New ink fragrance in old times

The next morning, Lin Mo woke naturally from his deep sleep. Normally, someone would come to wake him up at this time to start a new day's work together, but today it was unusually quiet, as if the entire Lin family was still asleep.

Lin Mo opened his eyes and looked around, only to find that the room was very quiet, with only the occasional bird calls from outside the window breaking the tranquility.

He thought to himself that perhaps everyone was too tired yesterday, so they all slept in a little today. Since no one came to wake him, he decided to take a short break and enjoy this rare quiet time.

Lin Mo closed his eyes again and tried to fall asleep again, but found that his thoughts were unusually clear and he couldn't fall asleep.

Lin Mo realized that over time, he had become accustomed to the Lin family's work schedule, waking up early and returning late every day. It was as if his body had formed a fixed biological clock. Even if there was no external interference today, his body would naturally wake up at this time.

Since he couldn't sleep anymore, Lin Mo didn't force it. He gently lifted the quilt, got out of bed reluctantly, put on his shoes, pushed open the door, and the scene in the yard made Lin Mo excited.

In the yard, corn piled up into a small hill, occupying almost every corner. Lin Mo thought that it turned out that the Lin family had been going out early and coming back late these days, not afraid of hard work, picking the corn from the fields bit by bit, and then carrying it back home in baskets. There was actually so much corn.

Lin Mo's gaze lingered on the corn piles for a long time. He seemed to be able to see the busy figures of the Lin family through them. At this moment, he felt a sense of admiration for the Lin family.

It was just dawn, and the morning light was barely visible, but the yard was still shrouded in a thin layer of mist.

Just as Lin Mo was immersed in his own thoughts, He'er's clear cry broke the tranquility of the yard.

Lin Mo was planning to go and see what was going on, but unexpectedly, Shen came out from the backyard after hearing the noise. "Sanlang, you're awake." Lu said softly, and quickly walked past Lin Mo and into the room.

"He'er might need to pee. I'll go take her to take care of it. Go wash your face first, and then tell your sisters and brothers to get up and eat."

Lin Mo nodded and watched Lu carry He'er to the backyard.

He turned and went to the kitchen, filled a basin with water, and began to wash his face. The cool water brushed over his face, making him feel refreshed. After washing his face, he followed Lu's instructions and went to wake up his sisters and brothers one by one.

After a while, the children of the Lin family woke up one after another, dressed in neat clothes, and came to the yard with sleepy eyes.

At the same time, the adults of the Lin family also came out from the backyard and gathered in the yard.

Everyone gathered around a large table, which was laden with steaming breakfast items: freshly-cooked corn tortillas, their golden color tempting, hot millet porridge, exuding a rich aroma, and several crisp and delicious side dishes.

Old Mrs. Lin said to the busy Han, "Second daughter-in-law, today is a good day. Dalang and Erlang will be home this afternoon. Remember to tidy up the children's rooms, dry their bedding in the sun, and sweep the dust so they can have a clean and comfortable resting environment when they come back. It's not easy for them to study."

"Also, we can't delay working on the vegetable garden. Let's plant some garlic while the sun's shining. And some cilantro, which everyone loves.

After hearing what Old Lady Lin said, Han nodded and agreed quickly: "Don't worry, Mom. I'll go clean up the room and then work in the vegetable garden. Our whole family is happy to have Dalang and Erlang back. I also hope they can have a good rest and a good meal at home."

Old Mrs. Lin nodded with satisfaction.

After dinner, the Lin family's courtyard gradually became quiet, leaving only the children's laughter, Han's busy figure, and the old cow lying leisurely in the cowshed, enjoying a rare rest time.

The others all picked up their backpacks and walked briskly to the fields, but they did not take the cows that usually worked hard. Obviously, they felt sorry for their hard work and decided to let them relax for a day.

Han wiped her hands gently on her apron, turned to Huaer and said, "Huaer, go wash the dishes. Be careful and don't drop them." Huaer responded and skipped to the kitchen.

Then, Han turned to Xing'er and gently instructed: "Xing'er, go feed the pigs, cows and chickens at home first, and then bring your brothers and sisters to share the garlic. Remember to be patient." Xing'er nodded, turned around and got busy.

After a while, Xing'er walked to the center of the yard with a large basket of prepared garlic in her hand and shouted loudly: "Sanlang, Silang, stop playing and come over to help divide the garlic!" Xing'er's voice was crisp and pleasant.

Lin Mo, Lin Sizhe and others came over after hearing the noise and sat around Xing'er.

Xing'er deftly picked up a head of garlic from the basket and demonstrated how to separate the cloves one by one, while reminding everyone: "Be careful not to break the garlic skins."

Lin Mo sat aside, gently picked up a clove of garlic with both hands, and began to carefully separate the garlic. This was the easiest job he had done in the past ten days since he came here.

A ray of sunlight shyly peeked through the clouds, gently brushing across the Lin family's courtyard. The morning air still lingered with the freshness of night dew and the fragrance of earth. Everything seemed so peaceful and vibrant.

Han gently pushed open the door, clutching several quilts tightly in her arms, as if holding a touch of warmth in winter. She walked steadily across the yard and came to the small world in the backyard gradually illuminated by the morning light.

There, there is a rack that has been set up to dry corn in the future. It has now become a simple and practical drying rack.

Han carefully unfolded the quilts one by one, letting them fully bathe in the rising sun. The golden sunlight and the cotton wool on the quilts intertwined to create a warm picture.

After finishing all this, Han did not rush to rest, but turned back to the front yard, sat down with Lin Mo and others, and began to divide the garlic.

The garlic cloves were plump and round, exuding a faint spicy aroma, as if foreshadowing a good harvest and hope for the coming year. Han joined them, her fingers deftly moving through the pile of garlic, separating the cloves one by one and placing them neatly in the bamboo basket, like pieces of delicate jade.

"Look at these garlics, each one is of the best variety. I'm afraid our family's land will have a bumper harvest this year." Xing'er joked with a smile, her eyes flashing with anticipation for a good harvest.

Hearing this, Han's lips curled up into a gentle smile, and she was silently thinking about the next farming arrangements in her heart.

Just as everyone was about to finish dividing the garlic and discuss the next steps in planting, a familiar sound of footsteps could be heard in the distance. Lin Xueqian and his companions were returning with heavily laden baskets on their backs.

"Put it down quickly and drink a bowl of water to quench your thirst." Han hurriedly brought water to the few people.

Lin Xueqin and his group put down the baskets on their shoulders. The golden corn in the baskets still retained the freshness of the fields and the morning dew.

Lin Xueqin wiped the sweat from his forehead, took the bowl of water handed to him by Han, and drank the clear and sweet well water in big gulps, as if all the fatigue of the past few days was washed away with the cool liquid.

"What a relief!" He sighed contentedly, then looked around again. Seeing that everyone had rested enough, he stood up, dusted himself off, and motioned for everyone to continue. "We've rested enough, let's go."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded, picked up their backpacks again and left.