[At Beijing Railway Station]
The chill of the early evening air at the railway station brought a shiver to Yang Zi, but his excitement kept him warm.
He stood near the designated exit, a familiar point amidst the hum of activity, his eyes scanning the digital board for the Anhai train.
Passengers bustled past, their hurried footsteps echoing in the vast hall, each one a fleeting shadow in the bright, almost harsh station lights. He checked his watch for the third time in as many minutes, a nervous but joyful habit.
Finally, a low rumble grew, escalating into a distinct mechanical groan, and the whistle of the approaching train pierced the air.
A collective surge of people moved towards the platforms. Yang Zi's heart swelled. He waited there for an anxious moment until the train hissed to a stop and the doors slid open, releasing a fresh wave of travelers.
He peered through the crowd, a grin already tugging at his lips, until he spotted them—his mother's vibrant red coat, his father's steady posture beside her.
With a big smile, like a kid spotting candy, Yang Zi paced towards them, weaving through the disembarking passengers. "Mom! Dad!" he called out, his voice a burst of pure joy.
His mother, a gentle smile already gracing her lips, opened her arms. Yang Zi immediately enveloped her in a tight hug, burying his face in her shoulder.
"Mom… I missed you so much!"
She stroked the back of his hair, a loving, familiar gesture. "I missed you too, my son. Tsk, tsk, look at you, so thin! Don't tell me you always eat outside." Her brow furrowed in mock disapproval.
Yang Zi pulled back, feigning offense. "Ugh, Mom, I make food at home! You can ask Yu Han."
His father, a hint of amusement in his eyes, cleared his throat. "Ah, where is he, then?" he asked, looking around.
"Yu Han is at his part-time job," Yang Zi explained, "at Mr. Wu's restaurant."
Just then, a soft "Ahem, ahem" came from behind his parents. Yang Zi looked up to see a woman in her early thirties peeking from behind his mother, a bright-eyed child clutching her hand. Her face, though a little tired, was undeniably familiar.
"Jie Mei!" Yang Zi exclaimed, his eyes widening in surprise and delight.
She smiled, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes, and stepped forward, pulling him into a hug.
"Ahhh, look at this handsome grown man! You've changed so much, my younger brother."
"How have you been?" Yang Zi asked, genuinely surprised but overjoyed. "I missed you so much!"
Jie Mei shrugged good-naturedly. "I'm fine, really. Just the usual chaos, you know, but it's good to see you. We decided to surprise you."
It was then that the little boy, who had been shyly hiding behind his mother's legs, found his voice. "Good evening, Uncle. I'm Tian." His small voice was clear and polite.
Yang Zi's face softened even further. He immediately knelt, scooping the boy up and kissing his cheek. "I know you are our little Tian! Uncle missed you. Did you miss your uncle?"
The boy nodded enthusiastically, his tiny arms wrapping around Yang Zi's neck. "Mama read me storybooks that you bought for me... I want more storybooks!"
Everyone burst into laughter, the sound warm and comforting in the bustling station. Yang Zi chuckled, hugging Tian tighter.
"Okay, okay, I'll buy you more storybooks. Don't worry. Let's go home now. It's getting late."
_______________
[At Apartment]
The key scraped against the lock with a metallic sigh, and the apartment door swung inward, revealing not a sanctuary, but a battlefield.
Yang Zi's mother, a woman whose neatness bordered on an art form, paused on the threshold, her eyes widening, then narrowing.
The living room, usually a haven of understated decor, was now a swirling vortex of discarded clothes, textbooks, and empty snack wrappers. A pair of crumpled socks lay draped over a lampshade, like a forgotten banner.
Her gaze swept to the kitchen, where a towering monument of unwashed dishes gleamed dully in the morning light, remnants of breakfast, and perhaps yesterday's dinner, all piled precariously in the sink.
She took a deep, shuddering breath, the air thick with the faint scent of stale food and impending doom.
"Yang Zi!" Her voice, usually soft, cracked like a whip.
Yang Zi, sprawled on the sofa, scrolling listlessly through his phone, flinched.
His sister, Yang Mei, was perched on the armchair, engrossed in a magazine, but she merely shared a resigned glance with her brother.
Yang Zi's mother marched into the room, her handbag still clutched in her hand, and delivered a swift, but not entirely painless, tap to Yang Zi's head.
"You kids! How can you even live in this dump yard? Look at this place! Why didn't you clean your home?"
Yang Zi rubbed his head, letting out a dramatic groan that earned him a pointed glare from his mother.
"Mom, we had to do… other work," he mumbled, his voice devoid of energy, a weak defense for the domestic chaos. He gestured vaguely towards a pile of papers on the coffee table.
"I swear, this is the first time the house has been this messy. We rushed out this morning, remember? To the market."
Yang Mei chuckled, a low, knowing sound. She hadn't even looked up from her magazine. "Leave it, Mom. You know boys. They've always been like this."
His mother spun on her heel, fixing Yang Mei with an equally stern look, though the corner of her lips twitched slightly. "Don't you start, young lady."
But the damage was done. Yang Zi, seeing the battle was lost, scrambled off the sofa.
"Okay, okay, I'll clean up!" he declared, already striding towards the kitchen. He rolled up his sleeves, a picture of newfound determination, and plunged his hands into the mountain of dishes.
The clatter of ceramic against metal filled the air, a belated symphony of belated domesticity.
Yang Mei, with a sigh that was almost a purr, finally set her magazine aside. "Fine, I'll take care of this," she conceded, rising to her feet.
She retrieved the vacuum cleaner from the closet, its hum soon joining the clatter of dishes, as she systematically began to reclaim the living room from its textile invasion.
Yang Zi's mother watched them, a small, satisfied smile replacing her earlier frown. The house was slowly, painstakingly, being restored to order. "What do you want to eat tonight?" she called out, her voice softening considerably.
Yang Zi, submerging a particularly stubborn pot, spluttered, "Kung Pao Chicken!" His favorite.
"Kung Pao Chicken," his mother repeated, a thoughtful hum escaping her lips. "Alright then. I'll make an ingredients list. You can go buy these from the market."
She meticulously scribbled on a notepad, then tore off the sheet, handing it to Yang Zi as he emerged from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel.
Yang Zi took the list, scanning it quickly. "Got it."
He grabbed his worn denim jacket from the coat rack and wound a thick scarf around his neck, preparing for the crisp autumn air outside.
As he reached for the doorknob, a small, insistent voice pierced the sudden calm of the apartment.
"Uncle Zi! Uncle Zi!"
Tian, Yang Mei's son, a bundle of boundless energy, bounded into the room, his eyes wide and pleading. "I want to go with you! Please!"
Yang Mei, just finishing up with the vacuuming, shook her head. "Don't trouble Uncle, Tian. Here, watch your cartoons." She pointed to the television.
But Yang Zi merely chuckled, a warm sound that melted Tian's hopeful frown. "Don't worry, Jie," he said, reassuring his sister. "Let him come with me. I'll take care of him." He knelt down, arms outstretched.
Tian, delighted, launched himself into Yang Zi's embrace. Yang Zi scooped him up, and the boy's soft cheek pressed against his, a quick, sticky kiss. "Thank you, Uncle Zi!" he chirped, his grin wide.
With Tian perched comfortably on his hip, Yang Zi gave his mother and sister a wave and stepped out into the bustling street.
After a pleasant, if slightly meandering, walk through the neighborhood, which involved Tian pointing out every stray cat and interesting-looking pebble, they stopped in front of Mr. Wu's Restaurant, a charming establishment known for its authentic regional cuisine.
The bell above the door jingled merrily as Yang Zi pushed it open, Tian still in his arms.
"Hello, Mr. Wu! How are you?" Yang Zi called out, the aroma of spices and simmering broth washing over them.
From the kitchen, a gruff, but friendly voice boomed, "Ahh, Yang Zi! I'm good, I'm good!"
Mrs. Wu, a cheerful woman with kind eyes and a perpetually rosy complexion, who had been meticulously polishing a table near the window, suddenly looked up. Her face broke into a wide, delightful smile as she spotted Tian.
"Oh! And who is this cute kid?" she exclaimed, abandoning her task and hurrying towards them.
Tian, remembering his manners, slid quietly from Yang Zi's arms and executed a surprisingly elegant bow. "Hello, Aunty. I'm Tian."
"Aww, my heart!" Mrs. Wu cooed, her hands flying to her chest. She immediately scooped him up, her embrace warm and motherly.
From a small jar hidden behind the counter, she produced two brightly wrapped candies. "Here you go, little one!"
"He's my elder sister's son," Yang Zi explained, a fond smile playing on his lips as Tian eagerly unwrapped his treat.
They exchanged pleasantries, chatting casually about the neighborhood and the day's happenings, the sweet scent of the restaurant's pastries mingling with the warmth of their conversation.
Just then, a bicycle whizzed past the window and parked neatly outside. Yu Han, dressed in his delivery uniform, dismounted with practiced ease, his helmet tucked under his arm. His eyes scanned the restaurant, and then, his face lit up.
"Tian!"
Tian, upon seeing his other favorite uncle, squealed with delight, the candy momentarily forgotten, and dashed towards Yu Han. "Hello, Uncle Han! You've become even more handsome!"
Yu Han chuckled, a rich, warm sound, as he caught the boy in a hug. He ruffled Tian's hair. "You've grown so much, Tian! Uncle missed you!" Tian nodded emphatically, burying his face in Yu Han's shoulder.
Yu Han then looked up, meeting Yang Zi's gaze. "Yang Zi? What are you doing here?"
Yang Zi gestured vaguely with the shopping list. "Mom is going to cook Kong Pao Chicken tonight. I've come to take you home."
From the kitchen, Mr. Wu's voice echoed, cutting through the pleasantries.
"You should go home, Yu Han! We don't have any more deliveries for you today. Go enjoy your food!"
Yu Han nodded, a grateful smile spreading across his face. "Alright, Mr. Wu! See you tomorrow!"
He took Tian's hand, the boy already excitedly recounting his morning adventures, and together, the three of them stepped out of the restaurant, ready for the promise of a homemade meal.