The Feeling of Being Needed
Lin Shu couldn’t stop thinking about the steamed bun.
It wasn’t because it had been particularly delicious.
If anything, it had been rather ordinary.
The bun was small, slightly uneven around the edges, and no longer steaming by the time Zhao An had quietly slipped it into his hand.
In another life, Lin Shu would have eaten it absentmindedly without giving it a second thought.
But this one was different.
That bun carried a weight far greater than its size.
It had almost certainly been the last warm thing Zhao An intended to save for himself.
Children were honest in ways adults often weren’t.
They didn’t understand complicated favors or hidden motives.
If they liked someone, they showed it.
If they didn’t, they stayed away.
Zhao An had chosen to give away his own food simply because he thought Lin Shu needed it more.
The memory lingered stubbornly in Lin Shu’s mind long after the house had fallen silent.
Lying on the narrow wooden bed, he stared at the dark ceiling while listening to the familiar sounds of the countryside.
Outside, insects chirped steadily, and somewhere in the distance, frogs croaked after yesterday’s rain.
A cool breeze drifted through the cracks of the window, carrying the scent of damp earth.
Sleep refused to come.
Instead, memories surfaced one after another.
In his previous life, he had spent years convincing himself that being alone didn’t bother him.
Work.
Home.
Sleep.
Repeat.
His phone rarely rang unless someone needed something from him.
Holidays were simply quieter workdays.
Even when he was surrounded by people, there had always been an invisible distance between him and everyone else.
No one waited for him.
No one wondered if he had eaten.
No one noticed if he came home late.
He had accepted that kind of life because it seemed easier than expecting anything else.
But somewhere along the way…
This family had quietly changed him.
Zhao Mei had stopped watching him with guarded suspicion.
Zhao Jun still argued with him almost every day, yet the arguments had become strangely familiar instead of hostile.
Even Zhao Cheng—
Lin Shu let out a quiet sigh.
That man still spoke little, but every action seemed to carry more meaning than an entire conversation.
And Zhao An…
The little boy’s earnest face appeared once more in his thoughts.
“My share.”
Two simple words.
Yet they warmed a place inside Lin Shu he hadn’t realized had been cold for so long.
Someone wanted him here.
Someone depended on him.
For the first time in years, staying somewhere actually mattered.
Without realizing it, Lin Shu smiled faintly before sleep finally claimed him.
The next morning began much like every other.
Roosters crowed before sunrise.
The small courtyard gradually filled with the sounds of daily life as Zhao Mei prepared water, Zhao An sleepily rubbed his eyes, and Zhao Jun emerged looking as though waking up had personally offended him.
Lin Shu had already begun helping prepare breakfast.
Simple porridge.
Pickled vegetables.
The remaining steamed buns from yesterday.
Nothing extravagant.
But enough.
As everyone gathered around the table, Zhao Cheng finished eating first and quietly stood.
“I’ll head into town.”
“I’m coming.”
The response came so quickly that everyone looked toward Zhao Jun.
The boy had already stood, determination written across his face as he tightened the cloth around his sleeves.
“I’m strong enough now,” he declared.
“You can’t keep treating me like a child forever.”
Zhao Cheng looked at him without changing expression.
“You’re fourteen.”
“Fourteen isn’t a child.”
“You tried to arm wrestle a goat last month.”
The courtyard fell completely silent.
Lin Shu blinked.
“…What?”
Zhao Mei immediately lowered her head, shoulders shaking.
Zhao Jun’s face turned scarlet.
“I was conducting an experiment!”
“The goat won,” Zhao Mei added quietly.
“It cheated!”
Lin Shu nearly choked on his porridge.
“I’m sorry,” he managed between coughs.
“How exactly does a goat cheat?”
“It… it just does!”
“There are rules for arm wrestling goats?”
“There should be!”
Lin Shu finally laughed outright.
The sound echoed lightly through the courtyard, carrying away some of the lingering heaviness that had settled over the household these past few days.
Even Zhao Mei couldn’t hide her smile anymore.
Across the table, Zhao Cheng remained perfectly composed.
At least…
Until the corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly.
It lasted less than a second.
But everyone saw it.
Zhao Jun looked utterly betrayed.
“Father!”
“I’m listening.”
“You smiled.”
“I didn’t.”
“You absolutely did!”
“I believe you’re imagining things.”
“You’re denying it right in front of witnesses!”
Lin Shu watched the exchange with growing amusement.
He had recently discovered something remarkable.
In this house, Zhao Cheng smiling had somehow become an event worthy of discussion.
It happened so rarely that the entire family reacted whenever it did.
And strangely enough…
Each time it happened, the house felt just a little warmer.
In the end, Zhao Cheng allowed Zhao Jun to accompany him into town.
The boy tried very hard not to look too pleased with himself.
“I’ll carry things,” Zhao Jun promised confidently.
“You’ll carry what you can,” Zhao Cheng corrected.
“I can carry plenty.”
“We’ll see.”
Watching the two leave through the front gate together, Lin Shu couldn’t help smiling to himself.
Father and son.
Neither particularly good at expressing concern.
Yet both equally stubborn.
Once they disappeared down the village road, an unusual quiet settled over the house.
Only three people remained.
Zhao Mei sat near the doorway weaving baskets with practiced hands.
Every movement was smooth and precise, as though her fingers already knew exactly where each strip belonged.
Nearby, Zhao An carefully copied characters onto worn sheets of paper.
His tongue peeked out slightly whenever he concentrated.
Lin Shu, meanwhile, had volunteered to repair several torn pieces of clothing.
In hindsight…
That had been an ambitious decision.
He frowned at the needle.
The thread refused to cooperate.
After several frustrating attempts, he finally managed to finish one sleeve.
Feeling mildly proud, he held it up for inspection.
Zhao Mei looked over.
Silence.
Then she sighed.
“…Lin-ge.”
“Hm?”
“You sewed the sleeve shut.”
Lin Shu stared.
“…I did.”
“You did.”
Another long pause.
“…That explains why my hand wouldn’t fit.”
“It usually helps if clothes remain wearable.”
Lin Shu rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly before carefully picking apart the stitches.
“I suppose tailoring isn’t one of my hidden talents.”
“I don’t think it’s hidden.”
“You wound me.”
“I’m stating facts.”
He laughed despite himself.
“You know,” he said while undoing the thread, “you’re becoming much bolder lately.”
Zhao Mei didn’t even look up from her basket.
“I’m simply telling the truth.”
“The truth can still be cruel.”
“Then don’t sew sleeves closed.”
Lin Shu had absolutely no defense against that.
He could only admit defeat with a helpless smile.
This is the only part I would change.
Somehow…
Conversations like this had become normal.
Not forced.
Not cautious.
Just…
ordinary.
Lin Shu smiled despite himself.
Perhaps…
Ordinary wasn’t so bad after all.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
The sound echoed through the quiet courtyard.
Zhao Mei stopped weaving.
Zhao An looked up from his paper.
Lin Shu frowned.
Visitors were rare.
Another knock came.
Firmer this time.
“Is this the Zhao family?” a man’s voice called from outside.
Zhao Mei set her basket aside.
“Who is it?”
A brief silence followed.
Then the stranger answered.
“I’m looking for someone.”
Lin Shu felt a strange sense of unease.
“…Who?”
“Lin Shu.”
The courtyard fell silent.
Lin Shu searched his memories.
He was certain.
He had never heard that voice before.
Then…
who had come looking for him,
And Why?
The knock echoed through the quiet courtyard.
No one moved for a heartbeat.
Then Zhao Mei slowly rose to her feet, brushing her hands against her skirt.
“I’ll see who it is.”
She crossed the courtyard and stopped before the wooden gate.
“Who is it?”
A man’s voice answered from outside.
“I was told this is the Zhao family’s house.”
“It is.”
“I’m looking for someone.”
“…Who?”
“Lin Shu.”
The courtyard grew still.
Lin Shu searched his memories one more time.
Nothing.
The voice meant nothing to him.
Zhao Mei glanced back, silently asking whether she should open the gate.
After a brief hesitation, Lin Shu nodded.
“It’s alright.”
The wooden latch lifted.
The gate creaked open.
Standing outside was a middle-aged man dressed in coarse traveling clothes.
Dust covered the hem of his trousers, and a woven bamboo basket rested against one shoulder.
He looked tired.
More importantly…
He looked relieved.
“So it really is you.”
Lin Shu stepped forward.
“I’m Lin Shu.”
The stranger let out a long breath before offering a respectful nod.
“My surname is Liu.”
“I came from Willow Creek Village.”
“I heard…”
He scratched his cheek awkwardly.
“…that the Zhao family has someone who’s unusually good at repairing roofs.”
For a moment…
No one spoke.
Then Zhao Jun chose the worst possible moment to return from washing.
“The Roof Ge?”
Lin Shu closed his eyes.
“…Please don’t.”
“What?” Zhao Jun asked innocently.
“I think it suits you.”
“It absolutely does not.”
Uncle Liu blinked in confusion.
“…Roof Ge?”
“It’s a terrible nickname,” Lin Shu replied immediately.
“It’s a memorable nickname,” Zhao Jun corrected.
Zhao Mei quietly turned away.
Her shoulders shook.
She was laughing.
Even little Zhao An nodded seriously.
“I like Roof Ge.”
Lin Shu looked at the youngest child in complete disbelief.
“You too?”
The little boy smiled innocently.
“It sounds nice.”
Lin Shu suddenly felt outnumbered.
Uncle Liu couldn’t help laughing as the tension melted away.
Only after everyone settled down did his expression become serious again.
“My family’s grain shed leaks every time it rains.”
“We’ve replaced the straw.”
“We’ve patched the holes.”
“But every storm ruins part of the harvest.”
He looked directly at Lin Shu.
“I know this is an unreasonable request…”
“…but would you be willing to come tomorrow?”
“I’ll pay whatever I can.”
Lin Shu exchanged a brief glance with Zhao Cheng.
Zhao Cheng spoke calmly.
“We’ll go.”
Uncle Liu’s eyes widened.
“So soon?”
“The sooner it’s repaired,” Zhao Cheng replied, “the less grain you’ll lose.”
The man bowed deeply.
“…Thank you.”
After seeing Uncle Liu off, the courtyard slowly became quiet again.
The sky had already darkened completely.
Lantern light spilled softly across the worn wooden fence.
As everyone prepared for bed, Zhao Jun nudged Lin Shu with his elbow.
“So.”
Lin Shu sighed.
“…Now what?”
“I told you.”
“Told me what?”
“People are starting to come to you.”
Lin Shu looked toward the closed gate.
Not long ago…
People avoided this house.
Now they were knocking on its door.
The difference felt almost unreal.
He smiled to himself.
Lin Shu looked toward the closed gate…
Those two paragraphs are saying the same thing, so it feels repetitive.
I would replace everything from “He smiled to himself.” onward with this:
Lin Shu looked toward the closed gate.
Not long ago…
People had avoided this house.
Now they were seeking him out.
It felt almost unreal.
Zhao Cheng quietly gathered the tools they would need the next morning before setting them neatly by the doorway.
“We’ll leave at sunrise.”
Lin Shu nodded.
“…Then let’s make sure we don’t fail.”
Zhao Cheng gave a single nod.
“We’ll do our best.”
Outside, dark clouds drifted slowly over the distant hills, hiding the stars one by one.
If the grain shed wasn’t repaired before the next rain…
An entire family’s harvest could be lost.
Lin Shu drew in a slow breath.
Tomorrow would be the first time someone had sought him out not because of who he used to be…
But because they believed in what he could do now.
He only hoped he wouldn’t disappoint them.
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