Early the next morning, when Tang San set out, he was accompanied by a lively little girl bouncing around, with a handsome young man and a beautiful girl following behind him.
"How much farther?" Xiao Wu looked around curiously and asked casually.
"We're almost there. See that mountain over there? Our Holy Soul Village is right at the foot of it." Now that he was almost home, Tang San couldn't help but feel excited.
"Is home really that great?" Gu Yuena asked in confusion, seeing Tang San so eager.
Tang San looked at Gu Yuena in surprise and said, "Home is the harbor where the soul rests after experiencing the hardships of the world. Every return journey is a kind of enjoyment, and every homecoming is a surprise. Haven't you ever gone home?"
Surprise? That surprise is about to turn into shock soon!
Gu Chen, who knew the plot well, thought to himself.
Holding Gu Yuena's hand, Gu Chen apologetically said to Tang San, "Sorry to dampen your mood. Gu Yuena and I have been orphans since childhood and have never experienced what a home feels like, so that's why she asked you that."
Gu Chen made up a backstory on the spot. In fact, he wasn't wrong—after all, they were split off from the Dragon God. Saying they were orphans wasn't entirely inaccurate.
Tang San, hearing this, felt deeply sorry and said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up something painful…"
Gu Chen waved his hand dismissively, showing that he didn't mind.
Soon, the group arrived at Holy Soul Village. Tang San's home was at the entrance of the village. He pointed to the dilapidated sign on the roof and said to Gu Chen and the others, "Look! That's my home."
His home was right in front of him, and Tang San's excitement grew. His footsteps quickened, and he nearly ran the rest of the way.
Because of Tang Hao's habits, the door to Tang San's house was left open as usual—after all, there was nothing in this small blacksmith shop worth stealing.
"Dad, I'm back!" Tang San shouted excitedly.
Xiao Wu had never seen Tang San like this before. Standing behind him, she curiously watched his reaction.
"Oh, Xiao San, you're back." A warm voice sounded as an elderly man walked out from inside.
The man looked old and frail, but his eyes still held strength.
Seeing him, Tang San was momentarily stunned. "Grandpa Jack, you're here too? Where's my dad?"
Seeing the famous beginner village chief, Old Jack, Gu Chen couldn't help but take a closer look.
Old Jack smiled bitterly and said, "Look for yourself—this is what your father left behind. I came by this morning to get him so we could pick you up together, but it turns out you're already back."
The excitement on Tang San's face quickly turned into nervousness. He silently took the letter and began reading it.
See? Surprise turned into shock in an instant.
Gu Chen held Gu Yuena's hand but didn't interrupt.
After finishing the letter, Tang San's mood sank completely. He even rudely asked Old Jack to leave.
Old Jack left, and only Tang San, Gu Chen, and the others remained inside the blacksmith shop. Tang San didn't say a word and simply started tidying up the messy room.
Ding!
Detected the host's current situation, activating daily choice mode:
A. Help Tang San clean up the room.B. Stay out of it.C. Mock him and worsen the relationship.
"I choose A," Gu Chen silently said in his mind. Together with Gu Yuena, he walked over to help Tang San arrange things.
It was just a small favor—nothing too difficult to do.
Xiao Wu came in from outside with a bucket of water and began wiping down the furniture.
As the sun set, four small figures sat side by side in front of the blacksmith shop.
The girl with the scorpion braid on the far left tilted her head and looked at the ordinary-looking boy in the middle. Propping her chin up with both hands, she seemed like she wanted to say something but ultimately held back.
"Xiao Wu, Boss Gu, Sister Na'er, thank you," the ordinary-looking boy said.
"Thank you for staying with me." Tang San lowered his head, looking at the ground. His eyes seemed dazed and misty.
"Don't worry. Your father has only left temporarily. Everyone has their own path to walk, and once he finishes what he needs to do, he will definitely come back for you. After all, you are his only son!" Gu Chen patted Tang San's shoulder.
Tang San grimaced in pain. It felt like his shoulder was about to break apart. Gu Chen's strength was terrifying—just a light pat left him feeling sore.
At that moment, Xiao Wu shook her head and flipped her long scorpion braid over her shoulder. "Even without your father, you still have us as friends. If you really want family, I don't mind being your big sister. Come on, call me Sister Xiao Wu."
Looking at Xiao Wu's playful expression and her little face, which was flushed red under the sunset, Tang San couldn't help but smile.
"Only if you're willing to be my little sister. If I remember correctly, though we're the same age, you're a few months younger than me."
"No way! I only want to be the big sister, not the little sister!" Xiao Wu huffed, reaching out to knock Tang San on the head.
Boyfriends and girlfriends always start off as siblings first!
Gu Chen silently complained in his mind but subconsciously turned to look at Gu Yuena beside him.
At this moment, Gu Yuena was sitting with her arms around her knees. Her amethyst-like eyes were gazing at the sunset, lost in thought. Her long silver hair draped over the ground, with a few strands swaying gently in the wind before landing softly in Gu Chen's palm.
Just then, Tang San suddenly moved, dashing forward and standing three meters in front of Gu Chen and the others. His face was serious, as if he had made an important decision.
"Xiao Wu, Boss Gu, Sister Na'er, let's go climb the mountain. I want to show you something."
C-Climb the mountain?!Gu Chen's expression became strange. Was he planning to silence them?!
Xiao Wu, however, didn't think much about it and immediately followed after him.
Gu Chen knew what was about to happen but was surprised that Tang San had invited him and Gu Yuena as well.
Taking Gu Yuena's delicate, boneless hand, Gu Chen followed Tang San up the mountain.
Standing at the mountain's peak, facing the setting sun, Tang San's eyes were already filled with a deep purple light.
"Xiao Wu, this is where I used to train. I have a serious question for you, and I hope you will answer me seriously."
Xiao Wu instinctively snapped back, "Were you a towel in your past life? Why are you always so twisted?"
A second later, she realized what she had said. "Sorry, Xiao San, I learned a lot of comebacks from Boss Gu, so I said it without thinking. What do you want to ask?"
She completely ignored the black lines forming on Gu Chen's face in the distance…
The perfect atmosphere was instantly ruined, but Tang San still pressed on.
"Xiao Wu, I really hope I can have a sister like you. Though I can't give you the wealth and privilege of nobility, I can give you a promise—I will always protect my sister and never let her get hurt."
Looking into Tang San's eyes, Xiao Wu's own eyes turned red. "What if, one day, many people want to kill me, and they're stronger than you?"
A faint smile appeared on Tang San's face. "Then they will have to step over my dead body first!"
(End of Chapter)