Yan Zi was still standing at the door when suddenly, a loud, boisterous voice rang out.
"Ah, little Yan Zi! My little Yan Bean! Look how tall you've grown!" His uncle, a tall man with a wide grin, rushed towards him. Yan Zi barely had time to blink before his uncle pulled him into an exaggerated, bear-like hug. The pressure of the hug made Yan Zi's chest feel like it was being squashed, and he couldn't help but grimace slightly.
"Uncle, not so tight!" Yan Zi gasped, his voice muffled by his uncle's broad shoulders.
His uncle, always the playful one, laughed loudly, clearly not taking his nephew's discomfort seriously. "Oh, don't be so serious, little Yan Bean! You've always been such a tiny thing, but now you're all grown up!"
Yan Zi couldn't help but chuckle at the old nickname, one that his uncle had given him when he was just a toddler. Back then, he had been small, and his uncle had always joked that he looked like a tiny, squishy bean.
"I'm not a bean anymore!" Yan Zi laughed, but his smile was a little forced. There was still a lingering weight on his heart.
Just then, the door creaked open, and an aura of quiet dignity swept into the room. Yan Zi's grandfather, a tall and imposing figure, entered. His eyes, sharp and filled with wisdom, quickly scanned the room. Though his grandfather's presence was overwhelming, there was a certain warmth in his gaze when it landed on Yan Zi.
"Grandfather..." Yan Zi murmured as he stood up straight, trying to hide the tension that had built up in him since the moment his uncle and grandfather arrived.
Yan Zi's grandfather, Yan Lian, was a man whose strength spoke for itself. At the age of 65, he had reached the 8-star Spirit Awakening Realm. A true powerhouse, his reputation had spread far and wide, and his serious demeanor often made him seem unapproachable. But when it came to Yan Zi, his grandfather's usual sternness softened just a little.
Yan Zi's mother rushed forward, wiping away a few stray tears before bowing respectfully. "Father, yan jun," she said, her voice full of relief at seeing familiar faces.
The grandfather nodded solemnly, acknowledging his daughter. Then, his gaze softened slightly as he turned toward Yan Zi, who stood a little awkwardly between them. "Yan Zi," his grandfather spoke in a low, calm voice, "It's been a long time."
Yan Zi swallowed nervously, but he couldn't help but feel a small sense of comfort as his grandfather's eyes looked at him. There was a strange mix of seriousness and kindness in his eyes, something that Yan Zi hadn't experienced in a long time.
Yan Zi's uncle, on the other hand, was still grinning, totally oblivious to the serious atmosphere. "Father, you're always so serious! Can't you at least smile a little for your grandson here?"
His uncle's carefree attitude was like a breath of fresh air, breaking the tension in the room. Yan Zi found himself letting out a small chuckle.
"Don't mind him," his grandfather muttered, his lips curling slightly. "He's always been like this."
As Yan Zi stood between his uncle and grandfather, he couldn't shake the feeling that something significant was happening. The presence of his family, both light-hearted and serious, was comforting, but it also made him wonder why they had arrived now, just when things seemed to be at their most uncertain.
The cheerful atmosphere quickly shifted as Yan Zi's uncle, Yan Bai, and his grandfather, Yan Lian, took their seats in the modest living room of the house. Yan Mei, Yan Zi's mother, brought them tea, her hands trembling slightly as she set the cups down. She avoided their gazes, her usual calm demeanor replaced with worry.
Yan Bai, usually jovial, was uncharacteristically quiet. After a sip of tea, he looked at Yan Zi and then Yan Mei. "Mei, what exactly happened? We heard about Hong'er's disappearance on the way here, but no one seems to know the details."
Yan Mei's lips quivered as she began recounting the events. "Two nights ago, a black-robed man broke into the house and attacked me. If it weren't for the elders intervening, I..." She paused, her voice breaking. "But my husband hasn't been seen since. It's as if he vanished into thin air."
Yan Bai clenched his fists, his usual carefree tone replaced by a steely resolve. "That black-robed man… did anyone find out who he was or why he targeted you?"
Yan Mei shook her head. "The elders killed him before we could question him. He carried no identifying marks or clues."
The room fell silent, the tension palpable. Yan Lian, who had been listening intently, finally spoke. His voice was low but carried an undeniable authority. "Hong'er's disappearance is no coincidence. Someone must be targeting our family. I'll investigate personally."
Yan Mei looked at him, tears brimming in her eyes. "Father, you're already risking so much by being here. I can't bear for anything to happen to you too."
Yan Lian gave her a reassuring look, his stern expression softening. "Mei'er, Hong'er is my son. I won't rest until I find him. If there's a conspiracy, I'll uncover it." He turned to Yan Zi, his gaze steady. "Zi'er, while I search for your father, you must stay strong. Protect your mother. No matter what happens, never lose your resolve."
Yan Zi nodded, his emotions swirling. He clenched his fists, determination burning in his eyes. "I'll do everything I can, Grandfather. I won't let anyone harm her."
Yan Bai sighed, trying to lighten the mood despite the gravity of the situation. "Well, if Father is taking the lead, we're in good hands. Mei, don't worry. We'll bring Hong'er back."
Though his words were meant to be comforting, the uncertainty in his tone betrayed his concern.
Yan Lian stood, signaling that the discussion was over for now. "We leave at dawn. Bai, prepare yourself. Mei'er, rest while you can."
As they exited the room, Yan Zi remained seated, his thoughts racing. The image of his father's face lingered in his mind, fueling his growing desire for strength.
The night outside was eerily quiet, but within Yan Zi's heart, a storm was brewing.
As the night grew quieter, Yan Mei sat beside Yan Zi in their small courtyard. The faint glow of lanterns illuminated her face, revealing her deeply troubled expression. She clutched the edges of her sleeves, her fingers trembling slightly. Finally, she turned to Yan Zi and spoke, her voice filled with anguish.
"Zi'er," she began softly, her tone wavering, "I'm very afraid... If anything happens to your father..." Her words faltered, and a heavy silence fell between them. Tears began to stream down her cheeks, glistening in the dim light as she looked away, ashamed to show her vulnerability.
Yan Zi's chest tightened. Seeing his mother in such pain stirred an intense mixture of emotions—helplessness, sorrow, and a burning desire to protect her. He reached out, gently placing his hand over hers.
"Mother," he said firmly, his voice low but steady. "Nothing will happen to Father. I promise you."
Yan Mei looked at her son, her teary eyes searching his face for reassurance. His calm expression and determined gaze made her heart ache with a strange mixture of hope and sadness.
"But..." she tried to continue, her voice breaking, "we don't even know where he is, or what dangers he might be facing."
Yan Zi shook his head. "Father is strong, Mother. And we have Grandfather and Uncle helping us. He will return. I'll do everything in my power to make sure of it."
Yan Mei wiped her tears with her sleeve, nodding slowly. "You've grown so much, Zi'er. I just... I don't want you to bear all these burdens. You deserve to live peacefully."
A faint smile crossed Yan Zi's lips, though his heart was heavy. "Peace, Mother, is only possible when we have the strength to protect it."
As the night deepened, Yan Zi stayed by his mother's side, offering silent comfort as her breathing eventually steadied and she drifted into a restless sleep. Alone in the stillness, Yan Zi gazed at the stars, his heart filled with an unshakable resolve.
"Father, wherever you are, I will find you," he whispered into the night. "And no matter what, I will protect Mother and our family."
The scene closed with the faint rustle of wind, carrying his unspoken vows into the vast darkness.