Going home for the New Year during the winter break, I encountered a cool school girl on the high-sp

Lin Haotian waved his hand.
"Don't worry about the hardships of being a family. By the way, Mu Xi, I'll definitely make sure you have your favorite sweet and sour pork ribs and steamed fish. Chen Chen, I'll make sure you have your favorite braised pig's trotters too."

He looked at the two of them, his eyes full of love.

Lin Muxi replied cheerfully:

"Thank you, Dad. Just hearing about it makes my mouth water."

Lin Haotian nodded.
"Then you all work hard, I'll go and do my own thing. When we get home this week, our family should get together and have a good chat."

After saying that, he turned and left with light steps.

Watching her father's departing figure, Lin Muxi felt a mix of emotions.

Chen Chen gently took her hand.
"It seems that my uncles are really looking forward to our return."

Lin Muxi nodded slightly.
"Yes, it's been a long time since I've had a proper meal and chat with them. I'll have to stay longer this time when I go back."

The two exchanged a smile, then threw themselves back into their work.

When the weekend arrived, Chen Chen and Lin Muxi prepared gifts early and drove to the Lin family home.

Throughout the journey, Lin Muxi could not hide her nervousness.

She knew that this trip home was different from any other.

This trip back truly means...

She needs to completely let go of the past and accept Guo Xiwen.

Embrace a new life.

As they got closer to the Lin family home, Lin Muxi's heart pounded faster and faster.

Chen Chen noticed her unusual behavior, reached out and gently took her hand, offering her silent support and encouragement. Lin Muxi turned her head slightly and gave him a slightly nervous smile.

Finally, the car slowly drove into the Lin family's courtyard.

Lin Muxi took a deep breath and got out of the car with Chen Chen.

As soon as they reached the door, it opened, and Lin Haotian appeared before them with a broad smile, followed by Guo Xiwen.

Guo Xiwen was dressed in appropriate home clothes, with a gentle smile on her face and her eyes showing concern and expectation.

"You guys are here!"

Lin Haotian laughed heartily and quickly stepped forward to accept the gifts from their hands.

"Was there any traffic on the road?"

Guo Xiwen also asked softly, her gaze falling on Lin Muxi, her eyes filled with a hint of caution.

"No, the journey was very smooth."

Lin Muxi tried her best to make her voice sound more natural.

Stepping inside, a feeling of familiarity mixed with strangeness washed over Lin Muxi.

Every corner here was once imprinted with her childhood laughter and memories, but now, because of Guo Xiwen's presence, it has a different atmosphere.

Guo Xiwen warmly invited them to sit down and then turned to the kitchen to prepare fruit.

Lin Haotian and Chen Chen sat down and chatted about their recent work, while Lin Muxi sat on the sofa somewhat awkwardly.

A moment later, Guo Xiwen came over with a fruit platter. She gently placed the fruit on the coffee table, picked up a slice of peeled apple, and handed it to Lin Muxi, saying:

"Muxi, have some apples. These are your favorite Fuji apples."

Lin Muxi was slightly taken aback, not expecting that Guo Xiwen would remember her favorite fruit.

She took the apple and said softly:

"Thank you... Auntie."

Even she herself was a little surprised to hear the word "Auntie," but a hint of delight flashed in Guo Xiwen's eyes. "No need for formalities among family," Guo Xiwen said with a smile, her eyes full of sincerity.

Lin Muxi lowered her head slightly, withdrawing her gaze, and for a moment felt somewhat unaccustomed to this kind of interactive atmosphere.

After a moment of silence, she raised her head and asked softly, "Where...where is Mu Yu?"

"Her," Guo Xiwen smiled gently, her eyes filled with affection.

"She was playing and wouldn't go to sleep last night, making a fuss for quite a while. She's still sleeping soundly in bed now. But judging by the time, this little lazybones should be waking up soon."

Lin Muxi nodded slightly, forcing a somewhat stiff smile, and said softly:
"That's it."

At this moment, the atmosphere in the living room, while not exactly awkward, seemed to be shrouded in an invisible film, filled with a subtle sense of restraint.

Everyone's words and actions seemed to be carried with a degree of caution, as if afraid of breaking this fragile balance.

Guo Xiwen seemed to sense this slight unease, but didn't say anything more, only speaking gently:
"I'll go to the kitchen to see how Aunt Wang's cooking is going. You sit down for a while."

Lin Muxi nodded again and replied, "Okay."

Only after Guo Xiwen turned and left, her footsteps fading into the distance, did Lin Muxi feel as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders, and she let out a long breath.

Her gaze began to sweep around, a hint of urgency in her eyes, as if she were searching for something important, trying to draw some reassuring strength from a familiar figure.

That's right, she was trying to find Chen Chen.

Meanwhile, Chen Chen was having a pleasant conversation with Lin Haotian in the study.

The soft sunlight streamed through the window and bathed them in its warmth and comfort, adding to the cozy atmosphere of their conversation.

Lin Muxi got up and tiptoed toward the study, trying not to make a sound with each step, as if afraid of disturbing the quiet atmosphere.

The study door was ajar, and she could hear bursts of relaxed laughter and conversation coming from inside.

She paused slightly at the door, took a deep breath, and then gently pushed the door open.

The sunlight instantly shone on her, outlining her slightly slender figure.

Chen Chen and Lin Haotian turned around at the same time, and when they saw it was Lin Muxi, smiles appeared on their faces.

"Why did you come here?"

Lin Haotian asked gently.

Lin Muxi pursed her lips slightly and said:
"Nothing, I just... wanted to see what you guys were talking about."

Her gaze unconsciously fell on Chen Chen, her eyes revealing a subtle dependence.

Chen Chen stood up, walked to Lin Muxi's side, gently took her hand, and said with a smile:
"Just chatting with Uncle Lin. Why are you alone? Where's Aunt Guo?"

"Aunt Guo went to the kitchen to check on how the food was being prepared."

Lin Muxi replied, her hand tightening slightly in Chen Chen's palm, as if drawing strength from him.

Lin Haotian looked at the two of them being so intimate, his eyes filled with satisfaction:

"You young people should chat more and strengthen your bonds. It's a rare opportunity for us to get together today, so let's have a good lunch together."

"Yeah, Dad."

Lin Muxi agreed. With Chen Chen by her side in the study, she felt much more at ease, and her nervousness dissipated considerably.

Just then, Guo Xiwen's clear voice came down from upstairs, her tone full of joy:
"Oh my, our little Muyu is awake! Your sister and brother-in-law have come to see you."

Now, Mu Yu is five months old, and her delicate, porcelain-like appearance is incredibly cute.

At this moment, she was lying obediently on the bed, her big, bright eyes wide open, as clear as the twinkling stars in the night sky.

Upon hearing Guo Xiwen's words, the little girl turned her head slightly, seemingly trying to find the source of the sound. (End of Chapter)