My name is Chang Yuan, and it seems I've transmigrated.
Enduring the intense pain in my body, Chang Yuan slowly sat up.
"Where am I?"
Filled with confusion, Chang Yuan began to look around.
However, he soon noticed that his hands seemed much smaller than they used to be.
Suspecting something, Chang Yuan immediately started searching for a water source.
Eventually, he found a lake deep within the dense forest.
Looking at the clear lake water, Chang Yuan quickly leaned over.
What greeted him was the reflection of a youthful face.
Seeing this face, Chang Yuan was momentarily stunned.
This face was all too familiar to him—it was his own face from childhood, as he only had photos of himself from that time.
His parents had passed away long ago, leaving behind only childhood photos and a few pictures of the three of them together.
"Did I transmigrate? If so, where have I ended up? Is there a system? Can a system save me?"
After calling out for a while and confirming that he was indeed a transmigrator without a system, Chang Yuan reluctantly gave up.
He then looked around. The dense vegetation and the lake at the center suggested he was deep in the forest.
"I hope my luck isn't too bad. With this 10-year-old body of mine, I'll probably just end up as food for wild beasts."
As he spoke, Chang Yuan observed the lake to see if there were any fish.
If there were, he wanted to see if he could catch one, so he could at least avoid starving to death while trying to leave the forest.
In the end, he did spot a few fish, but reality was cruel.
With his small body, he couldn't catch a single one.
The wasted time brought the evening closer.
Unable to find a place to stay, Chang Yuan simply found a small cave that could barely serve as shelter, blocked the entrance with some dead branches, and went to sleep.
Three days later...
"Am I really going to starve to death before even figuring out this world?"
Having gone without food for three days, Chang Yuan was now delirious.
He didn't know where he had ended up, but he knew that as long as he kept moving forward, there was still hope.
However, after walking for another half hour, Chang Yuan suddenly blacked out.
After three days of starvation, combined with nonstop walking and his 10-year-old body, Chang Yuan couldn't withstand the pressure and finally collapsed.
But just before he completely lost consciousness, he faintly heard someone's voice.
Was he saved?
That was Chang Yuan's first thought.
"Huh? I just started my journey, and I've already found someone? Well, Mom Selene always said that if I encounter someone in need, I should help them within my ability."
With that, the small figure began dragging Chang Yuan by the collar of his shirt.
After all, the small figure couldn't carry him.
Compared to Chang Yuan's 10-year-old body, the small figure looked to be only about 6 years old.
However, since Chang Yuan was unconscious, he couldn't recognize who this small figure was.
This small figure was his idol, and he had even set her pictures as his phone wallpaper.
Three hours later...
Feeling that he had regained some strength, Chang Yuan slowly opened his eyes.
"Was I saved? It seems my luck isn't too bad."
After taking a few deep breaths, Chang Yuan slowly sat up.
Looking around, the place resembled a refugee camp.
There were tattered tents everywhere, and people in ragged clothes were coming and going.
Gurgle~
Touching his growling stomach, Chang Yuan stood up.
His previously chapped lips had now regained their moisture.
It seemed someone had given him water while he was unconscious.
However, since there was no liquid food suitable for someone in a coma, his stomach was growling when he woke up.
Just as Chang Yuan was about to lift the half-covered tent flap to leave, a small pink figure appeared.
"Oh, big brother, you're awake! Sit down and rest for now. Uncle Tock said you fainted from hunger. I went to find some food for you. Eat a little to regain your strength before getting up."
Holding a bowl of steaming white porridge with both hands, the small pink figure lifted it above her head and offered it to Chang Yuan.
However, the moment Chang Yuan saw this small figure, he was momentarily stunned.
Then, almost instinctively, he called out, "Elysia!"
"Huh? Big brother, do you know me?"
Hearing Chang Yuan call her name, Elysia lowered the bowl of porridge slightly and tilted her head, looking at him curiously.
"...Yes, I know you. The name means 'Flawless Paradise,' 'Eternal Elysium.'"
"Wow! How does big brother know that? I thought only Mom Celia and the others knew my name and its meaning."
At this moment, Elysia's curiosity was at its peak.
Her blue eyes, paired with pink pupils, sparkled as she blinked, looking incredibly adorable.
Seeing this, Chang Yuan instinctively reached out and patted her head.
Elysia didn't resist. She could sense that this big brother wasn't a bad person.
"Sorry, it's a bit rude to pat your head on our first meeting."
"It's okay! Mom Celia often pats my head too, hehe."
Elysia shook her head lightly, smiling as if it didn't bother her.
Then, she continued looking at Chang Yuan. "So, big brother, what's your name? Since you know mine, I should know yours too."
"...My name is Chang Yuan. My parents hoped that we could live a long and fulfilling life together, but... they're no longer here."
Having been through the hardships of society, Chang Yuan's feelings toward his parents had grown somewhat distant, leaving only a trace of gratitude for their upbringing.
It wasn't that he was cold-hearted. On the contrary, losing his parents at the age of 8 and still remembering their kindness by the age of 25 was something many couldn't claim.
"...Big brother Chang Yuan, eat some porridge to fill your stomach. Otherwise, you might faint again."
After a moment of silence, Elysia lifted the bowl of porridge above her head again.
This time, Chang Yuan didn't hesitate.
He took the porridge and began eating it eagerly.
However, since it was freshly made, Chang Yuan burned his mouth and frantically fanned it with his hand.
"Hahaha, big brother Chang Yuan is so silly! Didn't you see the porridge was still steaming? You didn't even blow on it before eating. Let me show you how to eat it properly."
Taking the bowl of porridge from Chang Yuan, Elysia scooped up a spoonful and gently blew on it a few times.
Then, she offered the cooled porridge to Chang Yuan.
"Now it's cooled down. Big brother Chang Yuan can eat it safely."