Something Unnamed
The next morning arrived quieter than expected.
No shouting outside the gate.
No hoofbeats in the distance.
No sudden violence breaking the fragile peace.
Just wind moving through broken wood.
Lin Shu woke early, as usual now, and found Zhao Cheng already outside.
He was fixing the gate again.
Without speaking, without calling anyone.
Just working.
Lin Shu watched for a moment, then quietly walked over.
“…I can help.”
Zhao Cheng didn’t stop what he was doing.
“Do what you can,” he said.
That was all.
No rejection.
No permission either.
Just space.
Lin Shu took it.
By mid-morning, the children gradually joined in.
Not because they were told.
But because they saw.
Zhao Mei carried tools.
Zhao Jun hammered nails with far more force than necessary, pretending he wasn’t helping properly.
Zhao An stacked small wooden pieces carefully beside the wall.
The house that had felt broken was now…
busy.
Not healed.
But active.
Alive.
Even if only barely.
While working, Zhao Jun suddenly muttered, “You’re really different.”
Lin Shu paused slightly.
“Is that good or bad?”
Zhao Jun clicked his tongue.
“Don’t get cocky. I didn’t say that.”
Lin Shu almost smiled.
“Noted.”
Zhao Jun glared harder but didn’t argue further.
Strangely…
he didn’t sound as hostile as before.
Near noon, Zhao Cheng stopped working and stood up.
His eyes scanned the repaired gate.
Not perfect.
But stronger than before.
He nodded once.
“That will hold for now.”
Then his gaze shifted to Lin Shu.
“You didn’t slow us down.”
Lin Shu blinked.
“…That’s a compliment?”
Zhao Cheng turned away.
“It’s a fact.”
Zhao Jun scoffed.
“That’s basically praise from him.”
Zhao Cheng didn’t deny it.
Which made Zhao Jun look personally offended again.
Later, as everyone rested under the shade, Zhao Mei quietly brought out a small cloth bundle.
Inside were dried wild fruits.
She placed them on the table without saying anything.
Zhao An immediately reached for one.
Then hesitated.
He looked at Lin Shu first.
A small, silent question.
Lin Shu nodded gently.
“Eat.”
The boy brightened slightly and took one.
Zhao Jun immediately noticed.
“…You’re asking him for permission now?”
Zhao An blinked.
“No… I just-”
Zhao Cheng interrupted calmly, “Eat.”
Zhao Jun shut up instantly.
Lin Shu had to turn his face slightly to hide a laugh.
It was strange.
Zhao Cheng didn’t raise his voice often.
But when he spoke, people stopped.
Not out of fear alone.
But because he meant what he said.
Completely.
Afternoon passed slower.
The sun softened.
The house felt almost normal.
Almost.
Then-
A sound came from outside the village road.
Not hoofbeats this time.
Footsteps.
Multiple.
Heavy.
Zhao Cheng stopped immediately.
His hand paused mid-motion.
Zhao Jun noticed instantly.
“Father?”
Zhao Cheng didn’t answer right away.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Then he said one word:
“Trouble.”
Lin Shu’s stomach tightened.
Because that tone-
Wasn’t about debt collectors this time.
It was different.
More controlled.
More serious.
Like something worse had arrived quietly.
The footsteps stopped outside the gate.
A voice followed.
Calm.
Polite.
Almost respectful.
“Zhao Cheng.”
A pause.
“We’ve come to talk.”
Zhao Cheng’s expression darkened slightly.
He spoke quietly.
“…Officials.”
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