"I'll look forward to Star Moon's big show first."
At that moment, Yang Qing pulled out two bottles of beer from under the table.
"Brat, it's a rare occasion that you've come back. Have a drink with me today!"
"Wow! Since when did you secretly start buying alcohol behind my back?"
Seeing the beer, Feng Dongmei immediately reached out and snatched the bottles away.
"Hey, Dongmei, today's a special day! The kid is finally back, and we're all happy. Let me have a drink with him, just one bottle, okay?" Yang Qing pleaded.
Due to his health issues, Feng Dongmei had made him quit drinking for years.
"What are you even saying?" She rolled her eyes before sighing. "I'll open it for you. The bottle opener is in the kitchen."
She glanced at Yang Qing blankly, then picked up both bottles and walked to the kitchen. Since today was indeed a day worth celebrating, she figured letting them indulge a little wouldn't be too much of a problem. After all, one beer wouldn't get them drunk.
"Hey, hey! I misunderstood you! Wives are the best!" Yang Qing grinned, quickly kissing Feng Dongmei's cheek before happily following her into the kitchen.
This small moment of affection made Yixing Yu's little face turn red. She glanced at Yang Mo before lowering her head shyly.
"Brother Yang Mo, look at Auntie and Uncle. Even after all these years, they're still so affectionate, just like a young couple," she said dreamily. "It would be nice if my future boyfriend were like that..."
Right then, the older couple returned with the beer and a few glasses.
"Here it comes! Here it comes! Here's the wine!"
"I want a drink too!" Star Moon immediately pointed at the beer with anticipation.
"No way! Girls can't drink!" Feng Dongmei shook her head, firmly rejecting her request.
"It's okay, Auntie, just one sip! Please?" Star Moon clung to her aunt's hand, looking up at her with puppy eyes.
"Sigh… fine, but only half a glass! If you get drunk, your parents will scold me when you get home!"
"Half a cup is fine! Thank you, Auntie!"
Yang Qing then poured the beer into everyone's glasses and raised his own.
"Today is a special day," he announced. "From now on, let the past with the Lin family stay in the past. That chapter of your life is over. In the future, you are our good son of the Yang family. We welcome you back and hope you can start over!"
Feng Dongmei's eyes turned slightly red with emotion. In her heart, Yang Mo had always been her son. That had never changed.
"Mo, welcome home."
"Brother Yang Mo, welcome home!"
Everyone raised their glasses.
Seeing this, Yang Mo was deeply moved. He raised his own glass and said, "Thank you, Mom and Dad. Thank you, sister Star Moon. From now on, you are my only family."
He then drank the beer in one go. However, the strong, unfamiliar sensation of alcohol suddenly made him cough violently. This was his first time drinking, and the burning sensation in his throat was unbearable.
"Slow down! Don't choke!" Feng Dongmei quickly patted Yang Mo's back, worried.
Yang Qing downed his beer as well, exhaling with satisfaction.
"Ahh! So refreshing! It's been so long since I've had a drink like this."
The cold beer slid down his throat, leaving a cool aftertaste as it settled in his stomach.
"One more!"
"Is it really that good? Let me try!" Star Moon curiously picked up her glass of beer and brought it close to her nose, sniffing it.
There was no particularly strange odor. Encouraged, she took a small sip.
The next second, she scrunched her face in disgust.
"Ew! It's so sour and bitter! I don't like it!"
She immediately pushed the glass away and stuffed a mouthful of food into her mouth to get rid of the taste.
"Hahaha!"
Everyone laughed at her reaction.
Meanwhile, Yang Mo found himself enjoying the taste of the beer. Taking a bite of food, then a sip of beer, he realized it was quite refreshing. He poured himself and Yang Qing another glass.
"Try these dishes while they're hot," Yang Qing said, taking another sip. "Your mom prepared them especially for you—all your favorites."
"Thanks, Mom," Yang Mo said gratefully.
He picked up a piece of pork rib and placed it into Feng Dongmei's bowl.
"Mom, you've worked hard. You eat first."
Then, he gave another piece to Yang Qing.
"Good boy! You eat too!"
The flavors were the same as before, nostalgic and comforting.
Maybe… this is what home tastes like.
Tonight was the most heartwarming meal Yang Mo had eaten since he had left the Lin family. It had been so long since he had felt this kind of happiness.
The warmth and intimacy he had once longed for had actually been within reach all along.
Yang Mo silently vowed to cherish this family—this love that he had nearly lost.
A Mysterious Pain
Meanwhile, inside the president's office of a luxurious business center in Jinghai City, Lin Xia was reviewing the latest financial contracts.
These documents determined the company's lifeblood, so she couldn't afford to be careless.
This company was one of the Lin family's many enterprises, and because of Lin Xia's extraordinary business acumen, Lin Yong had gradually entrusted her with control over several businesses.
"Ms. Lin, have you reviewed the contracts?"
The elegant female secretary standing nearby asked politely.
When Lin Xia first joined the company, many—including the secretary—assumed she was just another privileged heiress who inherited the family's business without effort.
But within half a year, Lin Xia had doubled the company's revenue, proving everyone wrong.
"There are no major issues," Lin Xia said after a moment. "Just one thing—next time, don't include reports for accounts with transactions below one million. Only bring me the larger ones."
"Understood, Ms. Lin. I'll make sure the reports are filtered accordingly." The secretary nodded before respectfully handing her a pen. "Here's the pen. Please sign it."
Lin Xia took the pen and was just about to sign when—
"Ah!"
A sharp, searing pain suddenly shot through her hand.
The pen slipped from her grasp, clattering onto the desk.
Lin Xia gasped, clutching her wrist. It felt as if countless needles were piercing through her skin, accompanied by an intense numbness.
"Ms. Lin! Are you okay?!"
The secretary rushed forward, panic in her voice.
Lin Xia clenched her teeth, eyes darkening.
What… was this pain?
And why did it feel so eerily familiar?