My hotel is full of emperors throughout history.

Chen Mo was stunned.

Li Lizhi looked at him, somewhat bewildered—she couldn't understand Hunan dialect, but she could sense that Chen Mo was acting strangely.

Little Sizi poked half her head out of the bathroom and asked in a childish voice, "Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, who's here?"

The old man smiled and looked at Xiao Sizi, waving to her:

"Little girl, what's your name?"

Little Sizi blinked, looked at Chen Mo, then at the unfamiliar grandfather, and answered honestly.

"My name is Li Mingda, and my nickname is Sizi!"

"Sizi?" The old man smiled, a kind smile. "A good name. Little Sizi, could I have a bite of the food your brother-in-law made?"

Little Sizi nodded without hesitation.

"Yes! My brother-in-law's cooking is delicious! Mom says Sizi has gained weight recently!"

The old man burst into laughter.

The hearty laughter echoed through the small inn.

Chen Mo finally came to his senses.

He looked at the old man before him, at his simple clothes, and at the gentle smile in his eyes—

He suddenly didn't know what to say.

The old man seemed to have read his mind, and walked over with a smile, sitting down at the table.

"Young comrade," he said, "don't be nervous. I was just passing by and came in because of the aroma. These days, there aren't many places that can make such delicious home-style dishes."

He pointed to the dishes on the table.

"These sweet and sour pork ribs are cooked just right. This steamed sea bass looks incredibly fresh. And these greens—" He paused, "are also stir-fried quite well."

Chen Mo opened his mouth, finally managing to utter a sentence.

"You...you..."

The old man smiled and, seeing his nervous expression, asked with a smile.

"Young man, what's your name?"

"Chen Mo."

"Chen Mo..." the old man read it aloud, then nodded. "A good name. Quiet in doing things, quiet in being a person. Down-to-earth."

He raised his head and looked at Chen Mo, his gaze gentle yet seemingly able to see through everything.

"I'm just an ordinary old man. I've traveled to many places, met many people, and done many things. Today, I came across your place, smelled the aroma of your cooking, and decided to come in and sit down."

He paused, then smiled.

"What, you're not welcome?"

Chen Mo quickly shook his head: "No, no! Welcome, of course you're welcome!"

He turned and went to the kitchen to get a clean set of bowls and chopsticks, which he placed in front of the old man.

The old man picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs, put it in his mouth, and chewed it slowly.

He nodded as he chewed.

"Okay," he said, "that's good."

He looked at Chen Mo with approval in his eyes.

"Young comrade, you are a down-to-earth person. The food cooked by a down-to-earth person, and the life lived by a down-to-earth person, taste the best."

Li Lizhi stood to the side, though she didn't quite understand.

But she could sense an indescribable warmth emanating from the old man.

She gently tugged at Chen Mo's sleeve and whispered.

"This grandfather is...?"

Chen Mo looked down at her, unsure how to explain.

The old man smiled and nodded to Li Lizhi.

"Hello, young lady. Your man is good; live a good life with him."

Li Lizhi's face flushed slightly, and she nodded softly.

"Thank you, Grandpa."

Little Sizi had already climbed onto the chair and sat next to the old man, curiously looking him over.

"Grandpa, Grandpa," she asked, "where did you come from?"

The old man looked at her with eyes full of love.

"I come from a very far place."

"How far is 'very far'?"

"As far as..." the old man thought for a moment, "as far as you can't even imagine."

The old man paused, then added.

"But it's also very close, so close that it's right next to you."

Little Sizi nodded as if he understood, then asked again.

"Where are you going?"

The old man smiled.

"I'll just go wherever the road takes me."

Little Sizi blinked and suddenly said.

"Then please stay for dinner! Your brother-in-law's cooking is delicious!"

The old man looked at her, at this exquisitely beautiful little girl, at her bright, sparkling eyes—

He suddenly burst into laughter.

"Okay," he said, "then I'll freeload a meal."

He picked up his chopsticks and took another piece of pork rib.

Chen Mo stood to the side, watching the old man eat his food unhurriedly, watching him talk to Li Lizhi and make Xiao Sizi laugh—

A strange feeling welled up inside him.

It was reverence, it was warmth, and it also had a dreamlike, unreal feeling.

The old man seemed to notice his gaze, looked up, and smiled at him.

"Young comrade, don't stand, sit down and eat with us."

Chen Mo nodded and sat down next to Li Lizhi.

The four people sat around a small table, eating home-cooked food and chatting casually.

The old man didn't talk much, but every word he uttered made people feel at ease.

He praised Li Lizhi for being virtuous, Xiao Sizi for being cute, Chen Mo for cooking well, and the house for being clean.

The sunlight streaming in through the window was warm.

The little girl had food all over her face, and the old man smiled and handed her a tissue.

Eat slowly, no rush.

Little Sizi took the tissue, wiped her mouth, and smiled at him again.

"Grandpa, you're so kind!"

The old man smiled.

That smile held a sense of relief, a kind of compassion, and an indescribable peace that comes with having weathered many storms.

The meal ended quickly, and Chen Mo remained silent for a moment before speaking hastily.

"Since you've come all this way, why don't we go out and have a look around together?"

He laughed heartily.

"In that case, I shall respectfully comply."