Back Home, to the Original Beauty

Late at night.

Xie Yuling was already deep into her winter break revelry.

Yet, she sat hugging a fox plushie, gazing out the window.

Her phone suddenly vibrated.

"You're still awake? What’s on your mind?"

Glancing down, she saw it was a message from Lin Mo.

"How do you know I’m not asleep?"

"You replied, so clearly you’re awake."

"Fine, I’m up. What do you want?"

"Open the door."

Those two words sent a jolt through Xie Yuling’s heart. This guy… was he really outside?

Remembering how Lin Mo had once walked through walls, she suddenly doubted her own assumptions and typed back:

"If you can phase through walls, just come in yourself."

"Then I’m coming in, alright?"

This time, the words weren’t text—they echoed right beside her ear.

Xie Yuling whipped her head around to find Lin Mo already seated at her desk.

"See? I’m still polite, aren’t I?"

A mix of delight and unease fluttered in her chest.

"Why’d you suddenly show up? Weren’t you supposed to be heading home?"

Lin Mo pulled out a stack of talismans from his sleeve.

"About to visit my grandma’s place, so I drew these for you—protection charms. Like this Evil-Warding Talisman. If any ghosts bother you, just throw this or stick it on yourself, and no spirit will dare come close."

As Lin Mo explained each talisman’s purpose, Xie Yuling barely registered the details. She just tilted her head, watching him.

Her eyes stayed fixed on Lin Mo, her lips parting slightly.

"Hey, are you even listening?"

Only then did she snap out of it.

"Huh? What?!"

Lin Mo flicked her forehead with his finger.

Xie Yuling clutched her head, pouting at him with an adorable expression—one Lin Mo had never seen in his past life.

"Ow! What was that for?"

"Don’t copy my moves!"

"Pay attention, or there’ll be no New Year’s Eve surprise for you."

At that, her eyes sparkled faintly. "Surprise? What surprise?"

"If I told you, would it still be a surprise?"

Defeated, Xie Yuling straightened up and listened properly.

By the time Lin Mo vanished from her room, she turned to the talismans on her desk. There were plenty, each clearly labeled—proof he’d been there.

"Should’ve hugged him when I had the chance."

But girls often lacked the courage in moments like these.

Next, she opened a three-person group chat—one created during their time at the farmhouse. The members were just her, Chu Miaomiao, and Jiang Yunlu.

Yet, not a single message had been exchanged since its creation.

After a pause, Xie Yuling closed the chat.

--System: Not all systems deserve the title of "invincible"--

December 17th.

A provincial coach bound for Crane City rumbled along the road.

Though called Crane City, its most famous landmark was Wild Goose Mountain.

It was hard to fathom why it wasn’t named Goose City instead.

Lin Mo had never once seen a crane in Crane City.

Despite its "city" title, it was little more than a small county town.

And it was administratively managed by Wuyi City.

No trains or high-speed rails served it. The only ways in were by long-distance bus or a taxi ride from Wuyi or Chan City.

Perhaps because it was a weekday, there weren’t too many people on this bus.

In just an hour, they had traveled from the Goat City Provincial Bus Terminal to the Crane City Bus Station.

This station wasn’t even as big as Guangba Middle School.

However, as soon as Lin Mo stepped out, he saw a crowd of motorcycle and taxi drivers waving at the exit.

"Need a ride?!"

"Hey, handsome, need a motorcycle ride?"

Wait, something seemed out of place here.

Lin Mo checked his phone. He had already messaged his cousin Feng Binbin during the ride.

Feng Binbin would naturally come to pick him up by car.

At this time, Crane City’s regulations weren’t fully established yet, especially since ride-hailing apps hadn’t taken off.

So, the taxis here didn’t use meters—they just quoted prices outright.

A few kilometers could cost you dozens of yuan.

Lin Mo stood at the bus station entrance. The winter sunlight didn’t feel scorching but instead carried a comforting warmth.

Since he hadn’t attended school here since elementary, Lin Mo didn’t know many people in Crane City.

He could’ve just headed straight to his grandmother’s house, but that wouldn’t be right—for now, he preferred living by the norms of ordinary people.

After waiting about ten minutes, a motorcycle soon arrived.

This bike had actually been bought by Lin Mo’s father and left at his grandmother’s place for convenience. After his parents passed away, Feng Binbin took over riding it.

"Wow, Fish Boy! It’s only been half a year, but you’ve shot up so tall!"

Feng Binbin took off his helmet, teasing his younger cousin with a grin.

The cousin he remembered wasn’t this tall or this handsome.

"I almost didn’t recognize you!"

"Is it that exaggerated? I’ve only grown a little," Lin Mo replied modestly. Over the past six months, he had indeed gotten taller—and as handsome as you dear readers.

Lin Mo’s maternal grandparents both bore the surname Feng. Many villages in this area shared the same surname, tracing back to a common ancestor, though the familial ties had long thinned beyond the traditional five generations of mourning.

His grandmother had two daughters and one son.

The eldest daughter married in Crane City but left to work in Hong Kong.

The second daughter was Lin Mo’s mother, who had married into Guangzhou.

The third, Feng Binbin’s father, was currently serving time in prison.

Feng Binbin had been raised by their grandmother, while his mother—though still married—hadn’t been particularly involved in his upbringing.

Lin Mo only saw her a handful of times during holidays.

Still, he later came to understand a few things.

Taking the helmet Feng Binbin handed him, Lin Mo put it on.

"Let’s go home!"

Feng Binbin grinned.

"You have no idea how happy the old lady is today. She’s probably out buying groceries by now."

"Sounds good. But she’s not getting fish skin dumplings, is she?"

"Nah, those are gone after breakfast hours."

Feng Binbin put on his helmet and revved the engine, speeding off.

Unlike Goat City, Crane City didn’t ban motorcycles.

After all, this was a county town where car ownership was low, making motorcycles the most practical mode of transport.

About two-thirds of the area was rural, so without bikes, getting around would be a hassle.

In no time, they were racing down the road, the wind whipping past. Soon, they reached their grandmother’s house.

Lin Mo watched as the roads narrowed, flanked by fish ponds on either side. He remembered how, as a child, he’d been terrified of falling into one while riding on the back of a motorcycle.

Now, seeing them again, the fear didn’t seem so sharp.

Just as the bike rounded a corner, they spotted a petite, dark-skinned old woman walking ahead, a grocery basket in hand.

Hearing the sound of the motorcycle, the old woman turned her head and glanced back. She immediately recognized the two people on the vehicle.

"Ah! You're back!"

The bike gradually slowed down, and Lin Mo jumped off directly.

"Oh, I've missed you so much, Auntie," Lin Mo said softly as she gently embraced the elderly woman.

The old woman patted the young one's back lightly, her face filled with nothing but tenderness and affection.