"Thwack!" Charlotte gave her younger brother a rather unfriendly swat, eliciting a pained grimace and watering eyes from the boy.

"Told you to stop talking nonsense!" Charlotte chided, her voice sharp.

The child, looking thoroughly wronged, pointed toward Zhong Shenxiu and Robin standing next to Charlotte. "But they—"

"Enough prattle!" Charlotte quickly cut him off, then inquired, "Where are Father and Mother?"

"They're home!" the boy replied, glancing back at the group behind Charlotte. He mentally noted, So many pretty sisters!

"Is everything well at home?" Charlotte continued, satisfied that she had successfully diverted her brother's attention.

"Everything's fine. It's just that Second Brother got married the month before last!" The boy rubbed the growing lump on his head as he spoke.

"Second Brother is already married?" Charlotte's eyes brightened. She couldn't help but press, "What's his wife like? What kind of person is she?"

"Gentler than you are, anyway!" the boy mumbled. Charlotte shot him another glare, frightening him into keeping a respectful distance.

"Sis, did you buy me any gifts?" the boy asked, anticipation lighting up his face.

"Don't worry, you won't be left out." Charlotte teased. Although her brother had grown taller, he still possessed that sturdy, thickset look from childhood—which was precisely why the family affectionately called him "Little Tiger!"

At that moment, Charlotte felt immensely grateful for the wise decision she had made to go on a wild shopping spree back in the 'Capital City.' It would have been improper to return empty-handed after such a long absence.

The siblings chatted a while longer before clustering together and heading toward their home.

"Father! Mother! Look who's back!" the boy’s voice announced before he even entered the doorway.

Just then, a woman emerged from the house. Her features were strikingly similar to Charlotte’s, though she possessed a much quieter, more reserved demeanor.

"Mother!" Charlotte rushed forward in an embrace.

The woman paused, clearly stunned, still reeling from the unexpected joy.

"Mother, didn't you always miss Sister?" the boy beside her asked in confusion. "Why are you quiet now?"

Ignoring her son, the woman began to study Charlotte from head to toe. The longer she looked, the more emotional she became, until finally, she called out toward the interior of the house, "Man, our daughter is back! Hurry out and see!"

Then, turning back to the daughter leaning against her, the mother said, "Come, let Mother see if you’ve lost weight these past few years!"

Saying this, she gently pushed Charlotte slightly away to get a better look, then scrutinized her face once more.

The door opened again, and a sturdy, middle-aged man stepped out. He wasn't strikingly handsome, but he exuded an undeniable aura of solid manhood!

"Charlotte... you really are home," the middle-aged man said, though clearly surprised, he recovered his composure quickly.

"Father!" Charlotte called out, revealing a disarmingly childlike smile.

No matter how old she grew, in front of her parents, she was forever their child—that was an immutable truth. It was only before them that Charlotte ever showed this rarely glimpsed side of herself.

"Charlotte, how have things been out there?" the middle-aged man asked with a simple, warm smile.

"Quite good!" Charlotte confirmed, then immediately added, "Father, Mother, let me introduce you. These are all my friends..."

"Ah, I know, I know," the boy suddenly interjected. "Sis, is this your mercenary band?"

Admiration began to flood the boy's eyes. Despite the slaps Charlotte often gave him, she was the person he admired most. In fact, their entire small tribe took immense pride in her; she had not only graduated successfully from a prestigious academy but had also formed her own mercenary group—something extraordinary for someone from such an obscure settlement.

Charlotte managed an embarrassed smile and quickly gave a brief explanation about rejoining the 'Misty Mercenary Group.'

"Sis, you mean he is your leader?" the boy asked, pointing at the composed Zhong Shenxiu, his tone laced with utter astonishment.

It wasn't just him who was surprised; even his parents found the situation baffling!

Startled, Charlotte quickly smacked her brother's hand away and scolded him again, "Don't be rude!"

"Sis, why are you hitting me again? Mother says you’re hitting me silly!" the boy whined.

However, Charlotte didn't have time to deal with him, as she was busy plastering on a winning smile for Zhong Shenxiu, terrified that a moment of anger from him might lead to serious consequences!

Yet, Zhong Shenxiu had changed considerably. Far from being angered, he was already extending greetings to Charlotte's parents.

Though Charlotte’s parents still struggled to process the fact that Zhong Shenxiu led this group, they knew this wasn't the moment for debate. They ushered everyone inside the house.

The interior was spacious; even with so many guests, it didn't feel crowded. The furnishings were simple and unpretentious, clearly the home of honest, hardworking people.

Charlotte's parents were incredibly hospitable, setting out a feast of local delicacies—platters of fruit and pastries soon covered the low tea table. Zhong Shenxiu and Robin showed no restraint, eating heartily while listening to the conversation between Charlotte’s parents and the rest of the group.

Beside them, Charlotte’s brother kept his eyes fixed on Zhong Shenxiu. How could such a small boy, much younger than himself, possibly be a leader? It didn't seem like a joke at all.

Charlotte’s father was also observing Zhong Shenxiu. He knew his daughter well; seeing her tense posture as she explained things to Zhong Shenxiu, he immediately sensed something unusual, though he couldn't quite place it yet.

"Mother, why don't I see Big Brother and Second Brother?" Charlotte asked curiously.

Her mother smiled kindly. "Your eldest brother is busy with his business; he only comes back every few days. Your Second Brother is already married—he joined the Elriva family from the neighboring tribe!"

"Marrying into their family?" Charlotte was surprised.

"What do you mean, 'marrying into their family,' that sounds so crass!" the woman chided, giving Charlotte a look. "The Elriva family only has that one daughter, and they truly couldn't bear to part with her. Plus, they have so many livestock, they simply can't manage it all. So, they decided to have your Second Brother settle in with them!"

"Isn't that still marrying into their family?" Charlotte murmured to herself.

"Charlotte, have you found a boyfriend out there?" Charlotte's mother asked, her eyes shining with expectation. She kept glancing over the male members of the 'Misty Mercenary Group' with the meticulous gaze of a mother-in-law vetting potential sons-in-law. It seemed all parents adopted a similar expression when such topics arose.

Charlotte froze, completely unprepared for her mother to steer the conversation in that direction. In her haste, she could only offer a brief reply: "No."

As she gave the answer, the complex issue that had been troubling her resurfaced, the one matter for which she still hadn't found a suitable resolution!

Charlotte resolved that she absolutely had to speak with her mother privately later to see if they could find a solution. After all, they said a daughter is her mother's closest confidante, but a mother is just as much a daughter's counselor and guide.

"Daughter, you aren't getting any younger. Look at the playmates you grew up with; their children are already calling them Auntie," her mother advised earnestly, her gaze sweeping over the men once more, as if researching whether her daughter might be involved with one of them.

However, she was looking in the wrong place—she shouldn't have dismissed Zhong Shenxiu!

"Charlotte, what about A'daier, the boy you were close to growing up? His father has proposed marriage here several times..." Charlotte's father didn't finish his sentence before Charlotte interrupted him.

Charlotte had to break up her parents' lecturing because Angelia and the others were watching her with strange looks, especially Kaini, who wore a distinctly suggestive smile.

The group chatted for a while longer, and then preparations for dinner began. During this time, many clansmen who had heard the news came to visit, all eager to see Charlotte.

When dinner was finally served, Charlotte's parents were stunned by Robin’s eating habits.

Good heavens, has this child been starving for days?

But that thought was quickly dismissed. Robin’s appetite vastly exceeded what a normal human being could consume; such volume couldn't possibly be explained by a few missed meals!

Nevertheless, the meal was completed relatively smoothly; except for Robin, everyone else ate very little.

While clearing the dishes, Charlotte pulled her mother aside and quietly explained the incident where she had been seen.

"What?" Charlotte's mother stared blankly at Charlotte, looking utterly crestfallen. Fortunately, she wasn't holding any fragile plates at the time, or they surely would have shattered!

"Mother, what should I do?" Charlotte’s face showed a rare expression of helplessness.

Despite years of adventuring and navigating the world, she possessed zero experience in matters of the heart. This issue had plagued her for so long; while she hid it well externally, that was merely because she had been adopting a 'wait-and-see' approach. No matter how long she avoided it, the time to face it had eventually arrived!

"Daughter, how could you be so careless!" her mother fretted anxiously.

But then again, it didn't seem entirely Charlotte's fault. If Zhong Shenxiu truly intended to look, no amount of defense on her part would have prevented it, especially considering Zhong Shenxiu possessed Psychic Waves!

"Mother, please help me think of a way!" Charlotte pleaded, tugging playfully at her mother's sleeve.

"I can't decide on something this big alone. Let me discuss it with your father first!"

"Can we not tell Father?"

"This is not a minor issue, how could we possibly exclude your father!" Charlotte's mother said seriously.

Soon, Charlotte's father was called in. Sensing the sudden shift in atmosphere, he immediately asked, "What is wrong?"

Charlotte kept her head down, wanting desperately to retreat, but her mother grabbed her arm, preventing her escape.

After hearing the account, Charlotte's father was also greatly shocked. However, in a crisis, the man of the house usually takes charge. Charlotte's father immediately proposed a solution.

But before he could finish speaking, both Charlotte and her mother stared at him blankly!