New ink fragrance in old times

Tang Ming gently pushed open the slightly worn courtyard door, his face filled with the joy of returning home and a longing for his family. He took a deep breath, as if he could smell the familiar scent of home, and then shouted loudly into the house, "Dad, Mom, we're back."

However, the only responses he received were the rustling of leaves in the yard swaying gently in the wind and the occasional bird calls in the distance. The entire yard was silent; even the poultry that usually ran happily around were nowhere to be seen, as if the air had frozen, waiting for something.

Lin Mo followed closely behind, his eyes quickly scanning the empty courtyard, muttering to himself: What's wrong with this family today? Why is it so quiet today? Are they up to something weird again?

There was a hint of wariness in Lin Mo's eyes, but then he thought that today was the day his aunt was going back to her husband's house, and it would not be appropriate to cause any trouble. He suppressed his doubts, said nothing, and just stood quietly beside Tang Ming.

Tang Ming thought he would see his enthusiastic parents after opening the door, but the reality was that no matter how he shouted into the house, no one answered. The smile on Tang Ming's face gradually froze and he looked a little embarrassed.

He turned to look at his wife Lin Xiya beside him, who just shook her head slightly, her eyes also full of confusion and doubt.

The two looked at each other, as if asking each other: "Did something happen at home?"

At this moment, Zhao Yue'e broke the silence: "Tang Ming, maybe my father-in-law and mother-in-law are out for something, so it's possible that they are not at home. Don't worry too much. I am often like this at home, busy and busy. Sometimes I forget the time when I am busy."

Shen Xin quickly agreed, "Yes, brother-in-law, there are a lot of people at the market today. Maybe my uncle and his family just felt like going for a stroll in town. My parents always like to join in the fun and can't help but take a second look at anything new they see."

After hearing what the two said, Tang Ming still had doubts in his heart, but seeing how relieved they were, he had to put aside his uneasiness temporarily.

He put on a smile and said to Lin Wenhong and Zhao Yue'e, "Dad, Mom, come in quickly. It's windy outside, don't get caught in the cold. I'll make some tea so we can warm ourselves up."

Zhao Yue'e waved her hand quickly, her tone filled with intimacy and understanding: "Don't bother, we've been traveling all this way and are all tired. We're all family, why should we be so polite? You might as well take a break and stop working. Let's just sit in the yard, bask in the sun, and chat for a while. It's quite beautiful."

Tang Ming insisted, "Mom, what are you talking about? This is what I should do. You and Dad have come from afar, so how can I, as your son-in-law, not show my hospitality? Please wait a moment, I'll be back soon. It won't be a problem."

Having said that, he turned and walked towards the kitchen, his steps filled with a bit of urgency and determination.

After a while, Tang Ming came out of the kitchen. He walked towards Lin Xiya and wanted to call Lin Xiya aside to ask her something quietly.

However, he had just taken a few steps when he was interrupted by Shen Xin's words.

Shen Xin looked at Lin Xiya, his eyes full of concern, and said, "Sister, you've been carrying Linlin all the way. You must be tired, right? Let me hold you for a while, and you can rest your arms."

There was an indescribable tenderness and consideration in Shen Xin's words, and his words were full of understanding of Lin Xiya's current hardship and difficulties.

Lin Xiya shook her head gently, rejecting Shen Xin's kindness. "Sister-in-law, I'm really not tired. Linlin is a very well-behaved child. She didn't cry or make a fuss the whole way. Instead, she made me laugh. She's so sensible, how could I be tired?"

Seeing this, Shen Xin smiled slightly, his tone carrying a bit of understanding and persistence from someone who had experienced it:

"Sister, I went through the same thing. Taking care of a child is not an easy task, especially when it's as young as Linlin. It's even more of a headache. You should also know that if you hold a child for too long, your arms will become so sore that you can't even lift them. Just let me hold the child for a while. You should rest well today and don't tire yourself out."

At this time, Zhao Yue'e also joined the ranks of persuasion, her eyes full of heartache for her daughter and love and reluctance for her granddaughter:

"Let me hold her for a while. Our Linlin is such a lovely girl. As her grandmother, I'm afraid the next time we see each other will be after the New Year. Let me hug her more, otherwise I really won't be able to let her go."

When Lin Xiya heard this, her eyes turned slightly red, her nose felt sore, and an indescribable feeling of emotion and sadness surged in her heart. She finally handed Tang Lin in her arms to Zhao Yue'e.

Little Tang Lin seemed to feel the change in the atmosphere, and her little hands gently patted her grandmother's face, as if to express her love.

Zhao Yue'e hugged Tang Lin, gently rocked her arms, and hummed a tune.

Seeing that the atmosphere was tense, Tang Ming felt it was inconvenient to interrupt his wife directly, so he had to temporarily suppress the urge in his heart to talk to Lin Xiya.

He turned his attention to Tang Qing who was playing quietly nearby and decided to ask him for help.

Tang Ming walked gently to Tang Qing's side: "Qing'er, come with me."

"coming."

Tang Qing looked at Tang Ming in confusion: "Dad, what do you want me to do?"

Tang Ming squatted down, so that his eyes were level with his son's, and asked softly, "Qing'er, do you know where the food is kept at home? I searched the kitchen and couldn't find it."

Tang Qing shook his head and whispered, "Dad, I don't know."

Tang Ming: "Think about it carefully. Where do we get food for cooking?"

After hearing this, Tang Qing lowered his head to glance at his toes, his fingers unconsciously stroking the corner of his clothes, appearing a little hesitant.

He looked up at his father, there seemed to be something hidden in his clear eyes. The words he wanted to say were on the tip of his tongue, but he suddenly lost interest and swallowed them back.

Finally, he just shook his head gently and whispered, "Dad, I really don't know."

Tang Ming sighed and said, "Forget it, Qing'er, if you don't know, then you don't know. Please help me watch the fire and make sure it doesn't go out. Dad will look around the house. Maybe he put the food away to prevent it from getting damp."

Tang Qing said, "I understand."

Tang Ming turned and walked towards the water tank, intending to add water to the pot to cook, but when he walked to the water tank, he found that the water tank was empty, without a drop of water left.

He frowned slightly, thinking that the water might have run out and his parents hadn't had time to fetch water.

Tang Ming turned around and took a wooden bucket and a shoulder pole, intending to fetch some water.

"Qinger."

As Tang Ming walked out, he called to Tang Qing who was standing by the stove, "Dad is going to fetch some water. Wait here for a moment. I'll be right back."

Tang Qing looked up at Tang Ming, nodded vigorously, and said, "Okay."

Tang Ming skillfully put down the shoulder pole, picked up the wooden bucket, aimed the bucket mouth at the well mouth, and gently tilted it. The clear well water flowed into the bucket.

Carrying a heavy bucket, Tang Ming returned to the kitchen.

He put the bucket aside, scooped some water into the pot with a ladle, and started to make a fire.

After everything was in order, he said to Tang Qing again: "Qing'er, keep an eye on the fire and remember to add firewood. Don't let the fire go out, and don't let it burn too strongly, so as not to waste firewood."

Tang Qing stood by the stove, staring closely at the flames in the stove, and nodded: "I know, Dad. I will take good care of it."

Tang Ming had just walked out of the kitchen when there was a slow but clear knock on the door outside the yard.

"I'm coming!"

Tang Ming responded while pulling open the door latch.

The door slowly opened, and Tang Zhi came into view with a solemn face.

"Uncle, you're here? Please come in!" Tang Ming was surprised but a little puzzled, and quickly stepped aside to make way.

Tang Zhi nodded slightly, his deep eyes revealing a seriousness that could not be ignored: "I heard today that you brought your wife and children back. I was very happy for you and came to see you."

Tang Ming: "Uncle, our whole family is honored that you can come in person."

Tang Zhi: "A few of us old guys have discussed it and thought we should take this opportunity to get together and talk things over clearly, so that there won't be any resentment in the future that will affect the harmony between our two families. You and your wife can live your life in peace."

When Tang Ming heard this, he immediately understood Tang Zhi's intention. His gratitude was beyond words. He hurried forward and said respectfully, "Thank you for your trouble, uncle. Please come in."