The car stopped in front of the antique shop.
Fatty and Hu Bayi were the first to get out.
"Boss, we won't go in. You guys have a family reunion. We'll be in touch later."
Hu Bayi said tactfully.
He knew Zhang Tian had been away for days and must want to reunite with his family. With the two of them outsiders, it felt a bit awkward.
"Alright, Old Hu, Fatty, we'll meet at the group tomorrow."
Zhang Tian nodded. After a brief farewell, Hu Bayi and Fatty ambled away.
"Qilin, how does it feel to be home?"
Zhang Tian asked, looking at Zhang Qilin, whose clothes were a bit dirty, but couldn't hide his handsome face.
"Good."
Zhang Qilin replied, his voice carrying a hint of warmth.
Zhang Tian exchanged a smile with him and then led Zhang Qilin through the antique shop's entrance.
"Clang."
The bell at the door rang with a clear sound as the door curtain moved.
"Take a look at whatever you want. Come find me after you're done."
Zhang Yufei said lazily from his boss's chair, showing no concern about any potential intruders.
Thinking about it, Zhang Tian realized that his family's antique shop had never had any trouble since it opened.
Given that this was a chaotic era, where disturbances and even robberies were common, it was strange that a shop could go decades without a single incident.
This was quite peculiar.
"Could it be that Dad has some small secret?"
The thought flashed through his mind.
Zhang Tian shook his head. How could his father have a small secret? He must be hiding a big one!
"Ahem, Dad, we're back."
Just as Zhang Yufei was lost in thought, a voice called out. The next moment, Zhang Yufei leaped up as if startled.
In the next instant, he was by their side.
"My son, Qilin, you're finally back! Dad has missed you so much!"
He said, hugging Zhang Tian and Zhang Qilin tightly.
"Son, you're so dirty. Remember to wash up later. You were out of contact for two months, and Dad thought you were missing."
"Fortunately, you're back. Hey, next time you go out, you must inform us."
Zhang Yufei was full of emotion, tears streaming down his face.
Zhang Tian himself would have praised his acting.
Zhang Qilin obediently patted Zhang Yufei's shoulder, signaling him to stop being sad.
But Zhang Tian saw through it all.
It was absolutely impossible for his father to cry like this for him; this guy was definitely faking it.
"Dad, it's okay. Where's Mom?"
Zhang Tian said, feeling speechless.
"Oh, right, I almost forgot. You mentioning it reminded me."
"Your mother has been so anxious because you've been away for so long. Hurry up and go see her."
Zhang Yufei whispered, and Zhang Tian quickly nodded in agreement.
Although Li Xueqin was usually sharp-tongued, she cared deeply for Zhang Tian.
This was evident from the fact that Zhang Tian had to report his whereabouts.
As mentioned before, Zhang Tian had reported when he went to the Tomb of the Emperor Lu Shang and to Niuxin Mountain, indicating that this was Zhang Tian's way of easing Li Xueqin's worries.
Now, with Zhang Tian missing for over two months, he could already imagine his mother's state.
She must have lost a lot of weight.
When he was little, Zhang Tian once got lost in Beili City. Li Xueqin searched all night and finally found him in the deep mountains.
The reason Zhang Tian went into the deep mountains was to test the waters, to see if jumping would send him back in time.
However, Zhang Tian had prepared all night and hadn't been ready, so he ended up camping on top instead.
From then on, Li Xueqin's discipline became stricter, and she wore a stern expression all day. Zhang Tian, in order to make her happy, would try in various ways to amuse her every day.
Therefore, Zhang Tian was well aware of Li Xueqin's love for him, hidden deep in her heart.
"Alright, I'll go up and see. Qilin, let's go."
Zhang Tian said, leading Zhang Qilin towards the inner rooms.
"This child, he takes after me in temperament."
Watching Zhang Tian's hurried demeanor, Zhang Yufei sighed.
His earlier dramatic display of tears was completely gone.
Soon, inside the inner rooms.
Zhang Tian carefully opened Li Xueqin's door.
"Heh heh."
"Mom, I'm back."
Zhang Tian chuckled.
At this moment, Li Xueqin slowly turned her face from where she was sitting on the bed.
Just as Zhang Tian had imagined, her face was stern, but the exhaustion in her eyes was undeniable.
"You brat, you finally know to come back!"
"And you, Qilin, don't follow him around recklessly anymore. What if something happens?"
"Xiao Tian, you're still smiling! You two will be confined for a week. Come out when you've reflected."
"If you don't come back for such a long time again, you two will have to present your backsides."
Li Xueqin stood with her hands on her hips, full of anger.
She also scolded Zhang Qilin.
After all, they were both her sons; to be fair, they had to be treated equally.
Zhang Qilin remained silent, but felt a sense of comfort in his heart.
It wasn't some unhealthy habit, but rather, after so long, he was finally spoken to like this by someone. It made him feel like he had a home.
It was the feeling of being valued.
"Alright, Mom, don't get upset. Look, we're back. Besides, we were just traveling. We didn't mean to worry you."
Seeing that his mother had finished scolding, Zhang Tian quickly went to Li Xueqin's side and gently stroked her arm.
"Hmph, don't take Qilin to any dangerous places. It's fine if you get into trouble, but Qilin can't."
Li Xueqin said, and Zhang Tian rolled his eyes.
His mother was being disingenuous. She had just been scolding him with concern, and now she was starting to worry about Qilin.
"Alright, Mom, I know what you want to say. We'll be careful from now on, and besides, we've returned safely."
"Mom, don't be angry. We brought you some natural water from Xinjiang, and raisins too. You can try them later."
Zhang Tian said softly, and it took some effort to calm his mother's emotions.
However, looking at his mother's tired face, Zhang Tian still felt a pang of sadness.
"Alright, you brat, go take a bath. I'll cook for you."
Li Xueqin said, putting aside her unhappiness.
"Then I want to eat Big Plate Chicken!"
Zhang Tian laughed, and Li Xueqin nodded.
"Qilin, what do you want to eat?"
"Anything is fine."
As they spoke, Zhang Tian pulled Zhang Qilin towards the bathroom. If they continued talking, they wouldn't get to eat.
Zhang Tian's house was large and had several bathrooms, so there was no issue with using them.
Soon, after showering, they each changed into clean clothes.
The last time Zhang Qilin visited, Li Xueqin had specifically bought him several outfits. Zhang Qilin was wearing one of them now.
He seemed to dislike wearing suits and preferred casual attire, like a hoodie and ordinary pants.
He looked like a friendly older brother.
After his shower, Zhang Tian retrieved a pot of spiritual water from the illusory space.
He didn't take much, as taking too much might arouse suspicion.
However, as he was leaving the space, Zhang Tian felt that something was amiss.
When there were others around, he didn't feel it much, but when he was alone, he felt a chill down his spine.
A bold thought entered Zhang Tian's mind.
"Could this place be haunted?"