I started with a portal, then turned around and handed it over to the nation.

Lin Mo could only nod vaguely: "Okay, okay, I'll see how it goes. I need to see if they're available."

"You child, you just don't get it."

Wang Guifen shook her head. By this time, the two had already arrived at their apartment building.

Across from the apartment building, in the small square, stands a huge old locust tree with a large canopy that casts a dense shade.

A group of old men were gathered around the tree, with a chessboard in the middle depicting the Chu River and Han Border. Smoke swirled around them, and shouts echoed in waves.

"That was a terrible move! Absolutely awful!"

A loud and stubborn voice came from the crowd:

"Old Li, is your horse lame? Jumping over there is just asking to get bombarded! You should jump here! Block its elephant eye!"

Upon hearing the voice, Lin Mo paused, his gaze piercing through the gaps in the crowd to land on the figure wearing a gray old man's shirt and holding a large palm-leaf fan.

That was his father, Lin Dezhu.

At this moment, Lin Dezhu was standing behind Old Li, who was playing chess, pointing and gesturing with his palm-leaf fan, wishing he could personally take over and make a few moves for him.

Old Li, who was playing chess, looked annoyed by what he was being said and slammed his chess piece down on the board.

"Lin Teh-chu! A true gentleman observes the game without speaking! If you know how to play, why are you giving nonsensical advice?"

"Hey! I'm teaching you! You terrible chess player, and you don't even appreciate it!"

Lin Dezhu stared wide-eyed, about to argue a few more words, when he suddenly heard a familiar voice calling from behind him.

"dad."

The sound wasn't loud, but it pierced through the noisy crowd and the chirping of cicadas, precisely reaching Lin Dezhu's ears.

Lin Dezhu's palm-leaf fan, held high in the air, froze in mid-air.

He suddenly turned around, his neck twisting so fast it made one worry he might twist it.

When he saw Lin Mo standing at the entrance of the building, carrying large and small bags, smiling at him.

Lin Dezhu's face, which had turned red from the argument, instantly relaxed.

Those somewhat cloudy eyes suddenly lit up.

He instantly forgot about the chess game, the argument, and winning or losing.

"Why!"

Lin Dezhu responded loudly, his voice even louder than when he was directing the game of chess.

He tucked the large palm-leaf fan behind his back, didn't even greet his chess friends, simply dusted off his backside, and strode towards Lin Mo.

After taking a couple of steps, he turned back and grinned at the group of old men who were still in a daze.

He pointed to Lin Mo not far away, his chin held high:

"My son's home! Time to go home and have a drink!"

After saying that, Lin Dezhu didn't look at the chessboard again and quickly walked up to Lin Mo.

He looked Lin Mo up and down, then reached out his rough, large hand and gave Lin Mo's shoulder a couple of heavy squeezes.

The pressure was so strong that Lin Mo's shoulder ached.

"You've gotten stronger."

Lin Dezhu nodded, his eyes crinkling with a smile, and reached out to take the bag from Lin Mo's hand.

"Here, give it to me. It's quite heavy, isn't it?"

Lin Mo stepped aside slightly: "Dad, it's not heavy, I can carry it. You rest."

"What rest? You're resting so much your bones are going to melt."

In the narrow stairwell, Lin Mo listened to his father's heavy footsteps and his mother's soft questions.

His tense nerves finally relaxed completely.

At least now, he's home.

A series of "thump-thump-thump" sounds came from the kitchen; it was the sound of a cleaver hitting the wooden cutting board.

The range hood was roaring, and the sound of hot oil sizzling and stir-frying scallions and ginger in the pan was also very loud.

Lin Mo rolled up his sleeves, holding two peeled scallions, and was about to approach the pool.

"Oh dear, go away, go away."

Wang Guifen brandished a spatula, wearing an apron with "Totole Chicken Essence" printed on it, and nudged Lin Mo's ribs with her elbow.

"The kitchen is so cramped, what are you doing standing there, all tall and in the way? You're just getting in the way!"

Lin Mo dodged to the side, holding up the scallion in his hand:

"Mom, let me help you wash the vegetables, these scallions..."

"What's there to wash? I've already washed three times!"

Wang Guifen snatched the scallions, skillfully tossed them into the colander, and then turned around to lift the lid of the casserole.

As steam rose, the aroma of braised pork ribs and lotus root immediately filled the kitchen.

"Get out, get out, don't cause trouble here!"

Wang Guifen skimmed the oil off the soup and waved for people to leave without turning her head.

Just as Lin Mo was about to try again, a low shout came from behind him.

"Just leave when I tell you to, stop with the nonsense."

Lin Dezhu was standing next to the refrigerator, holding a cleaver that was still dripping blood in one hand and half a freshly chopped chicken in the other.

He nudged Lin Mo's back with his shoulder, with considerable force.

"Go back inside and rest, or watch TV. We don't need you here."

Lin Dezhu poured the chicken into the bowl, then turned and glared at Lin Mo:

"Working yourself to death at work, and then coming home to take over the work? Are you trying to show off?"

Lin Mo opened his mouth, watching his parents' busy backs.

Lin Mo stood at the door, and had no choice but to lower his sleeves and walk out of the kitchen.

The sky outside the window had already darkened.

About forty minutes passed.

"Dinner's ready!"

With a shout from Lin Dezhu, the sliding door to the kitchen was opened.

Lin Dezhu came out carrying a large fish platter. The braised carp on the platter was sprinkled with cilantro and was still steaming.

Immediately afterwards, Wang Guifen followed behind carrying two plates of hot dishes.

Steamed pork with rice flour, sweet and sour pork ribs, boiled shrimp, stir-fried bok choy...

The small dining table was quickly filled with dishes, and the plates had to be stacked.

"Go, get the chopsticks."

Lin Dezhu put down the fish plate, rubbed his hands together, and pointed to the cupboard.

Lin Mo immediately got up and set out three sets of bowls and chopsticks.

Lin Dezhu took out a bottle of white liquor covered with a thin layer of dust from the back of the liquor cabinet, carefully unscrewed the cap, and a fragrant aroma of liquor wafted out.

"I'm in a good mood today, so I'll have a couple of bites."

Lin Dezhu poured himself a small glass, glanced at Lin Mo, hesitated for a moment, and then put the bottle back.

"You... forget it! You'd better not drink. What if your workplace needs you and you're called away by alcohol? You'll mess things up. Just have a soft drink; there's some Coke your mom bought in the fridge."

Wang Guifen took off her apron, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and sat down at the table with a smile.

Just then.

"Ding-dong—"

The doorbell rang suddenly.

Lin Dezhu put down the wine glass he had just raised to his lips.

"Who is it? Knocking on the door at mealtimes~"

Wang Guifen muttered something in confusion, put the ribs into Lin Mo's bowl, wiped her hands on her pants, and stood up.

"Click".

The lock turned, and the security door was pulled open.

Wang Guifen's voice was filled with surprise: "Who do we have here? It's Xiao Qing!"

Upon hearing this name, Lin Mo's body stiffened.

A tall figure walked in through the entryway.

Today, Ye Qing wore a beige knitted cardigan over a cotton T-shirt, light blue jeans, and white sneakers.

Her long hair, which she usually wore in a bun, was now draped over her shoulders, with the ends slightly curled.

She was carrying a fruit basket and had a polite smile on her face.

"Good evening, Auntie. Did I disturb your dinner?"