Volume One: The Phoenix City’s First Dance, Seeking the Way Amidst the Mortal World.

Chapter One: Brian Carter, Grace Carter

Star Soul Continent.

Yanwu Empire.

Central Plains, Phoenix City.

Qingshui District.

Fengwu Jiayuan Residential Complex.

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“Dogda!” A crisp voice called out.

Brian Carter, who was staring blankly as he recalled his dream, slowly focused his scattered gaze, then gloomily pulled the blanket over his head.

“Little Dogda…” The voice came again, drawn out and cheerful, proving that its owner was in a very good mood.

But Brian Carter was not in a good mood.

Because ‘Little Dogda’ was referring to him. No one would be happy being called Little Dogda.

But right now, Brian Carter couldn’t get angry.

He didn’t dare get angry either.

He didn’t even know how many names he’d had by now.

Yeah, that’s right—the one calling out was his own mom. Dare to get angry?

One hundred percent, all he could do was feel helpless.

From his mom and dad’s mouths, ever since Brian Carter could remember, his names were as numerous as the sands of the Yangtze River, as countless as the stars in the sky—so, so many.

And what he was called depended entirely on his parents’ moods.

When they were in a good mood: Dogda, Little Dogda, Little Kitty, Little Mimi, Little Egg, Little Sweetie… whatever came to mind, that’s what they called him.

When their mood was average, they called him Xiaoduo, which was basically very serious.

When they were in a bad mood, especially when he’d annoyed them: Little Bastard, Little Rascal, Little Brat, Little Coward, Little Scoundrel, Little Debt Collector, Little Heartless One… there was no end to the names.

And they’d use all sorts of regional dialects to call him.

Sometimes Brian Carter found it strange—just how knowledgeable were his parents? From north to south, east to west, they knew every dialect, and all just to scold him…

What he was called was a barometer for his parents’ moods.

For example, being called Little Dogda or Dogda now meant his mother was in a good mood. Since she was happy, she wouldn’t get angry easily, so it didn’t matter if he didn’t answer her.

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I have to guess whether I’m about to get beaten based on what name I’m being called… Life is too hard.

Brian Carter lay in bed, sighing silently.

Being randomly called Dogda or Little Dogda… he could live with that. The problem was, Brian Carter was extremely dissatisfied with his current name!

Xiaoduo?

Just listen to that—what kind of name is that?

Not cool at all!

For example, he had a classmate named Zhao Jianghu! How heroic is that? And another called Li Changtian; just hearing it sounds awesome!

But his own name…

And then, that day…

His dad had drunk a bit too much, and was in a good mood, so Brian Carter bravely asked: Why is my name Xiaoduo? Can I have a nicer name?

His dad looked at him sideways, eyes full of disdain, and said firmly, “No!”

“Why not?”

“No reason! You just can’t change your name!”

“Then why am I called Xiaoduo? You can at least tell me that, right?”

His dad snorted, rolled his eyes, and said indifferently, “Because your birth was, to your mom and me, a little bit extra.”

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A little bit extra = Xiaoduo?!

Brian Carter felt like his heart was just like that string of ellipses above.

So you mean my birth ruined your world of just the two of you?

Am I really that extra?

Who isn’t overjoyed to have a child to carry on the family line? Especially since I’m a boy. How come, with you two, I’m just extra?

At the time, Brian Carter asked tearfully, “Do you really dislike me that much?”

His dad took a sip of wine, unhurriedly…

Oh, and it should be noted: Xiaoduo’s dad was very refined, elegant, and handsome—a true gentleman in troubled times, with no flaws except being a bit lazy…

His dad said slowly, “We did dislike you at first, but then your mom realized that, ever since you came along, she had a fun new toy… She found having a kid was actually pretty fun, so as she played with you… gradually, she didn’t dislike you as much…”

A toy!

Hearing those two words, Brian Carter was hit hard and immediately shut down.

You two had a kid just for a toy!

His mom chimed in confidently: Isn’t having a child just for fun? Like Aunt Li’s cat, or Aunt Wang’s dog; whatever it is, you have to raise something to play with, right?

You make a good point.

I have nothing to say in response.

That night’s conversation ended there.

Brian Carter felt he had no interest in asking anything else, and with a heart full of trauma, returned to his room.

Brian Carter felt it was all thanks to his strong heart.