Early Evening – Liang Family Mansion
In a grand, sprawling mansion nestled just beyond the city's noise, sunlight poured through towering windows, washing over polished marble floors and casting golden glints across the ornate chandeliers above. The space was vast and tastefully decorated—plush velvet curtains framed the windows, delicate porcelain vases stood proudly on gleaming wooden shelves, and family portraits lined the cream-colored walls with warmth and legacy. It was the kind of home that echoed old money and quiet elegance.
Within this luxurious space lived a family. At the long mahogany dining table, an elderly woman with wise eyes and silver hair sat regally, sipping tea, while a giggling toddler—no older than five—climbed halfway onto the chair beside her, legs swinging with carefree joy. Two young teenage girls sat across from them, scrolling lazily through their phones, their legs curled under them as they exchanged the occasional smirk or eye-roll.
In the open kitchen nearby—seamlessly connected to the dining room by a wide archway—a middle-aged woman stood stirring a pot, her sleeves rolled up and her brow glistening slightly from the warmth. Beside her was a girl around eleven years old, apron slightly crooked, carefully jotting down the recipe in a pink notebook between handing her mother ingredients.
In the adjacent living room—just a few steps away—the father of the house reclined comfortably on the couch. A quiet, middle-aged man with a resting tired face, he sat with a soft-smiling little girl nestled against him, perhaps eight years old, both of them watching cartoons flicker across the large flatscreen TV mounted above the fireplace.
And then—emerging from the grand staircase that curved down from the upper floor—came Grayworm.
Still rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Tai Xun descended lazily, half-awake, dressed in rumpled blue pajamas with white stripes. His hair was a tousled mess, and his expression looked like someone who had been rudely pulled from a very good dream. He scratched his head, one step at a time, shuffling down the stairs like a zombie.
"Rise and shine, my boy," his grandmother called warmly from the dining table, a gentle smile playing on her lips.
Grayworm—still half-asleep and mid-step—jerked in surprise at the sudden voice. He hadn't even realized she was there. His eyes shot toward her in disbelief.
"Grandma?" he blinked. "You're here?"
"I arrived this morning," she said, lifting her teacup with grace. "As soon as your father finally decided to tell me that you came to stay for a few days." Her gaze shifted—sharp and knowing—to Mr. Liang, who sat on the couch beside his young daughter, suddenly under fire.
"Mum," Mr. Liang turned with a sigh, "you never asked me to keep tabs on him."
"Was I supposed to ask?" she snapped back without missing a beat. "You know your son hardly ever visits. And when he finally does, you wait—what? Five whole days to tell me?"
"It's just been two days, Ma," Mr. Liang muttered, already rubbing his temple like he'd heard this tone a thousand times before.
Grayworm—real name Tai Xun—lived alone in an apartment in Beijing, far from the family home and rarely Visit. His grandmother, Mrs. Cheng, had been away on vacation when he dropped by two days ago. But the moment she got wind of her grandson's rare visit, she didn't waste a second. She packed up and rushed home immediately, eager to see him—nag and all.
"Gramms, just so you know… I'll be leaving today," Tai Xun said casually as he strolled over to the dining table, his voice light but his eyes flicking sideways, fully aware he'd just dropped a bomb in the middle of breakfast.
Mrs. Cheng slowly turned her head toward her son.
"He's leaving today?!" she snapped, her voice rising with disbelief.
"Oops. Dad's in deep shit," muttered Xiao Mei, his 13-year-old sister, eyes still glued to her phone as she lounged in her chair.
"Language," their mother, Mrs. Rou, called from the kitchen without missing a beat.
Mrs. Cheng wasn't done.
"Liang Xun!" she barked. "Didn't you say he'd be staying for a few more days?!"
Mr. Liang scrambled to find an excuse, rubbing his forehead. "I was… hoping you'd convince him to stay longer once you got here."
"Nope, Dad. Nope. Don't drag Grandma into this," Tai Xun said, shaking his head. "We already talked about it. I'm leaving today."
"Come on, son," Mr. Liang pleaded, shifting in his seat. "For your grandma's sake. You know how much she's been looking forward to seeing you."
"Not the emotional blackmail too, Dad," Tai Xun sighed. "You already guilt-tripped me into staying yesterday. That trick's expired." He reached into the fruit bowl, plucked a blueberry, and tossed it into the air—catching it effortlessly in his mouth.
"Xun," his grandmother said softly, turning to him. "Stay a little longer. Why do you keep avoiding home? Every time you come back, I feel like I'm meeting a stranger. I barely recognize you anymore."
"Grandma, I promise I'll come by again soon," he said gently. "Next time, you won't even need Dad to tell you—I'll call you myself, okay? And come on… it hasn't been that long."
"Yeah, Gramms, he's right," Xiao Mei said with biting sarcasm. "One whole year and a half isn't that long. Its practically yesterday"
Mrs. Cheng held Tai Xun's hand gently, her voice laced with quiet hurt. "It's already been over a year now, Xun. When you spoke earlier, I almost didn't recognize your voice. It's deeper now."
"Yeah, what's with the new voice?" muttered Ling Qian, his 15-year-old sister, without looking up from her phone. "Sounds Silly," she added flatly.
Tai Xun nodded. "Yea, so does your face. Let's hope your boyfriend over there finally notices it—on your big date tomorrow," he said, glancing at the picture of the guy she'd clearly been texting.
"Mom!" Ling Qian shrieked, snapping her phone to her chest. "Tai Xun's snooping on my stuff again!"
From the kitchen, their mother just rolled her eyes—already done with all of them.
Mrs. Cheng, confused, looked up.
"You have a boyfriend?" she asked, frowning slightly. Mr. Liang, who'd been quiet so far, suddenly leaned forward, clearly interested in the conversation now.
Without warning, Ling Qian stomped to her feet and turned to face her brother, fuming.
"Can you just stay away from me? Forever!" she snapped before storming off dramatically, her footsteps heavy with teenage rage.
Tai Xun blinked, caught off guard. He turned to Xiao Mei.
"What's with her?" he asked, genuinely puzzled.
"Puberty," Xiao Mei said simply, eyes still glued to her phone.
Tai Xun stared at her for a beat, then shrugged and went back to what he was doing. He ruffled his little brother's hair playfully. Just then, his mother called from the kitchen.
"Tai!"
He strolled over casually. She took a small spoonful of food from the pot and held it out to him.
"Taste this."
He took a bite.
"Is it good?" she asked in a hushed tone, watching his reaction.
He nodded while chewing.
"Do you think she will like it?" she added, glancing toward Mrs. Cheng—his grandmother.
Before he could answer, Su Li—his 18-year-old sister—breezed in, snatched a spoon, and helped herself to a taste. Both Mrs. Rou and Tai Xun blinked at the unexpected interruption, but Mrs. Rou still asked,
"So...? What do you think?"
Su Li licked her lips. "Tastes nice," she said casually. Then added without missing a beat, "Grandma's still not gonna like it."
Mrs. Rou's smile faded instantly. Tai Xun's did too.
"You know Grandma's never liked anything that comes from you," Su Li went on flatly, already reaching for a glass of water. "You can stop trying."
She downed half the glass as Mrs. Rou sighed, knowing deep down her daughter wasn't wrong.
Tai Xun, trying to steer the mood back up, turned to his mother.
"It tastes good, Mum," he said sincerely.
Then, without warning, he casually grabbed the same mug of water Su Li was about to drink from.
"Hey!" she called out, raising a hand in protest.
He ignored her and lifted the mug to his lips—then paused, realizing he was about to drink from the exact spot she had. With a slight grimace, he turned the mug around and drank from the other side instead, earning a sharp side-eye from her.