Zi Huai was still gnawing on a flatbread when he stared blankly at the suddenly lifted curtain.
Zi Juan stood in the doorway, staring blankly at Zi Huai as well.
"Ahua?"
"Ashu!"
Like a gust of wind, Zi Juan kicked off with both legs and shot into the kitchen, throwing her arms around the figure that had vanished from her memories years ago.
Even though the siblings had both grown up, even though they had not seen each other for years and did not even know whether the other was still alive, they still recognized each other the moment their eyes met.
Feeling that familiar yet unfamiliar embrace, made somewhat hard by the armor between them, Zi Huai's chin and pupils trembled violently. Then he wrapped his arms tightly around Zi Juan in return.
"Ashu!"
"Sis—Sis..." Zi Huai could no longer control his emotions. Hugging Zi Juan, he shut his eyes, but his legs gave out beneath him. "Sis, why didn't you come find me?! Ahhh—Sis!"
He wailed, clutching Zi Juan as he cried loudly.
"Ashu—Ashu." Zi Juan's eyes were wide as she held onto the weakened Zi Huai. Her gaze was vacant, and she could only call his name over and over.
Xiahou Ying and Xiang An stood at the kitchen entrance, watching the siblings' hard-won reunion with faint smiles of relief and emotion. Xiahou Ying beckoned to the bewildered head cook, signaling for him to come out quickly and not disturb the pair.
The reunion in the kitchen continued amid joy and tears, while outside, Xiang An had already begun speaking with Xiahou Ying.
"You must be General Xiang An, who defeated Qin Jia's twenty-thousand-strong army in Jia County with just five thousand men. I have long admired you." Xiahou Ying offered the belated greeting, clasping his hands