Li Jain paused in steps, and stood there for a moment before saying: "Why are you asking this suddenly?"

Li Cheng answered seriously, "Because he kissed you."

Li Jain closed the door slowly: "Do you not like Uncle Liu?" Without waiting for Li Cheng’s response, he sat next to him and continued: "Uncle Liu and I are together, but this does not mean anything will change for you and your brothers. You are still my children, and no one can replace your place in my heart."

Li Cheng nodded: "I know. Uncle Liu is a good person, and I have no objection to him, I was just curious. As long as Father is happy."

Li Jain’s heart softened, he reached over and rubbed Li Cheng’s damp hair: "You are still a child. You do not need to worry about your father’s happiness all the time."

Li Cheng did not answer and only smiled.

Li Jain: "Come and sleep, we had a tough day today."

The night went by peacefully.

...

The next morning, Li Juanxin woke up earlier than usual. After washing his face quickly, he grabbed his outer robe and ran out of the room while still tying the belt around his waist. His small feet moved quickly along the corridor, and although he knew very well that the possibility of his father being in the kitchen was not high, he still could not stop himself from going there first.

Uncle Xiong said that his father should have been back last night, or this morning. Li Juanxin had never felt completely at ease. Unless he saw him with his own eyes, his heart would still remain hanging.

When he reached the kitchen doorway, he slowed down. There was someone inside. A familiar figure stood by the counter with his sleeves rolled up slightly, cutting vegetables with steam rising from the stove.

Juanxin’s eyes lit up and he shouted: "Father!"

Li Jain had only just turned around when a small figure threw himself into his arms.

He quickly caught the child with one arm and held the knife away with the other. After placing the knife down, he wrapped Juanxin properly in his arms and patted his head with a smile.

"Why are you running so fast this early in the morning?"

Li Juanxin buried his face against his chest for a moment before lifting his head. His eyes were bright, but his little mouth had already pouted:

"Daddy left for so long without saying anything."

Li Jain’s heart softened: "It was Daddy’s fault. The matter was sudden, and I did not have time to explain properly."

Li Juanxin looked at him seriously: "I was worried."

"I know." Li Jain rubbed his hair gently: "Daddy will make it up to you."

Li Juanxin blinked, and his expression immediately changed from grievance to thoughtfulness. Since Father had already said he would make it up to him, then this was naturally not a time to be polite.

"I want sweet spirit milk buns for breakfast, and egg pancakes. And the fruit box Daddy made last time, the one with cold pear slices and honey berries. I also want fried rice balls to carry for lunch, but they have to have meat inside."

Li Jain couldn’t help laughing: "Why do I feel like I was cheated?"

Li Juanxin nodded without shame: "I thought about it yesterday."

Li Jain pinched his cheek lightly: "Alright. Daddy will make them."

Only then did Juanxin become completely satisfied. He hugged Li Jain once more before letting go: "I’m going to take a shower; I will be right back."

After saying that, he quickly ran out of the kitchen and headed upstairs. Halfway up the stairs, he met Li Jingxuan, who was coming down lazily while rubbing his eyes.

Li Jingxuan saw Juanxin’s bright expression and immediately became suspicious.

"Why are you so happy this early?"

Juanxin paused, then he said with an innocent face: "I thought dad was back, but he’s not. Uncle Xiong said he’s on his way."

"Oh..."

Li Jingxuan turned around and went back upstairs dejectedly, clearly deciding that if Father was not home, then there was no need to rush downstairs.

Li Juanxin watched him leave, then covered his mouth and giggled before continuing to the bathroom to wash up properly.

...

By the time everyone finished dressing and came downstairs, the dining table was already filled.

Li Jingsheng had been mentally preparing himself since he left his room. After yesterday’s experience, he sincerely hoped Uncle Liu had not gone out again to mistake a snack shop for a breakfast shop. He did not dislike sweets, but having nothing except sweets early in the morning was wrong.

He was surprised when he reached the dining room and saw the table. The table was covered with warm breakfast dishes. There were sweet spirit milk buns, egg pancakes cut into neat sizes, vegetable porridge, fried rice balls, fresh fruit, steamed meat dumplings, and several side dishes arranged properly. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Looking at the table of food, they all had the same thought: *Daddy is back*

Li Zhang’s eyes widened first, and then he reacted, shouting:

"Father is back!"

The next moment, several figures rushed toward the kitchen at the same time. Li Jain had just stepped out while holding two plates of food. Before he could say anything, the children rushed toward him like small beasts. If he had been an ordinary person, the dishes in his hands might have flown straight into the air.

"Slow down," Li Jain said helplessly, quickly lifting the plates higher. "Do you want breakfast to fall on the ground?"

Li Cheng was coming down the stairs when he saw this scene. After thinking for a moment, he quickly doubled his steps and joined the fun.

Li Jain looked down at the pile of children around him and sighed with a smile: "If you keep holding on to me, no one will eat."

Li Zhang said confidently: "Eating can wait."

Li Jingsheng immediately replied: "You are the least qualified person to say that."

Li Zhang gave a hard look, but didn’t bother with him.

Li Jain finally managed to place the dishes on the table, with some effort. After a while, the children settled down one by one.

Liu Xiong came out just as everyone sat down. He glanced at the full table, then at the children’s satisfied faces, and calmly took his own seat.

Li Jingsheng looked at him, with a slight smile: "Uncle Liu, Father is back, so today’s breakfast is safe."

Liu Xiong raised his eyebrows: "Yesterday’s breakfast was also safe."

Without waiting for Jingsheng to answer, Li Jingxuan replied: "That’s right, if it wasn’t safe, we wouldn’t be here and kicking."

Li Jingsheng ignored him, and didn’t any more.

The meal was very lively. The children ate while talking about school, and Li Jain listened attentively. Li Juanxin sat beside him and kept placing small things into his bowl, as if afraid that Father had gone hungry while traveling.

Li Cheng felt like his brothers didn’t care that he was gone, as long as their father was back. Even though he knew that wasn’t true, he still found it a little funny.

After breakfast, Li Jain packed their lunch boxes himself. Li Juanxin received the fried rice balls he had requested, with meat filling sealed properly inside. Li Jingxuan wanted the same thing after realizing what Juanxin had gotten, but Li Jain there was none left, and promised to make it for him tomorrow.

Li Jingxuan didn’t mind waiting, he was just surprised at how sneaky Juanxin was.

Once everything was prepared, they got into the flying carriage. The spirit horses rose into the morning sky, and the city spread below them in layers of rooftops and roadways.

On the way, Li Jingxuan suddenly remembered something. He cleared his throat and said: "Father, I have a refining challenge in two days."