Golden Silk Dragon Tooth Rice

"Uncle Zhang?"

When Lu Qing made out the old man's face, he asked uncertainly.

The old man's body trembled. He raised his head, and when he saw Lu Qing, the wooden basin he was holding suddenly fell to the ground.

"Is... is that A Qing?"

Grandpa Zhang's eldest son, Uncle Zhang, stared at the young man before him in disbelief.

"It's me, Uncle Zhang. I'm back."

Lu Qing stepped forward and gently supported the old man.

"It really is you, A Qing—you're back!"

"This old man thought I'd never live to see you return in this lifetime."

Feeling the warmth of Lu Qing's hand, the old man finally realized that he was not dreaming. Lu Qing had truly returned.

His eyes immediately grew moist.

"I was wondering who came by every day to clean and tidy the place. So it was you, Uncle Zhang."

Lu Qing supported Uncle Zhang as they walked into the house.

"This old man is getting on in years. I don't have to work the fields anymore, and there's nothing much to do most days. I can't sit still, so I come over to wipe down the tables and chairs. None of you are home, after all. We can't let the old house fall into ruin."

Uncle Zhang chattered on as they walked.

Lu Qing merely listened attentively. He did not tell Uncle Zhang that he had set up an array around the old house; even if decades or a century passed, it would not fall into disrepair.

Once they entered the house and Uncle Zhang saw that Xiao Yan, Xiao Li, and the others were all there, he was delighted once more.

"Xiao Yan and Xiao Li are back too. Good, good, good. Everyone's home."

"Uncle Zhang."

Seeing the old man, Xiao Yan hurried over