The weather in the countryside was even colder, and it was nearly evening when we arrived at my uncle's house. My aunt had already placed a brazier under the square table in the main room, making the spacious room warm.
Several delicate side dishes were placed on the central table in the main room. Under the dim yellow light, my aunt, wearing an apron, was busy at the stove, preparing to serve the last soup.
“Auntie,” the doors were open, and Wan’er stepped across the threshold with a smile, carrying a large bag of gifts she had bought.
"Oh, you've come," Granny Su said, placing the chicken soup on the table and quickly taking Wan'er's hand. "Come in quickly, the timing is perfect. I just made this chicken soup; it's good for your health."
"Thank you for your hard work, Auntie." Seeing her aunt's enthusiasm, Wan'er felt a little heavy-nosed. She put the things in the bag on the chair against the wall. "Last time you said you had occasional headaches, I bought you protein powder, Panax notoginseng, Gastrodia elata, and a few fresh cuttlefish..."
After speaking, Wan'er turned around and walked to the table, put her backpack on the chair to her right, and sat down by the table.
"Look at you, kid, spending so much money."
"Where is Uncle?" Wan'er asked, looking around but not seeing her uncle.
Just as Wan'er finished speaking, footsteps sounded outside the door.
"Look, isn't that them?" Auntie took a few steps forward and pointed to the door.
Two figures appeared in the setting sun.
Walking in front was Third Uncle. He had a blue towel wrapped around his head, and he was still wearing a faded blue jacket. The cuffs of his trousers, which were rolled up twice, were still covered in wet mud. On his feet were a pair of worn-out grass-green military shoes.
Uncle put his hands behind his back, slightly hunched over, his face somewhat solemn.
"Hehe!" Behind him, a chubby figure was faintly visible.
"Uncle!" Wan'er, who was facing away from the door, got up to greet him. After exchanging greetings, she deliberately tilted her head to look behind her uncle.
A familiar face suddenly appeared: a short neck, a round face, a short and stout figure, small eyes, a flat nose, and a big mouth that opened wide when he smiled.
A large black coat was draped over his shoulders, underneath which was a bloated, tan wool sweater, its front open and covered in something dirty.
With some dirt stuck to his round face and his long, disheveled hair, wasn't this the nearly 30-year-old Silly Er Gou from the west end of the village? Why did Uncle bring him here so late?
"Wan'er, you've been here for a while, haven't you?" Uncle stepped in and, while speaking to Wan'er, reached out and pulled Er Gou's arm. "Come in, there's something good to eat."
"Hehe!" The aroma of meat and vegetables on the table made Er Gou's eyes light up. He threw away the reed he was holding and ran in. However, when he saw Wan'er there, he was momentarily stunned and quickly hid behind his uncle.
"Dog," Uncle sighed, turning back to call out to the simpleton, "Why are you hiding? Take a look at who this is first!"
"Brother Er Gou, it's me!" Wan'er called out, then turned around and took a few steps, taking out a huge round lollipop from her backpack and holding it up in her hand. "Look, your favorite watermelon-flavored lollipop."
Upon hearing the words "lollipop," Er Gou stretched out his round head, opened his small eyes wide, and looked at Wan'er. After confirming her identity, he finally leaned out, grinning foolishly and waving his rough hands as he walked towards Wan'er. He then extended his right hand and took the lollipop, saying, "Wan'er, little sister, hehe, little sister is the best."
Er Gou chuckled, about to peel off the wrapper and eat the candy...
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