The courtyard room was quiet, lantern light flickering gently as the night deepened outside. Tian Rán still sat comfortably in Xu Chen's arms, unwilling to move, while Tian Hào remained close to Yue Ning, calmer but no less reluctant to leave.
For a while, neither of them spoke. The warmth of being together after so long made even silence feel enough.
Then Tian Rán suddenly lifted her head. "We're staying."
Her tone was firm, almost stubborn.
Tian Hào added more calmly, "We want to remain in the mortal world… with you."
Yue Ning's hand paused slightly on his head, while Xu Chen looked down at Tian Rán, his expression steady.
"Stay?" Xu Chen repeated.
"Yes," Tian Rán said quickly. "We like it here. And we can stay with you like this."
Tian Hào nodded once. "There is no need to leave immediately."
For a brief moment, Xu Chen and Yue Ning exchanged a quiet glance. There was no surprise in their eyes, only understanding.
Then Xu Chen spoke, his voice calm but carrying weight. "Do you remember… what we told you before we came here?"
Tian Rán blinked. "Before…?"
Tian Hào's expression shifted slightly, as if something distant was being pulled forward.
Yue Ning continued gently, "Before we chose to descend… before this world… before everything."
The room grew quieter.
Tian Hào lowered his gaze slightly. "…We remember something."
Xu Chen said slowly, "We told you that if you wished to come to the mortal world…"
Yue Ning finished softly, "…you would be born as our children."
Tian Rán's grip on Xu Chen's sleeve loosened just a little.
Xu Chen continued, "Not like this."
Tian Hào's eyes steadied. "…As your flesh and blood."
"Yes," Yue Ning nodded. "Naturally born. Descending with your memories intact like this."
Tian Rán went silent.
The playful insistence from before faded as that memory became clearer.
"You said…" Tian Hào spoke slowly, "…we would be born after you marry."
Xu Chen nodded once. "Only then."
Tian Rán looked up at him, her voice softer now. "…I remember."
Yue Ning gently brushed Tian Hào's hair. "That was your choice too."
Tian Rán frowned slightly, still unwilling. "But… we're already here."
Xu Chen's tone did not change. "And that is why you cannot stay."
Tian Hào asked quietly, "Because this is not the way we chose?"
"Yes," Yue Ning replied.
"You wished to live fully," Xu Chen added. "To grow, to learn, to experience everything as mortals."
Tian Rán looked down, her fingers tightening again around Xu Chen's sleeve. "That takes time…"
Xu Chen answered simply, "That is the meaning of it."
Silence settled again.
Tian Hào closed his eyes briefly, then opened them, his expression returning to its usual calm. "Then we cannot remain."
"No," Yue Ning said softly.
Tian Rán didn't speak for a few moments. Then she leaned her head against Xu Chen's shoulder again, her voice quiet this time. "…I don't want to go."
Xu Chen's hand rested lightly on her back. "You will come back."
She looked up at him. "As your daughter?"
"Yes."
Tian Hào said calmly, "As your son."
Yue Ning's eyes softened. "When the time is right."
Tian Rán hesitated, then asked softly, "After you marry?"
Xu Chen nodded.
That answer settled everything.
Tian Hào straightened slightly. "Then we will wait."
Tian Rán sighed, clearly still reluctant, but she didn't argue anymore. "…Fine."
She looked between both of them, as if memorizing their faces.
"But next time… we won't leave."
Yue Ning smiled gently. "Next time, you won't have to."
Tian Hào gave a small nod. "We will come back properly."
Xu Chen placed his hand lightly on Tian Rán's head. "Go."
This time, she didn't resist.
Slowly, she slipped down from his arms, though her hand lingered for a moment before letting go.
Tian Hào stepped back beside her.
Both of them stood there for a brief moment, looking at Xu Chen and Yue Ning.
Then Tian Hào spoke first, "Father. Mother."
Tian Rán followed, her voice softer than before, "Father… Mother."
There was no playfulness this time.
Only certainty.
And something deeper.
The next moment, their figures began to fade, their presence withdrawing from the mortal world as quietly as they had arrived.
The room fell still again.
Yue Ning's hand lowered slowly.
Xu Chen remained where he was, his expression unchanged.
But the warmth they had brought lingered.
Because this parting was not an end.
It was simply—
Not yet.