Fatty immediately locked eyes with Lily, uncertainty flickering across his expression. Fatty knew that Lily, vibrant and full of life, had a protective streak, and her alarm was genuine.

"Young Miss Lily," Mushu, ever the poised guardian, interjected from his watchful stance near Ling Li's study, "they were in training. It was an intense session, and while everyone sustained injuries, only Quan Ye received a wound on his face. It will heal over time and shouldn't leave a scar."

Just then, Ling Li and Shi Min emerged from the study, the air thick with the gravitas of their conversation.

"Butler Peng, kindly ask the kitchen to prepare lunch," Ling Li commanded, her voice cool and authoritative yet underlined with concern for her husband and friends.

"Yes, Madam," came the dutiful reply. Butler Peng hurried away, the rustle of his crisp uniform vanishing into the kitchen.

"Mom, can you do something about Quan Ye's wound on his face?" Lily asked, tilting her head with the endearing hopefulness of youth, her concern radiating in her soft features.

"There's no need to fret," Ling Li reassured her, her maternal warmth filling the room. "Mushu personally stitched him up. As long as he diligently applies the medicine, it should heal beautifully without a trace."

Lily nodded and turned to Fatty, "You! Don't slack on applying the medicine to your face," Lily admonished playfully, her tone a mix of teasing and genuine concern, directing it at Quan Ye.

Fatty met Lily's gaze, warmth flooding through him, a bashful smile breaking across his features. With a hint of a blush that deepened the color of his cheeks, he replied, his voice steady and sincere, "I promise, I'll be diligent."

Despite the lightness of the moment, Fatty was acutely aware of the boundaries between them. Lily was still young, and he valued the trust placed in him by Ling Li as well as his friendship with Four Eyes.

Just as Fatty joined in to echo Lily's sentiment, assuring her he would take care of his injuries, Pharsa stormed in like a whirlwind, her expression a mixture of worry and exasperation.

"I told you to rest in bed! How could you make yourself so injured?" Pharsa scolded Chatty, hands on her hips, each word laced with a fierce protectiveness.

Chatty, unfazed yet slightly sheepish, chuckled. "Well, it's hard to rest when the food beckons, and I don't want to miss out on any fun!"

The sound of laughter reverberated through the space again, a soothing melody breaking through the threshold of worries and imperfections, an unbreakable bond forged in the fire of friendship and shared experiences. It was a moment cocooned in warmth and hope, a brief distraction from the chaos of their lives, yet emblematic of the journey that lay ahead.

"You!" Pharsa's finger jutted out like a dagger, piercing the air as she directed her anger at Chatty. The room crackled with tension, her fierce gaze locking onto him with a mix of disappointment and exasperation.

"But I'm so hungry!" Chatty whimpered, his stomach growling in protest. "And, besides, six of our comrades didn't make it back. Don't you think I deserve a little grace for surviving? I'm injured, but I'm still here." His earnest eyes shimmered, reflecting a flicker of defiance underneath the hurt.

Pharsa's jaw tightened. "I trained you. Of course, you are expected to survive. You can't afford to think you're a hero just because you're still breathing." Pharsa's voice was cold, but beneath the frost was a palpable determination to uphold the standards she believed in. The weight of loss hung heavy in the air, making her words even more biting.

Chatty felt the sting of defeat echo in the silence that followed. He knew he wouldn't win over Pharsa in any discussion. His bravado waned as he lowered his eyes, the spark of rebellion extinguished.

"Lunch is ready," Butler Peng announced, stepping into the atmosphere with the grace of someone who often played mediator in this turbulent environment. His voice was warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the tension.

Ren's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait, are you saying someone died during training?" Panic laced her tone, drawing the attention of the group. Shadows of fear danced across her face, the weight of uncertainty gripping her heart.

Chatty nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, six of them..." The truth escaped a bitter reminder of their grim reality.

Shun instinctively placed a comforting hand on Chatty's shoulder, a gentle warning to temper his words. Shun understood how fragile Ren's disposition was; she had a tendency to spiral into anxiety when faced with the harsh truths of their world.

"Let's eat," Shun said, his tone firm yet nurturing, guiding the group away from darker thoughts with an air of authority and care.

"Come on, everyone! Gather 'round," Ling Li chimed in, the natural ringleader, her presence lightening the mood as she expertly steered the group toward the dining area.

There was a calmness about Ling Li, a sense of safety that enveloped everyone. "I asked the Chef to prepare nourishing foods just for us." Her smile was bright and infectious, a balm for Ren's frayed nerves.

"Ren, you have to understand that those who didn't make it were just... unlucky," Ling Li continued, her eyes soft with empathy. "You need to trust me; I won't let anything happen to Shun." Her comforting words wrapped around Ren like a cozy blanket, and they both knew that the weight of their losses could be soothed, even if only for a moment.

"Mom, I'm counting on you." Ren's voice trembled as she spoke, a tug of emotion threatening to spill over. "I trust you and Shi Min with his training. I just... I couldn't bear to lose him." She fought back the tears threatening to surface, desperate to maintain her composure. Shun had already sacrificed so much, and she wanted to be strong for him, to shoulder her part of their heavy burden.

"I know, Ren. Just have faith. Shun will come back to you safe," Ling Li reassured her, placing a hand over Ren's, her grip steady and reassuring.

As they gathered around the dining table, a wave of warmth enveloped them. "Paps," Ren turned her attention towards Four Eyes, her tone shifting slightly. "Shun told me you took care of him while you were hurt, too. Thank you." Her gratitude spilled over into everything she said, genuine and heartfelt. "We're lucky to have you."

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