Morning sunlight streamed through the small window of the guest room. Shen Xixuan slowly opened his eyes and sat up in bed. He rubbed his face lightly, trying to wake up fully, then thought of the children staying in the room next door.
He got up and walked out of the guest room, then went to the children's bedroom and gently opened the door to peek inside. Some of the children were already awake, sitting on the bed and whispering to each other so they wouldn't disturb anyone.
When they saw him, all the children turned toward him with bright smiles.
"Uncle, you're awake!" Xiao Hu, the oldest child, called out, looking at him with growing warmth in his eyes.
"Uncle's awake, sweetheart... Did you all sleep well?"
"Really well, Uncle! The bed is so soft. I've never slept this comfortably before." Xiao Yan answered happily, flapping her little arms with joy.
Shen Xixuan chuckled softly and walked into the room.
"That's good, sweetheart... Now, everyone get up and get ready. We're leaving soon, so we need to reach the spaceport on time."
All the children hurried out of bed and helped each other neatly pack their personal belongings. They were still young, but they seemed remarkably responsible—especially Xiao Hu, who took care of all his younger siblings like a father.
Shen Xixuan helped them get dressed and organize their things, then led everyone to the dining table, where Xiao Ming had prepared breakfast.
Breakfast consisted of synthetic oatmeal and drinking water. Although it didn't taste very good, the children ate happily because they knew they would get to eat something much more delicious tomorrow.
Xiao Ming watched them with a smile.
"The kids look so much stronger and healthier already, A-Xuan. They seem completely different after just one night."
"Yes... These children really are strong. I'm very proud of them."
As they talked, the mischievous black-haired twin, Xiao Chao, was running carelessly around the table. He suddenly tripped and slammed his ankle hard against a table leg.
"Aaagh!"
The child immediately burst into tears and sat down on the floor, clutching his ankle with a deeply pained expression. Xiao Feng and Xiao Yan rushed over and hugged their little brother anxiously.
"Little Chao! Are you okay?" Xiao Hu hurried over to check on him, his face full of worry.
Shen Xixuan quickly walked over and carefully crouched down to examine Xiao Chao's ankle. A bright red bruise had already appeared, and the injury looked fairly serious.
"Don't be scared, Little Chao... Uncle's here. It's only a minor injury."
He gently placed his hand on the child's injured ankle and tried to soothe him with a light stroke—and then, all of a sudden, a miracle happened!
Warm, pale-blue energy flowed from Shen Xixuan's hand into Xiao Chao's ankle. In an astonishing sight, the red bruise gradually faded away, bit by bit, and the pain seemed to disappear along with it.
Xiao Chao stopped crying at once. His round eyes widened in surprise as he looked at his ankle, then up at Shen Xixuan.
"Uncle... It doesn't hurt anymore! It really doesn't hurt!"
Everyone in the room was stunned. Xiao Ming stood frozen, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"This... this is a healing ability? A-Xuan's power level seems to be much higher than I thought."
Shen Xixuan himself was just as astonished. He stared at his own hand in confusion. He knew this body possessed a healing ability, but he had never imagined it would work so clearly right before his eyes.
"I... I don't know either... I only just realized that I could actually do this."
"A-Xuan has a special power? That's so cool!" Xiao Long, the white-haired twin, exclaimed excitedly, staring at him in awe.
"Are you a superhero, Uncle? You can heal injuries!" Xiao Chao, whose pain had just vanished, had already forgotten all about it. He jumped up in delight.
Shen Xixuan chuckled softly and gently patted the child's head.
"I'm not a superhero, sweetheart... It's just a little power that can help me take care of you kids. But from now on, if any of you get hurt or sick, Uncle can definitely help heal you."
All the children were overjoyed. They began looking at Shen Xixuan with an even deeper level of respect and trust. This special power made him seem like someone truly extraordinary—someone who could really protect them.
Xiao Ming stepped closer and looked at Shen Xixuan with a complicated expression.
"Healing abilities are rare and incredibly valuable in this era, A-Xuan. Especially during the war with the Zerg, when so many soldiers are wounded. If other people find out you have power like this, they may try to take you away or force you to use it. You have to keep this secret very carefully."
Shen Xixuan understood the seriousness in his words. He slowly lowered his head and answered,
"I understand... I'll be careful and won't let anyone else know about this power unless it's absolutely necessary."
"Good... Now we need to hurry and finish preparing for the trip. The spaceport may be crowded, and the inspections could be strict."
Everyone quickly organized their belongings once more and prepared to leave. Shen Xixuan helped the children put on clothes suitable for traveling and checked that they had everything they needed.
Before they left the house, Xiao Ming handed Shen Xixuan another small self-defense device.
"Keep this with you, just in case... Something unexpected could happen on the way."
"Thank you so much, Mr. Xiao Ming... I'll never forget your help."
"You don't need to mention it again... Have a safe journey, and I hope you little ones live happy lives in your new home."
The whole group left the house, climbed aboard a hovercraft, and once again set out for the spaceport on the planet DT-3. Shen Xixuan looked at all five children sitting inside, their faces filled with excitement, and his heart filled with hope for the future.
This newly discovered healing ability... He didn't know whether it would become a blessing or a burden in the future. But one thing was certain: he would use it to protect and care for these children as best he could.