The sea breeze drifted softly through the night. As dawn broke on the horizon, clear morning light spread across the entire beach.
Lin Chen knew nothing of what had happened the previous night.
Near noon, Lin Chen and Na'er walked along the beach. Waves washed over their ankles, bringing a cool, salty dampness.
The boy's jade-green eyes reflected the churning blue waves. Beside him, the silver-haired girl's hair fluttered in the sea breeze, and every so often, the two shared a quiet laugh.
After walking for a while, Na'er seemed to notice something. Her gaze settled on a little boy not far ahead, who looked about the same age as Lin Chen.
Lin Chen noticed Na'er's reaction and followed her gaze.
What came into view was a gentle-looking couple strolling hand in hand with a black-haired boy. The family of three chatted and laughed together.
The boy had a well-proportioned build. Most striking of all were his eyes, so beautiful they seemed almost too perfect.
Just as Lin Chen was about to speak, the family had already come up to them and noticed Lin Chen and Na'er.
As soon as the middle-aged woman's eyes fell on the two of them, she blurted out in surprise, "What adorable little ones!"
She hurried over, her eyes full of affection as she took a close look at Lin Chen and Na'er.
The boy had handsome, refined features and clear, translucent jade-green eyes. He carried an air of otherworldliness. Beside him stood a girl with hair white as snow, exquisitely beautiful features, and skin so fair it seemed almost translucent. On the beach, they looked like a pair of immortal children straight out of a painting.
Tang Ziran stood beside her, wearing a gentle smile as he glanced helplessly at his wife.
Tang Wulin hid behind his parents, cautiously peeking out with half his head. His bright black eyes regarded the two children curiously, and for no reason he could explain, he felt a little close to them.
"Are you two here at the beach with your parents?" Lang Yue asked softly.
Lin Chen tightened his hold on Na'er's hand and politely replied to Lang Yue, "Hello, miss. My name is Yun Linchen, and this is Na'er. I brought her to see the sea."
Hearing that, Lang Yue's fondness for them grew. She immediately turned and called over her shoulder, "Ziran, bring Wulin over so the three children can get to know one another."
Tang Ziran smiled and nodded. Taking the still-shy Tang Wulin by the hand, he walked over.
Once Tang Wulin was brought over, his large, dark eyes looked first at Lin Chen, then at Na'er.
They did not notice the flash of golden light in Tang Wulin's eyes, or the mark of a trident that briefly appeared on his forehead.
Within Tang Wulin's Spirit Sea, a solid golden figure suddenly appeared, faint divine pressure coiling around him. His face was indistinct. It was Old Tang, a fragment of consciousness left behind by Tang San.
Indignation surged around him, impossible to conceal. "What's going on? The Silver Dragon King was supposed to approach Wulin according to fate. Why didn't things unfold according to my plan?"
The next instant, Old Tang sensed a peculiar aura about Lin Chen and immediately understood everything.
"I see." His anger flared even stronger. "So it was this boy beside the Silver Dragon King who forcefully disrupted the path fate had laid out!"
Old Tang's body heaved as he panted furiously, eyes wide with rage. "You've ruined my ten-thousand-year plan. You, a variable of fate, have brought death upon yourself!"
Outside, Tang Wulin remained completely oblivious, shyly looking at Lin Chen and Na'er. He had no idea what was happening in his Spirit Sea.
Lang Yue smiled at her son and spoke gently. "Wulin, hurry and say hello to Big Brother Lin Chen and Big Sister Na'er."
"No need to call me Big Brother. Just call me Lin Chen. I think I'm about the same age as him," Lin Chen explained.
Tang Wulin fidgeted with the hem of his shirt. His clear black eyes looked at the two, and he spoke in a bright yet shy voice. "Hello, I'm Tang Wulin."
Lin Chen gave a slight nod. A hint of confusion flashed in his jade-green eyes, but he still replied politely. "Hello, Tang Wulin."
His tone was calm, and he didn't notice the change in Na'er beside him at all.
Na'er's fingers curled slightly at her side, and her silver lashes trembled. A storm surged in her heart.
When she had approached just now, she had clearly sensed the aura of bloodline within Tang Wulin. It undoubtedly belonged to the Golden Dragon King.
Why would the Golden Dragon King's bloodline appear in a human? Na'er wondered, bewildered.
"Na'er, what's wrong?" Lin Chen noticed the girl had spaced out and softly called to her.
Na'er came back to her senses. She tucked away all the questions churning inside her and smiled at Tang Wulin. "Hello, my name is Na'er."
Seeing the three children getting along so well, Lang Yue smiled more warmly. "Now that you've met, why don't we all have a meal together?"
Tang Ziran smiled and agreed. Meanwhile, in Tang Wulin's Spirit Sea, Old Tang glared at Lin Chen. Given the situation, Old Tang was furious—but could only swallow his anger and leave it for later.
Lang Yue extended the invitation. "Lin Chen, Na'er, it's almost noon. Why don't we go have a meal together?"
Lin Chen glanced at Na'er beside him and came up with an excuse. "Thank you for the invitation, but Na'er eats quite a lot. I'm afraid we'd cause you trouble."
At that, Lang Yue laughed, her tone growing even more enthusiastic. "It's a blessing for a child to have a good appetite. Don't worry about it."
Lin Chen had no choice but to agree.
Before long, they all entered a seafood restaurant. Once they had found seats, Lang Yue gently slid the menu over to Lin Chen and Na'er with an easygoing smile. "Lin Chen, Na'er, you order first. Pick whatever you like."
Lin Chen picked a few seafood dishes that were reasonably priced and came in generous portions, then handed the menu back to Lang Yue.
"This is enough for us."
Na'er sat quietly beside him, leaving everything to Lin Chen. Only when she saw a few meat dishes did a trace of anticipation flicker in her eyes.
Seeing this, Tang Ziran and Lang Yue grew even fonder of the two well-behaved children. They added two hearty dishes of their own, smiling as they said, "Children are growing. They need to eat plenty."
One dish after another arrived, steaming hot, until the whole table was covered.
At first, Lang Yue smiled as she served the children, and Tang Ziran gently urged them to eat more. Neither of them had taken Lin Chen's remark that "Na'er eats quite a lot" to heart.
But before long, they were both stunned.
Na'er ate quietly and gracefully, taking her time, yet the food on her plate vanished at a visibly astonishing rate. She was every bit as fast as Tang Wulin—if anything, she seemed to be outdoing him.
Tang Wulin wolfed down food from a large bowl. His parents were already used to it, but Na'er looked so slender and delicate that her appetite—just as large as his, if not more astounding—left them gaping.
That child can eat just as much as Wulin, Lang Yue thought to herself.
When the meal was over, the dishes had been swept clean. Not even the broth had much left in it.
After a short rest, Tang Wulin eagerly pulled out his Soul Guidance communicator. He and Lin Chen exchanged contact information and agreed that they would definitely meet again.
After saying goodbye to them, Lin Chen took Na'er to the Soul Guidance Train station, and they returned to Shrek City.
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