Micah stepped out through the back door, letting it close quietly behind him. The evening air brushed against his face as he walked straight to the back building.
In the distance, he saw a familiar figure, Zhou Ruyan, his grandmother, wrapped in a thick knitted blanket, seated on the bench beneath a softly glowing lantern. Her silver hair was pinned up neatly, and a steaming cup of tea rested beside her on a small table. Her posture, though delicate with age, carried grace and quiet strength. She looked like a figure from an old painting, serene, composed, and timeless.
"Grandma!" Micah called out, his voice trembling slightly.
Zhou Ruyan turned her head slowly. When her eyes found him, her expression bloomed into a gentle smile. "My handsome grandson. Happy birthday."
Micah's chest tightened at her words as he approached her and sat beside her.
"Thanks," Micah said, voice low. He glanced at her, then quickly away. His fingers fidgeted with the edge of his cufflinks.
