Siheyuan: The Temptation of the Mountains

"Okay, Sisi, let's eat some roasted sweet potatoes!"

Lin Sisi blinked her big eyes, ran into the inner room, took out three medium-sized sweet potatoes with her clothes, and placed them on the brazier at Lin Ze's feet.

Lin Ze smiled and rubbed Lin Sisi's head, saying, "Sisi is awesome."

It takes some time to bake the sweet potatoes. By the time they are cooked, Lin Sisi’s bulging stomach should have digested some of them.

Lin Hao didn't want to eat the roasted sweet potatoes. He ran into the inner room and took out a hard corn cob. He asked Lin Ze, "Brother, the popcorn you made last time was so delicious. Can you make it again today?"

The New Year is coming soon, so of course Lin Ze has to satisfy his brother and sister-in-law's request.

"If you want me to make popcorn for you, that's fine, but you have to remove the kernels from the corn cobs first so that I can make it for you."

"Hey, don't worry, big brother. I'll start peeling the corn kernels now."

Li Xiuzhen was filled with satisfaction as she watched this scene of their deep brotherly love.

Lin Zhengguo looked a little sad. He stood at the door and took a deep puff of his cigarette.

Although he has his own family now, he still has feelings for his old father.

There is still one day left until New Year's Eve.

Lin Ze saw what his father was thinking. He patted his father on the shoulder and comforted him, "Dad, let the past be the past. Grandpa and grandma are old, and all they want is to be reunited as a family. We go back to visit them, and we are also fulfilling our filial duty."

Lin Zhengguo nodded silently, with a hint of guilt in his eyes.

Seeing this, Lin Ze knew that his father had wavered. He struck while the iron was hot and continued, "Besides, I'm grown up now and can take good care of my brothers and sisters. It would be great if our family could go back to our hometown to celebrate the New Year together and have a lively time!"

Lin Zhengguo looked at his sensible son, feeling deeply moved. He finally made a decision: "Okay, I'll listen to you. Let's go back to our hometown together to celebrate the New Year this year!"

Lin Hao jumped up with joy and ran to tell his mother the good news. Li Xiuzhen was so excited that her eyes were wet.

In this way, the Lin family is looking forward to the upcoming New Year's Eve. They hope that this reunion can make up for the regrets of the past and make the family more complete and happy.

The day before New Year's Eve, Lin Zhengguo and Lin Ze carried the New Year's goods prepared by Li Xiuzhen. Li Xiuzhen held Lin Sisi and held Lin Hao's hand.

The family walked in the snow, one step high and one step low, towards Lijia Village.

Along the way, the father and son talked a lot. Lin Zhengguo told Lin Ze about his childhood fun stories, and Lin Ze listened with great interest.

Unconsciously, they arrived at Lijia Village. As soon as they entered the village, Lin Ze felt a strong sense of the New Year.

Every household is decorated with lights and laughter can be heard everywhere.

Lin Ze brought Lin Changgui to the door of Lin Changgui's house. Lin Musheng happened to open the door at this time and said, "...Brother."

"Musheng, long time no see."

Li Xiuzhen stepped forward and greeted them. Lin Zhengguo followed behind his wife and children and nodded lightly.

Lin Musheng rushed into the house excitedly and shouted, "Mom and Dad, come out and see who's back!"

Lin Changgui was smoking. Hearing the sound, he put out his cigarette and walked out of the house with Liu Ying.

“Jungguk, you’re back?”

"Yes, Dad, I'm back." Lin Zhengguo's voice was slightly choked.

"Okay, it's good that you're back, it's good that you're back." Lin Changgui said excitedly, with tears in his eyes.

Li Xiuzhen quickly pulled Lin Sisi and Lin Hao over, "Lin Hao, Sisi, call grandpa and grandma."

"Hello, Grandpa and grandma!" Lin Hao and Lin Sisi called out obediently.

"Oh, good grandson, good granddaughter, so well-behaved!" Liu Ying touched Lin Sisi's head happily.

After exchanging pleasantries, everyone went into the house together. The house was warm as spring, and the family sat around the stove and chatted about family matters.

"Zhengguo, have you been living well in Sijiu City these years?" Lin Changgui asked with concern.

"Dad, we are all fine, you don't have to worry." Lin Zhengguo replied.

"Well, I feel relieved to see that you are all fine. By the way, how long do you plan to stay this time?" Lin Changgui asked.

"We plan to leave after the Chinese New Year," said Li Xiuzhen.

"Okay, okay, then let's spend the New Year at home." Lin Changgui smiled happily.

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve. Liu Ying took Li Xiuzhen and Wang Erni, and the three women went into the kitchen to prepare meals for the next day.

Lin Changgui and his two sons were chatting outside.

Lin Ze took the four other children in the family out of the yard to light firecrackers.

Lin Ze took his younger brothers and sisters to set off firecrackers in the yard. The children's laughter and the sound of firecrackers intertwined, creating a festive atmosphere.

Lin Sisi was timid and hid far away with her ears covered, while Lin Hao excitedly took the match and lit the firecrackers one by one.

Suddenly, a firecracker flew to Lin Ze, and he quickly picked it up and threw it away. The firecracker exploded in the air with a loud bang.

The children screamed in fear, and Lin Ze laughed. He looked at the frightened expressions of his brothers and sisters, and his heart was filled with happiness.

This is Lin Xiaohu with a group of children from Linjia Village, looking at Lin Ze and his group with envy.

"Uncle Ze!" Lin Xiaohu was the first to greet Lin Ze.

"What's the matter?" Lin Ze asked.

"Uncle Ze, a few of us found an interesting place in the village. Do you want to go check it out together?" Lin Xiaohu said excitedly.

Lin Ze thought for a moment and replied, "Thank you. I have something to do here and can't leave. You guys have fun. We'll meet again next time if we have the chance."

Lin Ze looked at his brothers and sisters and thought that being with family was the happiest thing. He decided to enjoy this rare reunion time.

"Then Uncle Ze, can we watch you set off firecrackers together?" Lin Xiaohu said enviously. The firecrackers in their home were all in strings, so they couldn't play with them as freely as Lin Ze and the others could.

"Of course." Lin Ze smiled. He had no ill feelings towards Lin Xiaohu, who always called him uncle.

"Here, I'll give you some. When you throw firecrackers, remember to be careful to avoid the haystacks and places where there are people."

After Lin Ze finished speaking, he gave a small string of firecrackers to Lin Xiaohu.

Lin Ze led his brothers and sisters to continue setting off firecrackers. For a moment, the courtyard was filled with the children's laughter. Lin Xiaohu and other children also joined in, and everyone played together in a lively atmosphere.

After setting off the firecrackers, Lin Ze took his brothers and sisters home. On the way, they met an old man who looked at Lin Ze with a kind smile on his face.

"Isn't this Aze? He has grown up so much." said the old man.

"Brother Lao Gen, good evening." Lin Ze greeted politely.

"Okay, okay, where are you going to play?" asked Lin Laogen.