"Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen."
Huan Hongchen murmured the names twice. Warmth softened his eyes, and he nodded slowly.
"Good names, good names! They have more clarity and openness than the 'Huan' in my name."
Yun leaned against him, her voice gentle and soft.
"Father has such a way with names. Even these carry so much meaning.
If the child is a boy, he'll enter the world with a carefree smile, openhearted and at ease.
If the child is a girl, she'll be like a dream descended into the mortal world, pure, bright, and graceful."
Jing Hongchen was usually guarded and calculating, rarely letting his feelings show.
Now, a faint smile touched his lips as he spoke.
"You do understand what I had in mind. Huan is fortunate to have married you."
"I only followed your train of thought, Father."
Yun lowered her head slightly. Her slender hand rested on her belly, her expression full of the tender hopes of an expectant mother.
Huan Hongchen smiled at his wife, then looked at his father. After a moment's silence, he spoke.
"Father, what path should we plan for the child?
Should the child follow you into Soul Tool research and carry on the family legacy?
Or follow me and cultivate both a Martial Soul and Soul Tools?"
Jing Hongchen lifted his teacup and ran a fingertip along its rim. His expression turned thoughtful, but he did not answer at once.
He had spent his life planning far ahead. He understood the nature of cultivation far better than his son did.
"Soul Tools are the foundation of the Hongchen Family. We must never abandon them.
But studying Soul Tools alone will eventually limit one's potential."
"Look at me. I poured my life into developing Soul Tools and neglected my Martial Soul cultivation early