After a long while, he forced himself to look away, turned, and went into the kitchen to rinse the kettle and boil water.
When he brought out the tea, Lu Ao was replying to messages.
Lin Gongshang and the others knew he was back and were howling in the group chat.
Lin Gongshang: If you hadn't come back soon, we would've thought you weren't coming back at all.
Lin Qi Yan: You said two or three days, but it's been almost a week.
Lin Man Zhang: Lu Ao, where are you having lunch? Is Song Zhou there too? Do you want to come eat at my place?
Lin Guixiao: @Lu Ao You have no idea, Lin Gongshang has been waiting to go catch Lobster and Abalone until he's practically cried. He's been staring longingly every day.
Lin Gongshang: Don't talk nonsense. I have not!
Tan Junhao: Lu Ao, when are you going to sort out Haining Mountain? It seems Old Chen and the others are back.
With one swipe from Lu Ao, messages rushed upward. In no time at all, there were ninety-nine new ones.
Lu Ao: I'll rest for a couple of days first, then sort out the mountain land and head out to sea for Abalone.
Lu Ao: My childhood friend is coming over in the next couple of days. I'll probably show him around nearby, but it shouldn't clash with catching Abalone.
Lin Gongshang: There's not much to do around here anyway. We just have lots of sea and seafood. Take him shore foraging, out to sea, and island-hopping.
Lu Ao: Sure, I'll see when the time comes. Let me know once you've picked a day to head out for Abalone. I don't have much going on lately, so any day works.
Lin Gongshang: I'll check the