Dusk bathed Shrek City, and the streetlights blended into a stretch of warm yellow. Tang Wulin held Na'er's hand as he and Xu Xiaoyan walked side by side toward the academy.
Na'er clutched a little rabbit lantern in one hand and tightly gripped Tang Wulin's sleeve with the other. Her little face still carried the sweet scent of sugar art, and her eyes and brows were full of a child's delight, utterly free of the lost, distant air she had worn when they first met. Xu Xiaoyan carried the small scented sachets they had just bought for her, occasionally lowering her head to whisper a few words to Na'er and making her laugh softly. The atmosphere was gentle and harmonious.
"Once we get back to the dorm, I'll make up a bed for you first. Tomorrow, I'll take you to meet Mom and Dad. They'll definitely be overjoyed to see you." Tang Wulin looked down at Na'er, unable to hide the affection in his voice. After being separated for so long, he had finally found his little sister again. The weight in his heart had finally lifted completely.
Na'er raised her little face, her eyes sparkling. "I want to see Mom and Dad soon. I like Brother too, and I like Sister Xiaoyan."
Xu Xiaoyan's eyes curved as she smiled, reaching out to gently pat Na'er's head. "From now on, we'll be together at Shrek. We'll never be apart again." As she spoke, her gaze was open and tranquil. She had long since put aside the little tangled feelings of the past, leaving only the steady warmth of family in her heart. To her, Na'er was Tang Wulin's little sister, which made her little sister too. Their sibling bond was pure and unwavering.
The three had only just entered the Shrek Inner Court when they ran into their companions heading toward them. Xie Xie, Xu Lizhi, and the others were returning after wandering around the streets. When they saw the unfamiliar little girl beside Tang Wulin, they all stopped, their eyes full of curiosity.
"Wulin, who is this?" Xie Xie asked first, his gaze falling on Na'er with clear confusion.
Tang Wulin smiled and put an arm around Na'er as he introduced her loudly. "This is my little sister, Na'er. We were separated for a long time, but I happened to find her on the street today."
"Na'er, these are all my companions: Xie Xie, Li Zhi, Xing Lan... and this is Gu Yue."
Na'er shyly hid behind Tang Wulin, peeking her head out to softly greet everyone. She looked obedient and adorable. The companions all smiled kindly. Xie Xie scratched his head and said with a grin, "So she's Wulin's little sister. From now on, she's all of our little sister too!" Xu Lizhi also smiled honestly, saying that he would make her the tastiest buns. Ye Xinglan, Yuanen Yehui, and the others nodded as well, their attitudes friendly and without the slightest hint of exclusion.
Gu Yue stood nearby and quietly watched Na'er, her gaze calm. When she looked at Tang Wulin, there was a trace of warmth in her eyes as she felt happy for him. She had no other emotions, only the sense that this reunion was meant to be a perfect thing.
Xu Xiaoyan stood beside them and softly helped ease Na'er's nervousness. "Everyone is very friendly. Don't be afraid." Her natural manner made it seem as though she had long become part of this little family. Seeing how well she and Na'er got along, then looking at Tang Wulin, the companions all understood without speaking. Tang Wulin now had two well-behaved little sisters by his side, adding another measure of warmth to the team.
The group returned to the dormitory area together. Tang Wulin carefully prepared Na'er's bed, while Xu Xiaoyan helped pass things around and bustled about without complaint. By the time everything was settled, the night had grown deep. Na'er had worn herself out over the day and soon fell into a deep sleep, a satisfied smile still on her little face.
Tang Wulin looked at the sleeping Na'er, then at Xu Xiaoyan beside him as she helped tidy up. His voice was sincere. "I really have you to thank today. If you hadn't been here, I wouldn't even have known how to take care of her."
"Brother, we're siblings. We should be helping each other." Xu Xiaoyan shook her head naturally. "Go back and rest. There's still the exchange match tomorrow. I'm in the dorm next door, so call me anytime if you need anything."
Her openness and purity completely put Tang Wulin at ease. He had always worried that Xu Xiaoyan might feel awkward, but now it seemed that all their relationships had settled into the most secure kind of familial affection, without the slightest impropriety. The two smiled at each other. No words were needed; the understanding between brother and sister had already taken deep root.
Meanwhile, on an official road far away at the border of the Star Luo Empire, Adult Tang Wulin was walking forward at an unhurried pace.
Everything at the Star Luo Palace had already been settled. He had carefully placed the Silver Dragon-Shaped Jade Pendant in an inner pocket close to his body. He had not deliberately thrown it away, nor did he look at it often. He merely kept it as a faint mark of a passing encounter. Remembering Dai Yun'er's flushed cheeks and timid gaze when she had handed him the pendant, his heart remained undisturbed, leaving only a trace of quiet relief. That faint ambiguity had merely been the thoughts of a young girl. To him, the Dragon Emperor who had weathered so much, it was only a wisp of smoke amid the mortal world, scattered as soon as the wind passed.
He raised his head toward Shrek, his golden eyes full of calm. The youths' days were peaceful and warm, their bonds pure. Na'er had reunited with her family, the sibling bond had been settled, and his ties to Star Luo had also been severed. Everything was moving in the best possible direction, and the purpose of his journey had been fully achieved.
The evening wind swept over the wilderness, carrying away the dust of the journey. Adult Tang Wulin's aura flickered faintly, and his figure transformed into a pale streak of golden light as he sped toward Shrek. He no longer needed to appear before the youths. It was enough to remain hidden in the shadows, silently protecting them, watching them grow through peaceful days and watching familial love and companionship take root and flourish.
Night in the Shrek Inner Court was tranquil. Moonlight spilled over the dormitory window lattice, gentle and serene. Tang Wulin looked at Na'er's sleeping face, his heart filled with peace. Xu Xiaoyan also slept soundly in the dorm next door, while the Seven Monsters had all settled in to rest.
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