeding Taeyeon. He gently blew on a bowl of tofu soup, intending to feed him first.

However, Taeyeon shook his head and gestured: "You've been out for a long time, hunting and rushing around. You should eat first..."

After a pause, Taeyeon stretched out his hand. "If there's a ladle, put it in my hand, I can manage on my own..."

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[A/n: Hey everyone, I know I've been MIA for a bit, but the festive season has been keeping me pretty busy ¿. Don't worry, I'll try to update at least once or twice a week. In this story, the romance between the ML and MC will be built on gratitude and trust, but both characters have complex pasts that shape who they are today. The core of the story is pretty intricate, and romance won't be the main focus, so please don't expect too much of it ♡. Just want to warn you that royalty and vengeful plots are off the table. My goal is to re-edit without messing anything up and keep you all entertained with the updates .☆.]

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