Chapter 153: with translation of chapter title

Everyone turned to look at Li Jing, who had remained silent. Li Jing lifted their head slightly, a hint of complex emotion in their eyes, and said slowly: "My parents passed away when I was very young; I have been living with my uncle's family, with no other immediate relatives. But being able to live here in the fortress with everyone, I have long considered this my home."

After hearing this, everyone looked concerned. Li Feifei stepped forward, took Li Jing's hand, and said: "Jing-jie, from now on we are your family; the fortress is our shared home."

Li Jing nodded, eyes shimmering with emotion, and she said softly: "Thank you, everyone. With you all here, I really feel warm."

Li Qingxuan also stepped forward, patted Li Jing's shoulder, and said firmly: "That's right, we are all one family; no matter what we encounter from now on, we will face it together."

The women all nodded upon hearing this, and the atmosphere in the fortress became even warmer and more harmonious.

Seeing Li Qingxuan not mention his own situation, the women all turned curious gazes toward him. Li Qingxuan smiled slightly, a hint of tenderness in his eyes, and said: "I have a mother and a younger sister at home; once the three-month period is up, they should also come here."

Wang Hongmei's eyes lit up as she said: "That's wonderful! When mother-in-law and sister-in-law arrive, our fortress will have two more family members."

Chen Xiulan also chimed in: "Yes, the more people, the greater our strength; our fortress will surely keep getting better."

Li Feifei blinked her eyes and said: "We really need to prepare in advance; when aunt arrives, we must let them feel the warmth of our fortress."

The women all nodded in agreement upon hearing this, and began discussing among themselves what to prepare to welcome Li Qingxuan's mother and younger sister.

Some said they would make a lavish feast, some said they would set up a comfortable room, and others said they would prepare some greeting gifts.

Li Qingxuan looked at everyone's enthusiasm, his heart full of emotion, and he said: "You don't need to go to all this trouble; my mother and younger sister are very easygoing, and as long as everyone is happy together, they will be satisfied."

Huang Rong stepped forward, took Li Qingxuan's hand, and said gently: "No matter what, this is also a major event for our fortress; we should still prepare well. Let's do as everyone suggested, so that when aunt arrives she can feel our sincerity."

Li Qingxuan looked at Huang Rong, his eyes full of affection, and he nodded, saying: "Alright, I'll listen to you. With you all here, I believe my mother and younger sister will surely come to like this place."

The women all heard this and broke into happy smiles; the fortress was filled with anticipation and joy for the family's arrival.

In the days that followed, all the women in the fortress became busy.

Wang Hongmei and Chen Xiulan were responsible for preparing the lavish feast, and they experimented with new dishes every day.

Li Feifei, meanwhile, took Zhao Ling'er and Zhao Shuang'er with her to carefully arrange the room.

They cleaned the room spotless, and from the fortress's warehouse they took out soft bedding and beautiful curtains, furnishing the room to be warm and comfortable.

Huang Rong was not idle either; she gathered a few other women to prepare greeting gifts.

They used some leftover materials from the fortress to craft some exquisite little ornaments and handicrafts, each imbued with their feelings.

As time passed, Li Qingxuan grew increasingly anxious, his heart filled with longing for his mother and younger sister.

He often recalled the moments from his childhood spent with his mother and younger sister; those warm scenes made him look forward even more to their arrival.

As the three-month deadline approached, the atmosphere in the fortress grew ever more fervent.

The women gathered together every day, discussing what it would be like when the family arrived, their faces lit with happy smiles.

Finally, the three-month deadline arrived.

That day, the polar night passed and the sky just began to lighten; all the women in the fortress rose early, dressed in beautiful clothes, and stood at the stronghold's gate, waiting for Li Qingxuan's mother and younger sister to arrive.

Li Qingxuan stood at the front, his eyes filled with both anticipation and nervousness. From time to time he gazed into the distance, hoping to catch the first sight of his family.

Time ticked by second by second, when suddenly several pillars of light descended from the sky.

All the women's gazes were drawn to it, and they saw a figure appear in each pillar of light.

Li Qingxuan's eyes lit up instantly, and he shouted loudly, "Mom, sister!" Then he sprinted toward those two figures.

The women also followed behind, their faces lit with excited smiles.

When Li Qingxuan ran up close, he saw the familiar faces of his mother and younger sister.

His mother was still as kind-hearted, his younger sister had grown noticeably taller, and the two lay on the ground in a faint, still unconscious.

Li Qingxuan gently shook them a little,

His mother and younger sister slowly opened their eyes; upon seeing Li Qingxuan before them, both familiar and somewhat strange, a flicker of confusion crossed their eyes, which then gave way to a surge of deep surprise.

Li Qingxuan suddenly flung himself into his mother's embrace, and tears streamed uncontrollably down his face.

His mother gently patted his back and said softly: "Child, don't cry; where have we arrived?"

His younger sister also laughed from the side, saying: "Brother, how old are you now, still crying like a baby—have no shame."

His mother struggled to sit up, and Li Qingxuan quickly reached out to steady her, saying softly: "Mom, take it easy."

His younger sister flung herself into Li Qingxuan's arms, murmuring: "Brother, I want a hug too!"

Li Qingxuan held his younger sister tightly, his eye sockets also growing a little moist.

At this moment, the women also gathered around, warmly greeting Li Qingxuan's mother and younger sister.

Wang Hongmei smiled and said: "Auntie, you've finally arrived; we've all been waiting for you."

Chen Xiulan also said from the side: "Yes, auntie, from now on we are one family."

Li Feifei then took her sister's hand and said: "Sister, from now on we are one family." She then introduced her to everyone.

Li Qingxuan's mother looked at the enthusiastic and kind young women before her, a relieved smile appearing on her face, and she said: "Good, good; from now on I'll trouble you all."

His younger sister also lifted her head from her brother's embrace, looked at the women, and gave a slightly shy smile.

Afterward, the women escorted Li Qingxuan's mother and younger sister toward the stronghold, laughter and chatter continuing all the way.

After the crowd dispersed, when they saw the fortress's sturdy walls, beautiful garden, and cozy rooms, they all showed expressions of astonishment and admiration.

Afterward, the women brought Li Qingxuan's mother and younger sister to the carefully prepared room.

The room was warm and comfortable, with soft bedding, beautiful curtains, and some little ornaments placed on the table, all of which made the mother and younger sister feel very delighted.

His younger sister flung herself onto the bed, happily saying: "Brother, this bed is so soft—I really like it."

His mother also nodded satisfactorily beside them, saying: "Children, you've really worked hard to make the room so beautiful."

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