The Five River Village lay nestled between gentle hills, the confluence of five sparkling streams giving the village its name. Wooden houses with thatched roofs lined the winding cobblestone streets, and the air smelled faintly of fresh bread, herbs, and river water. Villagers moved about in the late afternoon sun, tending to gardens, carrying baskets of goods, and calling greetings to one another.
Children ran along the streets, their laughter ringing through the village. Some had small, fox-like ears, others bear-like, and a few rabbit-like ears twitching as they dashed around. Su Wen reached into his bag and pulled out small candies, handing them to the delighted children. Their squeals of joy filled the air, and their parents watched with warm smiles.
"Good to see you back, Su Wen!" an elderly man with tiger-like ears called out as he repaired the roof of his home. Su Wen nodded respectfully, returning the greeting with a gentle smile. He walked past the market stalls, where merchants waved and some children peeked shyly from behind barrels, and continued toward the foot of the mountain that towered over the village.
The path up was narrow and winding, lined with wildflowers and the occasional cluster of spirit herbs. Su Wen's footsteps were steady, and his calm presence seemed to make the journey lighter. Occasionally, he would pause to greet villagers he passed, exchanging a nod or a brief word before continuing.
The walk took about an hour. As Su Wen reached the mountaintop, the sky was painted in vibrant hues of orange, pink, and gold. The sun hovered just above the horizon, casting long shadows across the rivers that sparkled like molten glass below. Su Wen stood still for a moment, taking in the breathtaking view, feeling the cool mountain breeze on his face.
There stood a modest house with wooden walls and a sloping roof. Behind the house, at a short distance, a serene lake reflected the fading colours of the sunset, its surface rippling gently in the evening breeze. To the left of the house, a small plot of farmland stretched out, rows of vegetables swaying slightly. On the right, a tidy herb garden thrived, with clusters of medicinal and spirit herbs growing in neat rows, their scents mingling in the air.
Su Wen approached the house quietly, his footsteps soft against the stone path. He paused for a moment, taking in the tranquil surroundings, then raised his hand and knocked on the wooden door. The sound echoed lightly through the still evening air, blending with the distant chirping of birds and the gentle lapping of the lake.
After a moment, the door creaked open, revealing a familiar face waiting to greet him. Su Wen's calm expression remained unchanged, but there was a faint anticipation in his narrowed eyes as he stepped closer, ready to enter and continue the next chapter of his life at the mountaintop home.
The door swung open, and Su Wen's grandmother appeared, her eyes widening as they fell on the young man standing there. For a moment, she froze, completely taken aback by the most adorable and composed face she had ever seen. Without a word, she flung her arms around him, holding him tightly for a full minute, her heart unable to resist the joy of seeing her grandson again.
"Come in, my boy! Come in!" she said, finally releasing him, though her hands lingered on his shoulders, as if she couldn't let go completely.
Su Wen stepped inside, still smiling gently, and lowered himself into her embrace with ease. "My Lady," he murmured with a playful bow, planting a light kiss on her forehead, eliciting a delighted chuckle from her.
From the corner, his grandfather appeared, leaning on his walking stick. There were no hugs here, only a slight narrowing of eyes and a wry smirk. "So, the little prince has finally decided to grace us with his presence," he said, his voice dry but carrying a trace of amusement.
Su Wen, still holding onto his grandmother, shot a look at his grandfather and quipped, "I see you're still as sharp-tongued as ever, old man."
They exchanged a few more pointed comments, teasing one another back and forth. Neither showed overt affection, but the subtle smiles tugging at their lips betrayed the warmth beneath their words.
Su Wen then handed over the silk dresses, one by one, to his grandmother, who accepted them with exaggerated delight, spinning the fabrics between her fingers. "For me? You spoil me too much!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.
"That's nothing my beautiful and wonderful lady…For you, I can even take out that moon from the night sky and present it to you as a treasure, as a token of my devotion that even the heavens would envy." Sun wen said formal tone and proudly with a hint of teasing.
His grandmother couldn't help but laugh and pinched his nose with her fingers and said, "I am thankful that you are not some dumb, rigid kid and if you can say these cheesy lines it won't be long before we will have a granddaughter-in law in our house..hehe"
Grandpa couldn't help but retort, "I wonder who will marry with his monkey like face".
Su wen didn't reply but passed the copy of The Legends of Boss Wife to his grandfather. The old man took the book, flipping it open carefully, and their eyes met over the spine. A silent conversation passed between them, subtle but meaningful, as if the book itself carried all the understanding that words could not.
Grandpa said in an exaggerated tone, "Our granddaughter-in law would be an angel from far above the heavens."
Su wen after listening the praise, nodded satisfactorily.
Meanwhile, his grandmother bustled into the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared the evening meal. Su Wen and his grandfather moved to the small table in the corner, setting up a chessboard. The pieces clinked as they were arranged, and soon, a lively game began.
The grandson and grandfather's exchanges were sharp, filled with barbs and teasing remarks, each trying to outwit the other, but beneath the playful rivalry, there was undeniable fondness. Occasionally, Su Wen would glance at his grandmother in the kitchen, waiting when the dinner will be ready, while she peeked back at him, shaking her head fondly at his antics.
It was a scene of homecoming, not grand or emotional in a traditional sense, but filled with small moments that spoke louder than words, the gentle teasing, the quiet understanding, the laughter mingled with the aroma of cooking herbs and fresh bread.