The Enthusiastic Fang Family

The clamor of the dragon boat race gradually faded, and the crowds along the banks began to surge toward their respective ancestral halls.

Xie Yuling grabbed Chu Miaomiao with one hand and Jiang Yunlu with the other. Let's go, let's go. Come eat at my ancestral hall. The dishes there should be pretty rich today.

Right, Old Mo and Old An are coming to mine. We'll meet up after we eat, Fang Jun quickly added, terrified that Lin Mo might slip away.

His dad had given him a strict order: he absolutely had to invite Lin Mo to the Fang family's ancestral hall for the dragon boat lunch today.

Jiang Yunlu and Chu Miaomiao hesitated slightly, their gazes subconsciously drifting toward Lin Mo. Their reluctance to part ways was almost spilling from their eyes.

But Xie Yuling's hospitality was hard to refuse. They couldn't just let her go back alone; that would be too disrespectful.

In the end, the three girls teamed up and headed to the Xie family's ancestral hall, while Lin Mo and the other two boys set off for the Fang family's ancestral hall.

After the six of them went downstairs, they parted ways.

Away from the girls, the three boys walked down the street, and the atmosphere visibly relaxed.

Fang Jun raised an eyebrow. I heard there are quite a few guys over at the Xie family's side. You're not worried?

What is there to worry about? Lin Mo glanced at him, his tone flat.

He knew exactly what kind of twisted thoughts were running through Fang Jun's head.

But he truly didn't take it to heart.

They weren't even officially dating, so what was there to worry about?

If they could really be charmed away by a few sweet words, it would only mean that he, Lin Mo, had been a poor judge of character.

Besides, Lin Mo felt that any female character who could be wooed away by someone else was definitely not the main heroine.

Tsk, tsk, look at how calm you are.

Fang Jun slung an arm around Lin Mo's shoulders. Old Mo, you're a total badass, so I won't say much. Just don't forget to throw some perks my way when you make it big.

Me too, me too! But I still want to ask: does Mai Chuwen really dislike my personality?

He hung his head like a defeated rooster, his mind entirely occupied by his schoolmate from a different class.

Stop overthinking it. Just temper your attitude a bit. Don't wait until you've lost her to start changing.

An Yuexin opened his mouth to speak but ultimately just nodded.

How much of those words he actually took to heart would be entirely up to him.

As they chatted, the group arrived near the Fang family's ancestral hall.

Looking from afar, the entrance to the Fang family's ancestral hall was packed with people. The lingering excitement from the deafening gongs and drums had yet to dissipate, and the boiling clamor of the crowd threatened to blow the roof off the hall.

The air was thick with the smell of firecrackers and the savory aroma of white-cut chicken, mixed with the slightly bitter, fresh scent of mugwort hanging in front of every household. Together, they formed a mouth-watering fragrance unique to the Dragon Boat Festival.

Generally speaking, the dragon boat feast is divided into two meals: lunch and dinner.

But practically, the lunch session is the most important one. Since they had just returned from the race, all the dragon boat rowers were scheduled for this meal.

In the afternoon, they might have to row the dragon boats to other places for the parade.

This year, they finally hadn't come in dead last in the dragon boat race. The entire Fang clan felt a sense of pride and vindication, and the smiles on their faces were at least ten times more genuine than in previous years.

Even the uncles greeting guests at the entrance of the ancestral hall had voices that were noticeably louder, happily shouting out welcomes to the arriving villagers.

Inside the ancestral hall, dozens of large round tables covered in brand-new red cloths were packed tightly from the inside out.

Such a grand setup was only ever displayed during major holidays or when there was a massive celebratory event within the clan.

The dishes for the dragon boat feast had been prepared well in advance. Win or lose, everyone had to eat, as it symbolized a good omen for clan harmony and a flourishing population.

However, the atmosphere this year compared to the gloomy misery of last year was like the difference between heaven and earth.

They didn't ask for the championship; they just asked not to be last. The happiness of the Fang clan was just that simple.

Just as Fang Jun squeezed to the ancestral hall entrance with Lin Mo and An Yuexin, he saw his dad, Fang Mingcong, finish talking to a clan uncle and turn to walk outside.

Dad! Fang Jun called out.

Hearing the voice, Fang Mingcong looked up. When he saw Lin Mo and An Yuexin beside Fang Jun, the smile on his face instantly grew wider, and he quickly walked over to greet them.

Ah, Lin Mo and Little An are here! Come on in, I specifically saved seats for you!

He enthusiastically slung an arm around Lin Mo's shoulders, giving him a firm pat. The strength behind the pat conveyed undisguised appreciation and closeness.

You can sit at the same table with Fang Jun and his cousins. You're all young people, so you'll have plenty to talk about.

Saying this, he lowered his voice slightly and gave Lin Mo an extra instruction: Eat and drink well, and please don't be polite. Just treat it like your own home.

This overflowing enthusiasm was perhaps due to the thrilling attempted kidnapping incident last time, where Lin Mo had saved Fang Jun.

Or perhaps it was because, during the parent-teacher meeting, he had learned that this boy with heaven-defying grades was actually all alone in the world.

In short, Fang Mingcong felt both pity and fondness for Lin Mo in his heart. He was dead set on having Fang Jun invite the boy over to experience the lively, bustling warmth of human connection.

Of course, having him be a good influence on his own son was the most important thing of all.

Alright, Dad, we'll take good care of ourselves. Fang Jun hooked his arms around Lin Mo and An Yuexin's shoulders, leading the two of them inside.

As soon as they entered the ancestral hall, hit by the wave of heat and noise, An Yuexin couldn't help but lean into Fang Jun's ear and laugh exaggeratedly:

Bro Fang, why do I feel like your dad looks at Lin Mo with more affection than he does his own biological son? You weren't picked out of a dumpster, were you?

Get lost! If you had Old Mo's first-place grades, my dad would worship you like a biological son too, Fang Jun cursed with a laugh, firing back without hesitation.

Listening to their daily banter, a helpless smile played at the corners of Lin Mo's mouth.

At the beginning of his past life, Fang Mingcong's attitude toward him had been decent as well. It was only as he became more and more of a delinquent that the man gradually started to dislike him.

The group wove through the noisy crowd and soon found the table meant for the younger generation.

This was the table for the young adults, not the kids' table.

Seven or eight young people were already seated at the table, all of them Fang Jun's cousins. Seeing Fang Jun approach, a cousin with a buzz cut, who looked like the most boisterous of the bunch, immediately started shouting.

Yo, Brother Jun, Brother An are here! We were just waiting for you, hurry and sit down! Oh, you brought a handsome guy with you?

Lin Mo, the number one in Guangba. Whether it's fighting or studying, he's number one. He's my good brother, Fang Jun introduced him casually.

Upon hearing the name Lin Mo, that cousin's eyes suddenly lit up, and he slapped his thigh.

He enthusiastically extended his hand, acting as if he had met some rare VIP. I've heard so much about you! I've been looking forward to meeting you!

However, Lin Mo guessed that this guy probably had no idea who he was, but since he was his older cousin's friend, he naturally had to show plenty of enthusiasm.

I'm not joking, he really is number one in grades. Like, number one in the whole school.

The other cousins at the table also cast curious and admiring glances his way.

Fang Jun continued, Not to mention anything else, remember last time when I told you guys I had a friend who fought off over a dozen people by himself? That was Old Mo. He's incredibly tough.

As he spoke, Fang Jun nudged Fang Zuodong, who was playing on his phone, with his elbow.