Returning to Jun Haoxuan's chambers after days away felt… more familiar than Ningyan expected.
He lingered in the heated pool for a while, letting the warmth seep into his bones before finally stepping out and dressing for the night.
By the time he returned to the main chambers, he paused.
Jun Haoxuan was there, seated and surrounded.
"I want to put it in your hair, Uncle!" Jun Li declared, bouncing on her feet as she waved a small cluster of blue flowers in his face.
"Behind his ear is better," Jun Sheng corrected confidently, arms folded as he frowned at her. "It looks more elegant."
Jun Li gasped. "No, my way is better!"
Jun Sheng huffed. "You have no taste."
"You don't!"
Their voices overlapped instantly as they began bickering.
And in the middle of it, Jun Haoxuan sat still barely enduring it.
Ningyan couldn't help the small smile that touched his lips.
Haoxuan looked up. Their eyes met.
For a moment, Ningyan simply took him in.
