New ink fragrance in old times

The sun was as bright as fire, generously sprinkling on the golden rice fields, and every grain of rice seemed to be coated with a thin layer of golden light.

Although the weather in August is not as hot as in July, the continuous sunny days still make the air filled with a stuffy atmosphere, making people sweat like drizzle while working.

Every morning, Lin Mo's small figure followed the Lin family into the golden rice fields. He wore loose, old clothes, a small straw hat, and a small backpack filled with thirst-quenching herbal tea and a few pieces of dry food. This was the "field backpack" prepared by the Lin family for Lin Mo, Lin Sizhe, Lin Sinan, and Lin Siheng.

Lin Mo was wearing small farm clothes, his forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat, his eyes were firm and focused, he kept going back and forth between the threshers and followed behind the head of the Lin family to help transport the rice.

Not far away, Hu Zi was also busy in his own rice fields, occasionally looking up at Lin Mo, his eyes full of desire to play together. Finally, while the adults were taking a break to drink water, Hu Zi ran over.

"Douzi, come here, I'll teach you something fun!" Hu Zi shouted excitedly, holding a handful of green grass leaves in his hand.

When Lin Mo heard this, he ran to Hu Zi. "What is it?" He blinked his big eyes and asked curiously.

Hu Zi smiled mysteriously and began to weave with his clever little hands.

After a while, a mini grasshopper made of straw appeared in his hand. Although it was simple, its lifelike shape amazed Lin Mo.

"Wow! Hu Zi, you are so awesome!" Lin Mo widened his eyes and looked at Hu Zi with admiration.

"Douzi, I'll teach you." Hu Zi smiled proudly and patiently taught Lin Mo.

The two of them squatted on the ground, their little hands moving among the grass leaves, occasionally smiling at each other. That innocent happiness seemed to dispel all the heat and fatigue.

Soon, Lin Mo also made a grasshopper that was a bit clumsy but full of childlike fun.

"Douzi, you are so smart. You can learn it quickly." Hu Zi said to Lin Mo excitedly.

"Brother, you are partial. I'm going to tell grandma." When Niu Zi saw that Hu Zi was gone, he knew that his brother had come to look for Lin Mo again.

After saying that, Niuzi took Huzi's hand and was about to leave.

"Okay, okay, I'll go back and teach you, okay." Hu Zi stroked the angry Niu Zi and secretly waved to Lin Mo.

The sunlight filtered through the gaps in the rice leaves and fell onto Lin Mo's focused little face as he carefully weaved a grasshopper with a slender grass stem.

His fingers moved deftly, and every grass stem seemed to be given life. Gradually, a lifelike grasshopper took shape in his hands.

"It's worth it that I practiced in my free time these few days. I finally learned it." Lin Mo's eyes flashed with a sense of accomplishment.

"Hua'er, this is for you!" Lin Mo excitedly ran to Hua'er who was helping, and gently placed the grasshopper in her palm.

Huaer widened her eyes in surprise, looking carefully at the grasshopper woven with grass, and a bright smile bloomed on her face: "Wow, Sanlang, you are so awesome!" Her voice was full of joy, which made Lin Mo's heart warm.

Lin Mo thought: It can be regarded as a compensation for the previous birthday gift.

At this time, Lin Sizhe and Lin Sinan also gathered around, and seeing the grasshopper in Lin Mo's hand, they all cast envious glances at him.

"Third brother, please make one for us too!" Lin Sizhe spoke first, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. Lin Sinan also chimed in, and the scene suddenly became lively.

Lin Mo smiled and scratched his head, and said with some embarrassment: "Oh, if you all want them, I have to arrange my time well. I will try my best to make one for everyone."

In the days that followed, when Lin Mo was free, he would always find some grass stems to practice weaving grasshoppers. Every time he finished one, he would carefully put it aside, thinking about who to give it to.

Lin Mo specifically picked out the three that he was most satisfied with, "These two are for Dalang and Erlang, and this one is for me."

"As for the remaining grasshoppers, let them choose for themselves." Lin Mo said, looking at the grasshoppers in front of him.

In the evening, in the Lin family courtyard, four-year-old Lin Sizhe's eyes sparkled with curiosity and excitement. He carefully took the grasshopper handed to him by Lin Mo, as if it was the most precious treasure in the world.

He shouted excitedly: "Wow! Brother, it looks so powerful. I want to raise it and see how it jumps!" As he said that, he imitated the jumping of a grasshopper, jumping and hopping around Lin Mo in circles, making the whole family laugh.

Although two-and-a-half-year-old Lin Sinan is still young, when he saw his brothers all had grasshoppers, he couldn't wait to stretch out his chubby little hands, wanting to take his own share.

Lin Mo gently placed the grasshopper in her palm. She was stunned for a moment, then a bright smile broke out on her face. She said in a baby voice, "Thank you, brother! I will take good care of it." After that, she gently touched the grasshopper's antennae. Her innocence and tenderness made everyone present feel warm.

Although Lin Siheng, who is just over one year old, can't speak much yet, his big, dark eyes fully express his joy. He tightly grasps the corner of Lin Mo's clothes, points at the grasshopper and babbles, as if to say, "I want to play too, I want to play too!"

Lin Mo handed it to him with a smile, asking him to observe the grasshopper closely. Little Siheng clapped his hands excitedly and giggled. His innocent happiness infected everyone.

Although He'er couldn't yet join in the feast, she had her own. Lying in her cradle, she stared with wide-eyed curiosity at the grasshoppers in her mother, Mrs. Lu's, hands waving from time to time, as if joining in the fun. Occasionally, she'd let out an "ahhh," as if adding her own voice to the joy.

As for Xing'er, she was already the eldest girl in the family, but when she saw Lin Mo preparing the gift so carefully, she couldn't help but smile like a girl.

She took the grasshopper and said softly, "Thank you, Sanlang. This grasshopper is really interesting. I will take good care of it."

The whole yard was filled with laughter. This small gift from Lin Mo not only made him feel a sense of accomplishment, but also brought him closer to the other children of the Lin family.

Seeing everyone's happy faces because of his little gift, Lin Mo's heart was filled with unprecedented satisfaction and happiness.

He looked up into the distance, his thoughts drifting even further. Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind – when a new life came to his family in the future, that unborn child should also feel this joy and warmth.

Thinking of this, Lin Mo secretly decided: "I have to make a few more grasshoppers. I can't be partial. I have to prepare one for my unborn brother or sister as well."

"And Hu Zi, he's my teacher. I'll make two grasshoppers for him."

Lin Mo nodded, picked up the grass stems again, sat in a corner of the yard, and began to weave with great concentration.