Listening to the sounds from inside, a faint smile touched Cheng Zongyang's lips.
'This is home.'
'The place he wanted to protect!'
Letting out a soft breath, Cheng Zongyang walked over and knocked on the door.
The playful clamor inside instantly fell silent. Cheng Zongyang immediately called out, "Open the door. I'm back."
At the sound of the familiar voice, a little girl's happy cry was the first to ring out from the courtyard. "Eldest Brother, it's Eldest Brother! Quick, open the door!"
A few children immediately ran over, scrambling to pull back the bolt.
The three women cooking in the kitchen also came out. As the door opened, Cheng Zongyang stepped inside.
He smiled at the sight of the crowd of people inside. "It's so dark. Why haven't you lit an oil lamp?"
Just then, his eldest uncle, Zhou Hansong, came out. "Lighting it would be a waste. We're better off sitting in the courtyard to save some Tung Oil."
