"So that's how it is..."
Na'er nodded with partial understanding, though her confusion remained. She knew Uncle and Auntie were now top-tier Level 8 Mecha Designers, but...
Their ranks hadn't suddenly jumped overnight, and there was no Reason for such a drastic change, right?
"Still, we do visit and clean the old house regularly. If Na'er wants to see it, I can take you anytime," Lang Yue said with a gentle smile.
"Really?!"
"Yay!"
Na'er's eyes instantly lit up. To her, mansions and money meant nothing—but returning to a place filled with cherished memories?
That was absolutely wonderful.
"Alright, Luo Chuan, take Na'er to her room first. I've already cleaned it up..." Lang Yue waved lightly, chuckling.
With the holidays approaching, she had prepared the rooms for the kids, though she hadn't expected Na'er—whom she'd always adored—to come instead of Gu Yue.
"Got it, Mom."
Tang Luochuan acknowledged and quickly turned to leave.
"Speaking of which..."
"Is Luo Chuan with Na'er now?"
As she watched him go, Lang Yue silently mused. He'd always been closest to Gu Yue, yet now he'd brought Na'er home.
Could her son really be planning to bring both girls home?
That sounded exactly like something he'd do...
"..."
"Na'er, try this."
"These are all your old favorites."
"See if my cooking's improved—do these dishes still suit your taste?"
Later, at the dining table, Lang Yue piled Na'er's bowl high with dishes, beaming.
Back then, without a daughter of her own, she'd treated Na'er like one. And now, with her practically becoming her daughter-in-law...
Wasn't she even more like a daughter?
"Auntie..."
Na'er stared at her overflowing bowl, momentarily dazed. Even after all this time, Auntie still remembered her favorite foods perfectly.
"Auntie, this is too much!"
She giggled sweetly.
Though she loved the dishes, her bowl was already full before she'd even picked up her chopsticks—how could she not feel shy?
"Nonsense, we can't have our Na'er going hungry just because she's with Luo Chuan."
Lang Yue laughed, shaking her head. She distinctly remembered Na'er having quite the appetite as a child—surely it hadn't shrunk now that she was older.
"Exactly."
Tang Luochuan nodded in agreement.
"Mhm..."
At Lang Yue's words, Na'er's cheeks flushed pink. She gave a soft hum, then bashly picked up her bowl and chopsticks, quietly digging in.
So Brother Luo Chuan had already told Auntie about them? Hehe, how embarrassing...
At that moment, the already-delicious meal seemed to taste even better, as if blessed with an extra layer of joy.
"Senior Tong Yu, please don't hold back either."
"Back when we were on the Star Luo Continent, we were the guests. Now that you've come here, you're our guest. We truly appreciate your help with our two boys."
Beside them, Tang Ziran poured wine for Tong Yu, wearing a warm smile as he spoke slowly.
"Thank you, thank you..."
"But Luo Chuan and Wu Lin are both in Shrek City, where powerful figures are as numerous as clouds. I haven't actually been of much help. Ziran, you're too kind."
Upon hearing this, Tong Yu quickly shook his head with an almost flustered expression, replying with a smile.
"It's different."
"We're genuinely grateful for your efforts over these past six months."
Lang Yue also responded earnestly. For a distinguished Ultimate Douluo to travel thousands of miles from the Star Luo Continent just to watch over their two children...
This debt of gratitude was far too great.
"Next time we visit the Star Luo Continent, we must bring some fine things from the Douluo Continent for Senior En Ci."
For a moment, the couple exchanged glances, sharing the same thought. Of course, given their current cultivation levels—barely at the 91st rank as Titled Douluo—they would need to prepare carefully.
"Senior Tong Yu, how has your teacher, the State Preceptor, been lately? And His Majesty and the Princess..."
Tang Ziran then asked softly.
Meanwhile, Lang Yue beside him seemed lost in thought. Back on the Star Luo Continent, the little princess had taken quite a liking to Luo Chuan, but now...
With Na'er here, and Gu Yue's situation still unclear, the story between the Princess and Luo Chuan had likely reached its end.
"Both my teacher and His Majesty are doing well. As for the Princess... well..."
"She's been training very diligently."
Tong Yu's smile remained natural when speaking of the first two, but mentioning Dai Yun'er inevitably brought a touch of complexity to his mood.
Princess Yun'er undoubtedly missed Luo Chuan deeply, but with his official girlfriend right beside him now, how could Tong Yu possibly bring it up as openly as he had last time in front of Gu Yue?
"The Princess?"
Hearing this, Na'er paused briefly in her meal, lifting her head to glance at Tang Luo Chuan beside her before lowering it again.
Without a doubt, she trusted her Brother Luo Chuan completely. If he had said there was nothing between them, then there was nothing. Her faith in him was absolute.
"..."
"Dad, Mom, after dinner, I was thinking of heading out..."
Seeing the moment was right, Tang Wu Lin finally spoke up, clearing his throat with slight embarrassment.
With his brother always spending time with Na'er-jie, he didn't particularly want to stay home later. As for where he'd go...
Did he even need to ask?
"Going to see the Ouyang family's girl?"
Tang Ziran gave him a knowing look, smiling as he saw right through him.
"Yeah..."
Tang Wu Lin grinned, unable to hide the anticipation on his face. This holiday, he planned to spend plenty of time with Sister Zi Xin.
"You... just like your brother. Once you have a girlfriend, will you stop coming home as often too?"
Lang Yue looked at Tang Wu Lin, her smile tinged with resignation.
Before, when Luo Chuan was in Eastsea City, he usually spent weekends with Gu Yue. Only Wu Lin came home every day. But now, the boy has grown up and won't stay put—soon, his heart will be entirely devoted to his beloved.
These two brothers, truly cut from the same cloth...
Both the same, through and through.
"Mom."
"Brother and I are still different, okay..."
Hearing his mother's words, Tang Wulin scratched the back of his head sheepishly but still muttered under his breath.
Brother was a romantic at heart—how could he compare?
Brother was never short of girls around him, but for him, having Zi Xin Jie by his side was more than enough...
And truthfully, she was the only one he ever wanted.
(End of Chapter)