Chapter 59: From the Heart

Lin Huijuan and Liu Guo'an returned home with radiant smiles on their faces.

Liu Guo'an was an attending physician at the county hospital, busy every day on the front lines of saving lives and healing the wounded.

Lin Huijuan was the head nurse at the county traditional Chinese medicine hospital, similarly shouldering the heavy responsibility of caring for patients.

Although their hospitals were in different locations, the two of them always seemed to share a telepathic connection, arriving home at the exact same time. It was likely that Lin Huijuan would wait for Liu Guo'an at the street corner, and together they would walk hand in hand down that short stretch of road, returning to this cozy little home as a pair.

They were truly a devoted couple, the kind of companionship that inspired envy in anyone who saw them.

"Dad, Mom, you're back."

The moment she heard the door latch click, Liu Siyao immediately hurried over, took the small bag from Lin Huijuan's hand, and greeted them with a sweet smile.

Lin Junnsheng followed closely behind, speaking respectfully, "Aunt, Uncle."

"Youwei is here."

When Lin Junnsheng came into view, Lin Huijuan's eyes filled with affection.

Setting down her little bag, she walked straight over to Lin Junnsheng, pinched his cheek, and said, "Why do you feel like you've lost weight? Your sister-in-law probably hasn't been cooking anything good for you. Auntie will take tomorrow off and make you something delicious."

Even though they had just seen each other a few days ago, Lin Huijuan still felt a deep tenderness for her younger brother's son, terrified that he wasn't eating well or dressing warmly enough at home.

Lin Junnsheng smiled and replied, "Alright, Auntie. It's been a long time since I last had your cooking, and I've really missed that taste."

Hearing this, Lin Huijuan's heart bloomed with joy. "Alright then, old Liu, you should also get off work a bit early tomorrow night and help me out in the kitchen."

Liu Guo'an nodded with a smile. "I shouldn't have much going on tomorrow. I'll get off early and go buy groceries with you."

Just then, Liu Siyao suddenly bounced out holding a copy of the *Shanghai Literature* magazine, wearing a mysterious expression as she said, "Dad, let me tell you, I've got big news!"

Upon seeing this, Lin Junnsheng's heart skipped a beat, and he silently cursed to himself.

Decisively, he clapped a hand over Liu Siyao's mouth, attempting to cut off whatever she was about to say next.

"Mmph, mmph, mmph..."

Yet Liu Siyao, acting like a mischievous little sprite, struggled to break free so she could spill the secret.

Lin Huijuan watched this play out with a puzzled expression and asked, "What is it with you two kids? What kind of mischief are you getting up to?"

Lin Junnsheng offered an awkward smile and whispered to Liu Siyao, "Sis, can you keep a secret? I'm not ready to let everyone know yet."

Liu Siyao blinked her eyes to signal that she understood his meaning.

The moment the two exchanged a confirming glance and Lin Junnsheng let go, Liu Siyao shouted out at the top of her lungs, "Dad! *The Chess Master* was written by Junnsheng!"

It's over! It's completely over!

Lin Junnsheng felt as though the sky had caved in.

He never expected Liu Siyao to be so untrustworthy, exposing his identity as a writer just like that.

He lowered his head, not daring to look at Lin Huijuan and Liu Guo'an's reactions, his heart pounding with anxiety.

Both Lin Huijuan and Liu Guo'an froze upon hearing this.

They stared at Lin Junnsheng in utter astonishment, as if looking at a complete stranger.

After a brief moment of silence, Lin Huijuan was the first to snap back to her senses. She excitedly grabbed Lin Junnsheng's hand and exclaimed, "You wrote this? Really? Youwei, you are incredible!"

Liu Guo'an chimed in with a face full of gratified pride, "Youwei, you've really brought great honor to our family. When I read *The Chess Master* the other day, I thought the author was exceptionally talented, but I never imagined it was you. You rascal, you hid this well!"

Overwhelmed by their reaction, Lin Junnsheng felt a bit embarrassed. He scratched the back of his head and said shyly, "Actually, I didn't think too much about it. I just like writing a little something here and there. I never expected it to be published, and even less that you guys would like it."

Lin Huijuan patted his shoulder encouragingly. "Youwei, you write wonderfully. You must keep it up. Auntie believes in you—you're going to become a great writer one day."

Liu Guo'an nodded in agreement. "That's right, Youwei. Since you have this talent, don't let it go to waste. We all support you. Keep it up!"

Well, now that it was out, Lin Junnsheng actually felt a bit more at ease.

There was simply no way to keep it a secret anyway.

Then, as if opening a floodgate that could no longer be held back, Liu Siyao blurted out the entire story of how Lin Junnsheng had been mugged earlier that day.

She described the incident with vivid detail, as though she had experienced it firsthand, leaving Lin Huijuan trembling with fright.

"You child, how could you be so careless!" Lin Huijuan furrowed her brow, staring at Lin Junnsheng with eyes full of lingering anxiety. "You must be careful when you go out from now on. Don't ever put yourself in danger like that again. If something had happened to you, what would have become of us?"

Lin Junnsheng kept his head lowered like a child who had done something wrong, nodding repeatedly. "Auntie, I know. I'll be careful from now on."

Still uneasy, Lin Huijuan lectured him for a long time, making him promise to exercise the utmost caution and never give his family such a fright again.

Once Lin Huijuan went inside, Liu Guo'an pulled Lin Junnsheng aside.

A trace of doubt lingered in his eyes; he still seemed slightly skeptical that Lin Junnsheng possessed the capability to write a piece like *The Chess Master*.

"Xiaosheng, tell me the truth. Did you really write *The Chess Master*?"

Lin Junnsheng raised his head, looking straight into Liu Guo'an's eyes with a firm gaze. "Uncle, I really wrote it. The one thousand yuan I got this time was the author's fee from *Shanghai Literature*. What's more, my new novel has already been accepted by them as well. It will be published in next month's issue, and the title is *The King of Trees*."

At this, Liu Guo'an's eyes instantly lit up. He stared at Lin Junnsheng in amazement, as if gazing upon a hidden treasure. "Xiaosheng, hearing you say that makes me genuinely look forward to it. I never imagined that someone who hasn't read all that many books could write such marvelous stories. I used to worry constantly about your future prospects, but now it seems you are fully capable of carving out your own path through writing."

Embarrassed, Lin Junnsheng scratched his head. "Uncle, I really didn't think that far ahead. I just enjoy writing things down. I never dreamed it would get published, let alone that you'd all like it so much."

Liu Guo'an clapped Lin Junnsheng on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Xiaosheng, since you have this talent, don't squander it. The path of writing isn't an easy one, but as long as you persevere, you will reap rewards. Once you become a prominent writer, you won't have to suffer hardships in the countryside anymore, and you'll even have the money to get your leg properly treated. You know, your aunt and I have always worried about your leg, hoping you'd be able to live a better life."

A wave of warmth washed over Lin Junnsheng's heart.

"Uncle, I will do my best. I know this road won't be easy, but I'm willing to strive for my dream. I believe that as long as I keep going, I will achieve it one day."

Satisfied, Liu Guo'an nodded. "Good. Xiaosheng, having you say those words is enough. We believe in you, and we support you. If you ever need help with anything, just say the word."

"Alright, Uncle."

Lin Junnsheng felt that receiving such care and concern from his aunt's family felt even better than being in his own home.

Liu Siyao suddenly poked her head in.

"What's wrong?"

"There's sand in my eye."

"There's no wind today."