New ink fragrance in old times

"Okay, grandma, we'll be right there."

Lin Siyuan responded, then stood up, winked at Lin Mo, and the two walked towards the kitchen together.

On the dining table, steaming dumplings exuded an enticing aroma. The family sat together in a circle, enjoying themselves. Lin Wenhong, the head of the family, said, "Today is the Winter Solstice. Our Lin family can celebrate a small festival in this small courtyard. Everyone can be happy."

Then he looked at Lin Xiya and said, "Yaya, don't think too much recently. Relax, I'll take care of everything."

Lin Xiya looked up at Lin Wenhong, a trace of gratitude flashing in her eyes: "Dad, I saved it."

Lin Wenhong nodded: "Just keep it in mind."

Zhao Yue'e smiled and said, "Today is the winter solstice. Eating dumplings will prevent our ears from freezing, and it will also be a good omen for the coming year."

Lin Sizhe was excitedly counting the dumplings in his bowl at the moment: "I want to eat ten. Mom said that if I eat ten dumplings, I will grow tall and strong!"

Everyone was amused and burst into laughter.

Lin Mo looked at this scene, and a warm feeling surged in his heart.

Lin Mo's gaze passed through the steaming heat and fell on Tang Qing, who was eating with his head down across from him.

Today, Tang Qing's face was filled with an indescribable melancholy and numbness, as if he was hiding a heavy secret in his heart. He picked up the chopsticks numbly as usual and prepared to eat.

Lin Mo picked up a dumpling. The dumpling skin was thin and chewy, with an attractive luster. The steaming hot dumpling exuded bursts of meaty aroma, making people salivate.

He took a light bite, and immediately, the richness of the meat filling and the deliciousness of the seasoning intertwined in his mouth, turning into a warm current that warmed his heart.

Lin Mo turned to look at Tang Qing, only to see that Tang Qing's chopsticks had just landed on the dumplings. At that moment, Tang Qing's eyes seemed to light up, and a hint of surprise and joy flashed across his originally numb face.

He gently put the dumplings into his mouth, chewed them, and swallowed them. Every movement revealed unprecedented concentration and enjoyment.

Lin Mo noticed that the corners of Tang Qing's mouth inadvertently turned up. It was a long-lost, pure happiness, as if at this moment, all the sorrows were dissolved by this simple delicacy.

'It's delicious.'

Lin Mo picked up another dumpling and ate it with big mouthfuls, enjoying this feast for his taste buds. He remembered the last time the Lin family had dumplings, when Tang Qing and the others had just arrived, the ones stuffed with leeks were not as delicious as the ones stuffed with meat.

After finishing the dumplings, Lin Mo poured himself a bowl of carrot soup, blew it gently to cool it, and sipped it. The refreshing carrot soup and the richness of the dumplings complemented each other, adding a touch of perfection to the meal.

Lin Mo looked at Tang Qing and saw that Tang Qing was immersed in eating, temporarily putting all his worries behind him.

"After all, he's still a child."

Lin Mo sighed in his heart, "Sure enough, there is nothing that a good meal can't solve. If there is, then just have another meal."

"That's great."

Lin Mo patted his belly in satisfaction.

After dinner, everyone does what they should do.

Lin Mo looked at Tang Qing who was still immersed in his own world, his face was full of gloom at the moment. Lin Mo knew that Tang Qing was emo again.

"Well, I've said what I need to say, and I'll let him be alone with the rest."

Lin Mo sighed softly, feeling both helpless and understanding. Everyone has their own emotional knots, and it takes time to unravel them. He turned and walked to a corner of the yard, where some bamboo strips and tools were piled. They were his new hobby, weaving.

Lin Mo squatted down and began to select suitable bamboo sticks, thinking about his next plan in his mind.

"When my skills improve, I will definitely weave an exquisite pen holder for Erlang."

Thinking of this, Lin Mo's mouth corners couldn't help but rise, as if he had already seen Erlang holding the pen holder, his eyes full of surprise and admiration.

"And my mother, I want to make her a practical sewing box so that she can sew clothes more conveniently."

"As for that unborn brother or sister, I also need to prepare a gift."

Thinking of this, Lin Mo smiled unconsciously. His anticipation and longing for the future made him feel particularly happy.

He seemed to have seen the surprised and happy expressions of the Lin family when they received the gifts he had woven himself.

"I'll give these practice pieces to Shiro and the others as a little surprise. They're absolutely perfect."

However, Lin Mo didn't know at the moment that his confidence was actually a bit blind.

Time passed quietly like flowing water, Lin Mo was immersed in the world of weaving, and the bamboo strips in his hands gradually took shape under his hands.

Lin Xuebao walked out of the house and saw Lin Mo knitting attentively, with an approving smile on his face.

"Sanlang, come to the backyard and help me."

Lin Xuebao suddenly spoke, interrupting Lin Mo's thoughts.

"Okay, uncle."

Lin Mo responded, then put down the knitting tools in his hand and called Tang Qing, who was still in a daze: "Cousin, let's go to the backyard. My uncle wants us to help."

Tang Qing raised his head, a hint of confusion flashed in his eyes, but he quickly nodded and followed Lin Mo to the backyard.

In the backyard, Lin Mo helped his uncle draw lines, level, saw, and hand over tools. The two worked in perfect harmony and quickly completed one task after another.

Although Tang Qing remained silent, Lin Mo discovered that his eyes gradually revealed a hint of concentration and devotion. Perhaps this simple labor could allow him to temporarily forget his worries and find a hint of peace and comfort.

"Cousin, press on top."

"Okay, I know."

Lin Mo communicated with Tang Qing from time to time, trying to guide him out of the haze in his heart.

Although Tang Qing didn't talk much, each of his responses seemed more serious and devoted than before.

Suddenly, there was an unusual noise in the front yard, breaking the quiet atmosphere.

Lin Xuebo was chiseling wood when the sudden noise interrupted his work. He looked up in the direction of the sound, a playful smile on his face, and turned to Tang Qing, who was sitting next to him, and said jokingly:

"Hey, Qing'er, the front yard is so lively, don't you want to go see who's here?"

Tang Qing shook his head slightly, a subtle worry in his words, as if he was worried about something: "Uncle, I won't join in the fun. I'll just stay here quietly, which is fine."

Lin Mo watched the scene silently from the side, speculating secretly in his heart.

Tang Qing appears calm on the outside, but is actually very sensitive and delicate on the inside.

"I think he's afraid that if he gets a hope, he'll be even more disappointed later. After all..."

At this time, Tang Shan came running from a distance, sweating profusely, with an expression of uncontrollable excitement on his face: "Brother! Brother! Dad is here! Dad is really back!"

There was a hint of tears in Tangshan's voice, and he was obviously overwhelmed by this sudden joy.

A flash of disbelief flashed across Tang Qing's eyes, and then it was quickly replaced by a complex emotion. He stood up and awkwardly adjusted the corner of his clothes, as if to confirm the authenticity of this moment.

Seeing this, Lin Xuebo put down his tools, strode over to Tang Qing, patted him on the shoulder, and said in an encouraging yet slightly teasing tone, "What are you standing there for? Why don't you go over and take a look?"

Tang Qing nodded slightly, his eyes seemed a little moist, but he tried not to show his emotions. He turned to look at Tang Shan and smiled at each other.

The two of them seemed to be pulled by an invisible force, and they ran towards the front yard at the same time, each step carrying the expectations and desires in their hearts.

Lin Xuebo looked at their receding figures, his heart filled with emotion. He turned to look at Lin Mo, his eyes showing a bit of warmth: "Sanlang, let's go and take a look and join in the fun."

Lin Mo nodded heavily: "Okay, uncle."

As they spoke, the two of them slowly walked towards the front yard. Lin Mo also wanted to go to the front yard to eat melons.

Lin Mo walked slowly into the front yard. His aunt stood by with a handkerchief in her hand, wiping the corners of her eyes from time to time. Tang Qing, Tang Shan and Tang Xin surrounded their uncle tightly, with indescribable excitement on their faces, while their uncle held Tang Lin in his arms and chatted with grandpa with a smile.

Lin Mo observed carefully and couldn't help muttering in his heart, "There seems to be something wrong with my uncle's eyes, but maybe it's just my illusion."

Lin Mo took advantage of the fact that everyone was immersed in the joy of reunion and didn't notice his movements, and quietly slipped into the kitchen.