Xia Tao was tidying up his things in the living room, sorting out the documents and materials he had collected over the past few days while working on reselling the business.
His movements were methodical; he carefully folded each document neatly and placed it into its corresponding folder.
Occasionally, he would stop to watch his busy sister, his eyes filled with tenderness. In that moment, he felt all the weariness of life dissipate in this heartwarming scene, his heart filled with peace, and all the hardships became worthwhile.
After dinner, the two packed their luggage together. Xia Wan packed her clothes while looking forward to their future life.
She is full of expectations for the future and quite enjoys living alone. That feeling of freedom and unrestraint makes her feel full of strength.
She imagines a future where she can pursue her dreams and do what she loves in her own little world.
Perhaps she wants to become an excellent writer, using delicate words to depict the beauty of the world and let readers feel warmth and strength in her words; perhaps she wants to travel to faraway places, see the magnificent scenery of mountains, rivers, lakes and seas, experience the customs and culture of different regions, and broaden her horizons.
Every dream made her eyes sparkle, as if the future was unfolding before her eyes like a magnificent painting, a painting filled with her laughter, struggles, and growth.
...
The soft morning light, like fine gold leaf, filtered through the cracks in the window and gently fell on Xia Wan's face. Xia Wan slowly woke up from the old wooden bed, the warmth of the sunlight making her squint her eyes slightly, like a lazy cat.
She rubbed her sleepy eyes, which were still blurry and her gaze was somewhat confused.
He stretched lazily, his whole body relaxed and his bones made a soft "crackling" sound.
She got up, opened her bedroom door, and habitually looked towards her brother Xia Tao's room across the hall.
The door was closed, so she went over and knocked a few times: "Brother?" Her voice was soft and hoarse, unique to the early morning, echoing in the quiet room. The voice was like the first bird song of the morning, crisp yet tinged with sleepiness.
There was no response from inside. She knew in her heart that her brother always went to the train station early in the morning. Xia Tao was always efficient and decisive, and in order to buy tickets as soon as possible, he must have set off before dawn.
He's always like this, working tirelessly and silently for his family.
Whether it was when he was a child, saving money to run all over the streets and alleys to buy her the stationery she wanted, or when he grew up and worked hard to make a living for the family, he never complained.
After a quick wash, Xia Wan hurriedly left for the town's post office.
The winter wind blew in, like countless fine needles pricking her face, making her cheeks sting from the cold.
She wrapped her cotton coat tighter around herself, quickened her pace, and each step was firm and powerful.
She eagerly awaited the letters from her comrades-in-arms far away. Those letters carried the affection between her and her comrades and were one of the few sources of comfort for her during those turbulent years.
Each letter was like a ray of light in the darkness, illuminating her path and helping her find direction in loneliness and confusion.
Those days spent with my comrades, though filled with hardship, were also filled with endless warmth and strength, all of which are sealed in these letters.
Their sweat and toil during training together, and their mutual encouragement when facing difficulties, have become the most precious treasures in her life.
After collecting the letters and packages, Xia Wan carried her heavy luggage home, still worried about her brother who had not yet returned.
"There are so many people at the train station, and we have to queue to buy tickets. I don't know how long I'll have to wait," Xia Wan muttered to herself, her eyes full of worry.
She imagined the crowded train station and her brother struggling to queue among them, and her heart clenched.
The crowded people and the noisy sounds seemed to appear before her eyes. Her brother's slightly tired but determined face made her quicken her pace, hoping to get home as soon as possible, prepare a cup of hot tea for him, dispel the chill from his body, and let him feel the warmth of home after his tiring journey.
She could almost see her brother walk into the house, sit wearily on the sofa, hand him a cup of hot tea, and see him smile with relief.
Fortunately, not long after, Xia Tao's familiar figure appeared at the alley entrance. His cheeks were red from the cold wind, like ripe apples, and his hair was a little messy, flying wildly in the wind.
Waving two train tickets in his hand, his face was tired but couldn't hide his excitement: "Wanwan, we got the tickets! Let's go back to Huaihua Brigade right now!"
His voice trembled slightly with excitement, and his eyes sparkled with the joy of returning home. That joy was like the warm sun in winter, dispelling the chill and fatigue from his body.
His eyes were filled with longing and anticipation for his hometown, as if he could already see the familiar village entrance and the kind villagers of Huaihua Brigade.
"Okay, when did you buy the tickets, brother?" Xia Wan asked, her eyes also sparkling with excitement.
The joy of returning home made her temporarily forget the winter chill, her heart filled with longing and anticipation for the Huaihua Brigade.
It was as if that familiar land possessed a magical power that could make all worries vanish.
She couldn't wait to go back there, relive those wonderful memories, and feel that long-lost warmth.
Along the way, the brother and sister chatted happily, reminiscing about their time in Huaihua Brigade. The fun of their childhood and the warmth among their neighbors seemed to float before their eyes.
They ran together in the fields, chasing colorful butterflies that fluttered gracefully behind them, as they shouted joyfully.
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