It was another evening, and the orange glow poured down from the sky, falling on the village where wisps of smoke were rising, adding an indescribable color to this quiet and beautiful mountain village.
"Hello, young comrade, is this the Dongjiang Brigade?"
Jiang Yuan had just finished carrying a load of water from the public well when she saw an elderly woman, about sixty years old, neatly dressed and full of energy, questioning her. Next to her stood a tall, sturdy young man who bore a passing resemblance to Han Zheng. She instantly guessed their identities and approached, carrying water. "Are you Grandma Han and Brother Han?"
"Little comrade, how did you know?" Grandma Han smiled kindly.
"Grandma Han, I heard from Grandpa Han and Brother Han that you should be here today or tomorrow. Brother Han was just saying that if you don't arrive today, he will go to the county town to pick you up tomorrow."
"Really?" Grandma Han smiled and asked, "Little comrade, this is our first time here. Where do these two people live? Could you please show us the way?"
"Grandma Han, Brother Han, please come with me. I'm an educated youth who came here to work in the countryside. I've only been here for half a month and I'm renting a house next door to Grandpa Han's."
Han Zhe, who was carrying a lot of luggage, saw the warmth and generosity of this female comrade and smiled faintly: "Comrade Zhiqing, thank you for leading the way."
"You're welcome." Jiang Yuan walked ahead carrying the water and introduced herself: "My name is Jiang Yuan, you can just call me by my name."
Grandma Han, also carrying a large cloth bag, was very impressed with this woman and started chatting with her as she followed her: "Comrade Jiang Yuan, where are you from?"
"Grandma Han, I'm from Chang County, Province B."
They chatted all the way and soon returned home. Jiang Yuan happened to see a figure swaying at the door of the Han family's mud brick house upstairs. She shouted towards them, "Grandpa Han, Grandma Han and Brother Han are here."
"Park Xuan." Grandma Han also saw the old man and was so excited that she threw away the cloth bag in her hand.
When Mr. Han heard the familiar voice, he paused and rushed over as fast as he could. Seeing his wife whom he hadn't seen for a long time, his eyes, which had always been calm and reserved, turned red and his voice choked with sobs: "Meishu."
"Grandpa." Han Zhe's heart trembled when he saw his grandfather with gray hair.
"Zhezi."
Old Man Han rushed down the path quickly.
"Park Xuan, slow down, slow down."
Grandma Han had already thrown away all her luggage. She reminded him to slow down, but she herself was walking quite fast.
The couple had not seen each other for nearly eight years. When they met again, both of them had a lot more white hair on their temples, their faces looked much more haggard and older, and wrinkles were deeply engraved on their faces like ravines.
The emotions of their generation are reserved and deep. They obviously miss each other very much, but when the person is in front of them, they restrain all movements, stand quietly and look at each other, with red eyes, suppressing all their longing.
"Grandpa, grandma, let's go home first and talk it over when we get home." Han Zhe stepped forward to break the silence.
"Okay, okay, let's go home."
Old Man Han walked over and picked up the luggage on the ground. He spoke with some uncontrollable excitement: "Meishu, Zhezi, let's go. You've had a hard time traveling. Let's go home first and talk at home."
Yun Huaying and the other three were standing at the door of the house. Seeing the two elders reuniting after many years, they were obviously very excited, so they, as outsiders, did not go forward to disturb them.
Han Zhe actually saw them and politely thanked them when he left: "Jiang Zhiqing, thank you."
Jiang Yuan smiled at him and said, "Brother Han, you guys should go back soon. Brother Han just went to the mountains to check the traps and should be back soon."
The two cousins are more than two years apart in age, and they look very similar in appearance, temperament and physique. Perhaps because they were both soldiers, they both look extremely serious and unsmiling, giving people a feeling that strangers should stay away from them.
Han Zheng came back from the mountain road behind the house carrying a large basket full of wild game. When he heard familiar voices at home, he immediately rushed back home.
"Grandma, Brother Zhe."
He rushed to the door like a gust of wind, startling Grandma Han. A happy smile quickly appeared on her face: "Zhengzi."
"Grandma." Han Zheng threw away the backpack and walked into the house with a smile on his face: "When did you arrive?"
"Just arrived, been sitting here for less than five minutes."
Han Zhe was also happy to see his brother. A rare smile appeared on his face. He stood up and gave him a punch. This was the most tacit way of greeting between brothers.
Grandma Han hadn't seen Han Zheng for over a year. He looked stronger than the last time they met, his expression less serious and stiff than before. He looked much brighter and gentler, his weathered eyes filled with love and affection. "Has anything good happened to our Zhengzi recently?"
"Grandma, how did you tell that?" Han Zheng raised his eyebrows. His grandma was really a smart person. She could tell the change in his mood at a glance.
"Oh, that's really good news."
Grandma Han had only guessed from the slight change in his temperament, but when she saw that there was really good news, her eyes lit up: "Tell me quickly, what's the good news?"
Before he could say anything, he started to speculate excitedly: "Are they dating? Did they find a granddaughter-in-law for grandma?"
"No way!" Han Zhe's face also showed an expression. Seeing his cousin smiling without saying anything, he looked surprised: "Zhengzi, you are not really dating, are you?"
"No."
Han Zheng laughed helplessly and confessed: "I like a girl, but she hasn't agreed to me. I'm still pursuing her."
Grandma Han: "...Really?"
"Haha, really."
Old Man Han was very happy. He pulled his wife back to the table and sat down. He said to his grandson, "Zhengzi, it's getting late. Your grandmother and Zhezi have been working very hard driving the cart. I guess they only had a quick lunch. Let's go get some food first. We can talk later while we eat."
"Okay." Han Zheng had already prepared the dishes and flew away like the wind. His voice could be heard from afar: "Grandma, Brother Zhe, please have a seat. I asked someone to make dumplings today and we'll cook them tonight."
"Zhengzi, just cook something casually."
Grandma Han knew that the old man lived a simple life and guessed that his life would only improve with the arrival of his grandson.
After saying that, he quickly pulled someone over and asked, "Park Xuan, is the girl Zhengzi is interested in a member of this team?"
Han Zhe was also very curious about this matter. His cousin had good news. He would go back to his second uncle in Jinling in a few days and would definitely tell his second uncle, second aunt and aunt the good news.
"He's not a local. He's an educated youth who came here to work in the countryside. He's also a descendant of our old friend."
"Descendants of an old friend?" Grandma Han was stunned for a moment, then asked, "Whose child is it?"
"I won't tell you yet. I'll take you to see her tomorrow. When you see her, you'll definitely know whose descendant she is." Old Master Han kept it a secret.
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