When Chen Tang returned home, it was almost the fourth watch.

He pushed the door open and entered.

The oil lamp on the table flickered weakly as a gust of wind came in with the opening door, dimming the room.

Chen Tang's eye power was not affected by the darkness, and he saw two figures lying on the table, one was Qingmu, the other was Zhiwei.

The chubby old man had actually moved to the outer room, sleeping soundly on a bedding beside the stove.

The yellow dog also found a warm and comfortable spot next to the fireplace and dozed off with its eyes closed.

Seeing this scene, Chen Tang couldn't help but feel a trace of warmth in his heart.

It had been a long time since he felt like this.

Even in his past life, he worked away from home for years, living alone, returning to an empty house.

No one waited for him.

The only thing that awaited him was a high-cold cat that was indifferent to him.

The scene before him felt somewhat unfamiliar.

Is this home?

Zhiwei heard the commotion at the door and reflexively stood up, rubbing her sleepy eyes. Confirming that it was Chen Tang who had returned, she happily exclaimed, "Brother Atang, you're back!"

"Thank goodness, you finally came back."

Qingmu also lifted her head to glance at Chen Tang, visibly relieved.

"Why aren't you sleeping? What are you doing staying up like this?"

Though Chen Tang was touched, he still frowned and inquired.

"Not just not sleeping,"

Qingmu said: "This kid made dinner and wouldn't eat a bite, no matter how much my master and I persuaded, until you came back."

"Luckily, you didn't stay away for a month this time."

Finally, Qingmu gave Chen Tang a sideways glance, her tone tinged with a bit of resentment like a young wife.

Chen Tang kept his nose to the ground, his nose to his mouth, his mouth to his heart, seeing without looking, hearing without listening.

"Brother Atang, you haven't eaten yet, right?"

Zhiwei tiptoed to the stove, clumsily lifted the lid, and placed it aside. She touched the dishes inside, then smiled and softly said: "They're still warm."

At Zhiwei's words, Chen Tang indeed felt hungry.

Zhiwei brought out the dishes and placed them on the table one by one.

There was meat and vegetables, colorful and fragrant.

Returning to find someone waiting, with warm food.

Beside him sat a lovely and charming woman, occasionally sharing a joke.

Chen Tang never dared to dream of such a thing.

Qingmu said: "During the day, Zhiwei even scolded Xiao Huang, saying he almost caused big trouble. She asked me if it was because of Xiao Huang that you left without a word and refused to come back."

The yellow dog came to Chen Tang's side, wagging its tail, seeming to genuinely realize its mistake, whining softly.

"Good boy, it's not your fault."

Chen Tang reached out to rub Xiao Huang a few times and said: "While on the mountain, I met another cat, named Xue Tuan'Er, matches your name well, I'll introduce her to you later."

Hearing this, Xiao Huang was very happy, barking excitedly.

Chen Tang showed a quirky smile.

Zhiwei filled a large bowl of rice and placed it in front of Chen Tang, then sat back, full of anticipation and said: "Brother Atang, try it, please."

"Let's eat!"

Chen Tang, already tempted, picked up the bowl and started devouring it.

"Delicious, delicious!"

Whether it was due to hunger or Zhiwei's culinary skills, Chen Tang found this meal exceptionally delicious, even better than the grand feasts he had in his previous life.

"You haven't eaten tonight either, have you? Join me,"

Chen Tang observed Zhiwei not using her chopsticks and merely watching him eat, prompting his question.

Zhiwei replied: "I'll eat after Brother Atang finishes."

"Why do that? Eating together makes it tastier!"

Chen Tang said: "Eating alone is so dull."

Zhiwei hesitated a moment, but seeing Chen Tang's insistent tone, she slowly stood up, took a bowl, filled it with some rice, and returned to the table.

Over the years, she had been sold around as a maid, always waiting for the masters to finish eating before she could eat, which had become a habit.

She ate whatever was left.

Zhiwei, holding her bowl, picked a few leaves from the dishes, placed them on top of her rice, then took her bowl to the side of the stove and began eating in small bites.

"What are you doing?"

Chen Tang was stunned for a moment, then seemed to realize something and pointed to the table in front, sternly saying: "Come and eat here!"

"This, this isn't right, it's against the rules…"

Zhiwei shook her head hastily.

Chen Tang didn't waste words with her, directly got up, carried Zhiwei over, and seated her at the table, saying: "This is my home, there are no such absurd rules. What I say goes!"

Zhiwei's eyes grew a little red, and she murmured: "But, but I'm…"

Chen Tang waved his hand saying: "No one here considers you a maid, don't feel burdened."

"Brother Atang, but I want to repay you... repay all of you."

Zhiwei looked at Chen Tang, then at Qingmu.

"Cooking for everyone is repayment enough, now eat up!"

Chen Tang urged, then noticing the few leaves in Zhiwei's bowl, he immediately picked large chunks of meat from the dishes, piling them into Zhiwei's bowl like a little mountain.

"This, this is too much…"

Zhiwei was at a loss.

"Not too much!"

Chen Tang said: "At your age, you're still growing, you need to eat more! Besides, you cooked this meal, you should eat up! That's the first rule here at home!"

Zhiwei said nothing.

She only bowed her head, pursed her lips, and tears like pearls rolled into her bowl.

She scooped rice and dishes into her mouth, mixing them with her tears.

The tears were salty.

But the food was especially fragrant.

Qingmu watched it all with a cheerful smile, then went to the chubby old man and said, "Master, stop pretending to sleep, I won!"

"Okay, your judgment is better than your master's."

The chubby old man still didn't turn around, muttering a sentence.

This guy is indeed a bit different, unlike others, matches my temper.

Last time I couldn't show off, instead, he did something big.

I must find an opportunity tomorrow to show off again, let him see my skills.

Soon enough, Chen Tang and Zhiwei finished eating.

"Leave it till tomorrow to clean up, sleep first!"

Chen Tang waved his hand lazily.

Zhiwei hesitated to speak.

Dishes aren't usually left overnight.

If it were someone else's home, not washing the dishes immediately might have led to a beating.

Then she thought again.

This is Brother Atang's home, better listen to his words.

Qingmu smiled, holding Zhiwei's small hand, and took her into the inner room.

Watching this scene, Chen Tang finally understood why the chubby old man went to sleep in the outer room.

"Hey, here to keep me company?"

Chen Tang grinned and asked.

The chubby old man snorted, saying: "It's just too crowded with three people, I like quiet, so I came out by myself."

An old and a young surrounded by the stove, laying on the ground, quickly fell asleep.

Inside, lying on the warm brick bed, Zhiwei couldn't fall asleep.

In the dark, she kept her bright eyes open, her mind full of thoughts.

It had been a long time since she felt such happiness.

Is this home?

The childhood home, accompanied by a mother, but those memories were already a bit blurred.

She even almost couldn't remember her mother's appearance.

Yet here, she felt that warm, long-lost warmth again.

Is this real?

Zhiwei, from now on, you have a home, no need to wander anymore.

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