Yun Qing smiled too.
"You've grown taller."
Yun Shuo proudly patted his little chest. "I've been working extra hard at cultivation lately!"
"Haha, good lad." Yun Qing smiled as he set him down, then straightened his collar.
Nearby, Yun Yao and Yun Li watched the scene, smiles warming their eyes. They hurried forward and cupped their fists in greeting.
"Eldest Brother, Second Elder."
Before either could bow, Yun Qing reached out to stop them, his voice gentle. "We're family. There's no need for such formalities."
Looking at the two before him, Yun Qing asked with a smile, "What brings you two out wandering here?"
Yun Li's ears warmed at the question. He gave a slightly awkward, youthful cough and instinctively tucked one hand behind his back, looking bashful.
Yun Qing's gaze swept over the young couple, his double pupils settling on the flower wreath Yun Li held behind his back.
How keen those double pupils were. Yun Qing smiled in understanding.
"Oh~ so our young couple came out to buy gifts."
"Eldest Brother..." Yun Li's ears turned red at once.
Standing beside him, Yun Yao could not help lowering her head with a faint smile, her expression gentle yet playful.
Yun Li coughed twice, trying hard to remain composed.
"I was only accompanying Yao home for a visit today. And little Shuo said he wanted to come here to buy the newly released Nine Heavens Azure Cloud List Glazed Mirror. That's how we happened to run into you, Eldest Brother."
"Oh~" Yun Qing drew out the sound.
His eldest brother's teasing reddened Yun Li's ears further, and he hastily changed the subject.
"What brings you to Cloud Dream Marsh today, Eldest Brother?"
Yun Qing smiled. "The Nine Heavens Gathering will be held at Cloud-Embracing Summit. I came to take a