After May Day, my uncle went back to the island. It was the first anniversary of my grandparents' death.
Bonnie's parents said that children who live far away shouldn't go back. Her grandparents won't complain; they just want to know that the children are doing well.
Many members of the Lin family on the island have returned from their ancestral graves.
Lin Yu, Lin Tao, and Lin Bo have all returned. The three brothers from Uncle San's family, Lin Hui, have also returned. Lin Jiang from Uncle Xiao's family has returned. Lin Nan and Lin Feng are both in Beijing, one at a military medical university and the other running a restaurant, so neither of them can come back.
"Father, Mother, are you really going to the capital? How long will you be gone?"
Lin Yu and his two brothers looked at their parents, unsure how to describe their feelings.
"Yes, I'm going with your uncle this time, but we haven't decided how long we'll be gone yet."
Bonnie's father looked up at his three sons. The eldest was over forty years old, and his son had already graduated from university. The second and third sons also had their own families and careers. As parents, they had fulfilled their responsibilities, and now they could live their lives according to their own preferences.
“Mom and Dad, now that you’ve gone to my sister’s house, we, as your sons, can’t just ignore you. Every month, we’ll contribute to your retirement savings. Whether you want to eat something or go for a stroll, having money in hand will put your mind at ease.”
Lin Bo expressed his idea, glancing at his two older brothers. He did hope that his parents would live with him, but the family housing he was allocated was small, only two bedrooms, and his parents had stayed there for a few days and were not used to it.
“I agree with Lin Bo’s opinion. We all have a responsibility to take care of our parents; we can’t leave it all to Bao Ni alone.”
Lin Yu also expressed that he should actually take care of his parents the most, but he was ignorant in the past and hurt their feelings. There is always something unseen between them.
“Okay, how much will each family contribute? Mom and Dad, once we get to Beijing, have Bonnie open an account for you, and we’ll deposit money into it every month.”
Lin Tao didn't object, even though he provided the least care for his parents.
“We understand what you mean. How about this, each family will give your mother and me ten yuan a month, which is thirty yuan a month in total, enough for your mother and me. If we get seriously ill, you can split the expenses together.”
Bonnie's father didn't say no. Why wouldn't he? He and his wife raised them and helped them get married. Now that they're old, it's their duty as sons to contribute to their retirement.
"Okay, Mom and Dad, I didn't bring much money with me when I left. Here's thirty for you."
Lin Tao pulled out three ten-yuan bills from his pocket; he really didn't have much money on him.
Lin Bo also pulled out three ten-yuan bills. He had over a hundred yuan in his pocket, which he had originally intended to leave for his parents. He just hadn't expected that his parents would suddenly announce that they were going to Beijing.
“This is mine, Mom and Dad, you keep it. Don’t worry about the house and land, I’ll take good care of them. If you need anything, just call me back and I’ll send it to you.”
As the only son left on the island, Lin Yu could help take care of the family. He knew his parents would come back and wouldn't stay in Beijing forever.
"Alright, it's settled then. Eldest, take good care of the house. Your mother and I are coming back. You keep farming the land; it's the foundation, it can't be left to waste."
"I understand, don't worry."
Lin Yu repeatedly assured him that he would take good care of the family.
“Lin Hui, your mother and I are going to Beijing this time too. Bao Ni said she will treat us to a tour of Beijing. We’ve finished planting all the land at home, so we’ll go out for a stroll and broaden our horizons before we die.”
"Okay, go ahead."
Lin Hui pulled a wad of ten-yuan notes from his pocket; these were the allowance he brought back for his parents. He was busy with work and often traveled for business, so he couldn't come home very often. This time, his wife had prepared these for him, so his parents could have them in their old age.
"We have money."
Aunt Bao Ni was surprised that her eldest son would give them money, and she was happy and appreciated his kindness.
“I know you have money. This was prepared by the child’s mother. I didn’t know you were going to Beijing. I originally brought it back for you to use as pocket money.”
"Keep it. It's a nice gift from the child. It's not easy for us to go out like this. If you see any clothes or shoes you like, buy a few for yourself."
Uncle Bonnie told his wife to accept it, saying he was entitled to it.
Aunt Bao Ni glanced at her husband and accepted the money.
Lin Shan and Lin Mu also took out money from their pockets, but not as much as Lin Hui.
Uncle Bao Ni gestured to his wife to accept them all, saying that they were all tokens of the children's goodwill.
"Dad, should I give you some money for your retirement too?"
Lin Jiang watched as his eldest and third uncles took out money, but he hadn't prepared any; he only had twenty yuan in his pocket.
"Get lost. If you have that kind of heart, you can wait until I'm old before you start taking it out."
Uncle Lin is the youngest, only in his fifties, more than ten years older than Lin Yu.
"Okay, I got it, I got it. You're still young. How's my nephew? Can he talk now?"
Lin Jiang quickly changed the subject; his father was still quite unwilling to admit he was getting old.
The whole family chatted and laughed, and the atmosphere became much more lively.
That evening, Lin Yu's wife and Bao Ni's mother cooked a sumptuous dinner to send off the people who were about to embark on their journey.
The next morning, Bonnie's parents picked up their packed luggage and walked around their seaweed house. They felt a pang of sadness, as this was the home they had lived in their entire lives.
“Old man, we’re old and can’t move anymore, but we still have to come back. I’ve lived here since I married into the Lin family, and our children were born and raised here. I can’t bear to leave.”
“We’ll come back. We’ll spend a few years getting to know Bonnie and then come back. This is our home, and I’m leaving here anyway.”
Bonnie's dad touched the front door and handed the key to Lin Yu. They didn't bring much luggage. Bonnie said that they had everything at home, so they only needed to bring a few changes of clothes.
"Mom and Dad, don't worry, I'll take good care of the house. I'll send you the dried seafood you packed tomorrow. Don't worry, I'll send it to Bonnie regularly."
"Mom and Dad, please take good care of yourselves. Our baby might visit you often. Please tell Bao Ni so she can take care of you."
"Okay, I understand. You all take good care of the family. The child is about to take the college entrance examination. Eldest daughter-in-law, you should do less housework during this period and cook more good food for the child. This is a critical moment, and we can't be careless. This is a major event in the child's life."
Bao Ni's mother and Lin Yu's wife were giving her instructions, as her daughter was taking the college entrance exam this year. They had grown attached to the Lin family after living there for so many years.
"Okay, Mom, don't worry, I'll call you when the child's results come out."
"Okay, let's go to the dock."
Bonnie's dad didn't let them take her; it wasn't far, and Lin Tao and the others were with her.
"Take good care of your parents, buy their tickets, put them on the train, and make sure they are settled."
Lin Yu gave her worried instructions, wondering how many days it would be before her parents returned. Suddenly, she felt a sense of emptiness in her heart.
"Don't worry, brother, I'll take care of it."
Lin Tao waved his hand, reassuring his brother.
The Lin family's main group headed towards the dock, and familiar people on the island came over to ask what they were going to do.
"Let's go to Beijing for a stroll and broaden our horizons."
"Go to Bonnie's?"
"Yes, let's go to Bonnie's."
Bonnie's dad knew that after they left, the people on the island would once again envy him for having such a good daughter.
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