Ashes to Oblivion

Lin Xiaorou seemed to be gradually getting used to the sudden appearance of "Mom." Though she was still a little shy and felt like a stranger, the closeness of blood and the naturally comforting, reassuring Life Aura around Ye Wan'er made her snuggle obediently beside her mother. Every so often, she would raise her bright, dark eyes and steal a curious glance at her beautiful "new" mom, then at Dad, seated beside Grandpa, who looked a little stern but had a very warm gaze.

Lin Tianxiao sat on a single sofa opposite his father, Lin Zhengguo, his back straight and his hands resting on his knees. He still held himself like a soldier, but the gloom and tension of a man who had lived undercover had quietly faded away amid the warmth of his family. All that remained was the steadiness forged by years of hardship and, deep in his eyes, his profound longing for them.

Lin Zhengguo and Gong Qin sat side by side on the long sofa in the place of honor. Lin Zhengguo had wiped away his tears and regained the dignity of the head of the household, but his slightly reddened eyes and the complicated, unspeakable looks he kept casting at his son betrayed the turmoil within him. Gong Qin kept one hand clasped around her husband's and used the other to wipe away her tears. She looked from her son to her daughter-in-law and granddaughter, laughing and crying at once as she murmured over and over, "You're home. You're home... Heaven has eyes after all..."

Lin Yueyue sat beside her mother and poured hot tea for her parents and brother and sister-in-law. She had calmed down, too. Looking at this reunion, which she had once thought could only happen in her dreams, she felt a