Yao Tang picked up the bowl from the table and took a small sip. The smile on her face widened, and her eyes crinkled in joy.

"It's delicious," she said softly. "It tastes the same as before."

She placed the bowl back on the table.

The atmosphere around them was warm and cozy. It was completely different from what they had seen all around them. She sighed, contented.

After drinking the sugar water, Yao Tang walked out of the small courtyard. There, her grandfather showed her all the dried herbs he had collected earlier.

"These medicinal herbs had been dried the last time."

Grandpa placed the herbs into the basket.

Her grandmother watched from afar as a gentle smile slipped into her lips. She waved her hand. "Now that you're back," she started. "We can finally rest assured."

Yao Tang glanced over at the other side of the courtyard where she could see a bunch of wooden baskets beside him. There were different herbs that he had collected.

A bottle glinted in her sight, and she bent over.

"Why is there a bottle of wine here?"

Following her voice, her grandmother walked up to the front to check the bottle. She held it up close to her eyes and pursed her lips. The old woman sighed in frustration.

"Haven't I told you to stop drinking? And here you are, sneaking a sip!"

Her grandmother tugged her grandfather by the ear.The old man was already old, so shouldn't he quit on his vices?

However, her grandfather always had a troubling time quitting his alcohol intake. He had been drinking secretly, but she didn't notice. Until now.

"I swear I won't do it again!"

Her grandfather raised his hands up in the air, shooting Yao Tang a resentful look.

The young girl chuckled.

After a harsh exchange between the two, they immediately prepared a large table of dishes, all fit for a king. Yao Tang smiled. They were all her favorite dishes, and of course, the sugar water that she so expressly loved.

Her grandmother knew that Yao Tang liked to eat sweet treats. It's why she made sure to add more honey to this one.

The three of them sat at the table, just as they had many times before.

The other plates were quite colorful, filled with the different mushrooms that had been handpicked in the mountains. There was a plate of steamed and braised fish and another plate that was filled with fresh, spicy rabbit meat.

The table was filled with all sorts of food, and she couldn't help but feel a bit moved.

The old couple quickly stacked her bowl with the different food.

"Eat slowly, okay? There's no need to rush."

The old woman smiled, and the wrinkles on her face became more prominent.

Grandpa passed her a chicken leg.

There was something about the atmosphere that felt quite warm. Everyone seemed to be easygoing.

After the meal, the three of them sat by the patio, basking under the sunlight. The sun was so warm that they couldn't help but relax in their seat. The cool breeze blew upon them, and they could smell the faint scent of dried herbs.

Her grandmother her hair with a wooden comb.

They could see the mountains from the distance as the old man processed his other medicinal herbs. Anyone could see just how happy this little family was.

"Tangtang, I'll knit you a new set of clothes tomorrow, okay? I'm sure you'd like it."

Her grandmother smiled. "If you're not happy staying at the foot of the mountain, then you can always stay by my side. Don't go anywhere, just stay with us."

"Yeah, what's so good about living outside the mountain? Just stay and accompany us, okay?"

The two of them had always been kind.

"I'm leaving,"

Yao Tang stared at them indifferently. The coldness returned to her features.

"But I thought you hated having to go down the mountain?" Her grandfather reeled back with a frown. "What's wrong with staying here?"

Life here was peaceful and good.

"It's a good place," she quickly agreed. "I just haven't found my grandparents yet."

The old couple gaped at her.

Her grandparents?

"What are you talking about?"

The old woman furrowed her eyebrows. "Aren't we already here? Where are you going?"

Even the old man couldn't help but walk over, looking at her in concern.

Her grandmother quickly touched her forehead, before pulling back. She didn't seem to be suffering from a fever. What was she talking about? "Aren't we your grandparents, child?"