Evening Breeze Homeward, Preparations for the Journey Ahead

On the tree-lined path, the young man carried his little sister, accompanied by his companions and the sister he had taken in. His steps were unhurried, his smile warm. They had won the first match of the exchange tournament, and greater challenges still lay ahead. Yet with this group by his side, he feared nothing. The warmth and purity of those youthful days were also quietly watched over by distant eyes, waiting for him to grow step by step and claim all the glory and reunions that belonged to him.

The evening breeze drifted gently by, stirring scattered petals from the roadside and letting them fall upon everyone's shoulders. It also dispelled the lingering heat of soul power from the arena. Tang Wulin carried the sleeping Na'er, treading as lightly as he could for fear of disturbing her peaceful dreams. Na'er's little face rested against his neck, her breathing even, her long lashes lowered, and a faint smile still lingered on her lips. She must have been having a sweet dream, one filled with the sight of her brother's victory.

Xu Xiaoyan followed closely at his side, occasionally reaching out to gently brush away the strands of hair blocking Na'er's face. Her movements were unbelievably tender. Watching Tang Wulin's careful manner, she felt deeply moved. This captain, always steady and dependable, hid such delicate gentleness whenever he faced family. No wonder she had long since cast aside all stray thoughts and willingly become his sister, guarding this pure familial bond.

"Wulin, take Na'er back to the dormitory and let her rest first. The rest of us will head to the cafeteria and pack up dinner to celebrate our first victory!" Xie Xie patted his chest, his voice brimming with excitement, having completely forgotten the exhaustion from the match. The moment Xu Lizhi heard there would be food, his eyes lit up, and he hurriedly nodded in agreement.

"Alright, then I'll trouble you all." Tang Wulin agreed with a smile. Na'er was sleeping deeply, and it truly was inconvenient for him to take her to the cafeteria. With his companions handling it, Na'er could sleep a little longer.

Gu Yue looked at Na'er in Tang Wulin's arms, then at the gentle Xu Xiaoyan beside him, and said calmly, "I'll go with them. I'll also bring back some light food suitable for Na'er." With that, she turned and followed Xie Xie, Xu Lizhi, and the others toward the cafeteria. Her back was crisp and decisive, yet every gesture revealed her thoughtfulness.

Before long, only Tang Wulin, Xu Xiaoyan, and the sleeping Na'er remained on the tree-lined path. The surroundings instantly fell quiet, leaving only the rustling of wind through the leaves, peaceful beyond compare.

"Brother, let me carry something for you." Xu Xiaoyan reached out, wanting to take the wildflowers Tang Wulin held tightly in his hand. They were Na'er's victory gift to him, and he had been holding them carefully all along, afraid of damaging them.

"No need. I can hold them; they aren't heavy." Tang Wulin smiled and shook his head. His fingertips lightly brushed the petals, his eyes filled with tenderness. "This is the first gift Na'er has given me. I have to keep it safe."

Xu Xiaoyan smiled at the sight of how much he cherished them and said nothing more. She simply stayed quietly by his side as they slowly headed toward the dormitory. Neither spoke along the way, yet there was not the slightest awkwardness. Instead, they shared an understanding that needed no words. This peaceful bond between brother and sister was more comforting than any conversation.

When they reached the dormitory building, Tang Wulin gently opened the door and carefully placed Na'er on the soft bed. He tucked a thin blanket around her, his movements light and gentle, his eyes full of affection. Xu Xiaoyan stood beside him, helping gather the scattered clothes and tidying the room until it was neat and orderly.

"Thank you for your hard work, Xiaoyan." Tang Wulin stood and looked at Xu Xiaoyan, his tone utterly sincere. "You had to compete today and help me take care of Na'er too."

"We're brother and sister. We should help each other. It wasn't hard at all." Xu Xiaoyan shook her head, her gaze open and pure. "You're tired too, Brother. Sit down and rest. Once they bring dinner back, eat and get some proper rest. We still need to prepare for tomorrow's match."

Tang Wulin nodded and sat by the bed, watching Na'er's sleeping face. That inexplicable sense of peace welled up in his heart again, while his longing for his parents grew even stronger. He silently made up his mind. He would give this exchange tournament everything he had and achieve a good result. The moment it ended, he would take Na'er to find their parents, and their family would never be separated again.

Xu Xiaoyan sat beside him and quietly kept him company. From time to time, she shared ideas for preparing for the upcoming matches. Her thoughts were clear and her insights steady; she was no longer the little girl who needed to be cared for. Tang Wulin listened attentively, occasionally nodding and adding his own thoughts. Together, they sorted through their tactics for the remaining matches and made thorough preparations for the challenges ahead.

Not long afterward, their companions returned carrying the packed meals. The aroma of food filled the dormitory, and a lively atmosphere instantly flooded the entire room. Everyone moved softly, afraid of waking Na'er. They sat together, quietly sharing food and talking about amusing moments from the match. Their laughter was kept low, yet it was full of the unique vigor and warmth of youth.

As night deepened, the companions gradually returned to their rooms. Tang Wulin stayed by Na'er's bed, watching his sister sleep peacefully and thinking of their parents far away. A faint smile rose to his lips. Before Xu Xiaoyan left, she even helped him clean up the bowls and chopsticks, reminding him to rest early with her usual thoughtfulness and care.

Moonlight shone brightly outside the window, spilling into the dormitory in soft tranquility. The victory in their first match was already behind them, and new challenges were about to arrive. Young Tang Wulin, carrying his longing for family and trust in his companions, rested and gathered his strength in the peaceful night, preparing to face every match ahead. And that protection spanning time remained hidden in the shadows, silently guarding this youthful purity, waiting for him to carve his way through every hardship and reach the fulfillment that belonged to him.

Would you like me to flesh out the details of Tang Wulin and Xu Xiaoyan's discussion of their battle preparations, so there is stronger setup for the next match?