Mo Xiaotuo's mind was filled with these moments with her grandmother in the countryside. Her grandmother was always so kind, and her smile was always so gentle.
Grandma must have been in a lot of pain during the fire.
How could such a large fire start in broad daylight?
"Did you find out something?" Luo Chen and Min Zhixian walked behind, while Yu Chao led the others to arrange their accommodations for the day.
Min Ji-hyun raised the corner of her mouth and asked in return, "What else has Mr. Luo found out?"
The two looked at each other without speaking, each trying to guess what the other was thinking.
Luo Chen had already sent people to investigate the situation that day. Strangely, everyone in the vicinity went to work in the fields that day, not even a single child was left behind, which was a big point of suspicion.
Min Zhixian's findings were similar to Luo Chen's: the fire destroyed the entire house, and the neighboring houses were also damaged, though not as severely. Only her grandmother's room was completely burned down.
After a short silence, Mo Xiaotuo came over and took Luo Chen's hand, saying with a sorrowful expression, "Look, that's the village where Zhiyan and I lived. We grew up there. There's a road right next to here. Before, it was just a narrow path, and it was difficult for cars to get out. I don't know if they've repaired the road in the past few years."
"Don't worry, the road is under construction. We can go through the village entrance over there. I had someone come and survey the terrain yesterday. Although the road isn't very wide, it's already quite convenient for vehicles to travel on," Luo Chen said reassuringly, holding the little wildcat's hand.
It turns out Mr. Luo had done his homework beforehand; no wonder he fell asleep and didn't say a word the whole way.
"Thank you!" Mo Xiaotuo said gratefully.
Seeing the two of them gazing at each other with affection, Min Ji-hyun felt a pang of sadness.
Seeing that Brother Min was sad, Mo Zhiyan stepped forward, took his hand, and said gently, "Brother Min, let's go eat some spicy hot pot!"
"Just enough, but not too spicy. You know which place is good." Min Ji-hyun asked, snapping out of her reverie.
"That place at the east end of town, Ninth Brother Hot Pot, I wonder if it's still open. It used to be our favorite place to eat there." Mo Zhiyan pointed to a place not far away.
Min Zhixian held Mo Zhiyan's hand and followed him forward.
Mo Xiaotuo and Luo Chen followed behind, and the group soon arrived at the Ninth Brother Hot Pot restaurant.
The hot pot restaurant owner was a man in his forties. When he saw the brother and sister, he was stunned for a moment, and then said happily, "It's Zhiyan and Xiaotuo! Oh, it's been so many years since I've seen you come back. Come, come, there are private rooms on the second floor, sit on the second floor."
"Ninth Brother, your business is doing very well!" Mo Zhiyan recognized the boss.
“It’s all thanks to the patronage of our regular customers. Wild game from the mountains has been selling well these past few years, and many people have gone into the mountains to hunt. Life in town has also improved a lot. It’s hard to believe you’ve all grown up so much. Grandma has been gone for many years now.” Seeing them reminded Ninth Brother of his grandmother.
My grandmother was well-liked in the town and the village. Although she didn't practice medicine, she would often give away the herbs she dug up to those in need. Therefore, the people in the town respected and respected her.
Ninth Brother had received some kindness from his grandmother before, so every time she came to town, he would drag her here for hot pot. His grandmother felt embarrassed, so she would bring Ninth Brother some spices she picked from the mountains every time she came.
My family has a very good relationship with my ninth brother. Every year, my ninth brother would go to pay respects to my maternal grandmother. They are like relatives without blood ties.
"Ninth Brother, we're having a hot pot with two broths today!" Mo Zhiyan said with a childlike expression.
"Okay, it's good to eat less spicy food. You two have been eating like this since you were little, and your skin is still very good." Ninth Brother patted Zhiyan's little head.
"Ninth Brother, it's been a long time." Min Ji-hyun entered last, carrying gifts in her hands.
"Oh my, Zhixian, I almost didn't recognize you." Ninth Brother was a little surprised to see Min Zhixian.
"This is a gift for you. It's been so many years, but Ninth Brother hasn't changed at all." Min Zhixian smiled slightly and handed the gift to Ninth Brother.
Ninth Brother waved his hands repeatedly and said, "We're all family, why are you being so polite? You still remember Ninth Brother and came back to see him, I'm already very happy."
“Some things happened at home back then, and I left for many years. I only recently came back.” Min Zhixian chatted with Ninth Brother about their past.
Mo Xiaotuo listened very attentively, afraid of missing any details.
Seeing the little wildcat's serious expression, Luo Chen felt a pang of sadness; he wasn't part of that memory.
Everyone except Luo Chen had a great time that evening. They rested at a small inn in town, and after dinner, Ninth Brother took them there. Moreover, Ninth Brother would go back with them the next day.
They planned to visit Grandma Liu early in the morning to retrieve the photo album they had left at her house.
That night, Mo Xiaotuo and Mo Zhiyan were so excited that they couldn't sleep a wink.
The next morning, Ninth Brother arrived and told everyone to go have breakfast first, and then go to Grandma Liu's house. Grandma Liu lived at the entrance of town, and you had to pass by there to get back to the village.
Since they were coming to the village, their car wasn't flashy, in order to avoid unnecessary trouble.
As they passed through the town, Mo Xiaotuo opened the car window and looked at the scenery on both sides. Some of the town's buildings had changed quite a bit due to reconstruction. Their car followed Min Zhixian's car and stopped at the entrance of the town.
The siblings got out of the car and arrived at the gate of Grandma Liu's courtyard. The place had changed; the old dilapidated house was now replaced by a new one. In the courtyard, Grandma Liu was playing with her grandson when she heard the car and glanced over curiously.
Grandma Liu's daughter-in-law opened the gate to the courtyard and saw a group of strangers. She only recognized Ninth Brother in the crowd.
"Ninth Brother, are you looking for your mother-in-law?" asked Liu's daughter-in-law.
"Yes, but it wasn't me looking for Grandma Liu, it was Zhiyan and Xiaotuo." Ninth Brother took Xiaotuo's hand and went inside first.
"Grandma Liu!" Mo Zhiyan shouted.
Grandma Liu was stunned when she heard the voice. She looked up and saw her old friend's grandson and granddaughter. She was so excited that her eyes welled up with tears.
"Grandma Liu!" Mo Zhiyan rushed forward and threw herself into Grandma Liu's arms.
When Grandma Liu saw the siblings, she thought of her good friend, and she hugged them, sobbing uncontrollably.
"This is Xiao Tuo, she's grown into a beautiful young lady, Grandma Liu almost doesn't recognize her anymore." She sobbed with mixed feelings of joy and sorrow, looking up at Mo Xiao Tuo.
"Hello, Grandma Liu!" Mo Xiaotuo greeted politely.
"Good, all good! It's rare that you still remember to come back and visit this old woman. Third son's wife, quick, find the third son and have him get some good things to entertain our distinguished guests." Grandma Liu said happily.
"No, Grandma Liu, I'm going to pay respects to my maternal grandmother and want to take the photo album that I left here with me." Mo Xiaotuo told Grandma Liu the purpose of her visit directly.
Photo album?
Grandma Liu scratched her head, trying hard to think.
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