“Look at how you’ve grown…”
Little Ice Chunk turned her gaze, focusing on his chubby baby face.
She furrowed her little eyebrows, reached out, tugged at his face, and gave it a good rub and poke, causing Ke Mo to bare his teeth in a goofy grin, but she pouted, clearly not satisfied.
“Hey… don’t rush me! You’ll see once I’ve drawn it out.”
What in the world was she going to draw?
Little Ke, the pint-sized artist, fell into deep thought, poking his cheek with the b*tt of his pencil. After a moment, his shiny eyes lit up.
That day, he was just trying to draw too!
And accidentally got ink all over his face…
Images that didn’t belong to this moment slowly started appearing on the paper.
Thus, the sunset from that day at Qiushui Pavilion lit up today’s canvas.
The young man in the drawing stood beside the girl, his vibrant and handsome face splattered with a bit of ink…
“There’s a hint of charm in those brows and eyes,” Ying Mother nodded.
“Where’s the charm? Ke’s as stocky as a cow, and Little Mo definitely made himself look extra handsome on purpose.”
Ying Xuliang gawked like a stunned duck, feeling a mix of emotions bubbling up inside him.
Just seeing Ke Mo all grown up somehow made him want to give the kid a good smack!
“Boys grow up just like their mothers.”
Ying Mother smiled gently, not allowing her husband to nitpick.
It’s well-known.
The in-laws look at their son-in-laws, and the more they look, the angrier they get, while mothers-in-law look at their sons-in-law, and the more they look, the happier they become…
Wait, that’s not right.
Isn’t this too complicated? These two little ones are still so young; an arranged marriage doesn’t quite fit…
“…..”
The sunset lit up the sunset in the drawing and also reflected in Little Ying Bing’s glassy eyes, piercing through the snowy white within.
She couldn’t help but reach out and gently touch the young man’s face in the drawing, letting her fingertip become speckled with ink.
“How is it? Looks great, right?”
The little artist tilted her head, feeling a bit smug.
Suddenly, she felt a cold poke at the center of his face.
“?”
That small hand, dusted with ink, jabbed right at his nose.
“Now it looks even more like you in the drawing.”
Little Ying Bing spoke softly, casting a glance at Ying Mother beside her, her clear eyes turning a bit more complicated.
“Dumplings are served!”
The New Year’s Eve dinner at the Ying family was about to start. After the meal, they had to pay respects to their ancestors and share the year’s major events with them, asking for blessings for the coming year.
This was pretty much the same tradition as other families in Qinghe County.
Soon, in the brightly lit ancestral hall, a large pot was bubbling with dumplings, and the crackling sound of firecrackers echoed occasionally, the grayish night filled with the smell of fireworks.
The Ying family was a prominent clan, and their ancestry was quite distinguished.
During the New Year’s buffet, neighbors and families from the county could come for a meal and join the festivities, showing that their household was thriving.
Ke Mo scrunched his little face, watching Little Ice Chunk next to him.
Little Ice Chunk was still Little Ice Chunk, which meant that the dream was still not awakened from its slumber.
Little Ying Bing picked up a dumpling, her gaze a bit dazed, looking at the New Year’s Ying family courtyard.
“Honey, where’s the vinegar? How can you eat dumplings without vinegar?”
Old Ying looked at the two little ones, calling for some vinegar to give those dumplings a good bath.
“You’re really… Ice Girl finally has a friend; it’s a big deal!”
“I know, but I just want something sour.”
“Then eat up; I’ll go find a red envelope for Little Mo. Can’t throw away proper etiquette!”
Ying Xuliang munched on his dumplings: “Why isn’t he having his own New Year’s dinner yet?”
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“Don’t forget, the Li family’s New Year dinner is later,” Ying Mother reminded.
“Right, Little Li is probably out patrolling now; if he passes by…”
“Daddy, dumplings!”
A pair of chopsticks holding a dumpling was extended right in front of him, gripped by a little hand.
Ying Xuliang’s eyes widened suddenly, stunned for a while.
Is it Ice Girl?
In that moment, the old man felt a hint of tears forming. Ice Girl had always been shy around others and the same with her parents; there were even whispers in the county saying his daughter was a little fool.
But it seemed like today, Ice Girl had become somehow different.
“Yum, these dumplings are so tasty!”
“Hey, Little Mo, you should eat too.”
Ying Xuliang was stunned for a moment before turning to smile broadly.
Ying Mother also returned with two red envelopes in hand:
“Little Mo, Happy New Year! Take this red envelope and make sure to bring Ice Girl to play more often.”
“Thank you, aunty.”
Li Mo tucked the red envelope away, looking seriously at Little Ice Chunk. She stuffed the envelope into her clothes, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly, looking satisfied and joyful.
“…..”
Alright then.
Anyway, it’s just a dream; even if a disaster beast shows up, it doesn’t matter. If he kicks the bucket in the dream, it’ll just mean his consciousness gets a little weak for a while…
Why rush to wake up?
At least in the dream, he can face childhood fears alongside Little Ice Chunk, and that’s enough.
After a while.
With most of the buffet eaten, under the elder’s summons, the young ones of the Ying family headed into the ancestral hall.
The night seemed to grow thicker.
In the center of the hall stood a large incense burner, with incense sticks as thick as a child’s arm, burning in front of vague memorial tablets of their ancestors, surrounded by swirling smoke.
Not only were there tablets, but there was also a gilded statue of an ancestor, depicting a woman, crafted with a skill that could only be described as divine.
“This statue is impressive.”
“Of course! It’s the statue of our ancestor, made by a famous master artisan.”
Ying Xuliang tilted his head, feeling that Little Li Mo had a good eye.
“Master artisan…”
Li Mo glanced away, realizing why he vaguely sensed a flavor of divine power mingled with the aura of all beings.
“Let’s offer incense.”
Ying Mother brought over two incense sticks.
“Do I also need to offer?”
“Yeah, since you’re here.”
Little Ice Girl had never honored her ancestors before, and Ying Father and Ying Mother wondered if, with Little Li around, she might follow suit?
Li Mo nodded as he took the incense, looking at Little Ice Chunk:
“Shall we go?”
“…..”
But Little Ying Bing seemed to be lost in her thoughts, her gaze fixed on the deep night beyond the hall.
Ah.
Suddenly, Li Mo realized how eerily silent it had become outside; not a single sound was heard.
Following Little Ice Chunk’s gaze, Li Mo’s pupils contracted.
Before them stood a pitch-black disaster beast, its four feet planted firmly, sporting black horns on its head and eyes like crimson lanterns. It somewhat resembled the legendary Qilin, though it held none of its auspiciousness, looking rather hideous and fierce.
Its enormous, lantern-like eyes were fixed directly on the two little ones.
More accurately, it was staring at Little Ying Bing.
“Hehehe… you finally returned.”
