Chapter 13 - The Return of the Wayfarer
A soft brass chime sounded above the heavy timber entrance doors.
Kenneth Shen walked into the workshop.
He wore no three-piece suit, no expensive jewelry, and was accompanied by no security detail. He wore a simple white linen shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, dark grey trousers, and comfortable leather shoes.
When the craftswomen looked up and recognized him, their faces broke into warm, affectionate smiles. Several rose to bow, but Kenneth quickly raised his hands with a warm, self-deprecating laugh.
"Please, aunties, stay seated," Kenneth said with a warm smile. "If you start bowing, Auntie Lin will make me sweep the courtyard before I get any tea."
The entire hall erupted in good-natured laughter.
Grandma Lin set down her silk cords, her eyes dancing with affection as she stood up and walked across the polished timber floorboards.
"Little Ken!" she called out softly.
Kenneth took two long strides forward, catching the gentle elder in his arms, resting his chin against her silver hair. The clean scent of wild mint and dried tea leaves that clung to her clothes instantly washed away the exhaustion of his global travels.
"How are your knees handling the spring rain, Auntie?" Kenneth asked gently, stepping back to hold her hands.
"The doctor you sent says I have the joints of a fifty-year-old now!" Grandma Lin laughed, gently patting his cheek with her warm palm. "I can walk all the way to the harbor market without my cane. And look at Meimei—she received first prize in the provincial calligraphy exhibition on Friday!"
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Meimei dashed across the workshop floor, throwing her arms around Kenneth’s waist. "Uncle Ken! You promised you would take me to see the great lighthouse!"
Kenneth lifted the laughing girl effortlessly onto his shoulders, spinning her around the sun-drenched timber hall as her giggles echoed up into the soaring glass rafters.
