New ink fragrance in old times

Inside the house, the firewood burned brightly, releasing waves of warmth and dispelling the cold and chill outside. The firelight reflected on everyone's face, adding a bit of warmth and tranquility to the home.

Lin Mo was sitting a little further away from the fire at this moment, with beads of sweat oozing out of his forehead.

Having just come in from outside, Lin Mo was so hot that he just wanted to find a cool place to stay.

But thinking of his own body which was as fragile as paper and which could easily catch a cold if he wasn't careful, Lin Mo could only sigh helplessly and gently moved the stool a little further away from the fire to avoid being too uncomfortable from the heat.

While Shen Xin was busy putting noodles into the pot, he said to Lin Mo without looking up, "Sanlang, the meal is almost ready. Go wake up your mother and have dinner."

When Lin Mo heard this, he immediately stood up from the stool and was about to walk out, but was gently stopped by Zhao Yue'e beside him.

Zhao Yue'e looked at Lin Mo with concern and said softly, "Sanlang, your mother is pregnant now. She's not feeling well, and it's so cold out there, so don't let her get up and freeze. When the meal is ready, have your father bring it to her directly to save her the trouble."

After hearing this, Lin Mo nodded.

Lin Xuejin replied, "Okay, Mom, I understand. I'll go get some and send it to her later."

Zhao Yue'e nodded in satisfaction and continued, "Also, take the meals for the little ones later. It's so cold, and the beds are finally warm, why would they get up? As elders, it's our duty to take care of them."

Shen Xin listened from the side and quickly nodded in agreement, "I understand, Mom. Don't worry, I'll bring them all over later."

After saying that, he quickened his hands' movements, and soon, a pot of steaming hot dough dumplings was ready.

Shen Xin, who was standing by the stove, called out to everyone, "Come over and serve the food."

Zhao Yue'e's eyes were full of love as she looked at her two grandsons, Lin Sixuan and Lin Siyuan, and said softly, "Dalang, Erlang, are you two hungry? Let's go eat first."

Lin Sixuan and Lin Siyuan nodded, and they quietly picked up a bowl of hot dumpling soup and walked towards the fire.

Lin Sixuan carefully handed it to Lin Wenhong, with a tone of respect and filial piety, and said softly: "Grandfather, you eat."

Lin Wenhong took the bowl, nodded with a smile, and said to Lin Sixuan, "Good boy, you should eat quickly too. Don't starve yourself."

Lin Siyuan, carrying another bowl of dumpling soup, walked over to Zhao Yue'e and said softly, "Grandma, you eat too."

Zhao Yue'e looked up at Lin Siyuan who was standing in front of her holding a bowl, and a warm smile naturally appeared on the corner of her mouth.

Even though I said, "Just eat it when it's served, no need to be so particular."

But those hands, which were full of traces of time, couldn't help but tremble slightly when he took the bowl, and the smile in his eyes seemed to be overflowing, and he couldn't close his mouth.

Zhao Yue'e's eyes were full of love and satisfaction for her grandchildren, as if at this moment, all the hard work and waiting had turned into endless happiness.

Lin Sixuan stood aside, looking respectfully at Lin Wenhong and Zhao Yue'e, and said softly with a scholarly tone, "Grandma and the elders haven't started eating yet, how dare we eat first?"

Lin Siyuan nodded slightly, his eyes full of approval.

After hearing this, Lin Wenhong laughed heartily. The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepened a little, but he also looked more amiable.

He put the bowl aside and said to Lin Sixuan, "Good boy, although the rules taught in school must not be forgotten, we are a family, so there is no need to be too formal. You have worked hard studying abroad, and you should relax when you come home."

Lin Mo lay on the table, lowering his head and concentrating on eating the dumpling soup in the bowl. The steaming noodles exuded an enticing aroma, warming his stomach.

From time to time, he looked up at Lin Wenhong and Zhao Yue'e sitting opposite him, and found that the eyes of the two old people were full of smiles, and those smiles were full of love and satisfaction.

Since the eldest grandson returned, the two old people seemed to have turned into praise machines, praising their grandsons' every word and every action, smiling happily, and their joy infected everyone at the table.

After dinner, Shen Xin was busy cleaning up the dishes, and from time to time he looked gently at the two children who were laughing and playing.

He reminded her at the right time: "Da Lang, it's getting cold and late. You and your brother should go wash your feet and get some rest. You must be tired after traveling all day. If there's anything, we can talk about it tomorrow. It's the right thing to do to get enough rest."

Lin Sixuan responded with a smile: "Okay, mother, you should also rest early and don't work too hard."

Zhao Yue'e walked over from the other end of the kitchen and added, "Your mother and the others have been looking forward to the sun coming out every day these days, just to dry your quilts so that you can sleep more comfortably when you come back."

After hearing this, Lin Sixuan turned his gaze to Shen Xin and said gratefully, "Mom, you've worked hard."

Lin Siyuan's eyes were full of sincerity as he said to Shen Xin, "Thank you, Auntie."

Then he quickly looked at Shen Xin beside him: "And Third Aunt."

Shen Xin and Lu Yue's eyes were full of relief, as if all their hard work had been rewarded at this moment.

Lin Mo obediently put his feet into the warm water. A warm current instantly surged from the soles of his feet to his heart. He closed his eyes comfortably and sighed sincerely in his heart: It feels so good. Soaking feet in hot water is really refreshing. All the fatigue of the day has flowed away with the warm water.

Lin Sizhe sat on a small stool nearby, his feet dangling in the air like he was swinging on a swing.

Lin Sizhe tugged at Lin Sixuan's sleeve tightly, chattering non-stop, his face full of excitement.

Lin Wenhong, standing by, gently reminded them, his voice carrying a hint of authority: "Alright, alright, those of you who have finished washing up, go to bed. There's plenty of time to catch up tomorrow."

After hearing this, Lin Sizhe yawned deeply, his eyes half-closed, and his voice was filled with sleepiness and obedience: "Okay, Grandpa, then I'll go to sleep first."

After saying that, he stood up shakily, like a little penguin, and left the kitchen with Lin Sixuan.

Lin Mo lay on the bed, watching Lin Xuejin's slowly leaving back, his thoughts began to drift away. He still remembered that the last time all the children in the family were urged to go to bed like this was when his uncle came.

"What are they discussing?"

Lin Mo asked himself silently in his heart.

Each guess was like a seed, quietly sprouting in his mind, but unable to thrive due to the lack of accurate information.

These thoughts, mixed with the day's fatigue, gradually wove into a soft web in Lin Mo's mind, making him feel a little confused.

Lin Mo tried to capture those wandering thoughts, but found it increasingly difficult to concentrate.

Finally, Lin Mo gave up thinking and let himself be immersed in this tranquility. His eyelids began to grow heavy, and his breathing gradually became slow and regular.