Reborn during the early days of China’s reform and opening, the narrator finds himself in the 1980s countryside. In this setting, the past is still a cold reference, yet it is also a fresh start....
Wan Shuichang finished smoking one cigarette and took out another to prepare for the relay race.
Wan Feng snatched it away and said, "Dad, you should smoke less in the future. You know they're not good, but you still smoke so much. Also, don't smoke dry tobacco anymore, and don't smoke those handshake economy cigarettes. If you have to smoke, smoke the best cigarettes sold in the store. I have money, and I'll mail you fifty yuan every month for cigarettes and drinks."
My father got prostate cancer in his seventies because of smoking.
Prostate cancer sounds scary but it is not a terminal illness. As long as the surgery is performed in time, there is generally no risk to life.
Wan Feng stayed with his father in the hospital for more than half a month. He learned from the doctor that eighty to ninety percent of prostate cancer in men is caused by excessive smoking.
"From now on, you're not allowed to smoke more than one pack of cigarettes a day. Do you understand?"
Wan Shuichang just chuckled, and judging from his expression, he probably ignored the advice.
"Why are you back? I was thinking of asking your mother to pick you up in the winter, but I didn't expect you to come back on your own."
"It's summer vacation now, I want to come back and stay at home for a few days before going back."
"Going back?"
"I have a lot of business to do over there. You wouldn't understand even if I told you."
"Get a table and eat." At this time, my mother's voice came from outside.
Wan Feng went downstairs to put on his shoes but couldn't find the dining table. It was his younger brother who took great pains to carry the table out.
My mother worked very efficiently. In such a short time, she not only steamed a pot of snow-white steamed buns, but also cooked several dishes, including the shredded potatoes that Wan Feng specifically requested.
Wan Feng and his brother took turns bringing the food to the table.
One plate of fried eggs with peppers, one plate of fried zucchini slices and one plate of fried cauliflower.
It was the first time in nearly two years that the family sat around the same table for dinner.
Wan Feng poured wine for his father attentively.
Wan Shui took a long sip and smacked his lips. "This wine isn't very tasty."
Zhu Min glared at him, "Look at your dad. He's never been able to talk in his life. Your son spent almost two dollars a bottle to buy you this, and you actually said it doesn't taste good."
"Isn't it delicious?" Wan Shuichang told the truth. This wine was indeed not to his taste.
Wan Feng laughed, which was very consistent with his father's character.
"Even if it doesn't taste good, you have to drink it!"
Wan Shuichang laughed and said, "Of course I have to drink it. This is a two-dollar wine. Even if it doesn't suit my taste, I have to pinch my nose and drink it, otherwise it will be wasted."
"Your son has a wife now, and you're almost going to be a father-in-law. You have to learn how to speak well in the future."
Wan Shuichang choked on a mouthful of wine.
"You have a wife?"
The younger brother and sister didn't understand what was going on with their eldest brother looking for a wife, so they just stood by and watched.
Zhu Min took out a photo from his pocket and handed it to Wan Shuichang.
Wan Shuichang took the photo and looked at it from far to near.
"It seems that our son is not worthy of her." This is what people who can't speak say.
Wan Feng didn't like to hear this. What do you mean you are not worthy of her?
"Dad! You can't let her boast and destroy your own morale. What do you mean you're not worthy of her? She's pursuing me, but I don't want her."
Fortunately, Luan Feng was not here. If she heard this, there was a 90% chance that she would get furious.
"Hey, that's good. Whose daughter is this from Wahou?"
"Luan Changyuan's family." Mother answered quickly.
Wan Shuichang is a retired soldier from Class 663. He originally served on the Dongling Ridge between Wahou and Waqian, as an anti-aircraft artillery soldier. There is still a cave left by them on the current Pingshan Mountain.
Of course he remembered some of the people behind the depression.
"That old fellow, his specialty was stealing other people's apples and pears. His famous quote from the day of his wedding was, 'Why doesn't the sky get dark soon?' Hahaha, but he wasn't a bad guy."
Holy shit! Did my future father-in-law leave behind some inspiring words? How come I haven't heard of them?
"Let me see!" Wan Fang snatched it away and looked at the two people in the photo with a smile.
Wan Jun just leaned over to take a look and continued eating his meal.
"Beautiful, beautiful, as beautiful as me!"
This is a person who knows how to speak. While praising others, he also praises himself.
Wan Feng knew that vanity was in a woman's genes, but it was not a good thing for his eight-year-old sister to already know how to brag about herself.
Luan Feng received unanimous approval from her family. I wonder if this woman would fly to the rooftop if she knew about this?
Oh, she asked me to send her a letter when I got home. How could I have forgotten about that?
I have to write a letter tomorrow.
The steamed buns made by his mother were the most delicious buns Wan Feng had ever eaten. Even in the future, he would never eat buns better than those made by his mother.