Chapter Twenty-Six: The Journey Home

The next day, I placed my packed luggage in the living room on the first floor. My master, on the other hand, brought nothing but three packs of nutritional supplements. After lingering at home for a while longer, he took me out. This time we didn’t travel by train; instead, my master drove us himself.

Sitting in the passenger seat, I fastened my seatbelt and heard my master ask, “Kid, where’s that little girl? Where does she live?”

I pointed toward Yunshan Community not far off and replied, “She’s over there, but I don’t know her exact address.”

“And her phone? Do you have her number?” my master asked.

I shrugged. He shot me a look, started the car, and drove toward the main gate of Yunshan Community. After a while, he stopped by the security booth. I got out and walked to the window, saying, “Hello, uncle. Do you know which building and unit Zhang Moyun lives in?”

The security guard, holding a newspaper and sipping his tea, asked, “Who did you say?”

I was stunned and repeated the name, but he waved his hand. “Never heard of her, young man. Are you sure you’ve got the name right?”

Dizzied by his response, I was about to confirm the name again when suddenly, from inside the gate, a sweet voice called out, “Hey, Lin Xuan!”

I turned in confusion and saw a girl waving at me, pulling a suitcase in my direction. Looking closely, it was unmistakably Zhang Moyun.

I waved back. She quickened her pace and joined me. I turned to the security guard and said, “Uncle, that’s Zhang Moyun.”

He glanced over indifferently and said, “Never heard of her!”

With that, he returned to his seat and resumed reading his newspaper. Zhang Moyun pulled her suitcase up to me and said, “Lin Xuan, I never bought a place here, so of course you couldn’t find my name.”

I was taken aback and joked, “I had no idea. My brain must be acting up. Did you tell your aunt? What about school?”

Zhang Moyun adjusted her backpack and replied, “Of course I did. Let’s go, the train’s already delayed. If we don’t leave now, we’ll have to reschedule.”

With that, she headed toward the bus stop, but I stayed put. She noticed and, shading her eyes with her hand, called, “Come on, why are you just standing there?”

I waved, pointing at the black Rolls-Royce nearby. “You might as well refund your train ticket. It’ll be more comfortable in my master’s car.”

She followed my gesture to the car, disbelief in her voice as she asked, “What? This…is this your master’s car? A Rolls-Royce?”

I nodded, walked over, took her suitcase and backpack, and stowed them in the car. Then I called, “Miss Zhang Moyun, don’t stand there in this blazing sun. Let’s go.”

I opened the back door for her. She glanced at me, then carefully got in, wary of scratching the car. I closed the door and took my place in the passenger seat, while my master started the engine and turned on the air conditioning.

He glanced in the rearview mirror and said to Zhang Moyun, “There’s water next to you, girl. If you’re thirsty, help yourself.”

She nodded shyly, saying nothing. To break the tension, I joked, “Miss Zhang, you know your cars. You even recognized this one. I didn’t even know its full name, just that it’s black.”

She laughed awkwardly and replied quietly, “I’m not that knowledgeable. I just saw this shape before on my phone.”

My master added, “Don’t be nervous, girl. We’re not bad people. And you, kid—have you never seen a pig run, even if you’ve never eaten pork? Ha!”

He burst out laughing.

I pouted. “Yeah, just bully me every day.”

“I couldn’t bear to bully my precious disciple, but a bit of discipline never hurts,” my master replied.

I glanced at him. “Master, is there really a difference between bullying and disciplining?”

He lightly tapped the brakes, stopping at a red light, pulled out two pieces of gum, and tossed one each to me and Zhang Moyun. “You’ll know in time, ha!”

He laughed heartily. I threw the gum into my mouth and rolled my eyes at him. “Alright, I’ll know eventually.” Then I turned to look out the window.

From the back, Zhang Moyun laughed too. “Uncle, are you and Lin Xuan always this happy?”

My master chuckled. “Happy? It’s a good day if this kid doesn’t make me mad. There’s still a long way to go. Take a nap, girl. I’ll wake you when we get there.”

She agreed. He nodded, released the handbrake, and as the red light turned green, the car rolled forward. Leaning against the door, I watched the scenery flash by and suddenly thought of Chu Mengxi. I quickly pulled out my phone and wrote, “Mengxi, I need to take a few days off for something. I’ll visit my grandparents too. I owe you hot pot—next time, I promise. Message from Lin Xuan.”

After sending it, I breathed a sigh of relief. Soon, my phone vibrated. It was Chu Mengxi: “What’s up? Actually, spending time with your elders is a good thing. I remember you mentioning your parents at the hotel. I didn’t pry. Just have a good rest the next few days. You can’t run from me anyway. I’ll keep that hot pot on hold.”

I smiled at the message and quickly replied, “What else could it be—just the usual supernatural stuff. You know. You’re probably in class, right? Don’t let the teacher catch you. I’ll see you after I’m back, with hot pot in both hands.”

After sending that, my master glanced over and whispered, “What are you grinning about, kid? Aren’t you going to sleep? The girl in the back’s already out cold. Keep it down.”

I realized I’d been a bit loud, so I covered my mouth and looked back. Sure enough, Zhang Moyun was fast asleep, sprawled on the seat. My phone buzzed again. I checked: “With hot pot in both hands? Aren’t you afraid of burning yourself? Alright, enough chatting.”

I shut off my phone, but a moment later, it buzzed again. Another message from Chu Mengxi: “Be careful!”

I smiled from the heart—being cared for is a comfort. I put my phone away, turned, and drifted off. I didn’t know how long had passed when the car slowed. Groggily, I opened my eyes and, to my joy, saw the familiar sight of Linjiawan Village. My heart told me—I was home!

The car crept along the village’s concrete road. My master, seeing me awake, commented, “Up already? You two had it easy—I’ve been driving for over three hours. I’m exhausted.”

I glanced at the familiar village and replied awkwardly, “Thank you for your hard work, master.”

He smiled. “At least you’re grateful.”

I looked at him and continued, “Master, shouldn’t we check on Zhang Moyun’s place first?”

He glanced at Zhang Moyun, still asleep, and replied, “Not bad, kid. Your words remind me of the story of Yu the Great passing his house three times without entering. I checked the navigation—her village is just two kilometers from here. We’ll go after lunch.”

I could only nod, gazing out at the familiar landscape. Some people were working in the fields. I pointed. “Master, look, that’s Fatty’s dad. And there—Iron Pillar’s father too.”

My master kept his hands on the wheel and said, “Calm down, we’re almost there. Happy?”

I nodded eagerly. Soon, the car stopped at our courtyard gate. I didn’t get out immediately, just sat there looking into the yard. Coming home so suddenly, I wasn’t sure how to face my grandparents. I felt unprepared, though I couldn’t say why.

My master unbuckled his seatbelt and, seeing me motionless, asked, “What are you looking at, kid? Not getting out?”

I shook my head. “Master, maybe I’m just too excited. I suddenly don’t know how to face my grandparents.”

He patted my shoulder. “Silly boy, why be afraid of your own grandparents? Oh, that’s right—” He glanced at Zhang Moyun in the back and called, “Girl, wake up! We’re here!”

After a few calls, Zhang Moyun finally sat up groggily, rubbing her eyes. “Where is this? It doesn’t look like my home.”

My master chuckled. “This is Lin Xuan’s home. It’s been a long trip. Your place isn’t far—let’s have lunch here, then go check your house. Alright?”

Now fully awake, Zhang Moyun looked at the farmhouse, then at me, and nodded.

Suddenly, through the half-open window, I heard an elderly voice from the courtyard, “Who’s outside with a little car? Since when do we have cars in the village?”

My whole body tensed. That voice was all too familiar. I looked out and saw my grandmother, carrying a woven bamboo tray, walking out with a puzzled look at the car.

The moment I saw her, I threw open the door and dashed out. My grandmother stopped, recognized me, and the tray fell from her hands with a thud. Tears welled in her eyes as she tossed aside her apron and hurried over, arms outstretched, saying, “Xuan’er! It’s really you, Xuan’er! Why did you come back without calling?”

I rushed to her. She cupped my face in her hands, a tear sliding down her cheek. I wiped her tears away, choking up, “Grandma, I’ve come to see you.”

She nodded happily, wiping her eyes. My master and Zhang Moyun got out, too. My master, carrying the nutritional supplements, walked in with a smile, “How are you, madam?”

She saw them and answered cheerfully, “All thanks to you, I’m well.”

Then, turning to Zhang Moyun, she asked, “And this young lady is…?”

But I didn’t answer. My mind was stuck on something else—grandma had just addressed my master with the formal “you,” a term usually reserved for elders. Why would she use it?

Noticing my dazed look, grandma called my name softly. I snapped out of it and looked at her, just as puzzled. She asked, “Xuan’er, what are you thinking about, so lost in thought?”

“Oh, nothing, grandma, nothing at all,” I replied, covering up.

She nodded, dropping the topic. My master just shrugged with a mischievous smile, “Madam, you understand.”

I was taken aback, glancing between them. Grandma gave him a knowing look, then turned to Zhang Moyun, “Come in, girl, we’ll talk inside.”

With that, she led Zhang Moyun indoors. I stood there, mystified, looking at my master, but he just chuckled, patted my shoulder as he passed, and followed them in. Shaking my head, I followed.

“Have a seat, all of you. I’ll get some water,” grandma said.

I called her back, “Grandma, you rest. I’ll do it.”

With that, I went into the kitchen, came out with a large pot of hot water, and filled four big bowls. Zhang Moyun thanked me politely.