He turned and went back into the room. The moment he stepped inside, Lin Pingzhi flipped down from the small couch by the door.
"Who is it?"
Madam Wang hurried out from inside as well, carrying her golden saber.
"It's me."
"Father, where did you go? Are you all right?"
Lin Zhennan forced a smile and patted Lin Pingzhi on the shoulder.
He looked at his son with a touch of indulgence.
"Don't worry. It's nothing."
Lin Zhennan and his wife feared that Lin Pingzhi would act rashly, and even more that he might be hurt by the hidden thief. So they had claimed early on that Madam Wang was unwell and needed Lin Pingzhi's protection, tricking him into staying in their room.
In truth, the couple had been protecting their son.
Looking at his son, lying down fully clothed with his precious sword always at hand, then at his wife, also lying down fully clothed and holding her golden saber in constant vigilance—
His heart was filled with mixed emotions. He felt deeply defeated, as though he had failed as both a father and a husband, allowing them to live in such fear.
One could only survive in the martial world through strength. Lin Zhennan silently made up his mind, clenching his fist tightly inside his sleeve.
"With young hero Ji here, those thieves must have had the fright of their lives. They won't come back. Pingzhi, go back and rest first."
"It's fine. I'll stay here and protect Father and Mother."
But Lin Zhennan still had some matters of his own to attend to, and it was truly inconvenient for his son to remain in the room.
"Your mother and I have some things to discuss. Go on back now. Be good."
Only after Lin Zhennan coaxed him