"They know you're in the military and admire you a lot," He Zhilan explained with a smile, then took each child by the hand and walked alongside He Teng back home.
At first, the two children were shy, but after talking with He Zhilan for a while, they gradually warmed up to her. When Zhilan reached out to hold their hands and walk with them, they shyly lowered their heads but didn't pull away.
Coincidentally, the two children's home wasn't far from the Niu Family's house, so the four of them traveled together for most of the way. They only parted ways at the Niu Family's doorstep. When the children parted, they seemed a little reluctant, but it was clear to Zhilan that they held both respect and affection for He Teng, this quiet uncle figure.
After waving goodbye to the two children, Zhilan followed He Teng into the Niu Family's house. The Clan Leader was no longer present, and Niu's mother had already tidied up the room for the two of them.
