Tap-tap…. Tap-tap…. 

The footsteps drew nearer and everyone craned their necks. There were many familiar faces in the crowd, including Zhang Cheng, Li Minghao, Zhang Hongyu, and the other students who had fought with Xiang Ning before. But now they all stood there waiting for the person they couldn’t forget. 

When the people appeared from around the bend in the tunnel, the crowd fell completely silent. More and more of the team stepped out, all of them having gone through the hardships of war, emerging more determined, powerful, and confident than ever. They were all smiles. 

“Ahahaha, it’s been too long! I’m finally back!” 

“I haven’t eaten food from my hometown in so long, I’m going to eat so much every day!” 

“I kinda miss school.” 

All six of them joked around, not paying any attention to the crowd in front. Then there was a flash, recording the moment and the crowd of a thousand people erupted like thunder. They were back! The children of Marsh City were back! They were the pride of Marsh City! 

Xiang Ning, Wu Rui, Fang Rou, Lu Shiyu, Liu Ruoxue, and Li Zimo! They were the Six Stars of Marsh City, and Xiang Ning was undeniably the brightest one. 

All six of them were startled by the commotion. What was happening? This should be Marsh City, right? Did they overshoot their stop? All of them except Wu Rui were sure that they hadn’t slept past their stop, so… were these people here for them? 

“Welcome… home.” Xiang Ning, who was walking ahead, ran out. From within the crowd, his sister ran toward him too. They had only been separated for less than a month, but their emotional reunion moved the people. 

Yes, these were the children of Marsh City. During the time he was gone, Xiang Xiaoyu was Marsh City’s favorite child and she could feel the kindness of the city every day from the moment she went to school, to returning from school, to lunch and dinner. She had never been shown kindness like that in her life. 

And all of it was because of her big brother, who was now finally in her arms. Only people who had experienced war understood the sacrifices made by these heroes. Only they knew how difficult and helpless one could feel at war. 

Xiang Ning was a child that was abandoned by the world. He used to be so poor, but they were grateful that he wasn’t knocked down by life and kept his heart pure. Sixteen years of ice-cold life hadn’t extinguished the fire in his heart. Someone asked him before if he liked his city. 

He never answered, but his subsequent actions showed how much he did. He met his sister, Uncle Zhao, Fang Rou... everyone and everything he loved. 

Before meeting Xiang Xiaoyu, he had lived for the sake of living. Afterward, he was living for himself and Xiaoyu. Then… he began living for everything he loved. 

“Big Brother… there’s many people watching.” She was blushing. She was now grown, compared to the child she used to be, and after receiving adequate nutrients these days, she was growing well. She was slowly growing taller, and her baby-fat face was starting to sharpen. She was a beauty through and through. 

There were many boys who had confessed their feelings for her, but no one knew the person who was hidden in the depths of her heart.…

Wu Rui’s voice came from behind Xiang Ning. “So you’re still aware of us.” 

“Big brother Wu, Sister Rou….”

“Hahaha, right, why’re so many people here?” Wu Rui crouched and whispered after laughing. 

Xiang Xiaoyu giggled, “They’re here to welcome you guys.” 

“Huh? Really? Are you sure they aren’t here to see him?” Wu Rui pointed at Xiang Ning, who looked exasperated. 

But she was serious. “It’s true, I’m not lying.” 

Wu Rui scratched his head and laughed, “I never imagined the day would come when I’d be welcomed by so many people.” 

“No, you guys are heroes and Marsh City is proud of all of you. You guys don’t know how much the city changed when you weren’t here. Every day! Every day, they were talking about you guys!” 

It wasn’t only Wu Rui, everyone except for Xiang Ning was stunned. 

“Alright, alright, let’s go!” Xiang Xiaoyu giggled and pulled Fang Rou’s hand as they walked out. 

The group looked at each other and walked out of the tunnel. They finally saw the entirety of the crowd, and it was impressive. Thousands of people had crowded outside, and more were pouring in.

At the edge of the crowd, Qi Jiuming and the other two headmasters were proud of the children. 

“Hahaha, their Mental Power has improved so much, too. I’m sure these kids can break through tier seven before they’re twenty!” 

“Three years? Reach tier seven in three years?!” 

“Hmph, why not? These kids are just getting started, just wait and see!” Qi Jiuming’s declaration wasn’t baseless. The children had just experienced an unfathomable war; they… would never stay in Marsh City for long. 

The main characters of the day were surrounded by the dense crowd, taking in the kindness of strangers. 

“Eh? Is that Senior Xiang Ning? He’s so handsome! And so gentle!” 

“Stop it, he’s Senior Fang Rou’s!” 

“What about Senior Lu Shiyu? She’s very pretty, too!” 

“Am I going blind? Is that Senior Wu Rui? Have you ever seen him so embarrassed before?” 

“Oh!” 

Xiang Ning and his team only arrived at the arranged car half an hour later. Along the way, they heard that the crowd had been waiting since early in the day. 

It was a celebration that belonged only to Marsh City. Foreigners were in disbelief, never having seen such a united city before. Suddenly, they grew very interested in this city. Isn’t this… supposed to be a minor peripheral city? 

It didn’t look so simple now. 

“Coming home… feels so good.” 

Nothing to see here. Just smile and wave boys