Yang Ruxin finally let go of Xiaofeng, then gave each of the little girls a kiss.
"Big Sis is playing favorites." Sini pouted. "You kissed her three times, but only kissed me once. Thatâs not fair..."
Yang Ruxin paused for a moment, then laughed. She pulled the little girl over and kissed her two more times. "Is this fair now?"
Sini beamed with joy, her big eyes narrowing into crescents.
"Me too, me too!" Zhou Ying, Erya, Du Qing, and Little Yezi also crowded around, throwing their arms around Yang Ruxin and smothering her face with wet kisses.
"Are you guys done yet?" Sanni ran over. "If we donât head back now, the foodâs going to get cold..." Behind her came Zhou Xiao, his face full of amusement.
"Thatâs right, letâs hurry home. Big Sis must be exhausted after such a long journey," Erni chimed in as she caught up. "Mom and Grandpa are all waiting at home..."
The little ones finally released Yang Ruxin and skipped their way back home, full of energy.
With Big Sis back, everyone inexplicably felt at ease. Even their laughter seemed much louder now.
"Big Sis, is everything okay with Brother-in-law?" Sanni wasnât as clingy as the younger ones but still leaned closer to Yang Ruxin.
"Everythingâs fine." Yang Ruxin put an arm around her shoulder and glanced at Erni. "Donât worry." She didnât forget to tousle Zhou Xiaoâs hair either.
Erni nodded. She understood what Big Sis meantâAyao was fine too.
"So, when will they be back?" Sanni pouted again.
"Thatâs hard to say." Yang Ruxin shook her head. "It depends on the Emperorâs decision."
Everyone fell silent.
Soon, the group reached home. Dong Wenxiu and the Feng Family finally felt their long-held worries ease. As long as Gu Qingheng and Gu Yao were safe, that was enough.
That evening, the Yang Familyâs little house was filled with laughter. It wasnât until the moon reached its zenith that the gathering dispersed.
"Big Sis." After everyone had gone to sleep, Erni entered Yang Ruxinâs room. "I want to sleep with you."
"Come on, then." Yang Ruxin pulled her onto the bed. "Are you thinking about Ayao?"
Erni nodded. "Big Sis, can you tell me about what itâs like at the Border City? Tell me about Brother AyaoâI dream about him every night..."
Yang Ruxin completely understood her younger sisterâs feelings because she missed Gu Qingheng too.
"Ayao is very brave; heâs already made some achievements. He said heâs working hard to earn you an Imperial Edict. Before I left, he handed over all his savings to me to bring back to you. He said he wants to support his future wife..."
Erniâs eyes instantly reddened. "Big Sis, I miss him so much..."
"When the war ends, heâll come back." Yang Ruxin stroked her sisterâs hair gently. "Because of people like him, we donât have to live as a conquered nation..."
Listening to Yang Ruxinâs stories, Erni fell asleep, tears still visible at the corners of her eyes.
Yang Ruxin sighed. She could only hope the war would end soon.
Meanwhile, far away in the Border City, Ayao was also missing the woman waiting for him at home, unable to sleep as he tossed and turned.
Because the sisters had talked late into the night, inevitably, both Yang Ruxin and Erni overslept the next morning.
"Big Sis, we woke up late..." Erni suddenly sat up.
"So what if we did?" Yang Ruxin was nonchalant. "Weâre at home. We can get up whenever we wantâthereâs no set schedule..." Home is a place to relax.
Erni chuckled. "I guess Iâll miss a day of exercise today."
"Then just make it up tomorrow." Yang Ruxin teased, giving Erniâs head a playful rub.