A full year had passed since their son was born.
Today was little Shihao's first birthday. The name "Shihao" had been chosen by Feng from one of his favourite donghua from his old world — Perfect World — a name that carried quiet strength and hope for a better future.
The Adventurers Guild had generously offered their massive training ground for the celebration. It was packed with nearly every adventurer, healer, staff member, and even some townspeople who had grown fond of the small family. Colorful banners hung everywhere, lanterns glowed softly, and long tables groaned under plates of food and barrels of sweet wine. Laughter and cheerful chatter filled the air as everyone celebrated the little boy's first year of life.
Shihao, now a healthy and adorable one-year-old with soft black hair like his father's, was sitting happily in Lina's arms on a raised stage so everyone could see him. Suki stood proudly beside them, wearing a new dress and beaming as the "big sister." Feng stood a little further back with the other adventurers, smiling warmly as he watched his family.
Lina stepped forward to speak, gently bouncing Shihao while preparing to thank everyone for coming.
At that exact moment —
Four figures in dark cloaks leaped down from the rooftops surrounding the training ground and landed heavily on the stage.
Before anyone could react, the golden-haired hero leader shot forward like lightning. His hand clamped around Lina's throat and lifted her clean off the ground. She gasped, eyes wide with terror, still clutching baby Shihao.
At the same time, the other three heroes grabbed Suki and the baby, tearing Shihao from Lina's arms.
The entire training ground froze in shock.
The leader's face twisted into a cruel, hateful grin as he held Lina up high, her feet dangling helplessly.
"Feng!" he shouted across the silent ground. "It's time to pay back for the humiliation you gave us that day!"
Feng's face went deathly pale. He pushed through the crowd in an instant, eyes locked on his wife and children.
"Please… let them go," he begged, voice cracking for the first time in a long while. "Take me instead. Hurt me. Kill me if you want — just let my wife and children go!"
The four heroes and their hidden soldiers burst into loud, mocking laughter. The sound echoed cruelly across the training ground as they held Lina, Suki, and little Shihao captive.