Side Story: The Hunter and His Family After the Calm

The morning sun filtered through the locust tree leaves, casting its light on the roof of the cabin in the woods.

Birds chirped merrily, a gentle breeze carried the scent of damp grass, and the air in the forest was filled with peace and tranquility, devoid of any oppressive atmosphere.

Chen Ye sat on a wooden bench, a hunting rifle in his hand, but he felt no tension.

His younger sister, Chen Xue, practiced sensing her contracted power on the grass a short distance away. Her movements were light and free, the swirling winds subtly swirling, yet completely under her control.

The three brothers prepared their hunting gear nearby, occasionally joking, their laughter echoing through the woods.

Father Chen Jianguo stood under the eaves, an old hunting knife in his hand, his gaze gentle yet firm: "You have all mastered the power now, and you have learned to protect the rhythm. This is the most important thing."

Mother busied herself preparing breakfast inside, its aroma wafting on the breeze.

The younger sister returned to the front of the house, carrying a basket of freshly picked wild vegetables. Smiling, she said, "Brother, come help too. We can't just let everyone watch me work."

Chen Ye put down his hunting rifle, walked over, and gently took the basket. "Okay, I'll help you." The two walked side-by-side into the house, the three brothers following behind. The house was filled with a relaxed atmosphere.

In the afternoon, in a clearing in the woods, the siblings practiced coordinating and controlling their contracted power.

Chen Xue's whirlwind gently swept across the ground, the fallen leaves dancing freely, yet without losing control.

Chen Ye and the three brothers worked in perfect harmony, every breath, every movement synchronized with the rhythm of space.

The wind rustled through the locust trees, sunlight filtering through the leaves, casting dappled shadows, as if applauding their growth and efforts.

The father stood by, occasionally offering guidance: "Remember, power isn't for fighting, but for protecting the people and things you cherish."

Chen Ye nodded: "We understand."

At dusk, smoke rose from the cabin in the woods, filling the air with the aroma of food.

Chen Xue, Chen Ye's younger sister, nestled beside him, smiling as she watched her brothers frolic in the yard.

Inside, their parents conversed quietly, while the three brothers organized their weapons, occasionally laughing and playfully teasing each other.

Chen Ye watched all this, a sense of peace welling up within him:

No matter how many trials he had faced, this forest, this home, these friends, were the most important protections for him and his sister.

The power of the contract, the system, the space—they had once placed them in danger, but they had also helped them grow; now, all of them had become their protective partners.

Night fell, and the forest was quiet and peaceful.

Chen Ye, his sister, and the three brothers sat in the yard, gazing at the stars, sharing their stories and dreams.

Chen Xue whispered, "Brother, can we still be like this in the future?"

Chen Ye smiled: "Of course we can. This is our life. No matter what happens, family and partners will always be by our side."

The wind rustled through the locust trees, their leaves swaying gently, and moonlight spilled onto the cabin in the forest, as if illuminating their path to the future.

This moment was peaceful and warm.

The hunter, with his contracted power, his space, and his family, finally found his own peace and order in this forest.