Achievement Unlocked

Leaving the police station, the hot and humid evening air of Yangcheng rushed at them, dispelling the cold and oppressive atmosphere from indoors.

Xie Yuling let out a long sigh of relief, the stifling feeling in her chest finally dissipating a little.

She turned her head to look at Lin Mo beside her, feeling as though she was getting closer and closer to his heart.

A person is never just about their glamorous side; everyone has wounds that cannot be touched.

"They... shouldn't come looking for trouble again, right?" Xie Yuling was still a bit uneasy.

"Don't worry, they wouldn't dare."

Lin Mo walked at a leisurely pace with his hands in his pockets. "After all, this is the real world, not some female-oriented wish-fulfillment novel. There are laws here."

Of course, he left the second half of his thought unsaid.

In this game, the referee, the linesmen, and the judges are all my people. How could you possibly fight me?

But that would be too arrogant, and Lin Mo didn't want Xie Yuling to know too much about his relationship with the Yanhuang Awakening.

That was also why, while at the station today, Lin Mo hadn't greeted Old Bai at all, even skipping any eye contact.

As the two walked down the bustling street, Xie Yuling's curiosity was completely piqued. "What are we going to eat? This is your turf; what good stuff do you usually have?"

Lin Mo thought about it and answered honestly, "Usually, I eat at Mickey D's."

As soon as he spoke, Xie Yuling stopped in her tracks and pointed at him with a look of utter heartbreak.

"Mickey D's?! Why not the Old Man from Kentucky?! This is blatant discrimination!"

The young girl's reaction was exaggerated and cute, grumbling like a little kitten protecting its food.

Lin Mo was amused by her and explained with rare patience, "I hold a grudge against that Old Man. There were several times I went to order, and even though we ordered the exact same thing, the dine-in customers who came after me got their food while mine still wasn't ready. I urged them several times, but the staff acted like they didn't hear me. It was only when I was about to flip the table that they finally took their time handing it to me."

This was his personal experience, and just talking about it filled him with annoyance.

So after that, he basically said goodbye to the Old Man from Kentucky.

Of course, when Crazy Thursday rolled around and it was time to ask someone to transfer 50 bucks, he still would.

However, in this era, that promotional event that drove countless people crazy didn't exist yet.

Lin Mo didn't continue the topic. Instead, he led Xie Yuling around a corner, walking in the direction of his old elementary school.

The further they walked, the more lively and down-to-earth the surroundings became.

It was a road leading to an urban village. The street wasn't wide, but both sides were densely packed with all sorts of eateries.

The auntie at the fast-food joint waved a large ladle, enthusiastically shouting in Cantonese to ask handsome boys what they wanted to eat. The chef at the Lanzhou noodle shop slapped the dough loudly against the counter, tempting steam rose from the malatang pots, and unbranded fried chicken stalls sizzled with oil, their aroma drifting half a block away.

Most working-class people took this street home, so they simply ate dinner here before continuing on.

As for students, it was summer vacation, so there weren't any around.

Lin Mo navigated through the crowd with familiar ease, finally stopping in front of a small Northeastern dumpling shop.

"This is the place."

"Dumplings?" Xie Yuling was a bit surprised. "Eating Northeastern dumplings in Yangcheng?"

"Don't underestimate it, this shop has been open for over a decade." Lin Mo pushed the door open, and a wave of warm air mixed with the fragrance of soy sauce and dough greeted them. "The taste is very authentic."

Although he had never been to the Northeast himself, Lin Mo's logic was simple.

If it's delicious, it's authentic.

"Alright, I'll trust you." The two sat down to order.

After eating and drinking their fill, Lin Mo looked at the sky, figuring it was time to take Xie Yuling home.

Just as he was about to speak, the girl beat him to it.

Xie Yuling slowly and methodically wiped her mouth with a napkin, then rolled her eyes playfully, a sly smile appearing on her face. "Anyway, getting home is just a whoosh away, which is so boring."

She paused, leaned forward slightly, and enunciated every word clearly, "Let me go hang out at your place!"

Very well.

I know exactly what you're up to.

Looking at her expression that screamed I have a bold idea, Lin Mo could read her like an open book.

This girl didn't just want to hang out; she was clearly scheming to unlock the achievement of First Girl to Visit Lin Mo's House.

This damn competitive spirit.

Lin Mo chuckled inwardly but remained completely deadpan on the outside, merely raising an eyebrow slightly.

"Sure, my place isn't far. I'll give you a tour."

Lin Mo had nothing to hide, so he simply took the girl home with him.

The night breeze was slightly warm. Along the way, Xie Yuling seemed a bit reserved, keeping her hands behind her back, her head down, and taking steps half her usual size.

This was her first time going to a boy's house. It felt like she had a little rabbit tucked in her chest, thumping wildly.

Lin Mo noticed her discomfort but didn't point it out. He just slowed his pace to walk side by side with her.

Going upstairs, Lin Mo pulled out his keys and unlocked the door in one smooth motion.

Click.

The door opened in response.

Standing at the doorway, Xie Yuling suddenly remembered something. "Why couldn't that locksmith open your door today?"

Lin Mo stepped aside to let her in first, replying casually, "If just anyone could open my door, how would I survive out there?"

Of course, it was because he had added a little special trick to it.

This girl's focus was always so peculiar.

Xie Yuling didn't go in immediately. Instead, like a startled kitten, she cautiously poked her head halfway in, her dark, round eyes looking left and right inside.

"What are you looking at?" Lin Mo found it a bit funny and reached out to rub her head. "Come in."

He went in first and with a snap turned on the living room lights.

Soft lighting instantly flooded the entire space.

Only then did Xie Yuling follow him in, looking around curiously.

Compared to the spaciousness of her own home, Lin Mo's place was a bit smaller. It was a standard two-bedroom, one-living-room apartment, but it was exceptionally clean and tidy, with a faint, pleasant fragrance lingering in the air.

Sweeping her gaze across the living room, she was quickly drawn to the black-and-white portraits hanging on the wall.

The photos showed a gentle-looking man and woman, whose features bore some resemblance to Lin Mo.

Xie Yuling paused her steps, silently walked over, and imitating what she had seen on TV, put her hands together and bowed respectfully to the photos.

She could see ghosts, and naturally, Lin Mo could too.

If they couldn't see them, it meant they weren't there.

But some habits and actions hidden deep in the bloodline were impossible to shake off.

She had questions in her heart, like what his parents were like, but when the words reached her lips, she felt it was inappropriate and swallowed them back down.

Lin Mo was just about to pour some water, but seeing this scene, he stopped moving.

The young girl's figure looked exceptionally earnest under the light. That genuine respect gently touched the softest part of his heart.

The distance in his eyes quietly melted away, and his voice was much gentler than usual.

"Have a seat anywhere. Just make yourself at home."

Xie Yuling snapped back to reality, gave him a sweet smile, and then unabashedly pointed at the door next to them. "Then I want to see your room!"

Hah, she really was making herself at home.

"Alright, it's that room."