Come Back Home

The summer vacation had just begun.

Lin Mo said his goodbyes to his friends in Yangcheng and embarked on his journey home alone.

Whether it was Xie Yuling, Jiang Yunlu, or Chu Miaomiao, he didn't miss a single one.

Even when Fang Jun came looking for him, he simply dropped the excuse, I need to take care of the elderly, waved his hand, and walked away, leaving a dashing silhouette as he vanished from everyone's sight.

So, when Lin Mo's figure appeared without warning at the door of his grandmother's house, his grandmother, who had just returned from the flower fields with a full basket of jasmine flowers, was completely stunned.

The air was filled with the fragrance of earth and the faint, elegant scent of jasmine.

Second Great-Aunt, you just came back from picking flowers? Lin Mo stepped forward with a smile, his voice clear and bright.

His grandmother finally snapped out of her daze, gave a hearty Aye!, and joy overflowed from her eyes and brows.

You child, when did you get back? You didn't even tell me in advance so I could have Binbin pick you up.

Lin Mo walked over and took the basket from her hands.

It's not like I can't come back on my own. Where's Brother Bin? Did he go out to play this early?

Isn't that right? He said he made plans with someone, but who knows which friend it is.

She complained verbally while pulling out that familiar bunch of brass keys. With a soft click, the courtyard door was pushed open.

Lin Mo carried the basket and turned into the kitchen with practiced familiarity.

These little snow-white flowers were treasures. They were medicinal herbs specially cultivated by his grandmother. When dried and steeped in water, they could soothe the liver, relieve depression, clear heat, and detoxify. They could sell for several hundred yuan a pound.

Moreover, people would come to collect these things, making it one of his grandmother's sources of income.

Without waiting for his grandmother to speak, Lin Mo walked straight to the stove, grabbed a handful of straw, picked up the lighter in front of the stove, and with a flick, the straw ignited.

Adding firewood, boiling water, and setting up the steamer grate—his movements were as smooth as flowing water, without the slightest hesitation.

These jasmine flowers had to be steamed first and then dried in the sun to best stimulate and preserve their medicinal properties.

Watching his incredibly skillful operation, his grandmother opened her mouth but ultimately swallowed her words, her face full of affection and pride.

Alright, alright, let me do it. You just got back, you must be hungry. How about I make you a bowl of shrimp roe noodles? Paired with some homemade chili soy sauce, it was your favorite when you were little.

Sounds great, thank you, Second Great-Aunt!

Lin Mo agreed verbally, knowing full well in his heart that an elder's feeding had nothing to do with hunger; it was a profound expression of love that had to be accepted.

He turned and returned to the main room, immediately catching sight of the tabby cat sprawled out on the cool floor tiles to escape the heat.

Kitty! Lin Mo lowered his body, his large hand reaching precisely toward the cat's belly.

A boss-level creature like a tabby cat was incredibly alert. Its muscles tensed, and just as it was about to spring up like lightning, it felt an irresistible force descend from above, instantly pinning it firmly in place.

Meow?!

Don't cry out, it's no use, Lin Mo chuckled softly, his fingers accurately finding the cat's most comfortable spots and beginning to massage them. I can suppress even the Poison Heart Assassin, let alone a little kitty like you!

Little kitty from the north to the south!

He hummed an off-key, weird song while enjoying the premium tactile sensation of petting the cat.

The tabby cat went from fierce resistance at first, to a look of utter despair in the middle, and finally gave up completely, emitting a resigned purring sound from its throat.

A moment later, his grandmother walked over holding a small basin of noodles.

In the bowl, there was at least a double portion of shrimp roe noodles. Three perfectly fried soft-boiled eggs were neatly arranged; their edges were slightly crispy, but the yolks were jiggly, so tender they looked like they could be pinched for water.

They are all local free-range eggs, very nutritious, his grandmother added.

Great, great, they smell amazing! Thank you, Second Great-Aunt! Lin Mo picked up his chopsticks without standing on ceremony.

Seeing him eat with such appetite, the wrinkles on his grandmother's face bloomed into a smile. She turned and asked, What do you want to eat for lunch? How about I go to the market and buy a chopped chicken to nourish you?

No need to go to so much trouble. Let's wait until Brother Bin gets back.

Unexpectedly, at the mention of Brother Bin, his grandmother curled her lips. Him? It's a question whether he'll even be back for dinner tonight.

Lin Mo picked up a chopstick full of noodles, slurped a big mouthful, and mumbled teasingly, Don't worry about it, maybe Brother Bin is out there trying to win you a granddaughter-in-law.

These words struck right at his grandmother's heart. The dissatisfaction on her face instantly vanished, and her eyes lit up.

That would be the best!

She muttered cheerfully, finally crossing the threshold with satisfaction to get busy in the kitchen again.

Lin Mo looked at the hearty single-portion breakfast in front of him, and feeling this long-lost, comfortable atmosphere that made his bones feel soft, he couldn't help but chuckle.

His grandmother was busy all morning, and at noon she even went to buy a chicken to make white boiled chicken for Lin Mo.

The fresh aroma of the chicken mixed with the savory scent of ginger and scallions dominated his nasal passages, greatly whetting his appetite.

His grandmother picked up a shiny, oily chicken leg and placed it steadily into Lin Mo's bowl. Eat more. Look at you, you've gotten so thin from studying away from home.

Lin Mo shoveled rice from his bowl, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Second Great-Aunt, how am I thin? I haven't lost a single pound.

His grandmother scrutinized his face, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes crinkling with a smile. That's good. You didn't suffer any grievances at school, did you? Did anyone bully you?

Who would dare bully me? Lin Mo took a bite of the chicken leg and said indistinctly, I am the number one in the whole school. They treat me like a treasure. If anyone dared to cause trouble for me, I wouldn't even need to say a word; the principal would be the first to not let them off.

His words carried a bit of a young man's pride, but they also completely set his grandmother's mind at ease.

That's good, that's good. His grandmother looked at him kindly. Studying is a good thing, but don't push yourself too hard. When you're tired, come home and stay for a few days.

Don't worry, I'm taking it very easy. Lin Mo agreed with a smile.

Just as he spoke, the familiar roar of a motorcycle came from the courtyard gate, approaching from a distance.

Lin Mo swept his divine sense out and immediately knew that his cousin, Feng Binbin, had returned.

His voice arrived before he did.

Wow! It smells amazing from miles away! Second Great-Aunt, what good stuff are we eating today!

Hearing this loud voice, his grandmother turned her chopsticks and, without hesitation, picked up the remaining chicken leg from the plate and put it into Lin Mo's bowl too.

Thus, when Feng Binbin rushed into the room, two exceptionally eye-catching chicken legs were stacked in Lin Mo's bowl.

Brother Bin, you're back? Lin Mo looked up and greeted him.

Oh! Isn't this my little bro! Feng Binbin yelled exaggeratedly, but his eyes were locked dead on the dishes on the table.

Yes, yes, have you eaten?

Not yet, I hurried back as soon as I smelled the food. Feng Binbin said, familiarly running into the kitchen himself to grab a bowl and chopsticks.

When he came out with his bowl and chopsticks, he snatched the second chicken leg right out of Lin Mo's bowl with his chopsticks.

Give me that!

Saying so, he grabbed it with his hands and started gnawing on it.

So, did you find a granddaughter-in-law for my Second Great-Aunt yet?

Not even close, let's not talk about that...