Upon talking about this, Qiao Yuansi opened up, proudly announcing, "By the way, Mom. I have two teammates who were selected for the second 'Heavenly Pride'!"

The success of her teammates was naturally also due to Qiao Yuansi's efforts, and she felt honored by it.

At the same time, Qiao Yuansi was very grateful to her mother, as her mother had personally arranged this small team for her.

Although Wang Ling joined later, Guan Yiren was an original teammate, and now being graced with the name 'Heavenly Pride', it was a testament to her mother's discerning eye.

Qiao Wanjun came to the main seat and casually remarked, "Yiren and Wang Ling?"

Qiao Yuansi was quite surprised, "How did you know, Mom?"

Qiao Wanjun smiled wryly, "Your two teammates have great potential.

With your brother paving the way for them, coupled with the operations from their families, it's normal for them to be selected."

Qiao Yuansi looked at Lu Ran, who was not far away, her heart sweet with joy, "My brother takes good care of us and has really built a strong momentum for them!"

Beijing University is the top academic institution in Da Xia, and naturally, it's brimming with talent.

Everyone is at the River Realm·Fifth Rank, with first-class talent and combat strength, so who advances and who doesn't...

That depends on how one exerts effort 'outside the field'.

Qiao Wanjun reminded her daughter, "You should also focus and think about the way to advance.

Your teammates won't be stuck at the River Realm, you need to keep pace with them."

"Got it." Suddenly thinking of something, Qiao Yuansi got up and ran out of the dining room.

Lu Ran returned with a hangover pot and placed it in a corner of the dining table, "Hasn't mom been in seclusion? How did she pay attention to this?"

Qiao Wanjun looked up at her son, "I had Jingjing bring over your combat footage, and then I saw them."

Lu Ran asked with some anxiety, "My performance... was it okay?"

Qiao Wanjun's eyes were smiling, "The Pride of Da Xia, feeling so insecure?"

Those eyes, which ought to resemble a deep cold pool, at this moment seemed like a clear stream, bright and soothing.

Lu Ran didn't say anything, merely sat smiling beside Jiang Ruyi.

Qiao Wanjun's tone was playful, "That speech you gave at the award ceremony was indeed quite confident."

Lu Ran remained silent.

In front of the world, he's in the limelight, perhaps seen as a once-in-a-generation figure in people's hearts.

But to Qiao Wanjun, might those words seem somewhat naive?

Well... it doesn't matter, whether naive or not, he's still walking this path.

Watching her son with lowered eyes not speaking, Qiao Wanjun gently said, "Having ambition is a good thing."

"Brother!" Before Lu Ran could respond, Qiao Yuansi ran over, also holding a long box.

"What's this?"

"A gift!" Qiao Yuansi stuffed the box into Lu Ran's arms, "This is our team's gift for your birthday!"

Without opening it, Lu Ran already knew what was inside.

Could it be that Heavenly Star Saber he had refused to accept last time at the doorway?

Sure enough!

Lu Ran opened the box and saw a Heavenly Star Saber, along with the matching scabbard beside it.

This scabbard was the same style as his previous three, also in black and gold color scheme.

The only difference was that this scabbard had no square characters representing the blade's name.

This time, Lu Ran accepted it with a smile and looked at Qiao Yuansi, "I didn't prepare a birthday gift for you, what should I do?"

Qiao Yuansi pouted, "When have you ever given one? I'm used to it now!"

Lu Ran: "..."

The siblings never exchanged birthday gifts.

For the two of them, reuniting after a year and their mother's company was the best gift.

Yet this time, Lu Ran really did prepare a gift.

He glanced over at Jiang Ruyi, who understood and took out a small square box from her pocket.

"Whoa?" Qiao Yuansi was surprised and delighted, "For me?"

Jiang Ruyi nodded, "Your brother is giving it to you."

Lu Ran immediately corrected, "It's a gift from Ruyi and me together."

Inside the box was a thin gold necklace, with a pendant of a small white jade bead.

The jade bead was procured by Lu Ran, while the necklace was matched by Jiang Ruyi.

"Wow!" Qiao Yuansi was overjoyed, taking out the jade bead necklace to carefully examine it, smiling sweetly, "Thank you, brother and sister-in-law!"

Jiang Ruyi's cheeks immediately flushed red.

This little Yuansi, really...

Usually calling her "Ruyi sister" so affectionately, but with the family around today, Qiao Yuansi switched to calling her sister-in-law.

"Sister-in-law, help me put it on?" Qiao Yuansi giggled and winked at Jiang Ruyi.

From the main seat, Qiao Wanjun's eyes narrowed slightly, almost imperceptibly.

Her gaze remained on that tiny jade bead, obviously noticing something.

At Lu Ran's suggestion, Jiang Ruyi took the jade bead necklace and moved to Qiao Yuansi's side, "It's called the No-Event Chain."

Qiao Yuansi asked puzzled, "No-Event Chain? That's a strange name."

Jiang Ruyi sighed slightly in her heart, striving to suppress the sadness she felt, "It will protect you and keep you safe. If ever in danger, you can shatter this jade bead."

"Huh?" Qiao Yuansi was a bit bewildered.

She originally thought the name of this necklace bore a beautiful meaning.

But... does it really possess this genuine ability?

After fastening the necklace for Yuansi, Jiang Ruyi gently patted her shoulder, her tone stern, "Yuansi, remember, it can only be used once.

Only when you are facing absolute danger, with no chance of survival, should you shatter this jade bead."

Qiao Yuansi turned her head and looked at Lu Ran with astonishment.

Lu Ran had anticipated receiving his sister's thanks, imagining her jubilant and treasuring the gift.

Unexpectedly, Qiao Yuansi's eyes turned red and tears quickly welled up.

Suddenly, she remembered why this jade bead seemed so familiar to her.

On the red bean bracelet on Ruyi's wrist, there was also a jade bead like this!

Qiao Yuansi didn't know where her necklace came from.

She also didn't know how it worked.

But Qiao Yuansi was sure that the necklace indeed possessed the ability to keep her safe.

Receiving such a necklace from her brother at this moment...

It felt as if he was leaving final instructions!

After tonight, Lu Ran would be gone, everyone knew it.

He might never return, his life and death unknown, with no foreseeable news.

And this No-Event Chain was Lu Ran's last kindness bestowed upon Qiao Yuansi.

Once he left, it would be one last instance of being able to look after her.

Perhaps the last time.

Some emotions are never realized all at once.

It could be in a moment when a dam breaks open, something irretrievable occurs from thereon.

"Oh!" The chair Lu Ran sat on slid half a length back.

With his sister suddenly in his arms, Lu Ran embraced her gently and patted her back, laughing softly, "Already eighteen, and still crying like this?"

Qiao Yuansi pouted, pressing her face against Lu Ran's shoulder, saying nothing.

Lu Ran was somewhat at a loss, casting an embarrassed glance at their mother.

Qiao Wanjun watched this scene with a gentle smile on her face.

"Get up now." Lu Ran softly said, "Mom's watching."

"Promise me you'll definitely come back." Qiao Yuansi murmured.

"Alright." Remarkably, Lu Ran's response was straightforward.

Qiao Yuansi lifted her charming face, her big eyes glistening with tears, "Pinky promise?"

Lu Ran: "..."

Little kids, still making pinky promises?

Qiao Yuansi stubbornly gazed at Lu Ran, unwilling to let go.

"Okay, okay." Willing to humor Little Yuansi, as he always had.

"Pinky promise to hang..."

The eighteen-year-old girl, with swollen eyes, speaking childish words—it was somewhat amusing to hear.

As if by doing this, she could find some peace at heart.

Jiang Ruyi's heart fluttered slightly.

While others may be able to call Qiao Yuansi childish, she herself couldn't.

Not long before, Jiang Ruyi had also persistently asked Lu Ran to carry her up the mountain, accompanying her pilgrimage.

Step by step, stone by stone, step by step, every promise made.

What essentially is the difference between her and Little Yuansi?

Qiao Wanjun's soft voice awakened the others: "Let's eat."

Reluctantly, Qiao Yuansi moved away from her brother's embrace and suddenly asked: "Can we have cake first?"

Qiao Wanjun looked at the table full of delicious dishes, which were meticulously prepared by Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi.

But seeing Little Yuansi's tear-streaked face, Qiao Wanjun ultimately softened her heart.

"Alright." Lu Ran, observing their expressions, got up and went to the refrigerator, taking out a six-inch cake.

Eighteen candles were lit one by one, and the lights in the dining room were turned off.

When Qiao Yuansi closed her eyes, clasped her hands together over the cake, and silently made her wish for a long time...

Only then did they realize one thing.

More than eating the cake, Little Yuansi wanted to make a wish.

This birthday wish seemed rather significant.

Given that those candles had burned halfway, Little Yuansi was still wishing.

In the flickering candlelight,

her face was so devout.

...

Four thousand three hundred words!

Additionally, to announce: only one update today.

It's time, let Rongyu prepare well!

It's time to stir up something exciting with a captivating little show~

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