Ti flew by, and soon it was December 1978. The schools were letting out for winter break.
After He Lang sold off his current stock of winter clothing, he didn’t plan on ordering any more.
The period before the New Year was usually the busiest ti for business, but they had been away from ho for a year, and the children were eager to go back. Xue Yue was right—you could never earn all the money in the world, and spending ti with family was important too.
Since Zhang Qian was pregnant, Xue Xingzhou didn’t plan on taking her ho for the New Year. Besides, Zheng Guofeng was in Beijing City as well. Xue Xingzhou had called his master a couple of days ago, and they felt the sa way: a pregnant Zhang Qian shouldn’t have to endure the arduous journey. They would co to Beijing City next sumr when it was ti for her to give birth.
Two days before leaving, they went to the departnt store to buy so things they couldn’t get back in their hotown. Anything they couldn’t carry, they would just buy after they arrived.
When it ca to going ho, the children were the most excited. Ruanruan and Shiyi had been chattering about it nonstop for days.
However, when they learned that Xue Xingzhou and Zhang Qian weren’t returning, the two kids went to stay at their uncle’s house for two days. Xue Yue was worried they might be too much of a handful, but Zhang Qian just smiled, shook her head, and said it would be fine if Daya went with them.
So they only ca back the night before they were set to leave.
The next day, Xue Xingzhou drove them to the train station in a car he said he’d borrowed from a classmate.
Xue Yue had no idea what kind of classmate her brother had who would actually own a car, but it certainly made things convenient for them.
He Lang sat in the front passenger seat, a look of excitent on his face, his eyes glued to Xue Xingzhou’s every move.
Xue Xingzhou glanced at He Lang. "What’s with the staring? You want to drive? This is a bit different from driving a large truck."
"I’m not going to drive now," He Lang said, his voice full of envy. "I’m just watching. Who knows, maybe I’ll get to drive one soday."
’You’ve got to have a dream. It might just co true one day.’
Xue Xingzhou brought them to the train station, parked the car by the side of the road, and helped carry their luggage onto the train.
"Keep a close eye on the kids during the trip, and watch your wallets."
Xue Yue nodded. "I know. You should head back, Brother. Drive safe."
"Uncle, we’ll be back before you know it! Don’t you and Auntie miss us too much, okay?" Ruanruan called out to Xue Xingzhou, leaning against the window.
Xue Xingzhou chuckled. "Alright."
Xue Xingzhou stood on the platform, watching as the train slowly pulled away into the distance.
「Two days later, they finally arrived in Black Province.」
The mont they stepped off the train, the air was filled with a familiar scent.
As they left the train station, they saw He Nan and Mr. He. He Lang had sent a telegram ho before their return.
"Dad—!" Ziqing cried out, running toward them with her luggage.
He Nan grinned and took his sister’s luggage. He looked her over. ’Hm, she hasn’t lost any weight.’
"Grandpa! Eldest Uncle!"
Mr. He looked at Little Chen, his face full of relief. "It’s good to have you back. It’s good to have you back."
"Dad—"
"Grandpa! Eldest Uncle!"
Mr. He looked at He Lang’s family, then bent down and scooped Shiyi into his arms. "Shiyi, do you still rember your grandpa?"
Shiyi looked at Mr. He. "I rember. You’re Grandpa."
Mr. He smiled and planted a kiss on Shiyi’s cheek. "Let’s go. We’re going ho."
By the ti the ox-cart reached Da Liushu Village, Xue Yue could see their house in the distance.
"We’re finally back."
An inexpressible sense of ease washed over Xue Yue. ’This must be what it feels like to be ho.’ No matter where you went or what your life was like out in the world, the mont you set foot on your native soil, a unique sense of contentnt would well up from the depths of your heart.
When they arrived at their doorstep, Xue Yue and He Lang climbed down from the ox-cart. The children all wanted to go see their grandmother and older brothers first, so Shitou got down as well.
"I’ll get off here," Shitou said. "It’s just a short walk back to my place."
He Nan looked at him. "Co visit us another day."
Shitou nodded. "I definitely will."
He then turned to He Lang and Xue Yue. "Third Brother, Sister-in-law, I’m heading ho now."
He Lang nodded. "Alright. Say hello to your mother for . I’ll go visit her another day."
"Okay."
"He Lang," Mr. He said, "your mother was already starting on dinner before we left. You two co over in a little while to eat."
"We will, Dad."
The ox-cart rumbled slowly toward the old family house.
Xue Yue opened the main gate. "We’re finally ho. There’s no place like it."
He Lang joked, "Isn’t our place in Beijing City ho?"
Xue Yue shot him a look. "Oh, you know what I an. They’re both ho, but this feels different."
They went inside and set down their luggage.
"It’s not too cold in here," Xue Yue remarked. "Mom and Dad must have lit a fire for us."
He Lang checked and, sure enough, there were still glowing embers in the firebox of the kang.
There was a pile of firewood in the yard. He Lang went out to grab an armful and lit the stove in the room.
The room quickly began to warm up.
Xue Yue took a cloth and gave the surfaces a quick wipe-down. The house didn’t look dirty; Mrs. He must have cleaned it for them beforehand.
Xue Yue took out the gifts they had bought for everyone in Beijing City and put them all into one large bag.
Once they had tidied up, they headed over to the old family house.
The old family house was bustling with activity. Everyone was gathered in the main room, with the children huddled together in a lively bunch, chattering away.
When Xue Yue and He Lang entered, Mrs. He looked at He Lang with concern. "You’ve gotten so thin, He Lang. I heard from Little Chen—your business may be profitable, but it keeps you very busy. Making money is important, but your health is more important. Don’t take your body for granted when you’re young. You’ll regret it later when it starts giving you trouble."
He Lang laughed. "Mom, I might look thinner, but it’s all muscle now. Go on, feel my abs if you don’t believe ."
Mrs. He swatted him playfully. "Just make sure you get more rest."
He Lang grinned. "I will."
Ruanruan, who was sitting on the kang, called out to Xue Yue, "Mom, did you bring the presents I bought for everyone?"
"I brought them," Xue Yue said with a smile.
She then placed the large bag of gifts onto the kang.
She started pulling things out one by one.
"These are the colored pens and drawing pads I bought for my brothers, and these are the picture books for them too. And this is the chocolate I bought for Grandpa and Grandma," Ruanruan announced as she pulled out the items.
Shiyi scooted closer. "I picked so too! I got a toy car and building blocks for my brothers."
Xiao Yang and the other kids, despite being around ten years old, had never seen such toys before. They crowded around, full of curiosity.
Xue Yue pulled two padded cotton jackets from the bag. "These are for you, Mom and Dad."
Mrs. He bead. "We have plenty to wear. You shouldn’t keep buying us clothes, it’s a waste of money."
He Lang teased, "Now, what are you saying? It’s never a waste of money when we’re showing our respect to you."
Mrs. He’s eyes crinkled with a smile. What parent didn’t hope for their children to be successful and filial?
"This pair of sheepskin gloves is for Eldest Brother, so your hands won’t get cold when you ride your bike this winter."
He Nan was surprised. "You got sothing for too?"
Xue Yue nodded. "I saw them and thought of you."
A look of delight on his face, He Nan took the gloves, felt the material, and slipped them on. "They’re so warm. Thank you, Sister-in-law."
Xue Yue smiled, then pulled out a red sweater and handed it to Gao Cuiyun, who had been silent the whole ti, though a faint smile played on her lips.
"This is for you, Second Sister-in-law. It’s one of the sweaters we sell at our stall. I brought one back for you."
Gao Cuiyun froze for a mont. Her expression was a little strained as she looked at Xue Yue and slowly accepted the sweater.
"Thank you."
Xue Yue shook her head and went on to hand out gifts to the others. There was sothing for everyone in the family.
The children were too excited to eat properly, huddling together and talking throughout the al.
As Xue Yue and her family finished their al and were about to head back to their own house, Gao Cuiyun called out to her.
User Comments
0 comments from readers