New ink fragrance in old times

The light filtered through the sparse clouds, dappling across an open space. A breeze blew by, bringing bursts of coolness and gently swaying the branches of the surrounding trees, making a rustling sound.

Lin Xuejin stood in the middle of the open space, looking around at the children standing or sitting around him, his eyes full of concern and instructions.

"You guys stay here and don't run around, okay?"

Lin Xuejin reached out and gently patted the shoulder of Lin Sizhe, who was closest to him.

"understood."

The other children also responded in clear and pleasant voices.

Then, Lin Xuejin turned around and his eyes fell on Xing'er, Tang Qing and Hua'er, who were slightly older and standing nearby.

Lin Xuejin: "Xing'er, Tang Qing, Hua'er, keep an eye on the brothers and sisters here. Don't let them leave this open space. Although it's safe here, we still have to be careful."

Xing'er immediately straightened her back and answered seriously, "I understand, Second Uncle. We will take good care of everyone."

After everything was arranged, Lin Xuebao slowly walked to the front of the crowd.

His gaze finally fell on Lin Mo: "Sanlang, I'm talking about you. Don't follow them. Just stay here."

Lin Mo's body trembled slightly, and he forced a smile and replied, "Don't worry, uncle, I won't run around."

However, he muttered to himself that with his years of experience as a "melon eater" and his keen grasp of various gossips and developments, his intuition told him that these two people must have a conspiracy on this trip, and this matter was not simple.

Lin Xuebo nodded with satisfaction: "If anyone disobeys, I will send him home and never let him follow me again."

Lin Sizhe nodded: "Don't worry, uncle, I will be very obedient and will never run around."

Afterwards, Lin Xuebo and Lin Xuejin exchanged a look filled with tacit understanding and trust. He instructed again, "If anything happens, call us loudly. We're not far away. Remember, don't run around or eat anything from the mountains."

"understood."

Looking at the two people's backs walking away, Lin Mo unconsciously clenched his hands into fists, and then slowly loosened them. A silent struggle was going on deep in his heart, and finally he silently suppressed his curiosity that wanted to get closer to eat the melon.

His eyes followed their steps until the two figures completely merged into the shadows of the trees in the distance, then he slowly withdrew his eyes.

Without eavesdropping, one can guess what they are plotting. However, the behavior of these two people, especially the younger uncle, today is really unpredictable and too calm.

In my memory, my uncle is always the first one to jump out when something happens to my aunt, and he is the one who treats her badly in the most direct and brutal way.

Today, my uncle seemed like a different person. Facing my uncle, he not only did not show any excitement or anger, but was unusually calm, even indifferent.

Not only today, but the uncle's attitude has been the same the two times his uncle came. This sudden change made Lin Mo feel that it was too abnormal.

Lin Mo's gaze inadvertently fell on Tang Qing, who was playing and joking with Tang Shan and Tang Lin not far away.

In the sunshine, Tang Qing's smile was bright and innocent, as if all his worries were dispelled by this carefree happiness.

Since that day, Tang Qing seemed to have undergone some subtle changes.

That kind of change is both obvious and elusive, just like a few strokes of light ink inadvertently left by the painter in a painting, making the whole picture look different, but you can't tell exactly where the difference is.

Lin Mo tried to capture the difference from Tang Qing's expression and movements, but every time he observed Tang Qing, Tang Qing seemed to be the same as before, without any change.

Anyway, I am becoming more and more confused about this cousin.

Forget it, I don't want to.

Lin Mo sighed, moved his body, found a more comfortable position and sat on the cold stone. The winter sun shone through the sparse clouds, dappled on his body, bringing a hint of imperceptible warmth.

However, this warmth did not dispel the emptiness and boredom in his heart.

He looked around and saw Shiro and several others concentrating on studying the dead grass on the ground, and occasionally whispering excitedly because they discovered something new.

Lin Mo always feels like something is missing?

Is it because I am too free today?

should be.

Lin Mo lowered his head, his eyes falling on his slightly rough and slightly swollen hands, and an indescribable emotion surged in his heart.

Ever since crossing into this strange world, Lin Mo's life has been filled with endless work, from sunrise to sunset, day after day.

At first, it was the physical exhaustion that made him almost breathless. Whenever it was late at night and everyone was asleep, he could always hear the protests from his bones and muscles.

But as time went on, he seemed to have gradually adapted to the physical fatigue, and it was replaced by mental torment.

Lin Mo recalled the scene when he first started working, sweating profusely. At that time, he had only one thought in his mind, which was to find a cool place, have a good sleep, and let his tired body completely relax.

However, when he finally had this leisure time, sitting in the warm sunshine, surrounded by the tranquil mountains and fields, Lin Mo felt an indescribable irritation and discomfort in his heart.

What's wrong with me?

Lin Mo asked himself in his heart. He closed his eyes, trying to calm his thoughts, but his mind was like a tangled mess, unable to be cut or sorted out.

Am I really too pretentious? I clearly long for rest, but I feel uncomfortable when I actually rest.

Lin Mo opened his eyes and looked at the endless mountains in the distance. Those peaks looked even more majestic under the sunlight.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Mo calmed himself down.

He told himself that since he already had this leisure time, he should relax, bask in the sun, look at the scenery in the mountains, enjoy the beauty of nature, and stop thinking about those complicated things, which had nothing to do with him anyway.

Lin Xuejin walked over with sweat all over his forehead, holding a basket full of freshly dug turmeric.

He gently placed the basket on the ground and instructed Xing'er, who was sitting beside him, "Sit here and watch over these turmerics I dug. Okay?"

Xing'er nodded obediently: "I understand, Second Uncle. Don't worry about your work, I will take good care of Silang."

Lin Xuejin glanced at the lively and active Lin Sizhe with concern, and specifically reminded Xing'er: "Xing'er, you must especially keep an eye on Silang. Don't let him eat raw turmeric."

Xing'er immediately looked serious and assured Lin Xuejin, "Second Uncle, I will definitely keep an eye on my younger brother and will never let him cheat."

Lin Xuejin nodded with satisfaction and turned to leave.

Lin Sizhe's eyes followed the basket of turmeric, his little face full of curiosity and desire.

He quietly tugged at Tang Qing's sleeve, pointed at the yellow ginger, and smiled with his eyes curved into crescents: "Cousin, look, there's yellow ginger!"

As he said this, he wanted to run over to see what was going on.

Tang Qing was quick to act and grabbed him. He said in a slightly reproachful tone, "Silang, have you forgotten what your second uncle said? You can't mess with these yellow gingers."

Xing'er also came over after hearing the noise, squatted down, and patiently persuaded him: "Silang, Second Uncle said that you are not allowed to touch it. Have you forgotten how much suffering you suffered last year when you stole raw turmeric? Your stomach hurt so much that you couldn't even walk."

Lin Sizhe's face fell for a moment, but he immediately cheered up again, a cunning glint in his eyes: "Sister, I'll just go over and take a look. I definitely won't cheat. I promise!"

Seeing this, Xing'er shook her head helplessly, but her tone remained firm: "No, if you stay here well and behave yourself, I'll let Grandpa cook you some turmeric when you get home tonight. Cooked turmeric is so fragrant."

When Lin Sizhe heard this, his eyes lit up, but then he hesitated, as if he was making a difficult choice.

Finally, he nodded and compromised: "Okay, I won't go over there. I'll just stay here."

Lin Sizhe turned around and started fiddling with the branches beside him, pretending to be playing, but his eyes kept glancing at the basket of turmeric.

Lin Mo was observing all this silently from the side. He saw Lin Sizhe snickering, and it was clear from his expression that he was planning something.

This kid really puts all his attention on eating.