203: Saying goodbye with a kiss

"Alright, you may withdraw first."

The Emperor sent Tu Nan away from the Empress Dowager's sight.

"Kong Jiamu departs tomorrow. Go back and prepare to see him off."

"Oh, right," he mused slightly, "The project you are involved in is top secret. You shouldn't be going out freely at this stage, so I will send a squad of people to accompany you."

"Return to the palace early."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Tu Nan left the mother and son. Before she was far, she heard the Empress Dowager asking The Emperor in surprise.

"I thought Hain and she..."

"Kong Jiamu asked her to. He was busy at the time. Never mind Hain, even I have been asked by him before."

The Emperor chuckled, seemingly speaking casually, but hiding his true intentions deeply.

"So that's it, I was wondering..." The Empress Dowager pondered.

Tu Nan knew this was a smokescreen released by The Emperor, at least publicly separating her relationship with Hain.

Given The Emperor's caution, she could imagine what kind of quagmire she was about to step into.

Retreating outside the courtyard, Tu Nan looked up.

It was a clear and bright winter day, and an unknown bird flew alone across the sky.

Without hesitation, and as it should be.

***

Early the next morning, Peng Tianyu, that familiar Captain of the Imperial Guard, appeared early in her main hall with the entire squad Tu Nan was familiar with.

"I apologize for the trouble today."

Tu Nan smiled and exchanged pleasantries, but only received a stiff response.

"I am acting on orders. Say no more. Let's go."

Tu Nan turned around. The Children came running out, clinging to her and grabbing her hands.

"They are coming too?" Captain Peng frowned.

If you are acting on orders, why are you asking here? Tu Nan smiled slightly and simply did not reply.

Peng Tianyu realized he had been given a soft refusal, snorted, and immediately commanded his team.

"Everyone, depart."

Tu Nan brought the Two Children, having learned a lesson from Hain.

Hain hadn't had time to say goodbye to them. Although the Two Children didn't mention it in front of her, they privately comforted each other.

Every word expressed their longing for Father Hain.

Tu Nan knew this entirely because she occasionally secretly transformed into a cat in her own house, lying under a windowsill to bask in the sun.

She overheard the Children's private conversations.

A proper farewell was very important, especially for them, who were still so small.

So this time, she planned to let them say a proper goodbye to Kongque.

Sure enough, Kongque was pleasantly surprised.

"Oh my! Who is this~ Let me give you a kiss."

He pulled both Children into his embrace and planted big kisses on the little ones' cheeks in turn.

He also bumped their little heads with his forehead.

Miao Miao giggled wildly at the teasing, while Ao Ao blushed and turned his head away.

"Hehe, Tu Nan is so thoughtful. She knew I couldn't bear to leave you."

He couldn't overstep the boundaries in front of his colleagues, so he poured all his enthusiasm onto the Children.

"Major General Kong, isn't this the one from that day..."

The person sitting next to him during the award ceremony slyly leaned in to inquire.

"Aren't they cute? My apprentices!" He remembered that it wasn't just that now, and added, "Uh... The Emperor's students."

"Aren't those your junior siblings!" The man exclaimed in shock.

Kong Jiamu kicked him on the leg.

"Get lost! How did you calculate that! I am not The Emperor's student!"

Really? The man just grinned foolishly, his gaze constantly flicking towards Tu Nan.

He winked and gestured, indicating for him to continue introducing who this person was.

He was extremely curious about the seat Kong Jiamu had left empty for someone at the award ceremony.

"Tu Nan, the Third-Class Female Official personally appointed by His Majesty, is currently working on a research project at the Medical Institute."

Kong Jiamu's proud air couldn't be suppressed.

Look, this is the person I fancy.

Excellent, right? Envious, right?

Every inch of him was saying this.

"Oh~" His colleague understood immediately.

So she was doing research; she probably couldn't attend that day because she was rushing to meet a deadline.

"You two chat, I'll board the ship first."

His curiosity satisfied, he stopped disturbing the young couple and headed towards the inner area.

Seeing that no one was around, Kong Jiamu looked left and right, unable to restrain himself any longer.

He pressed the Two Children's heads into his arms, reached over their heads, leaned in, and fiercely kissed Tu Nan's lips.

"Ah, Uncle Kong, I'm suffocating!" Miao Miao twisted in protest.

Tu Nan blushed and glared at Kongque, just about to scold him, when an unexpected voice sounded in her mind in surprise.

“Gah? This is Father's scent. Mom, is it Father? What are you doing?”

“What... Father? I don't sense anything.”

Oh no! Tu Nan froze.

Little Bird had sensed Kongque's aura, but the key issue was... the little ones had fallen asleep yesterday, and she hadn't had time to communicate with the eldest and second eldest yet.

"What sound? What father? Who is Father? Uncle Kong?"

Miao Miao finally managed to pull her head out of Kong Jiamu's embrace and asked innocently.

“Miao Miao, switch channels!”

Tu Nan quickly stopped Miao Miao, feeling utterly distraught.

Kongque was about to leave; she couldn't have any accidents happen here.

Kong Jiamu, an S-Class Beastman, did not hear any different sounds.

So when he heard Miao Miao's words, he was overwhelmed by a sense of happiness.

"Hehehe..."

Kongque just stood there grinning foolishly.

Tu Nan, did she secretly tell the Children that he was just like their father? Hehehe.

“It seems like someone else... is in our channel.” Ao Ao realized.

“Who?” he asked.

“I'm Little Fish... Hello, Older Brother and Older Sister, I am also Mom's Child.” Little Fish had indeed been awake for a long time, observing for a while, and had figured out the relationships.

"Huh?" Little Bird, who was out of the loop, hadn't figured out the relationships. "What? I'm ranked fourth?"

Tu Nan forced a smile and quickly introduced the four “first-time meeting” little ones to each other.

A long silence descended upon the channel.

Except for Little Bird... who was still wailing.

“Why am I last? I don't want to be! Mom, think of a way~ Wuwuwu~”

“We can discuss this... later, okay? Let me handle some serious business first?”

“...Alright.”

Little Bird was very reasonable, while the other three remained silent.

This special Shura Field was truly a sweet burden.

Tu Nan sighed softly, shook her head, and saw Kongque still standing there foolishly, while his comrade behind him kept waving towards them.

It must be... time to go.

Tu Nan gave him a steady look, then openly embraced him, including the Children.

"Stay safe, understood?"

A thousand words condensed into this one most important instruction.

Kongque snapped back to reality within this gentle embrace.

He lowered his head to gaze at the Female Beast who already lived in his heart, then looked up at the sky.

Damn it, he actually felt like sand got in his eyes. Holding back the warmth rising in his eyes, Kong Jiamu said proudly.

"Don't worry, I am Kong Jiamu."

"Alright, alright. I'll video call you whenever I get the chance, so remember to answer~"

He quickly handed the Two Children back to Tu Nan and ruffled the top of her head.

He turned and left.

He just waved casually over his shoulder.

"I'm off~"