Four years had slipped by with the quiet inevitability of seasons changing, transforming the Lin household into a bustling hub of youthful energy.
Lin Kai, now five years old, thrived in the vibrant world of kindergarten, his small figure darting across the school's grassy playground.
The morning sun cast long shadows as he chased a colorful ball with his friends, his unique black hair streaked with red fluttering in the breeze, a striking contrast to his peers' more uniform locks.
Laughter rang out, a symphony of childhood, until the teacher's voice cut through the din. "Time to head to class, everyone!" she called, her tone firm yet kind.
The children obeyed, their footsteps a rhythmic patter as they filed into the low, pastel-painted building, Lin Kai casting a final wave to his playmates.
The morning lessons passed in a blur of letters, numbers, and colorful drawings, the classroom alive with the scratch of crayons and the murmur of young voices. When the bell rang sharply at 1:00 PM, signaling the end of the session, Lin Kai gathered his belongings—a small backpack adorned with a embroidered dragon—and bid farewell to his friends with a bright grin. "See you tomorrow!" he chirped, his cute face earning shy smiles in return.
Outside, Lin Mei awaited him, leaning against the school gate in a casual yet stunning ensemble: a tailored cream blouse and dark trousers that accentuated her graceful figure. Her silver hair was loosely tied, catching the sunlight, and several parents and passersby stole glances, their admiration unspoken but evident.
Lin Kai bounded toward her, his excitement spilling over as they walked home. "Today, we painted a big tree, and I won a sticker for my drawing!" he exclaimed, his violet eyes sparkling.
Lin Mei nodded, her lips curving into a gentle smile as she listened, interjecting with questions about his favorite colors and friends.
The path home wound through quiet streets lined with blooming jasmine, the air fragrant and warm, a stark contrast to the chilly winds of years past.
Upon arriving at the mansion, Lin Kai changed out of his uniform into comfortable play clothes, joining his mother for a lunch of noodle soup and steamed dumplings, his chatter filling the dining room with life.
In these years, Lin Kai had absorbed a wealth of knowledge, his curiosity driving him to master basic reading and simple arithmetic, a testament to his keen mind. His sisters, Lin Yu, Lin Ming, and Lin Ling, attended an elementary school over six kilometers away, their journey overseen by the head maid, who fetched them home each afternoon at 3:00 PM. The twins now eight and the little one at six, had gained a reputation for their cuteness and striking beauty—Lin Yu with her silver hair, Lin Ming with her pink, and Lin Ling with her purple—earning them admiration and a circle of friends.
The household's routine had solidified: mornings began with the children rising, brushing their teeth with mint-scented paste, bathing in the marble bathroom's warm water, and dressing for school, their backpacks slung over small shoulders. Afternoons brought a return to animated discussions about lessons, games, and occasional squabbles, the mansion echoing with their voices.
Lin Ling remained the thoughtful one, her decisions guided by a quiet wisdom, while Lin Ming's bubbly nature shone through her every action.
Lin Yu, though often reserved outside the family, blossomed into cheerfulness at home, her laughter a frequent sound.
Lin Mei had expanded her role at the branch, her work now spilling into occasional visits to the office. Her strategic mind had broadened the company's market across Yunnan, navigating rival firms with deft negotiations—securing a lucrative silk trade deal with a northern caravan, for instance.
Yet, her personal life with Zhang Liu remained stagnant, her disinterest a persistent barrier. Zhang Liu, in turn, grew increasingly frustrated, the lack of intimacy and progress gnawing at him over the years, his attempts to connect met with polite deflection.
One afternoon, as Lin Mei reviewed reports in her study, the scent of sandalwood incense wafting from a burner, Han Zhe and Jing Lie presented their findings. The couple, now seasoned in their roles, detailed branch performance with precision. Han Zhe paused, his brow furrowing. "Madam, Zhang Liu was found asleep at his desk again. His output remains negligible." Lin Mei's fingers stilled on a ledger, her mind calculating.
After a moment, she devised a plan. "Transfer him to the northern branch—far from here, under the guise of a promotion. It will distance his mood from this household and perhaps rekindle his focus." The decision was cloaked as an opportunity, a strategic move to maintain harmony.
When the news reached Zhang Liu a week later, delivered via a formal letter with the company seal, his initial reaction was one of excitement. The promotion promised a new challenge, a chance to prove himself. Yet, as days passed, thoughts of Lin Mei and his children tempered his enthusiasm.
The northern branch, nestled in a mountainous region over 300 kilometers away, would sever his daily presence. After sleepless nights, he resolved to accept, seeing it as a path to step out of Lin Mei's shadow and forge his own legacy. He approached her in the garden, where she tended to a cluster of orchids, their purple blooms a vivid splash against the green. "I've decided to take the promotion," he said, his voice steady.
Lin Mei's expression remained calm, though inwardly she relished the prospect of his absence. "If it serves your growth, go ahead. The choice is yours," she replied with a thoughtful nod, her support a veneer for her relief.
The children were informed that evening, gathered in the living room where a new tapestry—depicting a mythical phoenix—hung above the fireplace, a gift from a trade ally.
Lin Yu's face fell, her silver hair drooping as she murmured, "You won't be here?" Lin Ming's pink locks trembled with a pout, while Lin Ling, ever the mediator, stepped forward. "Congratulations, Father!" she exclaimed, hugging him tightly.
The others followed, their embraces lifting his spirits despite their initial dejection. Over the next week, they adjusted, the girls finding solace in their routines, though a subtle melancholy lingered.
Zhang Liu's departure came with the autumn equinox, the mansion's halls quieter without his footsteps.
A small farewell gathering featured mooncakes and chrysanthemum tea, the children presenting him with a handmade bookmark adorned with pressed flowers. As he boarded a train bound for the north, a silver pendant—engraved with a dragon, a family heirloom—glinted at his neck, a token he vowed to cherish. The household's mood dipped initially, the absence a void, but within days, normalcy returned.
Lin Mei read bedtime stories—tales of wandering spirits and hidden treasures—her voice a soothing balm as she hugged her children close, her dreams filled with their laughter under a starlit sky.
Lin Kai, meanwhile, observed the shift with his mature consciousness, his thoughts drifting to a carved wooden box his father had left behind, its contents a mystery sealed with a lock. He sensed the undercurrents of his parents' dynamic, the pendant's significance hinting at a deeper history, perhaps a clue to future revelations.
The routine persisted: mornings with the scent of brewing tea, afternoons with the clatter of schoolbags, and evenings with the soft glow of lanterns.
Lin Mei's market expansion continued, a rival's recent offer of a jade mine partnership on the table, while Lin Kai's mind whirred with possibilities, his soul consciousness a silent architect of his destiny.
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Dear readers, I know some of u get bit bored for there no action or adventures but believe me it will be in future arc at next volume. This present arc focuses on our MC's daily life with his growing phase, interactions and bonds so u can also feel with him.