New ink fragrance in old times

Lin Xueqin and Lin Sixuan, as the eldest son and grandson, were older and more mature. They held fire sticks and lit each carefully crafted river lantern one by one.

Those river lanterns have various shapes, some are painted with lotus patterns, and some are inscribed with blessings for relatives. They gradually brighten in the firelight, like stars falling into the earth.

He gently placed the river lanterns into the river. Each lantern carried his deep thoughts and good wishes for his deceased relatives. They slowly drifted away with the water, illuminating the way to the other side.

Lin Xuejin, Lin Xuebo, and Lin Siyuan burned paper money by the river. Lin Siyuan was thoughtful and reported his studies and life to his ancestors in a gentle voice while burning paper money.

Lin Mo, Lin Sizhe and others were playing by the river, but they also did not forget to participate in the ceremony under the guidance of their elders.

More and more lanterns are lit on the river, and from a distance, it looks like a dazzling ribbon of light winding through the night. The interweaving of firelight, the sound of water, and the voices of people create a warm and touching scene.

Suddenly, a person rushed to Lin Mo's side, frightening Lin Sizhe so much that he trembled violently and almost fell down. Seeing this, Lin Mo quickly grabbed Lin Sizhe to prevent him from falling to the ground.

"Douzi, why don't you come to play with me recently?" the man said to Lin Mo.

Lin Mo was shocked by the visitor's address and thought: Could it be that my name is Lin Douzi? No, I can't accept it. It would be better to call me Lin Sanlang.

Lin Mo looked at the person who came and said angrily, "Why should I play with you? Apologize."

Lin Sizhe timidly glanced at the newcomer and stammered, "I'm fine, Third Brother, there's no need for Brother Huzi to apologize."

Lin Mo comforted Lin Sizhe and said, "Silang, don't be afraid, I will protect you." Then he turned around and said coldly to the newcomer, "Hu Zi, right, apologize."

Perhaps frightened by Lin Mo's cold voice, Hu Zi reluctantly said to Lin Sizhe, "I'm sorry, I didn't see you just now." Then he said to Lin Mo, "Douzi, look, I've apologized."

Lin Mo didn't say anything, but turned to ask Lin Sizhe, "Silang, do you forgive him?"

Lin Sizhe nodded.

Seeing that Lin Mo didn't speak to him, Hu Zi said anxiously: "Dou Zi, look, he has forgiven me, and you haven't answered me yet. Why don't you come to play with me?"

As he spoke, he took out a handful of candy from the cloth pocket on his chest and handed it to Lin Mo, "Douzi, this is what my uncle bought for me. It's delicious. Here, have some."

"No..." Lin Mo was about to refuse when he was interrupted by a voice from the side.

"Don't eat it, it's mine." A little boy who was about the same age and equally strong as Hu Zi shouted from a distance.

The little boy came to Hu Zi and said, "Brother, this is what my uncle bought for us. You are not allowed to give it to him." After that, he snorted coldly at Lin Mo, "Don't try to cheat my brother of his candy. My brother won't be fooled."

"Niuzi, don't worry about me. I can give my candy to whoever I want. I'm going to give it to Douzi." After saying that, Huzi handed the malt candy in his hand to Lin Mo.

"Don't take it." Niu Zi on the side reached out to snatch the candy from Lin Mo, but was stopped by Hu Zi.

Niu Zi watched as Hu Zi held him tightly in his arms. He choked and said, "Brother, grandma doesn't allow you to play with him, and you gave him the candy that uncle bought. Come back soon, or I'll tell grandma."

"If you dare to tell me, I'll beat you up." Hu Zi raised his fist at Niu Zi angrily.

"Brother, you are biased. I am your younger brother." Niu Zi cried to Hu Zi.

Lin Mo and Lin Sizhe watched the show silently on the side, enjoying the live version of the family ethics drama.

"Douzi is still my best friend." Hu Zi curled his lips. Seeing his brother crying uncontrollably, his heart softened. He gently patted Niu Zi's back and comforted him, "Niu Zi, Douzi is a very good person. If you don't believe me, I will take you to play with him in the future."

Upon hearing this, Niuzi slapped Huzi's hand away and said, "Douzi, Douzi, you only have Douzi in your heart, you are biased." After saying that, he cried loudly, "Milk~".

Mrs. Fang was chatting with someone about family matters when she suddenly heard the voice of her beloved grandson and hurried over.

Seeing Niu Zi crying, she squatted down and wiped Niu Zi's tears with heartache, "My dear grandson, don't cry. If someone bullies you, tell me and I will take care of it for you." She then said to Hu Zi, "Hu Zi, you are really something. Your brother was bullied and you didn't help him."

When Niu Zi saw Fang Pozi coming, he seemed to have found his backbone and pointed at Lin Mo, "It's him. He stole the candy my uncle gave me."

Lin Mo stood aside, looking a little at a loss. He didn't expect that when he secretly ate the melon, someone would stand next to him and blame him for it.

The candy that Hu Zi forced upon him was still in his hand. Now, he couldn't wash it off even if he jumped into the Yellow River.

Granny Fang followed the direction her grandson pointed and saw Lin Mo holding a candy in his hand. She immediately said angrily, "You rascal, how dare you snatch my grandson's candy." Then she reached out to hit Lin Mo.

Seeing this, Lin Mo quickly took a few steps back, raised his hands, and explained anxiously: "Grandma, you misunderstood! I didn't steal Niuzi's candy. Hu Zi forced it on me." There was some panic in his words, but more of sincerity.

Hu Zi also hurried forward, standing between Lin Mo and Mrs. Fang, and said anxiously, "Grandma, Grandma, listen to me, Douzi didn't steal my candy, nor did he steal Niu Zi's candy. I saw that Douzi had never seen this kind of candy before, so I wanted him to try it too, so I forced it on him."

Mrs. Fang's anger did not seem to diminish at all because of Hu Zi's explanation. Her face was distorted with anger, her eyes were wide open, as if they could spit out fire, and her outstretched hand was trembling, her fingertips almost touching Lin Mo's cheek.

He cursed non-stop, "You shameless little bastard, you're so shallow that you even dare to snatch my grandson's candy. I'm going to teach you a lesson today!"

Mrs. Lin rushed over upon hearing the noise. Seeing this, she hurried forward and tightly grasped Mrs. Fang's arm, which was about to fall. Her voice was filled with anxiety and helplessness: "Mrs. Fang, why are you doing this? We are all neighbors. Let's talk it out nicely."

Mother Fang struggled hard, trying to break free from Old Lady Lin's restraints, still nagging, "Talk nicely? Look at what your grandson has done! He stole my Bean Boy's candy and acted innocent! I must teach him a lesson today!"

Old Mrs. Lin's eyes lingered on Lin Mo and the candy he held tightly in his hand. She felt mixed emotions and didn't know how to defend herself for a moment.

The air around them seemed to freeze, and only the angry breathing of Mrs. Fang and the gentle sigh of Mrs. Lin could be heard.

At this moment, someone in the crowd spoke up, a voice full of doubt: "Mrs. Fang, are you mistaken? Everyone in our village knows the character of Douwazi. He doesn't seem like someone who would do such a thing."

When Mrs. Fang heard this, she was furious and retorted with spit flying, "Bah! What do you know? The evidence is in his hands. Who else could it be if not him?"

Discussions gradually began to rise in the crowd, but most people chose to remain silent. After all, no one wanted to be easily involved in this dispute.