He clicked on Baidu and searched for the three words "bedtime song."

The next second, a plethora of song titles popped up.

At the forefront of the list was—Baby.

He glanced over at the lyrics, while the person on the other side of the video grew impatient and urged him on.

"Li Mochan, make a sound."

No sooner had the words left their lips than the sound of the man clearing his throat resonated in her ear.

Then, a magnetic voice carried towards her, neither light nor heavy.

"My baby, baby."

"I’ll give you a little sweet."

...

His low and mellow voice was like a pot of sake warmed in the cold winter, irresistibly plunging one into his tenderness.

Drowsiness surged unexpectedly, and Ye Jiuliang felt his eyelids closing uncontrollably as his fingertips holding the phone began to relax.

Li Mochan watched the serene sleeping face on the video, his voice gradually lowering.

He took a screenshot, setting the sleeping face of his little wolf cub as the screen saver.

It wasn’t until he got off the vehicle that he finally hung up the video call.

**

The continuous mountains stretched endlessly, shrouded in a thin mist, looking like the ethereal Penglai wonderland.

Ye Jiuliang and the other three stepped onto the land of the island, exchanging smiles.

One could say, their memories of youth had taken root and sprouted here.

This, was the home their master had given them.

Looking around, vast pear blossoms were blooming, dense as clouds against the pale blue sky, floating and rolling lightly.

The faint fragrance lingered at the tip of their noses. Ye Jiuliang hooked his lips up, "It’s still quiet here."

"Remember how we used to secretly drink the wine Master buried under the pear trees? Every time we got caught, a lecture was inevitable," Ji Mingqian reminisced about the past, laughing lightly.

Gu Xinuo chimed in, "You and Achen always got scolded the worst."

"It was Ajiu who egged us on every time. Master was too biased, always favoring Ajiu," Ji Mingqian pouted, his face filled with a smiling expression.

If possible, he truly wished to be lectured by Master once more.

Ye Jiuliang chuckled lightly, "Let’s go, it’s time to clean up Master’s courtyard."

The old mischief was very particular about cleanliness.

Even now, seldom as they returned here, they could find the way to Master’s house with their eyes closed.

"Chen brother."

Before they had even entered the yard, a delicate voice came first.

Heard before she was seen.

Ji Mingqian shook the goosebumps off his body and looked at Chu Chen with a schadenfreude grin.

Lucky for him that Mo Lingling didn’t fancy him, otherwise he’d be thoroughly disgusted.

Ye Jiuliang glanced at Gu Xinuo inconspicuously, then turned to look at Chu Chen.

This Mo Lingling really was troublesome.

Hurried footsteps rang out, and Mo Lingling, dressed in a white skirt, rushed over.

Ignoring the other three, her eyes were filled only with the presence of Chu Chen. "Chen brother, I knew you’d come today. I came back yesterday and have been waiting for you for a long time."

As she spoke, she reached out to hook Chu Chen’s arm, but he dodged it.

Chu Chen didn’t spare her even a glance, shifting a step to the side, perfectly aligning himself beside Gu Xinuo.

"Achen," Mo Lingling’s face showed traces of hurt as she looked at Chu Chen with a pitiable expression that was on the brink of tears but not quite, only serving to irritate others.

Ye Jiuliang had his hands in his pockets and couldn’t be bothered to watch her put on a love-stricken act. "Please don’t block the way here."

"You..."

Mo Lingling turned her head, wanting to lash out, but upon seeing it was Ye Jiuliang, her face changed, and she fell silent.

Damn, she had almost forgotten that obnoxious ghost Ye Jiuliang was also here.

Gu Xinuo hooked arms with Ye Jiuliang, and the two of them walked into the courtyard first, followed closely by Ji Mingqian. He certainly didn’t wish to feel nauseated so early in the morning.

Seeing that Chu Chen was about to leave, Mo Lingling stepped forward to block his path. "Achen, can’t we have a proper chat?"

Chu Chen looked past her into the courtyard, his face emotionless. "Today is Master’s memorial day. I don’t want to argue with you. You best watch yourself."

With that, he stepped into the yard.

Mo Lingling watched his back, her lips turning white from biting them so hard.

"Aqian, hurry up and sweep the floor, don’t be lazy." Gu Xinuo brought over a broom and lightly kicked Ji Mingqian’s calf with the tip of her foot.

"Can’t you learn from Achen."

Ji Mingqian was sitting on a stone bench and gave her a sidelong glance. "Achen is so great, why don’t you just settle down with him then?"

Gu Xinuo scoffed at him, "Get lost."

Inside the room, Ye Jiuliang finished wiping the table and reached for the photo frame on it, a hint of reminiscence flashing through his eyes.

In the photo, the elderly man was dressed in a green Tang suit, adorned with a kindly smile, while she and Anuo stood on the right and Achen and Aqian on the left.

Master, we’ve come to see you again, and we brought you some good wine.

Next time I come to see you, I’ll bring someone else to meet you.

The four of them cleaned up the yard inside and out, and time quickly passed. By noon, it was still Chu Chen who was responsible for cooking, as he was the only one here who could cook anything edible, unlike the others, whose food even dogs wouldn’t touch.

Since they were staying on the island for two days, they also brought some food with them.

"Ajiu, go wash the vegetables. And pick up some firewood while you’re at it." Gu Xinuo, carrying a basket of vegetables, turned her head towards Ye Jiuliang, who was cutting meat.

Everything on the island was very "ancient"; even cooking required lighting a fire first.

"I’ll be right there." Ye Jiuliang handed the kitchen knife to Ji Mingqian, washed his hands, and then left the kitchen with Gu Xinuo.

Ji Mingqian stared at the knife in his hand, blinking. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

He didn’t know how to cut meat.

"What are you staring at? Chop chop, you don’t want lunch?" Chu Chen urged.

Ji Mingqian raised his eyebrows. It was his turn to get busy.

He gestured with the knife over the meat on the chopping board a couple of times, then chopped down hard.

There was a "bang" as even the chopping board shook—others cut meat, he was hacking it.

Chu Chen turned his head with a spatula in hand, looking at the uneven chunks of meat, and his head filled with black lines.

"Ji Mingqian, what the hell are you doing?"

"Isn’t this what you asked me to do?" He looked back at him innocently.

Chu Chen took a deep breath. "Put down the knife and go peel the garlic. And get a few eggs while you’re at it."

Ji Mingqian responded with an "okay" and turned to peel the garlic.

"Achen, do you need my help?" Mo Lingling walked in with high heels, looking at the crude kitchen with a hint of disdain in her eyes.

Chu Chen’s face was cold. "No need."

Mo Lingling twisted her fingers, appearing aggrieved, and tentatively said, "Achen, I truly know I was wrong about that incident. I was just not thinking clearly and that’s why I did what I did. I really didn’t realize that medicine would be so frightening, I didn’t mean to harm you."

"I’ve been truly remorseful these past two years. We grew up together. Can’t you just give me another chance?"

"Get out." Chu Chen put down his knife and turned to check on the soup in the pot.

"Achen, are you really so heartless towards me?" Mo Lingling continued insistently, "It was me you first knew. Why are you so nice to Ye Jiuliang and Gu Xinuo, but so cold towards me?"