Among the Cosmos family, the first to recognize him was the woman who gave birth to him.

“Adam?” Cassandra whispered, her voice tinged with disbelief. Her hand moved instinctively to her chest, eyes widening as she took him in.

Adam sat in a tailored suit that gleamed under the terrace lights. His hair was neatly combed, his wristwatch catching the light as he exuded a calm confidence. The poised man before them was a striking contrast to the son they remembered.

Selene smiled subtly, inwardly pleased. This is the Adam I’ve been telling them about, she thought with quiet pride.

Noticing their approach, Ling glanced up, giving Adam a knowing smile. "It seems our guests have arrived."

Adam, catching their reflection in the polished surface of a nearby vase, rose smoothly, turning to face his family with calm composure. For a moment, a flicker of hesitation passed over his face, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared.

Hao Jun stepped forward, gesturing with pride. "Allow me to introduce my youngest granddaughter, Ling."

Ling offered a polite bow, her voice soft. “It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”

The family returned her greeting, though their attention quickly returned to Adam, each member struggling to reconcile the polished man before them with the Adam they had known. Isaac was the first to step forward, extending a hand stiffly. “Son,” he said, his voice carefully measured. But as he shook Adam’s hand, a slight tension betrayed his restrained tone.

“Good evening, Father,” Adam replied evenly, though a subtle warmth softened his tone.

Isaac’s gaze lingered, observing his son’s steady demeanor, a quiet confidence radiating from him. The boy who once seemed unsure of himself now appeared transformed. Pride and unease battled in Isaac’s eyes; he wasn’t sure if this change was genuine growth or merely a facade.

Cassandra, still absorbing the shock, stepped forward with a quivering smile. “Adam,” she whispered, pulling him into a gentle hug.

Adam’s expression softened. “Hello, Mother,” he murmured.

As they parted, Cassandra’s brow furrowed. “You smell like smoke,” she noted quietly. “Have you been smoking?”

Adam gave a slight shrug, sidestepping the concern with a light smile. “Just a little.”

After greeting his mother, Adam turned to his older siblings. “Nathan, Keira,” he nodded respectfully, though his tone remained formal.

Nathan, usually quick with a quip, seemed momentarily at a loss, eyeing Adam’s suit and polished demeanor. “Nice suit,” he muttered, barely concealing a hint of jealousy.

Keira observed him with quiet surprise, wondering when her brother had become so self-assured. For the first time, she sensed he might have outpaced her in personal growth.

Breaking the formal mood, Selene embraced him warmly. “Adam!” she exclaimed.

He returned her hug, his expression finally softening. “Selene,” he said quietly. She had been his constant support.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

As she pulled away, she raised an eyebrow at Ling, who stood nearby, throwing Adam a playful look. “So, who is she?” her glance seemed to say.

Adam smiled, sidestepping the unspoken question with ease. “Good to see you too, Selene.”

Once introductions concluded, Adam turned to Hao Jun, shifting his tone with formal respect. “Good evening, Mr. Hao. Thank you for inviting me,” he said in flawless Mandarin.

Hao Jun’s eyes lit up, clearly pleased. He shook Adam’s hand. “Adam, it’s an honor to finally meet you,” he replied, switching smoothly to Mandarin. “You’ve helped me more than I can say.”

Adam chuckled modestly. “It’s been an honor working with you in Pangea. I’m glad we could meet outside the game.”

Hao Jun nodded, his tone respectful. “Your guidance with alchemy has been invaluable. You’ve shown me a side of the virtual world I never expected.”

The Cosmos family exchanged astonished glances. Adam’s fluency in Mandarin was as surprising as his transformed appearance.

As the family processed Adam’s transformation, Ling stepped forward with a polite smile, her gaze warm. “I’ve heard so much about you all,” she said, looking at each family member. “I look forward to getting to know you better.”

Selene smiled back, catching the implications in Ling’s tone. “Oh, I’m sure you’ll learn plenty about him from us. Adam’s been suspiciously quiet about you, so I look forward to hearing more myself.”

Ling laughed, her eyes bright with amusement. “It seems we’ll both be learning about him tonight, then.”

Adam watched the exchange with quiet bemusement, noting the rapport forming between the two women. He wasn’t entirely sure he wanted to know what they’d discuss once they were alone.

As the Cosmos and Hao families took their seats, food began arriving—dish after carefully plated dish, a testament to Hao Jun’s impeccable hospitality. The table, though large, felt intimate, bathed in the soft glow of lanterns. Hao Jun took his seat first, followed by Isaac, Cassandra, Nathan, Keira, and Selene, with Ling seated beside Adam.

Adam sensed his family’s curiosity, their eyes flicking between him and Ling. The underlying interest was palpable.

As dish after exquisite dish arrived, Adam’s focus was less on the food and more on the gathered family. It had been months since they were all together. So much had changed. The last time he’d been in the same room with them, he was at his lowest—uncertain and wavering, a disappointment in their eyes.

And now, everything was different.

A billionaire had invited him to dinner, speaking to him in his native Mandarin, a language they didn't know he was fluent in. Ling, beautiful and poised, sat beside him, her closeness hinting at more than casual acquaintance.

Adam could sense their thoughts, each family member processing the transformation. His father, Isaac, seemed torn, glimpses of pride and uncertainty flickering across his face. Cassandra appeared relieved, as though a burden had lifted from her shoulders.

Nathan’s reactions were subtler, though the occasional tense glance betrayed a simmering jealousy. Watching Adam beside Ling, in the company of a man like Hao Jun, seemed almost too much for him to bear.

Selene, his ally from the beginning, gave him a reassuring smile. Her eyes met his, silently conveying, I told you they’d react this way.

A few months ago, Adam would have felt uneasy under their scrutiny. But now, he was sure of himself. He had seen things they couldn’t imagine, faced challenges beyond their understanding. Though he’d never share the full extent of his journey, his newfound composure was clear in his steady demeanor.

As Hao Jun praised Isaac’s medical expertise and shared his gratitude for Adam’s collaboration, Adam let the words flow around him, aware that the dinner wasn’t about pleasantries but about showing his family the man he’d become.

“Honestly,” Hao Jun chuckled, “I thought you might not come, Adam, with all you’ve been achieving in Pangea. My granddaughter insisted I invite you.”

Ling blushed slightly, shaking her head. “I didn’t say that,” she protested.

Hao Jun laughed. “I’m just teasing.”

Adam smiled, though his thoughts remained on his family. They were all watching him, trying to understand. They didn’t realize it wasn’t just about success—it was about a transformation that had redefined his entire outlook.

Sensing the tension, Ling leaned forward with a warm smile. “It’s truly an honor to meet your family, Adam,” she said sincerely. “I’ve heard so much about them.”

Her words, though light, carried an intent curiosity as she looked at Cassandra, Isaac, and Adam’s siblings. She was here to understand the people who had shaped Adam’s life, and in doing so, she reminded them that he wasn’t just their son or brother anymore—he was someone new, someone they were only beginning to know.