Starfall Nine Heavens

When ordering, Shi Yue looked after Lin Fan: "Xiao Fan, what would you like to eat? Don't be shy. Old Chen's steamed sea bass, home-style tofu, and stir-fried beef are all his specialties."

Lin Fan felt a warm glow as he looked at the familiar home-style dishes on the menu and ordered two light vegetable dishes. Han Feng, standing beside him, clamored for another serving of spicy chicken. Lu Xiuyuan smiled and added a nourishing mushroom soup and several delicate desserts. Qin Mo remained silent, quietly pointing to the braised platter marked "Special" on the menu for Boss Chen. Su Wan, meanwhile, quietly ordered a pot of chrysanthemum and goji berry tea.

The dishes were served quickly. The braised pork ribs were glossy and reddish-brown, the spicy chicken cubes were fragrant and sizzling, the steamed sea bass was tender and white, and the stir-fried dishes were full of wok hei (wok aroma). The aromas mingled together, making one's mouth water.

Shi Yue was the first to raise his teacup: "Come on, let's use tea instead of wine to welcome Lin Fan to the Dust Fate Pavilion and the Watchers, on behalf of the other colleagues who couldn't be here! From now on, we'll be brothers and sisters fighting side by side and entrusting each other with our lives!"

"Welcome Lin Fan!" Han Feng shouted excitedly. Qin Mo raised his glass, and Su Wan also raised her hand.

Lu Xiuyuan smiled and raised his glass, his gaze sweeping gently over everyone before finally settling on Lin Fan: "Lin Fan, the road ahead may be arduous, but from now on you are no longer alone. I hope you stay true to yourself, strive for excellence, and welcome to the team."

Lin Fan was deeply moved. He quickly stood up, held the cup with both hands, and said sincerely, "Thank you, Uncle Lu, thank you, Uncle Yue, thank you, Sister Su Wan, Brother Qin Mo, and Han Feng. I... I will definitely work hard and live up to everyone's expectations!" He finished the tea in one gulp; the slightly sweet tea warmed his heart.

"Sit down, sit down, let's eat!" Shi Yue urged, first placing the largest piece of braised pork rib on Lin Fan's plate. "Try this, it's Old Chen's signature dish, stewed all afternoon, it's very flavorful!"

Han Feng couldn't wait to start eating, sucking his fingers as he mumbled, "Lin Fan, eat up! After you finish, I'll tell you all the funny stories from our past missions. I've been so eager to tell you!"

Qin Mo ate his food quietly, but every time the lazy Susan landed in front of Lin Fan, he would silently stop for a moment so that Lin Fan could easily pick up what he wanted to eat. Su Wan sipped her tea, occasionally picking up a piece of vegetarian food with her chopsticks, listening to Han Feng's chatter, a smile occasionally appearing on her lips.

Lu Xiuyuan mostly listened with a smile, occasionally whispering a few words to Shi Yue. Watching this harmonious scene, he felt a mixture of relief and a hint of unease about the future. But he concealed it well, not letting this unease spoil the warmth of the moment.

Lin Fan munched on the fragrant and tender braised pork ribs, listened to Han Feng's animated explanations, felt Shi Yue constantly piling food onto his plate, watched Qin Mo's silent care and Su Wan's occasional glances, and then looked at Lu Xiuyuan's gentle smile...

The physical exhaustion and hunger in my stomach were slowly melted away by the delicious food and genuine warmth. The protective charm at my waist felt slightly warm, as if a warm connection had formed between me and these new family members around me.

He knew that from this day forward, his life would be completely changed. A path, full of unknowns and dangers, yet also brimming with genuine affection and protection, stretched out beneath his feet.

And now, in this small, lively restaurant private room, he has found his first "home" since embarking on this journey.

The dinner party ended, and night had fallen. The lights on Wutong Street were sparse, and the number of pedestrians gradually decreased.

Lin Fan followed the group back to Chenyuan Pavilion to retrieve his belongings. Han Feng, still caught up in his excitement, hooked his arm around Lin Fan's shoulder and whispered that he would show him around the various weapons in the training room.

Shi Yue chuckled and handed Lin Fan a package wrapped in oil paper: "Here, this is Old Chen's secret recipe osmanthus cake. Take it back to your sister; the little girl will definitely love it."

Lin Fan felt a warmth in his heart, accepted the pastries, and solemnly bid farewell to everyone: "Thank you, Uncle Yue, thank you everyone. I'll head back now."

"Be careful on the road," Qin Mo said without looking up as he polished a piece of jade in the corner.

Lin Fan turned around and pushed open the door, the copper bell ringing softly.

He stood outside the shop and glanced back at the signboard that read "Chenyuan Pavilion." The black background with gold lettering gleamed warmly in the lantern light. A month ago, when he first came here, he thought it was just an ordinary antique shop, a job that could solve his immediate financial problems.

Now he knew. Behind this door lay the truth of a world, and a path destined to be difficult, yet one that had to be walked.

The jade pendant on his chest radiated a warm glow, and the scrolls and jade slips in his bag felt heavy. He recalled his father's smile as he sat in his new electric wheelchair, his mother's brow no longer furrowed when she took her medicine, and the painting of their family of four on his sister's easel.

He also recalled the pair of dark eyes in the mirror, Su Wan's sword light that pierced the darkness, Lu Xiuyuan's unfathomable power, and the tragic fragments in his mind when the star stone resonated.

Was he afraid? Of course he was. The road ahead was fraught with danger, and he didn't even fully understand what the "Watchmen" were going to face.

Do you regret it? No, I don't.

Lin Fan turned around and merged into the flow of people on the old street. His steps were a little heavy at first, but as he walked, they gradually became firm.

Some responsibilities, once realized, can never be avoided. And some forces, once touched, make it impossible to remain ordinary.

He touched the jade pendant on his chest and walked towards the bus stop.

His home is still waiting for him. And starting tomorrow, he will take on a new role to protect this home, to preserve the ordinary yet precious warmth of human connection within it.

On the second floor of Chenyuan Pavilion, behind a window facing the street, Lu Xiuyuan and Shi Yue stood side by side, silently watching Lin Fan's figure turn at the end of the bluestone road and disappear into the night.

The shop lights cast long shadows behind them. The front hall was empty, with only the faint aroma of tea and the lingering smell of smoke from the recent meal.

Shi Yue watched for a long time before slowly speaking, his voice deeper than usual: "Old Lu, this kid... looking at his back, I always feel a little heavy-hearted. In the past month, he has been very serious in his work and sincere in his dealings with people. What is most commendable is his character—his family is going through such a difficult time, but I have never seen him complain once. On the contrary, he has been single-mindedly shouldering the burden. To be honest, in all these years, there are not many newcomers as down-to-earth as him."

He paused, turned his head, and the usual smile on his round face vanished, replaced by a hint of elder's worry and inquiry: "You made an exception and brought him in directly. Did you see something that we roughnecks missed?"

Lu Xiuyuan didn't answer immediately, his gaze still fixed on the deep night outside the window, his fingers unconsciously tracing the wood grain on the window frame. After a while, he finally looked away and turned to Shi Yue, his eyes appearing particularly deep in the lamplight.

"Old Yue, what do you think is the thing we need most right now, when a storm is brewing?" His voice was calm, but it was like throwing a stone into still water.

Shi Yue pondered for a moment, then frowned slightly: "Top-tier combat power and profound resources are certainly important. But with undercurrents surging everywhere, those alone might not be enough. Perhaps... we need something more unpredictable?"