Their father gathered his farming tools, gave their mother a tender kiss, and headed out to tend the fields. The siblings quickly finished their breakfast and helped their mother clear the table, working with the efficient rhythm of a long-established routine.
In her room, Li Hua changed into a darker set of training clothes, the fabric chosen for both stealth and mobility. She strapped her twin daggers to her waist with practiced precision—their weight a familiar comfort against her hips. The snacks their mother had prepared were already tucked safely away in her space pocket.
She braided her long hair with quick, efficient movements, then slipped on her outer robe—a gift their parents had given all three siblings last year. The dark fabric settled around her shoulders like a living shadow, its specially treated threads adapting to her surroundings.
