After Writing a Story for My Husband and Brother

Upon hearing the sound of the door lock, Yu Cheng's mother untied her apron and walked out of the dining room. She had recently retired and was at home with nothing to do, so she was delighted to have her son return home. 

"I was just about to call you," she said with a smile, glanced at Yu Cheng to see if he had lost weight due to being busy lately. 

After sizing up her son, her gaze shifted to Zhong Shao, like the way she scrutinized her son-in-law. Her smile grew stronger, and she calmly asked, "So, this is Zhong Shao?" 

"Hello Auntie, I am Zhong Shao," Zhong Shao replied without sunglasses or a mask. Yu Cheng pointed to two suitcases, taking over the conversation from his mother, "Mom, shall we go inside before chatting?" 

"Oh my dear, I am too excited to meet a movie star for the first time. Come in, come in, we are all fans of yours. I heard you are all students of Prof. Wang Shuo?" 

She welcomed Zhong Shao into the home, continuing to speak to him, "Yu Cheng sent a message in the middle of the night yesterday saying that he would bring you to Ping Cheng for a visit today. I thought staying in a hotel would be too lonely, so why not stay at our place? The room is all set for you both, I just don't know if you will find it comfortable." 

"Thank you, Auntie, it's no problem, I'm not picky." 

"Have you seen the smile on my mom's face?" Yu Cheng whispered to Zhong Shao, "Even her own son has never seen her smile like this." 

"What bad things are you whispering about me?" she teased, giving Yu Cheng a meaningful look.

"I was just praising you!" Yu Cheng chuckled. 

She turned to Zhong Shao, "You probably haven't had breakfast yet with such an early flight. I don't know what you like to eat, so I have prepared some Chinese and Western dishes." 

Yu Cheng quipped, "Zhong Shao seems more like your own son."

Luggage temporarily placed in the living room, Zhong Shao quietly surveyed the surroundings. The house, approximately 150 square meters, featured a natural wood colour scheme that appeared aged yet timeless, exuding a homely atmosphere.

The dining table was filled with a variety of dishes. Yu Cheng looked at the spread of breakfast dishes and couldn't help but admire his mother's cooking skills. 

Ever since leaving his aunt's house at a young age, Zhong Shao had been more accustomed to Western-style breakfasts for their convenience, typically consisting of two slices of bread, two boiled eggs, and a cup of Americano.

Faced with this steaming table of food, his long-neglected Chinese stomach began to clamour. Yu Cheng's mother warmly invited Zhong Shao to sit down, and he picked up a perfectly sized shaomai, filled with juicy meat and sticky glutinous rice that burst in his mouth, tasting as delightful as the soft golden glow seen before a flight lands.

Zhong Shao savoured it, sincerely telling Yu Cheng's mother, "Auntie, it's delicious." He couldn't recall the last time an elder had prepared a hot meal for him with such care. With Yu Cheng's mother's kind gestures, any lingering emotions in his heart dissipated, replaced by a long-lost warmth that enveloped his soul.

Breakfast had been lingering for a while, with a lot left over. With a wave of her hand, the mother said, "Just leave it, it'll be perfect for your dad as a late-night snack." 

She then led Zhong Shao to the guest room.

Yu Cheng was one step behind, and once again gave a thumbs up to his mother, as they remained the same loving couple after decades. 

The room was in apricot tones, with fresh misty blue bed sheets laid out on the bed. Carefully placed on the low table were a teapot and cups, while the vase on the windowsill held a few fresh flowers with dew still on them.

"Thank you, Auntie," Zhong Shao genuinely appreciated the simple yet cosy style, which perhaps brought a sense of stability, reminding him to remember his way home.

The mother, with a warm smile, said, "It's just a small gesture, Shao. If you need anything, feel free to ask me. Treat this place as your own home."

"Okay," Zhong Shao swallowed back the "Thank you, Auntie" that lingered in his mouth. 

Saying thank you too much would create distance.

"Alright, you two rest for a while, take a nap," she pointed to their eye bags, "Both of you have dark circles, young people shouldn't overwork themselves."

"Mom," Yu Cheng said as he led his mother out, "Let Zhong Shao rest properly, don't nag him. Young people know how to take care of themselves."

"You both never take care of yourselves properly, busy with filming and forgetting to rest. Miao Miao told me earlier, you..." The conversation outside the door made Zhong Shao feel a hint of envy, perhaps this was how he imagined a family should be.