After the welcome ceremony ended, Gu Mingxi darted forward and wrapped her arms tightly around Huo Yuhao.
She said nothing, merely burying her head against Huo Yuhao's chest, her shoulders trembling slightly.
Ever since Huo Yuhao had left, not a day had passed without her worrying.
She had originally thought she was worried that, if something happened to Huo Yuhao, the Soul Beasts' hope for the future would be snuffed out completely.
But when Huo Yuhao stood before her in the flesh, Gu Mingxi realized that the Soul Beasts seemed not to be her only concern.
That realization made her heart tremble, yet it was utterly clear.
Huo Yuhao reached out and gently patted her back. "It's all right now. It's all right."
Gu Mingxi took a deep breath and slowly released her arms. Her eyes were slightly red, but she stubbornly refused to let her tears fall.
"Next time... don't do anything so dangerous again."
Huo Yuhao said softly, "All right. I understand."
Standing nearby, Nan Qiuqiu first looked at Gu Mingxi, then turned to look at Su Tong.
Su Tong stood quietly to one side, a gentle smile on her face.
Nan Qiuqiu sidled up beside her, gathered her courage, and lowered her voice. "Captain Su, aren't you anxious?"
Su Tong paused slightly, then chuckled. "Anxious about what?"
"Look at those two..." Nan Qiuqiu blinked and pointed toward Huo Yuhao and Gu Mingxi.
"You were clearly the first to... Of course, I'm not saying Captain Gu is bad. I just think..."
Su Tong reached out and ruffled Nan Qiuqiu's hair. "Some things don't have to be one or the other."
"Besides, if you keep talking nonsense like that, watch out, or I'll toss you straight into the Far North Core."
Nan Qiuqiu hurriedly covered her mouth, but her