The evening crowd filled the inn with warmth and noise, lanterns casting a golden glow across wooden tables as voices overlapped in a steady hum. Xu Chen and Yue Ning sat quietly near the window, appearing no different from any other pair in the room, yet both of them were already aware that the presence they had been waiting for had entered.
The door opened and two small figures stepped inside. Tian Rán's eyes immediately found Xu Chen, her face lighting up without restraint, while Tian Hào's gaze moved first toward Yue Ning, calm but focused. They had barely taken a few steps when a server moved in front of them, stopping them with a polite but firm expression.
"Children, you shouldn't come in alone. This place is crowded, go back home."
Tian Rán frowned, clearly displeased. "Move."
The server hesitated, a little startled by her tone. "No, listen—"
"It's alright," Yue Ning's voice came gently from across the hall.
Both the server and the children turned. Yue Ning had already stood up, her expression calm, while Xu Chen remained seated but his gaze was fixed on them.
"They are with us," she added.
The server immediately stepped aside. "My apologies."
Yue Ning didn't dwell on it and simply asked, "Is there a quieter place?"
"Yes, the second floor has a private courtyard room."
"Take us there."
They were led away from the crowded hall, up the wooden stairs where the noise softened into the background. The second floor opened into a quiet courtyard-style space, simple and peaceful, far removed from the busy atmosphere below.
The moment they stepped inside, Tian Rán could no longer hold back.
She ran straight toward Xu Chen.
"Father!"
Xu Chen stood just in time as she reached him, lifting her effortlessly into his arms. His usually composed expression softened as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I missed you!" she said, her voice bright but carrying a hint of emotion.
Xu Chen held her securely, one hand supporting her as he looked at her calmly. "You came."
"Of course I did," she replied immediately, leaning against him as if she had always belonged there.
At the same time, Tian Hào walked toward Yue Ning without hesitation. He stopped in front of her, his usual calm expression unwavering, but his eyes held something quieter, something deeper.
"Mother," he said softly.
Yue Ning's gaze softened as she reached out and pulled him into her arms, holding him close without a word. Tian Hào did not resist; instead, he leaned into her slightly, his composure easing in a way it never did for anyone else.
"You've grown," she said gently.
Tian Hào shook his head slightly. "We came to see you."
Only after that did both children seem to remember themselves properly. Tian Rán, still in Xu Chen's arms, straightened slightly, while Tian Hào stepped back just enough to stand properly.
"Father. Mother," Tian Hào said again, more formally this time.
Tian Rán quickly followed, though she remained comfortably held by Xu Chen. "Father… Mother."
Xu Chen gave a small nod, while Yue Ning smiled softly.
"You came together," Xu Chen said.
"Yes," Tian Hào replied.
"We wanted to see," Tian Rán added, resting her head lightly against Xu Chen's shoulder.
"What did you see?" Yue Ning asked.
Tian Hào answered calmly, "They live without certainty, yet they continue."
Tian Rán spoke immediately after, her voice lively again. "They fall, argue, and then laugh like nothing happened. It's strange… but I like it."
Yue Ning nodded. "That's enough."
Tian Rán tightened her hold slightly around Xu Chen's neck. "I like being here."
"With him?" Yue Ning asked gently.
Tian Rán didn't hesitate. "Yes."
Xu Chen raised an eyebrow slightly. "Only me?"
She looked at him seriously. "I like you the most."
Yue Ning smiled faintly at that, while Tian Hào spoke from beside her, calm as ever. "I prefer Mother."
Tian Rán turned immediately. "That's because you're boring."
Tian Hào didn't react. "You're noisy."
Xu Chen's expression showed the faintest trace of amusement, while Yue Ning let out a soft laugh.
Tian Rán quickly added, "I love Mother too," as if correcting herself, then looked back at Xu Chen. "But I love Father more."
Tian Hào said quietly, "I love both of you," then after a brief pause added, "But I stay with Mother."
Yue Ning gently rested her hand on his head, her gaze warm. Xu Chen adjusted his hold on Tian Rán slightly, steady and natural, as if carrying her was the most ordinary thing in the world.
A servant entered quietly, placing food on the table before leaving again. Tian Rán immediately leaned forward from Xu Chen's arms, curious. "What's that?"
"Food," Xu Chen replied.
"I know that," she said, pouting slightly.
Yue Ning smiled. "Try it."
Tian Rán reached out from where she was still being held and tasted a piece, her eyes lighting up. "It's good!"
Tian Hào tried as well, standing beside Yue Ning. He nodded slightly. "Acceptable."
Xu Chen watched them calmly. "You've adapted quickly."
"We are observing," Tian Hào replied.
"And enjoying," Tian Rán added quickly.
They remained there in the quiet courtyard room, far above the noise of the inn, one child in each of their arms, speaking casually as if nothing had ever separated them. The world outside continued as it always did, unaware of what had quietly come together within that simple space, where they were no longer beings of power, but simply a family reunited in the most natural way.