Bullet Seed

【Dadi Village】

"Oh, we're here." Tang Keke swayed from side to side as she spotted the entrance to her village, clearly delighted.

"Your village... is quite well-developed."

Ye Shuang glanced around and noticed the village wasn't large, but the roads were paved with asphalt—unlike the rural image he had in mind. The surrounding houses resembled small villas, all self-built.

Driving across a bridge, a vast lotus pond came into view.

"The scenery is lovely," Ye Shuang remarked to Tang Keke. It was indeed a peaceful place. As they drove past the pond, elderly villagers chatted under the shade of trees with children in tow, as if time itself had slowed.

"Right? Isn’t it beautiful? Our village was even featured on national TV!" Tang Keke giggled.

"Hmm?" While driving, Ye Shuang suddenly noticed something—many parked cars had license plates from the harbor district. He pondered briefly but quickly dismissed the thought.

"Which way now?" Ye Shuang asked.

"Hehe, let’s wait for my parents first," Tang Keke said.

Tang's father and mother were also on their way, having gotten separated due to traffic on the highway. According to their messages, they’d arrive soon.

"Then we’ll wait here." Ye Shuang parked by the roadside and took in the village.

He spotted a signboard pointing to a homestay, confirming this was indeed a tourist spot—though a niche one, free from the crowds of popular destinations.

Soon, Tang's parents pulled up in their car. Ye Shuang flashed his hazard lights, and they rolled down their window. "Young Ye, follow us," Tang's father said.

"Got it." Ye Shuang smiled.

After a series of turns, they finally arrived at a courtyard. Compared to the villa-like houses outside, the buildings here were older—typical of villagers’ own homes, untouched by tourists.

From a distance, an elderly woman stood by the courtyard. Spotting their cars, she eagerly approached.

"Grandma!" Tang Keke lowered her window.

"Yes, dear!"

Seeing Tang Keke’s excitement, Ye Shuang said, "Keke, you and Yuyou go ahead. I’ll find a spot to park."

"Okay!" Tang Keke hopped out and flung herself into the old woman’s arms. "Grandma!"

"My, you’ve put on weight again."

"Wuwu, it’s not fat!"

By then, Tang's parents had also stepped out. The four of them chatted warmly, their laughter filling the air.

Still in the car, Ye Shuang and Bai Yuyou exchanged a glance.

"Let’s go."

After parking, Ye Shuang approached the elderly woman. "Hello, I’m Keke’s friend. Sorry for intruding for a few days."

Bai Yuyou, now well-versed in basic etiquette, handed over a gift bag of fruits.

"Hahaha, no need for such formalities!" The grandmother was cheerful. "Guests are always welcome here. Come inside—it’s too hot out here."

Ye Shuang followed them into the courtyard.

The layout reminded him of his own hometown—a small yard with a well, separate spaces for living and cooking.

Tang Keke’s grandmother had prepared sliced watermelon on the table.

"Come, have some watermelon. Take a seat," she urged. Apart from her, no one else was around.

"Grandma, where’s my cousin?" Tang Keke asked.

"Oh, she’s napping," the grandmother replied. "Go wake her up."

"Okay~"

Sitting on the rosewood furniture, Ye Shuang felt at ease in the familiar setting. He loved villages like this—slow-paced, even if less convenient than cities.

Bai Yuyou munched on watermelon, a seed sticking to her cheek.

"You ate the seeds?" Ye Shuang asked.

"..."

He suddenly recalled that all the watermelons he’d bought recently were seedless.

"Not allowed?" Bai Yuyou tilted her head.

"If you swallow seeds, they’ll sprout in your stomach and burst out," Ye Shuang said solemnly.

Of course, he was just teasing her.

The old joke had its intended effect—Bai Yuyou froze mid-bite, her brain short-circuiting.

A few seconds later, she slowly set down the watermelon and patted her belly.

"Ye Shuang, there’s no soil or sunlight in my stomach... How would they grow?"

"Pfft." Ye Shuang couldn’t help but ruffle her hair. "Just kidding. Eat as much as you want—nothing will sprout."

"Though I do have a family secret: Seed Machine Gun."

He took a bite, ready to demonstrate, but noticed the grandmother and Tang's parents watching with amused smiles.

Ye Shuang coughed awkwardly, suddenly aware of how uncivilized it seemed.

"Another time," he told Bai Yuyou, swallowing the seeds instead.

Just then, Tang Keke returned with her cousin—a drowsy, mushroom-haired girl of about eight or nine.

"Mmm... Uncle..."

Spotting Ye Shuang and Bai Yuyou, she blinked in surprise and turned to Tang's father. "Whoa! Uncle, you have two secret kids?!"

Tang's father: "..."

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Tang Keke lightly swatted her cousin’s behind before introducing them.

"This is my cousin, Tang Duoduo. She lives with Grandma."

"Duoduo, these are my good friends. Call them brother and sister."

Tang Duoduo pouted. "You didn’t even say their names. So lazy, Keke-jie."

"Oh? Got a problem with me?" Tang Keke pinched her cheeks.

"Owowow! Sorry, jie!"