Location: Kuro Street, District 3 – Small Apartment Above a Dumpling Shop
The clink of a rusty key turning in an old lock. The soft whirr of a ceiling fan spinning half-heartedly. The air smelled of flour, sesame oil, and peace.
Jin dropped his backpack near the sofa, flopped down, and let out the sigh of someone who had finally escaped a melodrama.
[Finally. No forced hugs. No fake smiles. No "son" this, "brother" that. Just me and silence.]
[God, this broken old fan is more trustworthy than half the family.]
> Ergouzi: "Host! You've reached a low-stimulation zone. Perfect for mental recovery and dumpling consumption."
[Jin]: "Exactly why I came back. Nobody here wants to 'talk things out' or 'heal our bond.' They just want me to take out the trash."
---
Flashback – That Morning
Jin stood before the family gates, duffel slung over one shoulder. The air was stiff with awkwardness.
Zhao Yue had tried to stop him.
So had Meimei.
Even Fourth Brother, who once called him "spare luggage," had looked vaguely distressed.
"You don't need to go back to that run-down place," Father Jin said, his voice unusually gentle.
Jin just smiled.
[That "run-down place" raised me. Unlike you.]
He didn't say it aloud.
He didn't need to.
He just walked.
---
Present – Dumpling Shop Below
His adoptive mom, Aunt Lin, peeked her head upstairs. "You're back! That little punk who married into the Jiang family just got arrested again. Want dumplings?"
Jin blinked. "I—sure?"
[No interrogation? No 'Where have you been?' Not even a guilt trip? What paradise did I reincarnate into?]
She laughed. "Still quiet, huh? Same as always. Your room's untouched. Just dustier."
Jin nodded with a faint smile. "Thanks."
Ergouzi: "Host, I believe you've entered a rare plotless zone. Should I scan for hidden story flags?"
[Jin]: [No. If a flag shows up, I'll burn it.]
---
Meanwhile – Jin Family Group Chat
Third Sister: He left. Just like that. No goodbye kiss.
Grandma Li: He was never the type to fight for attention. We just never paid attention.
Fifth Sister: He went back to the dumpling house? I thought that place closed down?
Second Brother: It stayed open. Unlike our eyes.
---
Scene – Fake Young Master's Room
Ichiro glared at the empty seat across from him during dinner.
"Acting aloof, huh? What, does he think absence makes the heart grow fonder?"
He smirked to himself.
"Don't worry, I've already got the next move lined up."
Then paused—his voice dropped.
"But now that he's not here... why do they all look like they're... waiting?"
---
Back at the Apartment – Night
Jin lay on his squeaky bed, half-broken fan clicking above him.
[They can live their soap opera. I'll live my life.]
[Peace and dumplings. That's all I need.]
Ergouzi: "Host, should I set a recurring dumpling alarm at 7AM?"
[Jin]: [Make it 8AM. I'm sleeping in.]
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Next Chapter Preview – Chapter 28: Peace, interrupted by pickled radish