Homecoming (Continued)

In another room.

Wang Tongwen was helping Lou Mengling pack up her painting supplies.

For over two years now, he had found various excuses to stay in Gedo.

His art exhibitions had been held one after another.

Successfully bringing contemporary Xia art into the mainstream of J Country's society.

And just as successfully, ensuring he remained by Lou Mengling's side all this time.

He had never asked for anything.

Only appearing quietly whenever she needed him.

Chatting with her, or simply watching her paint in silence.

"Are all these paintings coming with us?" Wang Tongwen carefully rolled up a canvas.

"Yes." Lou Mengling nodded.

She studied the refined man before her.

He was a few years older than Lu Mingye.

Without Lu Mingye's family background or status.

Yet there was a warmth and steadiness about him that made Lou Mengling feel at ease.

These past two years, she had seen clearly.

How much this man had given—for her, for their family.

Lou Mengling's heart wasn't made of stone.

"Mr. Wang." She gathered her courage to speak.

"Yes?"

"Tomorrow... let's take the flight back together."

Wang Tongwen's hands stilled.

He looked up at Lou Mengling.

Her expression was calm, though her eyes betrayed a hint of nervousness.

His heart instantly swelled with overwhelming joy.

He had waited far too long for these words.

He smiled—like a child.

"Of course." He nodded solemnly.

"It would be my honor."

...

Night deepened.

The suite grew quiet.

Everyone had retreated to their rooms, even the energetic Lu Shi'an now peacefully asleep in his crib, breathing evenly.

But Lu Chenyuan felt no drowsiness.

He rose, moving through the familiar suite without turning on lights, guided only by the city's glow through the windows.

He passed the living room sofa—their battlefield during countless late-night strategizing sessions.

He passed the open kitchen—where he'd learned to prepare formula for his son and herbal tonics for his wife.

He paused before the floor-to-ceiling window.

For three years, he had stood here countless times, overlooking the city that had been their prison, calculating every move in their long game.

The sea of lights outside had once felt like an oppressive cage, cold spectators to their ordeal.

Now, they were merely scenery soon to be left behind.

A glass of warm water appeared silently at his side.

He didn't need to turn to know who it was.

"Can't sleep?" Mo Qingli's voice was soft, carrying a sleepy huskiness.

She was awake too—or perhaps she'd known he would be.

Lu Chenyuan took the glass, warmth spreading through his fingertips.

"Saying goodbye to this place," he replied.

Mo Qingli followed his gaze out the window, then scanned the suite—filled with luxury items yet also holding countless memories of their days and nights.

"I thought I'd hate this place with every fiber of my being," she murmured, almost to herself.

After all, this was where her freedom had been taken.

"But here," she paused, turning toward the nursery, her eyes softening instantly,

"is also where Shi'an was born. Where our family truly began."

This place held the humiliation of captivity, the exhaustion of relentless battles.

But also the joy of first-time motherhood, the tender clumsiness of a husband's midnight care.

Every day they had truly leaned on each other for survival.

Lu Chenyuan set down the glass and drew her into his arms.

His chin rested gently against her forehead.

"So we're taking the best parts with us," his deep voice resonated clearly in the quiet night.

They settled onto the window seat.

Mo Qingli nestled against him, finding a comfortable position as she closed her eyes.

For the first time in three years, every tense nerve finally relaxed completely.

"The rest," Lu Chenyuan continued,

"we leave in the past."

No more words of comfort were needed—just his steady embrace.

Time passed unnoticed until the eastern horizon began to pale.

The first morning light pierced the darkness, illuminating the city and the two figures by the window.

And lighting the path of their journey home.

"Dawn's here," Mo Qingli whispered against his chest.

"Yes." Lu Chenyuan kissed the crown of her hair.

"Let's go home."

...

The next morning.

A Gulfstream G700 private jet waited quietly on the dedicated runway at Gedo International Airport.

Lu Chenyuan's family, accompanied by Ambassador Li Wenbo and embassy staff, arrived at the tarmac through VIP channels.

No reporters, no crowds to see them off.

Just the rising sun casting their elongated shadows behind them.

Before boarding,

Lu Chenyuan and Mo Qingli turned simultaneously for one last look.

At the city that had been their home for three years.

Where they'd endured their hardest times.

And created their happiest memories.

They exchanged a smile, then ascended the airstairs.

The jet soared upward,

Piercing the clouds into clear blue skies.

Inside the cabin, warmth and quiet prevailed.

Lu Shi'an slept soundly in his custom bassinet.

Lou Mengling, Lin Shuhan and Wang Tongwen conversed softly in the rear lounge area.

The spacious main cabin held only Lu Chenyuan and Mo Qingli.

Seated side by side, they gazed through the large windows at the shrinking land below.

"Chenyuan." Mo Qingli rested her head lightly on his shoulder.

"Hmm?"

"This feels... almost like a dream." Her voice carried the weariness of released tension.

"It's real." Lu Chenyuan took her hand, intertwining their fingers, his warmth enveloping hers.

"We're going home."

Mo Qingli closed her eyes.

Feeling the steady pulse of his palm, the smooth hum of the aircraft.

Yes.

Home.

With their victories, their love, and their future.

Going home.

...

Over ten hours later.

The plane touched down smoothly at Jingzhou International Airport.

When the cabin door opened, the familiar, beloved air of their homeland made everyone's eyes glisten slightly.

No grand welcome ceremony awaited at the foot of the stairs.

Only a handful of people had come to greet them.

Lin Yuan, Ren Qian, Zhang Qi, Su Yang, and Lu Chenyuan's three younger brothers.

And Lu Ruoxi—holding sunflowers, elegant and poised with her distinctive aura of intellectual calm.

Seeing her brother and Mo Qingli descend, Lu Ruoxi stepped forward quickly.

"Brother, Qingli, welcome home."

Her expression maintained the composed restraint of a lifelong researcher.

Yet when her eyes met Lu Chenyuan and Lou Mengling, even she couldn't suppress her emotion.

Lu Chenyuan looked at the family and friends before him.

At the genuine smiles on their faces.

The storm that had engulfed them all for three years had finally subsided completely.

And their new chapter—

Had only just begun.