The gift in Han's mother's hand almost fell to the ground.

Grandpa Liu's booming laughter came from inside the house: "I can smell the aroma from afar! Come in quickly, the wine is all warm!"

The banquet was set up directly in the courtyard, with a whole pig roasting over a bonfire and large jars of wine, their mud seals broken, sizzling. Old Master Liu put his arm around Han's father's shoulder: "Your Han Feng is a great benefactor to our Liu family!"

Despite wincing in pain from the slap, Han's father insisted on finishing his question: "Grandpa Liu, I heard your son Xiao Ran is also in the army?"

Upon receiving an affirmative answer, Han's father immediately pulled Liu Xiaoran to drink with him. After a few drinks, the men chatted about all sorts of things, while Han Feng and Liu Mengran looked at each other and then laughed together.

Liu Mengran asked, "Won't Wanwan feel lonely at home all by herself? We just came out like this."

Han Feng said, "After we left Wan Tang's house, I told Wan Tang to go back and keep Wan Wan company. You know Wan Wan, she..." He didn't finish his sentence.

Liu Mengran took Han Feng's hand and said, "From now on, we are family."

Han Feng nodded, and the two smiled at each other.

The sudden sound of military songs startled Han Feng. He turned around and saw several people singing together. He suddenly laughed, "Looks like we don't need to worry about them not getting along."

Han's mother was chatting with the women of the Liu family when she heard this and looked up: "Your father, he can talk for three days and three nights about his past glories." But she couldn't hide the smile in her eyes.

As moonlight bathed the training ground, Han Feng accompanied his slightly tipsy parents back home. Han's father, still humming a military song, suddenly put his arm around his son's shoulder: "The Liu family is good! Honest! Much better than those convoluted schemers!"

Han's mother playfully slapped her husband's hand away, but winked at her son: "I like Mengran; she's a steady and reliable child."

Han Feng gazed at the moon in the sky, recalling the jade that Dongfang Lin had secretly slipped to him, the packets of tea that Old Master Liu had insisted on giving to Han's father, and the genuine joy in his parents' eyes...

After sending his parents back to the villa, Han Feng went home himself.

When Han Feng opened the door, the TV in the living room was playing an evening variety show. Dongfang Wantang was curled up in a corner of the sofa, while Su Wanwan sat on the other side with her knees drawn up to her chest. The empty space between them seemed to be reserved for someone else.

"You're back?" Dongfang Wantang noticed him first, turning down the TV volume. "Where's Sister Mengran?"

"I'll stay at the Liu family's place tonight and come back tomorrow." Han Feng took off his coat and hung it up, noticing that although Su Wanwan was staring at the TV screen, her ear was clearly turned towards him.

Dongfang Wantang stretched, her slender waistline peeking out from under her pajamas: "I'm going to rest now~" She winked at Han Feng, then glanced meaningfully in Su Wanwan's direction, "You're in charge here."

Han Feng nodded in understanding. Only after Dongfang Wantang's door closed did he sit down next to Su Wanwan. The laughter from the variety show seemed abrupt and noisy, so he picked up the remote and turned off the TV.

In the sudden silence, Su Wanwan spoke softly, "Was today alright?"

"Yes, the whole family was having a lively time." Han Feng naturally put his arm around her shoulder. "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Su Wanwan shook her head, her hair brushing against Han Feng's chin. But in the dim light, the fleeting loneliness in her eyes did not escape Han Feng's notice.

Han Feng's heart softened, and he gently stroked her hair with his fingers: "Wanwan, from now on we are your family."

The body in his arms stiffened slightly, then relaxed. Su Wanwan buried her face in his chest, her voice muffled: "I know..."

"Let's find some time," Han Feng said, bending down to kiss the top of her head, "I'll go with you to see your aunt and uncle. I need to tell them that I'll be taking care of you from now on."

Su Wanwan looked up abruptly, her eyes slightly red: "Really?"

"Of course." Han Feng wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes. "We'll also bring Mengran and Wantang along, so their aunt and uncle can see how many more people have joined their family."

Su Wanwan burst into laughter through her tears and gently punched him: "Who wants to be part of your family..." As she said this, she leaned back into his arms and wrapped her arms around his waist.

The television screen showed the two embracing, their hearts pounding in the darkness. Han Feng patted Su Wanwan's back lightly until her breathing became even and deep.

As dawn broke through the curtains, the girl in his arms was still fast asleep, a faint smile playing on her lips. Han Feng carefully carried her back to the bedroom, and as he tucked her in, Su Wanwan unconsciously grabbed his sleeve and mumbled something.

"Go to sleep," Han Feng said softly. "I'll be back soon."

---This is the dividing line---

Kyoto International Airport is always bustling with noise. When Han Feng found Wang Hao, who was constantly checking his watch, on the departure level, Wang Hao was checking the flight information on his arrival card for the nth time.

"Brother Feng!" Wang Hao rushed over as if he'd seen a savior. "Do you think the plane might be delayed? My mom said there's a torrential downpour where they are..."

"The flight information shows it's on time." Han Feng waved his phone. "But you, your dark circles are practically falling off. Didn't you sleep last night?"

Wang Hao scratched his head sheepishly: "I'm a little nervous... It's my parents' first time visiting Kyoto, and they're even flying..."

"So..." Han Feng raised an eyebrow, "you didn't tell your aunt and uncle the truth?"

Wang Hao's face turned even redder, and his voice was so low it was barely a whisper: "I said... I said you're now in a special department of the military, and I served under you, so your family can be invited to visit Kyoto..."

Han Feng almost choked on his own saliva: "Uh, so what are your plans for the future?"

"Oh dear, they wouldn't understand anyway!" Wang Hao scratched his head anxiously, "...In short, I'm not comfortable leaving them alone in Jiang City right now."

The electronic screen displayed the flight status: "Arrived on time." Wang Hao visibly relaxed before continuing his explanation: "I figured my aunt and uncle are here too, so it'll be good for my parents to have someone to look after them. I'll just tell them I went on a mission with you, and they won't overthink it if they have someone with them..."

Han Feng silently looked at his friend. Wang Hao usually seemed so carefree, but he hadn't expected him to be so thoughtful. He thought of his own parents; wasn't he just like that?

"Brother Feng, don't be angry," Wang Hao quickly added when he saw that Feng didn't speak, "I just..."

"That's good." Han Feng suddenly interrupted, reaching out to pat Wang Hao on the shoulder. "This is indeed better."

This time, it was Wang Hao's turn to be stunned. His prepared explanation stuck in his throat as he stared blankly at Han Feng: "You...you don't blame me for lying to them?"

"Who among us isn't?" Han Feng looked towards the exit, a bitter smile playing on his lips. "We can't exactly tell them we're leaving Blue Star soon, can we? My dad knows a little, but we can't let them worry about us."