Shayi

The morning mist drifted slowly through the woods, while the rising sun bathed every corner of the campsite in golden light. The campfire crackled, and the pot of creamy soup gave off an enticing aroma.

“Good morning, Father and Mother!” Xia Yi’s young, clear voice broke the stillness of the morning.

When Xia Lun and Aina stepped out of the tent, Xia Yi came toddling over, carefully carrying a wooden tray in both hands. Two bowls of steaming cream soup rested on it.

“Good morning, Xia Yi… Careful now. Don’t run too fast.”

Aina took the bowls from Xia Yi.

She was wearing a simple white dress that day, yet it did nothing to conceal the innate air of nobility about her. Even after becoming a mother, Aina still looked like a young girl.

“Our little man is up early today.”

Xia Lun scooped him up and affectionately ruffled his soft hair.

“Father! Aunt Liyana already told me what you and Mother do in the tent every night!” Xia Yi announced loudly, his face beaming with pride.

The bowl of soup in Aina’s hands trembled, spilling a tiny drop onto her slender fingers. Xia Lun froze, then turned his gaze toward Liyana.

Liyana appeared not to have noticed what was happening. When she realized Xia Lun was looking at her, she scratched her head in confusion.

“Oh? Is that so? And what did Aunt Liyana tell you?” Xia Lun asked with a cough, narrowing his eyes.

“Aunt Liyana said that every night, you and Mother pass through spatial rifts to other places to help people and save the world!” Xia Yi looked extraordinarily excited, his little face glowing red. “Father, I want to become a great hero just like you!”

“Ah, is that right?” The tension at the corners of Xia Lun’s mouth eased, giving way to an exasperated yet amused expression. From a certain point of view, that wasn’t exactly wrong.

“Then you’ll have to train hard,” Aina added from the side.

“Huh? I have to train again?” Xia Yi stuck out his tongue. “It sounds so tiring.”

Xia Yi was still too young to begin training in earnest. However, whenever Xia Lun exercised, the boy would watch from the side and imitate him, awkwardly moving his little body around. Xia Lun had even carved him a small wooden sword.

“Why do I have to train if I want to help people, Father? Training is so tiring.” Xia Yi puffed out his cheeks in complaint. “I get all sweaty every time…”

Xia Lun, of course, never sweated.

“Because without strength, you won’t be able to help anyone.” Xia Lun smiled and rubbed Xia Yi’s head. “If you want to help others, you must first have the ability to protect yourself. If you can’t even protect yourself, how will you save people from monsters and villains? Without strength, everything is empty talk. Shouting slogans won’t accomplish anything.”

“Mm-hmm, I understand, Father!” Though he didn’t fully comprehend it yet, Xia Yi responded loudly. “I’ll become stronger from now on! I’ll become an upright, dependable man just like you!”

Aina scooped up a spoonful of cream soup, blew on it to cool it, and held it to Xia Lun’s lips. After watching him drink it, she took another spoonful and turned toward Xia Yi.

“Mother, I’m already a man. I can eat by myself.”

Xia Yi puffed out his cheeks and turned his head away, trying to defend the declaration of manhood he had just made.

Xia Lun turned his head back, and Aina slipped the spoon into Xia Yi’s mouth.

“Your mother is showing you kindness. You should accept it properly and thank her,” Xia Lun said, pinching Xia Yi’s cheek.

“Mmph—thank you, Mother,” Xia Yi mumbled after swallowing the food.

Aina’s eyes softened with a gentle smile as she rubbed Xia Yi’s head. Sunlight fell across her exquisite profile, giving her a hazy halo. Xia Lun stared at her in a daze. At that moment, Aina looked like a goddess—but he suspected she would be furious if she knew he thought so.

Although his mother was beautiful and always gentle with him, Xia Yi had always maintained a certain awe of her for some reason.

Everyone was like that. Whether it was Aunt Liyana, Aunt Molini, Aunt Loren, or Big Sister Little Lan, they all treated Mother with a measure of reverence. That attitude had subtly influenced Xia Yi as well.

Father was the only exception. In front of Mother, Father always seemed completely relaxed. Xia Yi thought his father was truly amazing. He still preferred acting spoiled around Father.

“All right, go eat properly,” Xia Lun said as he set Xia Yi down.

Xia Yi toddled away again.

“What a good boy,” Xia Lun said with satisfaction.

Healthy, sensible, adorable, obedient, yet not as mischievous as other children his age. He never shouted or threw tantrums over trivial matters, and even when he occasionally made a mistake, he would seriously reflect on it afterward. Any parent would adore a child like that.

“Of course.” Aina’s lips curled upward with a hint of pride. “It’s only natural, considering who gave birth to him.”

“Yes, yes, Lord Demon King. You gave birth to him, so you’re the greatest,” Xia Lun replied with a helpless laugh, reaching out to gently stroke Aina’s smooth, long hair. Every movement was filled with affection.

Aina narrowed her eyes in contentment like a cat being petted, then leaned into Xia Lun’s embrace. “If you like him so much, I can give you another one.”

Xia Lun blinked in surprise, then rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

“I was only joking,” Aina added coyly. “But if you really want another one… you’ll have to work hard tonight.”

“Then I’ll have to work very hard,” Xia Lun replied with a soft laugh, pulling Aina’s shoulder more tightly against him.

Xia Yi’s birth truly had been a rare gift, an incredibly fortunate occurrence. Back then, they had discussed having him because if they missed that opportunity, they had no idea how long it might be before Aina could conceive again.

In truth, Xia Lun’s luck was exceptionally good. Under normal circumstances, it would have been perfectly ordinary for Aina’s belly to remain unchanged even after more than a decade.

“It’s all right, Xia Lun.” Aina rested her cheek against his chest, feeling that familiar warmth as a faint blush spread across her face. “There will be plenty of opportunities in the future… As long as you want another child, I’ll be able to conceive again sooner or later.”

“I wonder if Xia Yi would be happy to have a little brother or sister.”

“He’ll be happy.” Aina’s lips curved faintly as she looked toward their son, who was dividing bread with Liyana not far away. “He’s clearly a kind child… and Mida will be happy too.”

Xia Lun followed his wife’s gaze. He saw their son stuffing the largest piece of bread into Liyana’s hands, his pure, innocent smile brighter than the morning sun.

On this ordinary morning, happiness was so tangible—tangible in the warmth of a bowl of soup, the strength of an embrace, and the dazzling light in Xia Yi’s eyes.