Chapter 1: Maple Returns to His Homeland

Chapter 1: Maple Returns Home

The moment he set foot on his homeland, Maple Ye was unusually elated; the long-missed scent of his native soil rushed up to greet him. What an exhilarating feeling! Six years in the army had wrought earth-shattering changes in his hometown—everything seemed so new that it felt almost unfamiliar.

It had been six years; he was no longer the naive boy he once was, but had grown into a broad-shouldered, passionate young man. Six years of military life had forged an indomitable will in him. It wasn’t that he hadn’t wanted to return home—his work simply didn’t allow it.

The sights along the street caught Maple’s eye—such a dazzling array of things! As he strolled and gazed about, a familiar voice suddenly called out, “Maple! Maple!”

Turning at the sound, Maple spotted a middle-aged man of average height waving at him from across the street. At a glance, Maple recognized him as his second uncle, Jianjun Ye. Overjoyed, Maple waved back and promptly dashed across the road.

The traffic on the street blared and screeched; some cars managed to brake in time, but a speeding red sedan didn’t slow down at all, heading straight toward Maple. Passersby and drivers alike expected a scene, and even Jianjun Ye was so frightened he couldn’t utter a word.

But Maple wasn’t just anyone—these years in the army had transformed him. In a flash, he summoned all his strength. The red sedan was about to hit him when he suddenly sprang forward in three quick steps, then dove over the car in a powerful leap. His body soared over the roof, and only as the car sped past did he land lightly on the ground. The car screeched to a halt with a sharp, piercing sound, tires smoking faintly as it rocked to a stop.

Maple landed steadily, his military satchel swinging from his hand, undisturbed by his acrobatics. Jianjun Ye rushed over, panic-stricken. “Maple, are you alright?” he gasped, still in shock.

Brushing the dust from his clothes, Maple grinned. “I’m fine, Uncle. If a little thing like this could trouble me, what would six years in the army have been for?”

Jianjun looked him over from head to toe, finally relaxing when he saw his nephew was unscathed. Patting his chest, he exhaled, “Goodness, that scared me half to death—I thought…”

Maple took his arm with a smile. “Uncle, you’ve put on weight these last few years!”

At that moment, a woman climbed out of the red sedan. She was tall and wore a purple spaghetti-strap dress that accentuated her striking figure. Her face was hidden behind oversized sunglasses, her skin was luminous and white, and her curvaceous form moved with a particular allure. Beneath her slender waist stretched a pair of long, shapely legs, and her feet were shod in white strappy high-heeled sandals. A mature, voluptuous charm radiated from her, her fragrance and the scent of her hair drifting on the breeze—enough to intoxicate.

“You little brat, so you’re not dead!” Her voice was melodious, but her words were anything but pleasant—crude and brash. Maple’s brow furrowed; he turned to look at her, his tone cold and detached as he replied, “I’m waiting for your funeral.”

The woman’s whole body trembled with rage. Pointing at him with her delicate hand, she shouted, “You brat! Are you tired of living, daring to provoke me, your auntie!” She seethed—didn’t he know who she was?

“Sorry, my aunt has long since passed away,” Maple replied, his tone hard as iron. In this world, if you’re strong, others must yield; if you’re weak, you’re trampled.

The woman was nearly driven mad. She tore off her sunglasses and glared at Maple. “Brat, you’ve got guts! Since you’re so eager to die, I’ll grant your wish!”

With the glasses gone, Maple finally saw her face—an exquisite oval, elegant brows, phoenix eyes, a straight nose, and cherry lips, her skin fair and delicate as snow. She was a dazzling beauty, making one feel inexplicably refreshed just to look at her. From her smooth, unlined complexion, she couldn’t be more than her early twenties, though she called herself “Miss” as if afraid of being thought old. Hmph!

Maple wasn’t the least bit swayed by her beauty; instead, he smiled faintly. “Listen, Madam, my name is Maple Ye. If you have something to say, have your man talk to me.”

Hearing herself called “Madam,” the woman was so furious her eyes blazed. She almost screamed, “Brat, remember this—tell your family to prepare for your funeral!” With that, she turned and stalked back to her car.

Maple watched her retreating figure with a smile. Jianjun Ye, startled by her threat, muttered, “Maple, that woman seems important. Be careful.”

“It’s nothing, Uncle. Let’s go home. By the way, where do we live now? I can hardly recognize the roads.” That was the truth—the county had changed so much, it dazzled Maple. Perhaps soldiers needed more home visits, or else, after discharge, they wouldn’t even find their way home!

Jianjun laughed. “You have no idea—the changes are immense! Even I get lost sometimes. Come, I’ll take you home.”

Jianjun Ye was a teacher, and he chattered away as they walked, describing all the changes in the county. Through his uncle’s vivid narration, Maple gained a new understanding. Good national policies had brought prosperity to the people; seeing the rows of new houses, Maple was filled with emotion.

Maple’s father, Jianming Ye, was the eldest brother; Jianjun, his uncle, taught at the county middle school. Jianming had started out as a freight driver, but thanks to his honesty and the nation’s supportive policies, he’d started a small freight company of his own—which was doing quite well.

Lost in conversation, the road seemed short, and soon Jianjun led Maple to a three-story villa. “Here we are—this is your home,” he said with a smile.

Maple stared in amazement at the house before him—his family had changed, too! They now owned such a fine home. Not bad!

Just then, a woman stepped out of the gate. Her hair was neatly coiled at the back of her head, and she wore simple home clothes and gray, flat strappy sandals. She carried a basin of water, apparently about to water the plants. The sight of her filled Maple with excitement. He couldn’t help but shout, “Mom!”

The elegant, middle-aged woman froze, then saw Jianjun and the burly young man beside him—her son, Maple! She was just as excited. “Maple! Maple! Ah, Maple is home, Maple is finally home!”

Setting the basin down, Maple rushed into her embrace, enveloped once again in that long-missed warmth. The instinctive comfort brought tears to his eyes, and his mother, too, was moved to tears, clutching his broad shoulders in delight. “Maple, you’re finally home! I’ve missed you so much!”

“Mom, I’ve missed you too!” In that moment, Maple felt like a child again, nestling in his mother’s arms as if it were his birthright. Whenever he’d been bullied as a boy, he would cling to her for ages, waiting for her to defend him.

Just then, a man appeared in the courtyard—it was his father, Jianming Ye. Seeing his son, Jianming’s face lit up with excitement. “Maple, you’re home!”

Maple called out, moved beyond words, “Dad!”

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