Homecoming

Several months ago, before she resigned from the elevator company, Lin Yun would receive calls from various unknown numbers every week.

Most of those calls were from clients or partner companies, so even if the two parties didn't know each other at first, Lin Yun would add these unfamiliar numbers to his contacts for future communication.

In Lin Yun's contacts, there was always an unmarked number saved.

The number was even no longer in service, but he still kept it in his contacts in case he couldn't find it if needed.

And it was the unknown phone call that came from five months ago, on the night Lin Xiaolu was in danger, that revealed the location of the attack to Lin Yun.

Lin Yun had never forgotten about this incident; in fact, he had actively investigated the identity of the number, but to no avail. In the end, he could only save it in his contacts.

At that time, he never expected that after so long, he would receive another call from the other party, and this time, the other party had changed their number.

What are their true intentions? Why are they providing information without revealing their identity? And why must they operate in the shadows?

Lin Yun pondered these questions all the way home.

Even though he had many questions in his heart, he could only suppress them for the time being. The most important thing now was to go home and see his daughter.

Whether it was for the planned holiday or to prevent the crisis warned of by the mysterious phone call, he needed to keep Lin Xiaolu under his watchful eye to prevent a repeat of the previous incident.

However, this also means that he probably can't take Lin Xiaolu out tonight. Otherwise, according to his original plan, he actually intended to go out to admire the moon with his daughter.

Every year during the Full Moon Festival, Fangting City organizes a large-scale moon-viewing event. The government designates the venue, attracts investment, and hosts a celebration and gala for the Full Moon Festival.

The celebration does not charge any admission fee, but it offers a variety of exhibitions and performances, and even provides a special area for moon viewing, so a considerable number of people will participate in the activities with their families. Lin Yun, in the past, was no exception.

Rather, it's precisely because he had fond memories of the moon-viewing celebration in the past that he wanted to take Lin Xiaolu there again today.

This plan was originally fine, but after receiving a second unidentified phone call, Lin Yun was forced to abandon the idea.

Let's talk about it next year, if there's still a chance then.

With this thought in mind, Lin Yun returned to her high-rise apartment, let out a long sigh, and inserted the key into the lock.

Before he could take any further action, he felt the door lock suddenly turn, and the security door in front of him was suddenly opened, with light from inside shining into the corridor.

"Ah, you're back?"

Behind the door appeared a figure Lin Yun had never expected—his nominal junior, Hong Siyu.

Then you see Hong Siyu standing at the door, dressed in casual home clothes, looking rather languid. Her already youthful appearance is made even more radiant by her attire.

Seeing Lin Yun at the door, she opened it with a hint of teasing and asked with a playful smile, "Busy man, you're finally home! They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. Do you want to eat first or take a shower first?"

"Stop fooling around."

Lin Yun said helplessly, "You're so old, why are you pretending to be young?"

"You brought this up the moment we met?"

Hong Siyu opened her eyes wide. "Is this what a gentlemanly adult man should do? To start by attacking a woman's age?"

"Do we really have to argue about this every time we meet?"

Pushing her aside, Lin Yun entered the house. "You'd better explain yourself first, why are you in my house?"

"What do you mean, 'Why are you in your house...'"

Hong Siyu stepped aside, somewhat displeased, and said, "Because today is the Full Moon Festival."

"I know today is the Full Moon Festival."

After changing into slippers in the entryway, Lin Yun picked up her luggage bag and looked at Hong Siyu: "But what does that have to do with you in my house?"

"The connection is that I came here to celebrate the holiday."

Hong Siyu somewhat puzzled, tilting her head as she asked, "Do you really want me to spend this time alone in my own home?"

"I hope you can go back and spend time with your parents."

Lin Yun sighed helplessly, "They should still be in Fangting City, right? Don't you ever go back home to visit them during holidays?"

"Haha, senior, you completely misunderstand me."

Hong Siyu and laughed heartily, "I don't have any elders to visit right now."

"... so."

Lin Yun wasn't sure whether to be surprised by the facts Hong Siyu told him or puzzled by her seemingly indifferent attitude, but he realized he might have brought up something he shouldn't have. So, after a brief silence, he changed the subject:

"Alright, then I have no objection. Have you discussed it with Xiao Lu?"

"She had quite a strong opinion, saying hurtful things like, 'I don't want a woman with ulterior motives coming to my house for the Full Moon Festival.'"

Hong Siyu her arms proudly and said, "But I didn't care at all! I just kept pestering her until she agreed!"

"This is not a topic that can be easily let go; you need to take it seriously."

Lin Yun glanced at her and narrowed her eyes. "And you actually managed to do something like pleading and cajoling with a child... Can't you have any self-awareness that you're an adult?"

"She's 16 years old this year."

"Oh."

"Why are you laughing?"

"It's nothing, having a youthful mindset is a good thing."

"Are you saying I'm too old again?"

"I think you're trying too hard to look young."

Hanging his bag on the sofa, Lin Yun took off his coat and loosened his tie. "So why were you the one who opened the door? Where's Lulu?"

"Perhaps it's because we're telepathic? I sensed someone at the door and came."

Hong Siyu and asked Weiwei, "I'll ask you one more time, dear senior, do you want to eat first or take a shower first?"

"Stop making such pointless jokes."

Lin Yun couldn't help but click her tongue in amazement. "If we're really going to talk about it, let's arrange dinner first. Did you cook this?"

"I didn't do it," Hong Siyu a grin.

"Then what are you asking?"

"I only asked if you wanted to eat, I didn't say I cooked it."

"...Okay, I'll order the food then." Lin Yun took out his phone expressionlessly.

"Oh, there's no need to order anymore, it should be ready almost ready." Hong Siyu.

"Done? Who? Don't tell me Lulu has learned to cook."

"Xiao Lu might not be able to manage alone, but this time it's everyone together."

"Everyone?"

After a brief pause, realizing what Hong Siyu meant, Lin Yun looked at the closed kitchen sliding door.

He strode forward, gently pulled the door open to the sides, and saw the scene inside:

--Three girls are busily preparing dinner, each doing their own part.

"Xiao Lu, radish!"

"Yes, yes!"

"Xiao Xuan, egg wash!"

"Ready!"

Xia Liang stood in front of the stove, stir-frying vegetables, while Lin Xiaolu slowly chopped vegetables on the cutting board. Bai Jingxuan held a bowl and basin, preparing the seasonings according to the recipe.

Perhaps because they were too focused, no one noticed Lin Yun's arrival.

Finally, it was Moko spotted Lin Yun, flew to Lin Xiaolu's shoulder and patted her, bringing her back to her senses and making her look behind her towards the kitchen doorway.

Upon seeing Lin Yun, she paused briefly, then opened her mouth, somewhat embarrassed and unsure what to say. Finally, she looked away and said somewhat stiffly, "Dad, welcome home."

Her words then caught the attention of two girls nearby, who also stopped what they were doing and looked towards the kitchen doorway.

"Hello, Uncle!" Bai Jingxuan greeted him politely and cheerfully.

It was her first time meeting Lin Yun, but that didn't stop her from being able to deduce the man's identity from Lin Xiaolu's words.

"Uncle, it's been a long time." Xia Liang smiled subtly and greeted Lin Yun, maintaining her usual well-behaved image.

Of course, this assumes that we ignore the fact that her mouth was still moving silently after she said that, as if she was still saying something.