Bring Her Straight Home

"Tangtang, Na'er, my babies, come here and let Mommy hug you!"

Watching the two children step down from the stage, Lang Yue immediately pushed through the crowded people and hurried over.

She opened her arms and pulled Tang Wulin and Na'er tightly into her embrace.

Her embrace was warm and soft, carrying a faint gardenia fragrance. Her chin rested lightly against Tang Wulin's sweat-dampened head, and her arms held them tightly, as if she were afraid they might run away.

"You scared Mommy to death. You ate so much—does your tummy feel uncomfortable?"

As she spoke, she reached out and rubbed the two children's round little bellies, her tone full of heartache and pride.

"Mom, let go. We're still outside, and so many people are watching."

Tang Wulin buried his face in Lang Yue's arms, the tips of his ears turning so red they looked ready to drip blood.

He could feel every audience member's gaze resting on them. Some people were even holding up their phones to take pictures, making him so embarrassed that he wanted to find a crack in the ground and crawl into it.

Na'er, however, was not embarrassed at all. She obediently leaned against Lang Yue's chest, wrapped her little arms around her waist, and pressed her face to her shoulder, soaking in her mother's warm body heat.

"Alright, alright, no more hugging."

Lang Yue smiled as she released them and reached out to tidy their windblown hair.

"Here, these are hawthorn slices Dad bought for you at the little shop nearby. They've just been chilled, so eat some to help digest your food."

Tang Ziran walked over as well, holding two packs of chilled hawthorn slices. Fine droplets of water still clung to the packaging, cool to the touch.

He tore open the packages and handed one to Tang Wulin and one to Na'er.

"Eat slowly. Don't choke."

Tang Wulin accepted the hawthorn slices and popped one into his mouth. The sweet-and-sour flavor spread across his tongue, instantly easing the stuffed feeling caused by all the greasy food he had eaten earlier.

In his other hand, he tightly clutched a thick white envelope.

Inside was the one hundred thousand Federal Coins prize money he had just received. It felt heavy in his hand, with the distinctive texture of paper.

"I can finally become a Soul Master!"

Tang Wulin suddenly raised the envelope high into the air and jumped excitedly in place.

The dazzling sunlight spilled over the envelope, reflecting a brilliant gleam.

His eyes sparkled with tears, and his voice trembled faintly with excitement.

Ever since the day his martial soul awakened, when he learned that he possessed Innate Full Soul Power but was saddened because he had no money to buy a Soul Spirit, he had been hoping to earn money as soon as possible.

But he had never expected to get money so quickly. He could finally go to the Spirit Pagoda and buy his own first Soul Spirit, becoming a true Soul Master!

Na'er was also clutching the envelope containing thirty thousand Federal Coins.

She was not as excited as Tang Wulin. She merely hugged the envelope tightly to her chest, a sweet smile lingering on her lips.

As she watched Tang Wulin bounce around, her purple eyes were filled with joy.

She had won a competition with her brother, eaten so much delicious food, and even earned money. She felt that today was the happiest day she had experienced since she could remember.

"Wulin, look over there."

Jin Qiu's voice suddenly echoed in his mind, carrying a faint, nearly imperceptible sigh.

Tang Wulin turned his head in the direction Jin Qiu indicated.

In the shadows beside the stage, Huang Feng'er stood all alone.

The lively crowd had gathered in front of the stage to cheer and celebrate. No one noticed the red-haired girl who had won second place.

She wore that red-and-yellow tracksuit, tightly gripping the envelope containing her fifty thousand Federal Coins prize. Her fingers had turned white from the force, her knuckles faintly bluish, and the envelope's corners were crumpled from her grip.

Her golden eyes stared fixedly at Tang Ziran's family of four, filled with undisguised envy.

Watching Lang Yue hold the two children, watching Tang Ziran gently hand them hawthorn slices, watching Tang Wulin hop around excitedly, watching their family's warm and harmonious scene, a faint loneliness and desolation flickered through her eyes, like a little Phoenix abandoned in a corner.

The wind lifted the loose strands before her forehead, covering half of one eye.

She drew her shoulders in slightly, hiding herself in the shadows. She looked so small and especially pitiful.

Na'er followed Tang Wulin's gaze and looked over as well.

When she saw Huang Feng'er standing there alone, with no family coming to pick her up and no one to share the joy of her prize with, her heart softened at once.

She released Tang Wulin's hand and trotted toward Huang Feng'er on her tiny legs.

She ran up to Huang Feng'er, tipped up her little face, and blinked her sparkling purple eyes, like two translucent violet crystals.

Her voice was soft and sweet, carrying the purest concern.

"Big Sister, where's your family? Why hasn't anyone come to pick you up?"

Huang Feng'er was startled by Na'er suddenly running over. Her body instinctively shrank back, and a trace of wariness flashed through her golden eyes.

She had grown up alone since childhood. No one had ever approached her so willingly, and no one had ever cared about her like this.

But when she met Na'er's clean, clear eyes, without the slightest trace of impurity, the wariness in her heart unknowingly faded away.

She lowered her head and looked at the tips of her shoes. Her long lashes fell, concealing the emotions in her eyes.

Her voice was flat, without any noticeable rise or fall, like a calm lake.

"I don't have any family."

She said it very softly, so softly that it seemed a gust of wind could blow it away. After speaking, her grip on the envelope tightened again.

Na'er's eyes immediately widened when she heard that.

A pained expression appeared on her face. Tilting her head, she reached out without a second thought and gently tugged at Huang Feng'er's clothes.

"Then, why don't you come home with me?"

She looked up at Huang Feng'er seriously, her tone utterly sincere.

"My dad and mom are really nice, and my brother is nice too. We have lots of delicious food at home. Mom's braised pork is super tasty, and there are soft little beds too. Come home with us, and from now on, we'll be family."

"No way."

Jin Qiu's mouth twitched wildly in the Spirit Sea, his entire face asking, *Are you serious?*

"You're inviting a stranger straight home just like that?

Aren't you afraid people will think you're human traffickers?

Are kids these days all this bold?

Before I transmigrated, my elementary school homeroom teacher repeatedly warned us never to talk to strangers, much less go home with them."

Huang Feng'er froze completely.

She abruptly raised her head, her golden eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

Her lips moved as though she wanted to say something, but nothing came out.

In all her life, no one had ever said something like that to her.

She had always believed that she would live alone in this world forever.

Only after more than ten full seconds did she gently nod.

Her voice was as quiet as a mosquito's hum, yet it reached Na'er's ears clearly. "Okay."

"Holy crap! You actually agreed?!"

Jin Qiu watched the scene in the Spirit Sea with a speechless expression.

"Aren't you afraid they're bad people? They could sell you, and you wouldn't even know!

When Tang Wulin brought Na'er home back then, he at least knew to be a little cautious. You don't know each other at all, yet you're just saying you'll bring her home.

One of you dared to ask, and the other dared to agree. You're both pretty bold."

Hearing Huang Feng'er agree, Na'er immediately smiled happily, revealing two shallow dimples.

She released the corner of Huang Feng'er's clothes and instead tightly grasped her cool little hand.

Huang Feng'er's hand was very warm and somewhat rough, with a thin layer of calluses on her palm.

Na'er used her own warm little hand to completely wrap Huang Feng'er's hand within it.

"Let's go! Big Sister, I'll take you to meet my dad, mom, and brother!"

Na'er pulled Huang Feng'er along, bouncing toward Tang Ziran and Lang Yue.

Huang Feng'er was tugged along by her, her body still somewhat stiff and her steps slightly unsteady.

But she did not pull free. She only lowered her head and looked at their two tightly clasped hands.