The faint light of dawn streamed in through the back window of the bedroom, illuminating the sleeping faces of Ruth and Clara. The little girl nestled in her arms, and Lübeck felt as if he were seeing Ruth as a mother. This sight made him wonder, are all women like this? Do they sleep more soundly when cuddling together? But he himself hadn't slept well, afraid of rolling over and rolling over onto the baby, or snoring and disturbing the child, so he woke up early.
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The days were getting longer in spring, and Lübeck, still half-asleep, pulled the covers over his eyes, but the darkness couldn't hide the phantoms in his mind. It seemed to be the scene of the carriage traveling in the spring rain a few days ago, only after a few turns, it seemed the further they drove into the mountains, the darker the sky became. Oh, perhaps it was the scene of returning to the city a couple of days ago. In the dim yellow light of the streetlights on both sides, the drizzle intensified, flooding the cracks in the cobblestone pavement. The orange-red reflections of the streetlights rippled in the water, constantly shattered by raindrops.
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A green bus with a white roof drove by in the night. Its weathered body, draped in rainwater, reflected the dim streetlights, the light and shadow shimmering like dark green and shimmering gold. Rainwater trickled down the rust stains on the white roof and rolled down the windows. The splashing water from the passing bus soaked young Lübeck. In the icy rain, young Lübeck stood on the streets of an unfamiliar city, with no way home and no idea where to go.
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"Ruth," he called her name, jolting awake. He opened his eyes, but Ruth wasn't there; he was lying in bed.
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Lübeck listened intently to the conversation between Ruth and Clara outside. "Oh, it was just a dream," Lübeck sighed, looking at the bedroom ceiling. He gathered his thoughts, finally returning to reality, silently reassuring himself that the dream was over, and he now had a home, with Ruth by his side.
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Calming his emotions and breathing, Lübeck got dressed and went to Emma's room. He glanced next door; Ida was still fast asleep. As he entered, it felt as if he were still carrying the memory of that cold, rainy night from his youth, a memory from his dream. Seeing the mother and son, it seemed all the hardships he had endured were worthwhile.
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Emma was awake but still lazing in bed, apparently having just fed her son, who was now asleep in his cradle. Seeing Lübeck saunter in, she immediately perked up, lying down and teasing him,
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"Isn't my sister Ruth enough?"
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Lübeck smiled helplessly, moving closer to Emma as he said,
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"Don't even mention it. Last night, Ruth and I were chatting about adopting Clara and Ida, and I mentioned the need to build an orphanage or boarding school for children like them. After all, I can't adopt all the children. To be honest, they're adorable, but I'm not really used to having more people in the house."
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"Oh, it's bothering you? Are you going to send them away someday?"
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"Last night, when we were talking about this, Clara overheard us at the door," Lübeck paused,
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Emma quickly asked,
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"She was eavesdropping on your conversation?"
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"Sigh, you can't blame her. She's still a child. It's understandable that she's worried about things changing after finally coming to our home," Lübeck said, only then realizing that this child might be the kind of person who harbors deep thoughts. "I really didn't think that much last night," Emma said.
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"Well, what happened next?" Emma asked curiously.
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"Then I became her dad, and Ruth became her mom. We cuddled her between us and slept."
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Hearing this, Emma stopped asking questions, smiling at him without saying a word, as if deliberately teasing him.
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"What are you laughing at?" Lübeck said, shaking her shoulders with both hands, joining in the play.
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Emma's body, head, neck, and hair swayed with the rhythm, but she remained silent, just smiling and looking at Lübeck with her big eyes.
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“Breakfast is ready,” Ruth said, knocking on the door.
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Just as Lübeck turned to look at the door, Emma, like a child, jumped off the bed and walked past him, smiling and looking him in the eye, saying with a hint of sarcasm,
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“Breakfast is served.”
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Lübeck was stunned for a moment, frozen in place, recalling the scene of Emma passing by him, as if he had never seen Emma like this before. It wasn't until he heard Emma's giggles and Ruth's quiet greeting to Emma behind him that Lübeck snapped out of his daze.
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After breakfast, he went to the city hall. Life was indeed much more relaxed after dealing with the interest groups. Civil disputes were gone, the area cultivated with the same manpower increased, and life in the Sanctuary was much more peaceful. However, Lübeck couldn't enjoy this tranquility. So, carrying the prepared materials and his long-held idea, he headed to the home of Michael Krause, the former High Sheriff, who was on leave after a series of events due to his relatively weak control over the Sanctuary's security.
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Lübeck arrived at Michael's house by carriage, but no one was home. A stroll along the country lanes in spring was always pleasant; the stream beside the road babbled in the sunlight, its waters sparkling, and the ash trees, their roots embedded in the water, were the first to unfurl their tender green leaves in the spring breeze.
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Reaching for Michael's fields, he could see that his family was indeed busy planting. Coming to the roadside, his daughter and daughter-in-law were cooking barley porridge in a pot. They all recognized Lübeck and, seeing him arrive, wanted to call their father back from the fields.
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Lübeck quickly waved his hand, saying,
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"Don't call him, I'll wait a bit, no rush," then immediately asked his daughter,
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"How's your father doing on his leave at home these days?"
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His daughter politely curtsied before answering,
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"He's doing well, much more relaxed. We could farm without him anyway,"
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"Isn't he restless?"
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"Yes, he's either repairing farm tools or mending the house,"
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"Hmm, still the same as always," Lübeck couldn't help but think of his past with Michael. They'd shared years, and then, trying to ask,
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"Wouldn't it be nice if your brothers retired early to enjoy their family life after they had children?"
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"Hmm," she replied, though Lübeck seemed to sense something unspoken on her face.
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Lübeck continued,
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"I've also had some free time lately, so I came to visit my old friend,"
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"Oh, good! Dad often talks about the old days when he's home, recounting stories of sailing with you,"
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"Really?" Lübeck asked with a smile,
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"Yes, he always seems happy talking about those times, even though he's told some of them many times before." "He looked so happy, we didn't interrupt him,"
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"That's good, as long as he's happy," Lübeck said, pausing for a moment,
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"But, I still want to ask him for help. Is he still willing to give up his current comfortable life?"
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"He probably is, he always mentions you,"
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"But then he won't be able to be by your side,"
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Before Michael's daughter could answer, a familiar voice rang out beside them,
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"Lübeck,"
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The two turned around and saw that Michael had heard their conversation and had walked over at some point. Lübeck turned to face... Before he could even speak, Michael gave a military salute.
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"Captain," Lübeck quickly returned the salute, shaking his hand.
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"Michael, long time no see,"
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"Yes, you've been busy too,"
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"Have you had enough vacation time, Michael? I'm thinking of setting up a natural resources department. Would you mind leading the team? We need to find some resources for our children, to improve their lives. I think only you can bring the lads back safely." As he spoke, Lübeck glanced at his children beside him.
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"As you wish, Captain," they said, grasping Lübeck's hand tightly.
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and then Add to home screen.