Su Bai stretched his slim waist, feeling a faint ache in his back. His stomach wasn’t showing yet—pregnancy only began to show after three months. Still, the journey had left him tired, his body craving rest.
Su Ke, holding the train ticket tightly in his small hand, stood beside him with an eager expression. His confidence was unwavering, determined that everything would go smoothly this time too.
The station in this small village area wasn’t crowded; only a handful of people lingered around. As their turn came, Su Ke stepped forward, handing the ticket to the security uncle. With a polite bow and a sweet "thank you," he earned a warm smile in return. Su Bai watched the exchange with a soft chuckle. Su Ke had a knack for winning people over effortlessly.
The two began walking toward their destination, the evening air cool and pleasant. People sat outside their homes, chatting idly, their gazes lingering briefly on the pair. Su Bai, now accustomed to the curious looks, ignored them and pressed on. Still, he stopped to ask for directions from an elderly man passing by.
“Um… ah… excuse me, could you tell us the way to Su Men’s house?” Su Bai faltered slightly, unused to speaking to strangers in unfamiliar surroundings.
The uncle paused, his face lighting up with recognition. “Just go straight, then take a left. There’s a house with a big yard—that’s the one. But it’s been empty for a while now. Who are you to her?”
When Su Bai mentioned he was her grandson, the uncle’s eyes widened in surprise. “Aiyoo, you’re Baibai, aren’t you? You used to run around here as a child, looking like a little doll!”
Su Bai flushed slightly, a mix of embarrassment and nostalgia washing over him. They exchanged a few more words, the uncle reminiscing about Su Bai’s childhood antics, before parting ways.
Walking ahead, Su Bai glanced down at Su Ke, who was listening intently. “When I was a child,” he began, “I used to play with the children here. We climbed trees, fished for loaches and crabs, and ran around until sunset. Everyone said I looked like a doll.”
“Hm hm! Beautiful gege, you still look like a beautiful doll!” Su Ke chirped with a giggle.
Su Bai chuckled softly, his gaze lifting to the horizon where their destination came into view. A wave of emotion swept over him. Nainai, I’m finally back.
The old house stood like a guardian of forgotten memories, wrapped in the embrace of nature’s untamed beauty. The yard, though abandoned for years, had blossomed into an enchanting haven. It was as if the earth itself had claimed the space, painting it in the vibrant hues of a living rainbow.
The air here is so fresh, isn’t it?” Su Bai asked, taking a deep breath and smiling at the crisp, earthy scent.
By now, the evening breeze had cooled considerably, caressing their skin with gentle strokes. Releasing the kitty from its carrier, Su Bai watched as it trotted behind them, its little tail swishing as it followed close.
The air carried a faint floral fragrance as Su Bai and Su Ke stepped into the yard. Su Bai’s gaze softened as he took in the sight before him. The once-pristine garden was now a kaleidoscope of colors, a blend of wildflowers, climbing vines, and towering trees.
Clusters of bougainvillea climbed the old house walls, their magenta and orange petals cascading like waterfalls. Beside them, honeysuckle vines weaved intricate patterns over the roof, their tiny yellow and white blossoms releasing a sweet aroma. At the edges of the yard, bushes of azaleas and hydrangeas burst with pink, purple, and blue blooms, while patches of marigolds and zinnias added pops of fiery orange and red.
Underfoot, wild patches of daisies and buttercups mingled with soft tufts of clover, their delicate white and yellow petals swaying gently in the breeze. Among them were sprinkles of violets and forget-me-nots, their blues and purples creating a serene contrast.
The towering trees dotted around the yard added a sense of grandeur. To the left stood a massive jackfruit tree, its branches laden with unripe fruit, and to the right, a fragrant mango tree swayed gently. Near the pond, a graceful willow tree draped its leafy tendrils into the still water, creating ripples where dragonflies hovered.
Trailing behind him, Su Ke’s eyes widened at the sight of the natural spectacle. He turned in circles, pointing excitedly. “Beautiful gege, look! There are purple flowers there! And yellow ones over there! It’s like a rainbow!”
Su Bai chuckled softly. “Yes, it’s beautiful, isn’t it? This land may have been forgotten by people, but nature never forgets. It always finds a way to thrive.”
The edges of the yard were adorned with creeping vines of morning glories, their trumpet-shaped blooms in every shade from white to deep blue. Bright clusters of roses—red, pink, and white—grew untamed around the rusty iron fence, while a patch of lavender near the gate released a calming scent into the evening air.
As they walked further, Su Bai noticed a patch of hibiscus with fiery red and yellow blooms near the pond. The pond itself, though covered with a layer of green algae, was fringed by lotus and water lilies, their delicate blossoms floating on the surface like nature’s jewels.
In the far corner of the yard, a small grove of guava and pomegranate trees added even more greenery, their fruits glistening in the soft light. Beneath the trees, ferns and caladiums with their heart-shaped leaves and splashes of pink and green created a lush undergrowth.
Su Bai and Su Ke paused , gazing at the magical landscape that seemed plucked from a dream. “Nature has turned this place into a paradise,” Su Bai said softly, inhaling the fresh, earthy scent carried by the cool breeze.
Guided by his memories, Su Bai walked toward a massive tree at the center of the yard. Its lush canopy stretched wide, casting a protective shadow over the surroundings. He placed his hand on the tree’s rough bark, a nostalgic smile curling his lips. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around the trunk, his embrace as far-reaching as his arms would allow.
The centerpiece of it all was the giant tree Su Bai fondly called “Tree Grandpa.” A fully matured banyan tree, its sprawling canopy stretched wide, offering a protective shade. Its gnarled roots emerged from the ground like ancient veins, creating a natural bench at its base.
“Tree Grandpa, you’ve truly become the heart of this place,” Su Bai murmured, his voice filled with nostalgia as he kept embracing the banyan tree as much as he can looking peaceful.
“Tree Grandpa,” he murmured, his voice soft with affection. “You’ve grown so much. And I’ve grown too.”
Su Ke tilted his head, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Beautiful gege, why do you call it Tree Grandpa?”
Su Bai chuckled. “When I was a child, I thought the shape of this tree looked like an old man from far away. So, I started calling it Tree Grandpa.”
Su Ke ran to the tree, wrapping his tiny arms around it. “What should I call it, Beautiful Gege?”
Su Bai pretended to think seriously. “Hmm… you should call it Tree Great Grandpa!”
“Tree Great Grandpa, I’m Su Ke. Nice to meet you!” Su Ke giggled, patting the bark affectionately.
Suddenly, a soft voice echoed nearby, “Ai ai, such a cute kid.”
Startled, Su Ke turned to Su Bai. “Beautiful gege, did you say that to me?”
Su Bai frowned, shaking his head. “No, I didn’t say anything.”
He scanned the yard but saw no one. “Did you hear wrong? I didn’t hear anything.”
Su Ke hesitated but nodded. Still, the odd moment lingered in their minds.
To be safe, Su Bai walked the perimeter of the yard, Su Ke following closely. The property was vast, even featuring a pond now overrun with algae. After ensuring there was no one around, they returned to the tree.
As they sat beneath the tree, relaxing against its massive trunk, the kitty curled up on Su Bai’s lap, purring softly. Neither noticed a sudden, peculiar movement above. A single, vibrant leaf from the banyan tree broke free from its branch, floating lazily through the air. It drifted past the loropetalum shrub, its deep purple leaves standing out like a jewel among the greenery, before settling softly onto its vibrant crown as if shutting it up.
The yard, alive with color and teeming with the quiet hum of life, felt like it was holding its breath, watching them. It was as if the land had been waiting for Su Bai to return, waiting to welcome him home with open arms.
