New ink fragrance in old times

Lin Mo slowly woke up from his sleep. The world outside the window was covered by an invisible curtain, and no light could penetrate.

He rubbed his sleepy eyes and felt an unprecedented chill quietly invading through the window cracks and reaching his heart.

Lin Mo couldn't help but shudder, muttering to himself, "How could the weather become so cold overnight?"

Mustering his courage, Lin Mo threw back the covers. As soon as his feet touched the ground, a bone-chilling chill shot up from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, causing him to gasp. He quickly put on his clothes and decided to go outside to investigate.

When I opened the door, a biting cold wind blew towards me, mixed with tiny snowflakes, like sharp blades, cutting every inch of exposed skin.

The scenery in front of him surprised Lin Mo. Yesterday, the sun was shining brightly and the mountains were lush and green. He was standing on the top of the mountain, marveling at the wonders of nature and the beauty of the changing seasons.

But this morning, the yard was covered with a thin layer of white frost, which sparkled silvery in the faint morning light.

Lin Mo walked closer and took a closer look, and found that it was not hoarfrost, but fine snowflakes. Overnight, the whole world had been quietly decorated by the messenger of winter.

Just as he was immersed in the sudden snow scene, he heard soft footsteps behind him.

The concern in Han Suniang's eyes was like a ray of sunshine in winter, warm and bright.

She walked quickly to Lin Mo's side, took his slightly cold little hand, and said distressedly: "Sanlang, why are you standing in the yard wearing such thin clothes? It's very cold here. What if you catch a cold?"

Lin Mo then realized that he was so busy lamenting the snow that he had forgotten that he was going to be frozen into a popsicle. He smiled sheepishly and let Han Suniang pull him into the house.

Han Suniang took out a thick coat, cotton trousers and thick shoes from the cupboard and helped Lin Mo put them on while muttering:

"The weather is so unpredictable, so be careful and don't catch a cold."

Lin Mo wore the clothes sewn by Han Suniang, and the coldness in his body gradually subsided.

After getting dressed, Lin Mo smiled gratefully, his eyes full of gratitude.

Lin Mo thought of Da Lang and Er Lang who were at the community school and asked, "Mom, did the eldest and second brothers bring any thick clothes? It's snowing suddenly, don't let them get frozen."

Han Suniang gently stroked Lin Mo's head and said softly, "Your father got up early this morning and left before dawn to deliver thick clothes to Dalang and Erlang. Don't worry, they will be safe."

Lin Mo's worries were finally relieved.

He nodded and said, "That's good, that's good."

Han Suniang took Lin Mo's hand and came to the kitchen.

In the kitchen, the fire was burning brightly, illuminating the entire room. Shiro, Goro, Rokuro, and several cousins were sitting around the fire, with warm smiles on their faces.

They were either talking in low voices or playing and joking, and the whole kitchen was filled with laughter.

When Lin Sizhe saw Lin Mo coming, he quickly made room for him by the fire and asked Lin Mo to sit down.

He smiled and said, "Third brother, come and sit down. This fire is very warm."

Lin Mo smiled and nodded, then sat down next to Lin Sizhe.

The warmth of the fire quickly enveloped him, making him feel extremely comfortable.

"Mom, it's snowing so heavily. Will our harvest this year be affected?" Shen Xin suddenly asked.

Zhao Yue'e frowned slightly, but then relaxed again. "Although the snow is heavy, our fields are well tended, so it shouldn't have much of an impact. Auspicious snow signifies a good harvest, and next year's harvest might even be better."

Lin Mo listened to his grandmother's words and nodded secretly in his heart.

At this time, Lu Yue picked up a piece of firewood and threw it into the fire carefully. The fire became stronger, lighting up the whole kitchen and everyone's face.

In the kitchen, the Lin family continued their conversation, with laughter and joy.

Lin Mo sat quietly aside, enjoying this rare tranquility and happiness.

Just as the atmosphere in the kitchen was warm and harmonious, and the family members were immersed in each other's company and the warm fire, Lin Xuebao suddenly pushed the door open, bringing with him a biting cold wind, which instantly made the temperature in the house seem to drop several degrees.

He shook off the snowflakes on his body, his brows furrowed, his face a little blue from the cold, obviously he was severely frozen by the severe cold outside.

"Oh, what's wrong with you? Come here and warm your hands. It's freezing cold, don't let yourself get frozen."

Lu Yue was quick to move and quickly made a seat next to the fire and asked Lin Xuebao to sit down.

As she spoke, she picked up the dry firewood beside her and carefully added it to the fire to make the fire burn more vigorously so as to dispel the coldness from Lin Xuebao's body more quickly.

Lin Xuebao nodded with emotion, rubbing his red, frozen hands and sitting down near the fire.

He sighed and said, "It's snowing so hard that it's impossible to work outside. My hands are almost frozen. I can't even hold an axe, let alone hit something."

Zhao Yue'e brought a bowl of hot ginger soup from the other end of the kitchen, handed it to Lin Xuebo, and said gently:

"Third brother, drink a bowl of ginger soup to warm yourself up first. This weather is really not suitable for working outside, so don't push yourself too hard. It's not too late to make things when it gets warmer."

Lin Xuebao took the ginger soup, held it in both hands, and felt the warmth coming from the bottom of the bowl, and his heart also warmed up.

He took a sip, and the spicy ginger soup slid down his throat, like a warm current reaching his heart, dispelling the coldness around his body.

Lin Xuebo looked at Zhao Yue'e gratefully and said, "Mom, after drinking this bowl of ginger soup, my whole body feels warm. Thank you for your hard work. You still have to worry about all these things for us in such a cold weather."

Zhao Yue'e smiled lovingly, her eyes full of tenderness: "Don't say anymore, Third Brother, you have to take good care of yourself. A lot of things at home depend on you. If you've finished drinking, there's more in the pot. Pour another bowl."

Then he said to the others, "Everyone come and drink to warm yourselves. When the little ones wake up later, give them some to drink too, so they don't get cold."

Lin Xuebao nodded, and filled another bowl of ginger soup as instructed, sipping it slowly.

At this time, Lu Yue also picked up her bowl and said softly, "Mom, you are so thoughtful. This ginger soup is sweet and spicy, just right. I have to finish it quickly and feed He'er some."

Zhao Yue'e: "Okay, everyone, drink quickly."

Upon hearing this, everyone stood up and went to drink the ginger soup.

Lin Mo also picked up his bowl, took a sip, and couldn't help swearing, "How much ginger is in this? It makes my throat burn."

Suddenly, Lin Xuebo picked up a box from the side, handed it to Lin Mo with a smile, and said, "Sanlang, here you go, see if you like it."

Lin Mo took the box in surprise and looked at it curiously.

The box's surface was carved with delicate patterns, revealing a simple and elegant atmosphere. He gently opened the box, revealing a small box specially used to store brushes, inkstones, and paper. Each grid was perfectly designed, allowing for easy understanding at a glance.

Lin Mo didn't expect that Lin Xuebao would make the box so quickly just because he mentioned it casually.

"Wow, uncle, I didn't expect it to be done so quickly. Thank you so much!"

Lin Mo said excitedly, with surprise glittering in his eyes.

Lin Xuebo looked at Lin Mo's happy expression and felt very satisfied: "As long as you like it."

Lin Mo nodded repeatedly, his gratitude overflowing with words: "Thank you, uncle. I will definitely cherish it and use it to store my treasures."

Lin Mo smiled shyly. Amidst everyone's envious gazes, Lin Mo held the box with a happy smile on his face.

Lin Mo returned to his room, gently placed the box on his small bed, and then carefully opened the small box beside his bed. Inside was neatly placed his birthday present, the four treasures of the study given by the Lin family.

The ink stick lay quietly at the bottom of the box, one inch wide and four inches long, of excellent quality. It was specially picked for him by his uncle from the town.

The pens were made by the eldest and second brothers themselves. Although they look simple, each one carries their expectations for Lin Mo.

The paper was straw paper given by their grandparents. Although it was rough, Lin Mo knew how expensive paper was in ancient times. This was what they had saved by living frugally.

The inkstone was carved by my uncle himself from a suitable stone he found on the mountain. Although the shape is simple, it is full of my uncle's ingenuity.