Lu Wanqing smiled, ruffled the child's hair, and said, "Sleep now~"
She had taken them to play cards tonight on purpose, not for any other reason than to distract them.
Zhong Li Feiyu was an adult and it didn't matter much to him, but Mu Lan was still young. He shouldn't have to worry about survival. The heavy rain, the safety of the house, and drainage issues were her responsibility.
Lu Wanqing thought as she held the little one, listening to the rain outside. It seemed that after the initial downpour, the rain had lessened. Nevertheless, a steady drizzle continued, and the sound of raindrops hitting the leaves was particularly clear in the forest.
Holding the child and listening to the rain, Lu Wanqing slowly closed her eyes.
On the third day, Lu Wanqing woke up to the crisp chirping of birds outside her window. She looked at the bamboo house, vaguely remembering that it had rained heavily last night. She wondered if the bamboo house would be alright.
Thinking about it, Lu Wanqing quickly got up and went to the door to check the situation.
However, as soon as she stepped outside, she froze.
There were many people outside the bamboo house, and a flying vehicle!
Seeing her emerge, the people standing by the flying vehicle were startled and then all turned to look at her.
Mu Sijie also approached, looking anxious. "Wanqing, I'm here. How have you been these past few days? Are you alright? Has it been difficult?"
It wasn't difficult, just a bit bewildering.
Lu Wanqing looked at Mu Sijie, then at the spaceship right in front of her. She opened her mouth and asked, "You've come?"
Mu Sijie nodded. "Yes, Marshal Zhong Li arranged for people to escort us through the void storm."
If it hadn't been for the Marshal arranging the best combat spacecraft and dispatching the most skilled pilots, it would have been impossible for anyone to safely traverse the void storm.
"Lan Lan is inside," Lu Wanqing said, suddenly remembering, and quickly explained to Mu Sijie.
Mu Sijie was taken aback, then nodded quickly.
Mu Sijie was also worried about the child. He gave Lu Wanqing a deep look before entering the house. Only when he saw the child there and well with his own eyes could he finally relax.
On the bamboo bed, Mu Lan's long eyelashes fluttered, as if he were about to wake up.
Mu Sijie stood by the bed, watching the child who was about to wake, his heart pounding.
Lu Wanqing also entered and, seeing this scene, felt a surge of emotion.
"It's good that you're here," Lu Wanqing said with a happy smile.
She had been quite worried earlier. If the barren planet kept raining, could the bamboo house truly hold up? Lu Wanqing felt uneasy.
But fortunately, Mu Sijie had arrived, and the rescue team had come. They could leave now, and all the dangers here would no longer concern them.
Mu Sijie looked at Lu Wanqing, seeing the relief in her eyes, and his own worries gradually subsided. He smiled gently.
"Mm," Mu Sijie replied.
Zhong Li Feiyu walked over, looked at them, and suddenly said, "Sijie, isn't the one-year term almost up?"
"According to our agreement, Miss Lu should go to my home to look after Xiao Yi," Zhong Li Feiyu said.
Mu Sijie stiffened slightly, then looked at Zhong Li Feiyu and said, "It shouldn't be that soon, right?"
"It's just the last little bit of time," Zhong Li Feiyu said.
As he spoke, Zhong Li Feiyu looked at Lu Wanqing, his gaze much gentler. "Lu Wanqing, you are very good. Xiao Yi should like you."
"You are very good."
If anyone from the Seventh Legion were present at that moment, they would be utterly shocked. Such praise from General Zhong Li was rare, bestowed upon fewer than ten people in their legion.
Lu Wanqing was also stunned. She hadn't realized how quickly time had passed; the one-year term was almost up.
She was to leave the Mu family, leave Mu Lan, and go to the Zhong Li family to care for young Zhong Li Yi?
"Xiao Yi, he..." Lu Wanqing hesitated, feeling a little apprehensive.
She suddenly remembered that during this time, Lan Lan had been present, and Shushu and Cuicui would watch her live streams. Only young Zhong Li Yi had never appeared.
"He is very accomplished and a very disciplined child," Zhong Li Feiyu said, sensing Lu Wanqing's unspoken question.
Lu Wanqing paused, then nodded. "Alright."
Mu Sijie found the atmosphere between Lu Wanqing and Zhong Li Feiyu strange, especially Zhong Li Feiyu's gaze towards Lu Wanqing, which lacked his usual indifference, making him feel uneasy.
"Why are you talking about this so early? Isn't there still some time?" Mu Sijie asked, feeling inexplicably annoyed and unable to help himself.
Zhong Li Feiyu glanced at Mu Sijie, and that look made Mu Sijie feel even more uneasy.
On the bamboo bed, Mu Lan woke up at some point. He opened his hazy eyes and looked at the people who had suddenly appeared in the room, looking somewhat bewildered.
"Dad?" Mu Lan asked somewhat confusedly.
Was he hallucinating?
Why would Dad be here?
Mu Lan's voice startled everyone. All heads turned towards the child.
Lu Wanqing quickly went over and sat on the bed. "Lan Lan, you're awake?"
Mu Lan looked at his mother and nodded. "Mm."
Mu Lan's gaze quickly shifted to Mu Sijie, and he looked at his father.
Lu Wanqing glanced at Mu Sijie, then explained to the child, "Lan Lan, your father is here. He came with the people Marshal Zhong Li sent. We can go back now."
"We can go back?" Little Mu Lan became excited, his eyes immediately lighting up.
Lu Wanqing smiled and nodded. "Yes, we can go back. After we return, we will be safe."
No longer would they have to worry about the potential dangers of staying on the barren planet.
"Mm-hmm, that's great! Let's go home!" Little Mu Lan exclaimed happily, hugging his mother's neck.
Little Mu Lan quickly let go of Lu Wanqing. He looked into his mother's eyes and said joyfully, "Mommy, I told you, Daddy would never abandon us. He would definitely come to save us!"
Lu Wanqing looked at the child's trusting expression towards Mu Sijie and smiled, nodding. "Yes, Mommy believes that too."
"Since you're awake, let's pack up and set off as soon as possible," Zhong Li Feiyu said at this moment.
Mu Lan looked at Zhong Li Feiyu and immediately said gratefully, "Mm-hmm, I understand. Thank you, Uncle Zhong Li."
Zhong Li Feiyu looked at Mu Lan.
He had met Mu Lan before. He was a quiet, sensible child.
He had previously thought Mu Sijie had taken excellent care of the child and had raised him perfectly.
But now, after Lu Wanqing had spent some time with the child in the Mu family, he realized that Mu Lan had changed significantly.
Mu Lan had clearly become more lively, confident, and had a sparkle in his eyes – the enthusiasm and hope for life.
Perhaps a mother was truly important to a child, irreplaceable.