The long, winding road back to Shanquan Village shimmered under the soft glow of the late afternoon sun. Cicadas hummed lazily in the trees, their chorus blending with the distant trickle of a mountain stream. A gentle breeze drifted through the terraced rice fields on either side, bending stalks like waves in a green sea.
At the edge of the dirt road, where the worn tires of the village minibus had once made daily tracks, a tall young man stood with a backpack slung over one shoulder. Lin Yu.
He had just returned home after graduating from a university in the provincial capital a week ago. Yet he hadn't attended the celebration banquet, hadn't taken part in the last group photo, and hadn't even told anyone except his parents that he was leaving. His departure had been as quiet as his four years of study — unobtrusive, low-key, and thoughtful.
The only sound now was the rhythmic patter of footsteps racing toward him from the distance. Lin Yu turned his head slightly and smiled. A golden blur came barreling down the path like a lion charging across the savannah.
"Dahuang!"
The massive Tibetan mastiff came to a sudden halt a few feet from Lin Yu, tongue lolling, tail wagging like a banner in the wind. The dog barked once — deep, thunderous, joyful — and bounded forward.
Lin Yu knelt down and embraced the huge creature, letting the soft fur press against his face. "You've gotten bigger again," he said softly. "And more handsome, haven't you?"
Dahuang licked his chin, snorted, and then took up a protective stance beside him as if nothing in the world would get past him now that Lin Yu had returned.
The village was nestled in a hidden basin, ringed by low mountains and laced with bamboo groves. Despite being a few hours from the city by road, it felt like another world — one unbothered by time, politics, or ambition.
Lin Yu walked the last stretch home, suitcase in one hand, Dahuang trotting beside him. The two of them looked like the first figures to ever step onto that ancient road — man and beast, heading toward peace.
---
His home was no longer the simple two-story tiled-roof house it used to be. Not entirely.
Though the old wooden beams remained — polished clean and coated in oil — the structure had expanded. The outer courtyard was now ringed by a white-walled bamboo fence, interwoven with creeping vines and morning glories. A koi pond shimmered just past the entrance gate, fed by a gentle spring that trickled from a carved dragon-head spout.
A new guest pavilion stood to the side, its glass windows shaded by paper screens, and beyond it, Lin Yu's private residence: a three-story courtyard-style building made of gray stone, dark timber, and sliding windows — all constructed to blend seamlessly with the landscape.
Yet none of it was ostentatious. No bright cars parked at the gate. No loud noises. Everything about the estate whispered quiet wealth. The kind that didn't need to declare itself.
"Xiao Yu's back!" A voice called from inside.
His mother, Chen Meihua, rushed out, wiping her hands on her apron. Her face was flushed from cooking, and her eyes teared up the moment she saw her son.
"Why didn't you call ahead? I would've cooked your favorite red-braised pork!"
"I wanted to surprise you." Lin Yu smiled and pulled her into a hug.
From the side garden, his father Lin Zhiming emerged, holding a sickle. He was still dressed in mud-stained cotton trousers and a straw hat. His eyes were calm but proud.
"You're back," was all he said.
"I'm back, Dad."
That night, they sat down together at the stone table under the pear tree, enjoying a simple yet hearty meal. Fresh vegetables from the backyard, smoked duck, handmade tofu, and eggs steamed with green onions.
No grand celebrations. No toasts. Only the rustling leaves and Dahuang snoring softly nearby.
---
Later, as the moon rose and the crickets began their nighttime song, Lin Yu climbed up to the rooftop terrace. From here, he could see the entire village: the tiny homes tucked into the hills, smoke spiraling from chimneys, distant barking of other dogs, and even the faint glimmer of the city lights far beyond the mountains.
He took out a black phone — one that didn't exist in any store or brand catalog. Its screen was matte, its back cold to the touch like obsidian.
A single icon blinked at the center. [Hidden Directive System: Active]
> "Welcome back, Host."
"Current Rural Progression Level: 2"
"Summons Available: 3"
"Next unlock: Level 3 – Requires one new agricultural project or rural renovation plan."
Lin Yu smiled. "Still the same, huh?"
He scrolled through the available summons:
Huang Wei – Agricultural Specialist from Taiwan, 20 years in high-yield organic farming
Chen Xiqing – Logistics Manager, background in global cold-chain exports
Yan Shu – Silent Secretary, fluent in five languages, handles anonymous transactions and legal fronts
With a flick, he selected all three. In the next instant, three black cards appeared midair, each hovering with faint blue light before vanishing into thin air.
They would arrive within the week. Quietly. Unnoticed. Disguised as new village volunteers, researchers, or tourists.
Lin Yu wasn't in a rush. The world would unfold at his pace.
---
The Next Morning
The first rays of sunlight filtered through the window, casting golden stripes across the stone floor. Lin Yu rose early — not out of necessity, but out of habit. Farming life started with the sun.
He dressed in a simple white shirt, linen pants, and handmade cloth shoes. Everything about him radiated that relaxed charm — an aristocrat in peasant garb.
In the barn, he checked on his hens, adjusted the irrigation controls on his solar greenhouse, and whistled for Dahuang, who came running with a stick in his mouth.
"Training time?" Lin Yu laughed. "Fine. Let's go."
They jogged up the hill trail. Above them, swallows circled lazily. The entire mountain seemed to be breathing.
Halfway up, he paused and turned toward the valley below. His estate shimmered like a hidden jewel — solar roofs, glass-walled greenhouses, groves of fruit trees, and bamboo wind chimes dancing in the breeze.
It was a kingdom — but only he knew it.
---
Around noon, a silver SUV pulled quietly into the edge of the village. Lin Yu recognized it instantly.
He washed his hands at the stone basin, changed into clean clothes, and walked to the entrance path.
She had arrived.
Professor Xu Wenqing.
She stepped out, wearing a simple beige trench coat over a white silk blouse and black slacks. Elegant, reserved, her hair tied in a loose bun. Her eyes met his and froze for a moment.
"Lin Yu?"
He smiled softly. "Professor Xu. You found the place."
She blinked. "I... I was in the area. For a cultural heritage research visit."
Of course. A coincidence. A professional reason.
"Would you like to come in for tea?"
She hesitated — then nodded. "Just for a moment."
Inside, he poured her a cup of spring-picked Longjing tea. They sat on the veranda, listening to the breeze and watching butterflies flit through the garden.
She sipped, then smiled. "Your tea brewing skills have improved."
"You told me once that tea should never be rushed. I remembered."
A blush colored her cheeks. Her fingers traced the rim of the cup. "You were always the quiet one. I didn't expect... this."
He said nothing. Just watched her, letting the silence speak.
And in that silence, something passed between them. Unspoken. Lingering.
She left half an hour later, promising to return during her next field visit.
As her car disappeared down the dirt road, Lin Yu stood at the gate, the breeze lifting his shirt slightly.
Dahuang sat beside him, head tilted.
"She'll be back," Lin Yu murmured. "Sooner than she thinks."
---
Back in his study, he checked the system panel again.
> "Rural Development Progress: 42% to Level 3"
"Eligible for One Romance Route Initialization"
[Activate: Professor Xu Wenqing – Emotional Development Arc?]
Lin Yu tapped Confirm.
---
End of Chapter 1