Chapter 209: I am also a child who is wanted……

From their first meeting, which got off to an unpleasant start, she didn't know how to approach Yun Chu, but she knew everything about Yun Chu's affairs; each time he was injured, she had wanted to come over.

This child differs from Kang Ying, who grew up in luxury from a young age; she has always known what she has behind her.

But Yun Chu is used to being on her own; when she thinks about things, she only asks whether she can do it, never whether the Kang clan can.

"Yun Chu, I'll say this one last time," the aunt said. "You are a child of the Kang clan; the Kang clan is your backing, forever."

Zhuang Miao said it solemnly; the seriousness in her eyes was anything but perfunctory.

"Good."

This time, she slightly parted her red lips and uttered just one word.

Her eyes were a little red and a bit sore, yet the upward curve of her lips refused to fall.

"Then… come to Kang Fu for lunch tomorrow."

"If you can, bring those little ones along; the aunt also has a selfish motive—she misses the kids."

Zhuang Miao couldn't help laughing as she said this; worrying about the kids was just an excuse—she just wanted Yun Chu to come back for a meal.

Each time she visited the Kang clan, Yun Chu never ate at home; she came and left in a rush, always busy.

The entire burden of the Regent Prince's manor rests on her shoulders, and with the Regent Prince's fate unknown, when will these days ever end?

"Let's change it—go to Kang Fu for dinner the day after tomorrow; the kids have a mission tomorrow," Jiang Yun Chu said with a helpless smile.

Seeing her expression, Zhuang Miao knew what she was thinking: "Your own family—do you really need to discuss it?"

"Be firmer—tell the aunt I'll be home for dinner the day after tomorrow; I have something tomorrow."

Zhuang Miao, a native of Jiangnan, usually speaks softly; this time she deliberately put on a stern face, her words carried a hint of firmness but remained largely the soft Wu dialect of Jiangnan.

"Tomorrow I have something; I'll be home for dinner the day after tomorrow," Jiang Yun Chu said helplessly.

Zhuang Miao finally nodded in satisfaction: "Yun Chu, wait until you come home."

The aunt left, but Yun Chu remained seated, long unable to snap out of it.

Was she also now a child who had a home?

Could she also speak firmly, without having to deliberately keep her distance?

Did she also now have someone at her back?

She thought, feeling everything so strange, even unreal, yet those words kept echoing in her ears.

Like thunder rolling through a valley, wave after wave, circle after circle, it echoed…

"Master?" Zi Su, who had been waiting outside, saw the master's pale face and called out anxiously.

Jiang Yun Chu gently shook her head. "Zi Su, I feel like I have a home now."

As she lifted her head, Zi Su saw her gaze unfocused and dazed, filled mostly with disbelief.

"I am also a child who is wanted…"

Her words fell, her lips twitching upward without sorrow, yet they stabbed the heart with sudden pain.

"Master…"

Zi Su longed to hug her, to hold her tightly.

The master now had none of her usual vigor or killing intent; a mere hint of warmth made her happy here.

Her slightly narrowed eyes were so bright.

She has a home; she is a child who is wanted…

She is the Jiang family's daughter, the consort of the Regent Prince's manor!

One who ought to be lofty is now so moved by another's warmth.

"I'm fine."

Jiang Yun Chu saw the tear at Zi Su's eye corner, gently wiped it away, and said, "I'm just happy."

What she had yearned for in her past life she finally gained today—a feeling beyond words.

"Tomorrow we'll go up the mountain for a day of training."

"You may choose to act alone or as a group."

"The mountain has fierce beasts, potential ambushes, traps, and many unexpected situations…"

"It's up to you to decide."

Jiang Yun Chu looked at the children below; this drill had been delayed a month, and the early joint examination had disrupted many earlier plans.

"Make it down alive."

She fixed her gaze on them with those five words, saw their solemn faces, and merely smiled, saying nothing more.

The sky grew dark; the recent overcast rain had cleared, and a crescent moon hung in the sky like a tiny boat.

As Kang Wen went to the restroom, someone suddenly covered his mouth.

Kang Wen struggled with all his might, to no avail; his face showed terror, yet he secretly gathered strength in his hand and slammed it into the kidnapper's arm.

The kidnapper hissed, "Damn, it really hurts—how can such a little brat have such strength?"

"The mission has begun," he whispered helplessly into Kang Wen's ear.

Kang Wen, who had just been debating whether to resist openly or feign weakness to find an escape, immediately submitted.

He then lightly patted the person's arm; the person met his gaze, eased his grip a little to keep Kang Wen from shouting, and alerted those inside.

"You should have said so—our own people don't recognize each other, please excuse us!"

After Kang Wen finished, he still boldly pressed his hand over his own mouth, furrowed his brows, and looked at him as if accusing him of being so unprofessional.

……

Only the ellipsis could capture his mood at the moment.

Is it his lack of professionalism, or is this child just too flighty?

Don't you inform your partner? Don't you give a warning? To just let yourself be tied up like this—is that really alright?

No one gave him an answer.

After Kang Wen, Kang Wu and Ning Hanmo came out of the dormitory; when Kang Wen went to the restroom, they heard it, but it's already been about two quarter-hours, which is very abnormal.

When the two of them had just come out of the house, Ning Hanmo immediately darted aside, shielding Kang Wu behind him.

Who is it?

He kept his voice very low, afraid to wake the people inside the house.

They hadn't expected these two to notice something amiss so quickly.

The person standing under the tree stepped out of the shade, saying, "The mission has begun; I will take you away."

The still-tense Ning Hanmo carefully scrutinized that person, then turned his head and exchanged a glance with Kang Wu; the two said nothing, Kang Wu walked from behind to the front, and Ning Hanmo also lightened his steps, walking over there.

Let's go.

"Let's go?" That person was still a bit confused.

Is it really that simple?

He didn't know that earlier that day, the Dean had already given a heads‑up; the word 'mission' was something he had only ever heard from the Dean.

Hurry up, Qian Cheng will wake up soon.

Qian Cheng sleeps lightly; if it weren't for the fact that he got up early today to recite his lessons, the one who came out to look for people might not have been the two of them.