Water Yue'er immediately let go of Su Yu's hand and threw herself into Shui Yining's arms, acting spoiled:
"Mother! We're back, aren't we? And Brother Su Yu came with us, too. We're perfectly safe!"
Water Bing'er also stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Sorry for making you worry, Mother."
Shui Yining patted Water Yue'er's back, then turned her assessing gaze toward Su Yu.
"You must be the Su Yu Yue'er mentioned. Thank you for taking care of Bing'er and Yue'er."
Su Yu nodded in response. "You're too kind, Dean Shui. It was nothing."
"Come inside quickly. It's windy out here." Shui Yining stepped aside and ushered everyone in.
"I stewed some ginger soup to drive away the cold. It'll warm you right up."
"Dean Shui, we still have important matters to deal with, so we won't be going inside."
The fire in the courtyard was burning brightly, dispelling the chill they had brought back with them.
Water Yue'er chattered animatedly with her mother about everything she had seen in the Extreme North Land.
Water Bing'er quietly helped add firewood while Su Yu sat to one side with Bi Ji and Zi Ji.
Seeing that dusk was falling, Su Yu rose and looked at them.
"Dean Shui, we've troubled you for a while. It's time for us to leave."
"Young Master Su Yu, it's already late. Why not stay the night and leave tomorrow?"
"We still have important matters to deal with, so we won't trouble you any longer."
Seeing that Su Yu was determined to leave, Water Yue'er quietly wrapped her arms around Shui Yining's waist and gazed up at her with pleading eyes. The reluctance in her eyes seemed almost ready to spill over.
Shui Yining smiled helplessly, patted her daughter's arm, and released her.
Water Yue'er immediately turned into