When Han Feng pushed open the gate of Villa No. 3, the aroma of food wafting from the kitchen immediately whetted everyone's appetite.
"Mom, we're back!" Han Feng called out into the house.
Wang Hao rushed out of the living room as if he had seen a savior, and said in a low voice, "Brother, if you don't come back soon, my mom is going to nag me to death!" He mouthed the words "urge me to get married" and looked utterly hopeless.
Han Feng couldn't help but chuckle and patted him on the shoulder: "Calm down, aren't you here?"
In the kitchen, Han's mother and Wang's mother were working together seamlessly to prepare the last few dishes. Han's mother's wok-tossing movements were fluid and graceful, while Wang's mother skillfully chopped the side dishes beside her.
"Hello, aunties." The three girls greeted them politely.
"Oh, you're back!" the Queen Mother said, looking up with a smile. "Dinner will be ready soon; I made sweet and sour pork ribs today."
Liu Mengran naturally tied on an apron: "I'll help set the table."
Su Wanwan leaned closer to the stove and took a deep breath: "It smells so good! Auntie, can I sneak a piece?"
"Little glutton." Han's mother affectionately picked up a piece of pork rib and fed it to her, "Be careful, it's hot."
Dongfang Wantang curiously observed the spice jars on the stove, seemingly wondering how these ordinary ingredients could produce such an enticing aroma.
In the living room, Mr. Han and Mr. Wang were playing chess.
"Checkmate!" Han's father moved the chess piece triumphantly.
Wang's father frowned in thought, then suddenly saw Han Feng walk in and immediately changed the subject: "Xiao Feng's back? I haven't seen any of you all day."
Han Feng smiled knowingly but said nothing: "I went to take care of some things, Uncle Wang. This situation... I'm afraid it's beyond saving."
Everyone burst into laughter. Taking advantage of the moment, Wang Hao pushed the chessboard aside: "Let's eat! Playing chess is nothing compared to eating!"
Inside the restaurant, the round table was already laden with home-style dishes: steamed sea bass, braised prawns, garlic broccoli, and the Queen Mother's signature dish, "Three Treasures of the Earth." There were no expensive ingredients, but the food was full of the taste of home.
"No drinking today," Han's mother said, bringing out the last bowl of soup. "You were all so drunk yesterday, what a sight!"
Mr. Wang awkwardly put down the wine bottle he had just picked up: "Drinking tea is fine too, it's good for your health..."
Everyone sat together in a relaxed and natural atmosphere. Wang Hao eagerly served rice to everyone, which prompted his mother to jokingly scold him, "I've never seen you so diligent before!"
"I'm just hungry..." Wang Hao said with a pitiful expression, picking up the largest piece of pork rib for himself.
Han Feng carefully served the three women their favorite dishes—shrimp for Liu Mengran, ribs for Su Wanwan, and after Dongfang Wantang tasted the stir-fried potatoes, eggplant, and green peppers, her eyes lit up, so Han Feng gave her more.
"What have the children been up to lately?" Mr. Wang asked casually. "I've noticed your work involves frequent business trips?"
Han Feng exchanged a glance with Han Feng and mumbled, "Um...it involves some security issues..."
Han's mother suddenly remembered something: "Oh right, isn't Haozi with you in your department? Why don't you take him with you more often, and why are you working separately?"
The dining table fell silent instantly, with only Su Wanwan's suppressed laughter being particularly noticeable.
"Ahem." Mr. Han broke the awkward silence. "Um...is this Wan Tang's first time having dinner at our house? Don't be shy, make yourself at home."
Dongfang Wantang, who was intently studying the recipe for "Three Treasures of the Earth," looked up upon hearing this and said, "It's delicious. Can you teach me how to make it?"
"Of course!" Han's mother immediately perked up. "Come to the kitchen tomorrow, and I'll teach you a few of my signature dishes!"
The conversation gradually shifted to cooking techniques, and the atmosphere became lively again. Su Wanwan and Wang Hao got into a "chopstick battle" over the last piece of pork rib, which was eventually resolved when Han Feng divided it in half for each of them.
After the meal, the three women took the initiative to clear the dishes, while Han's mother and Wang's mother enjoyed the peace and quiet, sitting on the sofa drinking tea and chatting. Han Feng and Wang Hao were assigned to take out the trash; the two grown men stood under the moonlight, carrying trash bags, exchanging smiles.
"Sometimes I really envy you," Wang Hao suddenly said. "Even though you're always so busy, you're living a truly wonderful life."
Han Feng looked out the kitchen window—Liu Mengran was washing dishes, Su Wanwan was wiping plates beside her, and Dongfang Wantang was earnestly asking the two mothers for advice. The warm light made their figures appear exceptionally soft.
"Yes..." he said softly, "It was wonderful. But aren't you the same now? Do you regret it?"
The moonlight cast long shadows of the two men. Beside the trash can, Wang Hao kicked a small pebble, the sound particularly clear in the quiet night.
"Regret?" He chuckled softly and shook his head. "Although there are still many things I don't understand—like that guy who could create clones last time, and Miss Wan Tang's glowing runes..." He paused, his gaze drifting to the brightly lit villa in the distance, "but being able to protect something important with you all... feels good."
Han Feng didn't speak, but simply patted his friend on the shoulder. Laughter from the girls came from the kitchen window. Liu Mengran was chasing Su Wanwan with her foam-covered hands, while Dongfang Wantang was laughing and trying to break it up. The two mothers sat in the living room shaking their heads and chuckling.
"But you..." Wang Hao suddenly turned his head, "Handling three at once must be more tiring than dealing with those monsters, right?"
Han Feng pretended to kick him: "Get lost!" The two laughed and joked, startling the night birds in the tree.
After the laughter subsided, Han Feng said seriously, "Seriously, how are you going to explain this to Uncle Wang and the others? It's better to give them a heads-up before you leave."
The light in Wang Hao's eyes dimmed slightly. He looked down at his palms—these hands, which used to become weak after doing even a little physical labor, now possessed extraordinary strength.
"I don't know..." he admitted honestly. "Last time I went home, my mom said I was a different person. Not in appearance, but... here." He pointed to his chest. "She said the feeling I gave off had completely changed."
Han Feng was silent for a moment, then suddenly put his arm around his shoulder: "Let's call my dad along later. He used to be a member of Longyuan too, so it's more appropriate for him to say some things."
Wang Hao's eyes lit up: "Uncle Han is willing to help?"
"He's been wanting to have tea with Uncle Wang for a while now," Han Feng said with a smile. "The two old buddies should also chat about their sons."
Just then, Su Wanwan's head popped out of the kitchen window: "Did you two take out the trash into outer space? Wantang made sweet soup!"
"Coming!" Han Feng responded, then whispered to Wang Hao, "Don't worry, Uncle Wang and the others will understand. After all..." He looked up at the night sky, "What we're protecting includes their ordinary lives."
The two returned to the villa together. Han Feng winked at Wang Hao, walked over to his father, and whispered a few words in his ear. Han Feng immediately understood, so he stood up and said to Wang's father, "We just finished eating, Lao Wang, shall we go for a walk together?"
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