A bustling market was in view, a huge number of people were passing through the streets hurriedly, people were haggling over goods, while fights occurred frequently in some quiet corners of the market.
In an open stall, where fruits were being sold, you could see a young man lying down on a reclining chair with his face covered with a fan. One would wonder in this busy market where traders were shouting to get their products sold, and buyers were scurrying around. This young man wasn't bothered at all.
A fit middle-aged man approached the sleeping young man. He looked at him and shook his head, saying Hey Ian, are you sleeping again.
Ahh, uncle, spare me your nagging for today, a groggy voice was heard from the young man.
Ian, you couldn't even look after my stall while I was gone; you're a lost cause, always sleeping and doing nothing. The middle-aged man shouted, then sighed and shook his head. If only you could be half as good as the village chief's grandson. The family wouldn't have to worry about you.
Seeing Ian still sleeping, black lines became visible on the middle-aged man's face. He removed his slippers from his feet and swung them towards Ian, who was still lying down. Y... you...you unfilial child, you still have the guts to be sleeping, while I'm here, do you not have any regard for me?
Before the slippers could hit him, as if sensing it, he dodged them, making his uncle miss, Uncle, are you trying to kill me. He said begrudgingly.
A young man stood in front of the man, his eyelids dropping; clearly, he hadn't fully woken up.
Standing at a height of about 6'7 feet tall, with his black hair, which looked a little bit messy, and his pale, smooth skin, with his eyes deep black, calm, and unreadable. Despite his handsome features, he always had this lazy expression on his face.
People who saw the spectacle all passed by smiling, as if this were a usual occurrence.
You lazy bum, what are you still doing here? Are you trying to anger me to death? Just go home before I…
His uncle stuttered while holding his chest. He looked at Ian, still standing there lazily. He then sighed.
Go home now, he said softly, looking at Ian, and he then sat down to rest.
Ian, seeing this, turned around and was about to go, before turning back, and said, See you later, uncle,
The uncle looked at Ian's back, then he sighed and shook his head.
Ian walked back home, passing through the bustling market.
As he walked back, Ian thought to himself.
I am originally not from this world. I transmigrated 10 years ago, when this body had an accident and almost died. I never really wanted much in life, just wanted to live this life peacefully till the end.
I am so glad I didn't receive a golden finger or any cheat. He thought happily.
I'm not like the others, who always want more, and seeking the thrill of life, I'm pretty contented with what I have. Some would say I'm lazy, nonchalant, and I lack ambition, but I'm satisfied. He chuckled. And he started whistling as he walked through the path towards his house, having left the market.
As Ian reached home, he went inside, seeing nobody there, and then he headed toward the ancestral building.
Although Ian lived in a village, his family was considered well-to-do. At least if he remained in this village for the rest of his life, he won't starve. Apart from the fruits uncle sells at the market, there is no other source of income in our house.
But, since I was a child, I've never really struggled for anything, anything I asked for, my grandpa and uncle always gave me.
His house in the village could be considered the best, after the village chief's house. The compound was quite spacious, with three separate buildings in it.
The buildings were not that big; the smallest one was the washroom building, then the ancestral building, which was the size of a medium-sized storeroom. And finally, the main house.
Apart from my uncle, only my grandpa and I stay here. My parents supposedly died in an accident when I was a kid. My uncle refuses to get married; I'm the only one left who can pass down the family line.
I walked into the ancestral building to see my grandpa kneeling on the ground and facing the altar. This was the time grandpa usually came to pray.
I stood at the back to wait for him. Grandpa doesn't like to be disturbed when he's praying.
I stood at the back to wait for him. Grandpa doesn't like to be disturbed when he's praying.
Surprisingly, what was on the altar wasn't a statue of a god or anything like that. On the altar was a floating card, which shone with gold light. On the surface of the card was a pair of lifelike golden eyes. At first, I didn't like looking at the card; it was as if those eyes were staring at me, which would make me shudder.
But now that I've gotten used to it, I looked at the card anyhow, without care, although grandpa said I should respect the card.
Grandpa called the card, fortune card. He told me this is the source of this family's wealth, I don't know, and I'm not really interested in learning. Curiosity kills the cat.
15 minutes later, grandpa was done with his prayer, and I helped him get on his feet.
Ian, you're back, you got your uncle angry again, didn't you? Grandpa laughed while talking. He looked at me, and I noticed a sad expression flash across his face; it left as soon as it appeared. He then turned his face away, and he continued walking.
We entered the main house, and I helped Grandpa to his chair. Grandpa, Uncle said you wanted to see me about something.
Ian, you are 18 now, it's time you knew about your origin. I've been keeping this from you for a long time; you're not my real grandson. Grandpa said with a solemn face.
Oh, so I have this kind of backstory, interesting. I looked at my grandpa with a placid expression.
As if expecting no reaction from me, He continued talking, 16 years ago, the holy card spoke to me. It told me it had a mission for me, and it led me into the forest, where I saw you lying on the floor. After you woke up, although you weren't injured, you couldn't remember anything. You only remembered your name and age.
It seems that when I came to this world, I couldn't recall anything for the first few days. Did this body come from my world, but I was 18 when I died in my last life?
Let me not think too much about this. Grandpa, do my parents not exist?
Grandpa smiled. My eldest son and his wife died outside. You were young at that age; you needed an identity. And my son had not been to the village for a long time, so I told people you were my eldest son's child.
Grandpa looked at me. He then held my hands. I know you're different from other kids, you don't easily show your emotions, you don't get shocked easily, and you're not hotheaded like the other young ones. We might not be related by blood, but I still take you as my real grandchild.
Since you didn't have a surname, I gave you mine. Augustus.
I nodded at him, Are you not going to ask why I told you this he asked me. Grandpa asked. You said I'm 18, so I am supposed to know. Besides, it doesn't really matter. It's all in the past. I looked at him and smiled. Grandpa laughed.
I've told you all you need to know. Go to the village chief's house, he'll give you something, bring it for me. Ian nodded his head, stood up, and left. Clearly, he was deep in thought.