Liu Chunping finally came to his senses and quickly helped his uncle sit down. "I'm sorry, uncle. Please take a seat." After a few pleasantries, Liu Chunping finally asked the question in his mind, "Chuncheng, where are you settling down now? Are your parents in good health?"
Liu Chuncheng sighed slowly, as if his heart was filled with endless stories and emotions. He looked into the distance, as if traveling back in time to those difficult yet hopeful days.
"They're in Sichuan Province now..." Liu Chuncheng murmured softly. Memories flooded back like a tide. That incident had cut off contact between his parents and several uncles and aunts from the main force. Fate had begun to turn, leading them down a completely different path.
After enduring many trials and tribulations along the way, they finally arrived in this unfamiliar land of Sichuan Province. Their mother was pregnant and had difficulty moving, while their father, suffering from a leg injury, struggled to walk. Faced with such difficulties, they discussed and resolutely decided to put down roots here and build their own home.
Fortunately, they had some savings at the time, so they bought adjacent houses and lived together. However, time flies, and now my father's legs are in poor condition, leaving him disabled and with many difficulties in life. Besides me, there are my eldest sister Liu Chunhua and my brother Liu Chunsheng in my family, and I am the youngest.
It's worth mentioning that we have several uncles living nearby: Liu Jianye, Liu Gaodi, Liu Boming, and another named Liu Shengqing. They often say that if long-lost family members were still alive, hearing their names would surely reveal their identities. Perhaps this is the wonder of blood ties! Though time has passed, that kinship remains deeply etched in everyone's heart.
At that moment, the surroundings exploded like a ignited powder keg, and everyone started talking non-stop. One of them was so excited that he shouted at the top of his voice, "Did you know? That Liu Jianye is my second uncle! I remember we had a very good relationship back then. I never thought we would meet again today!"
Before he finished speaking, another person echoed, "That's right! Liu Gaodi is my great uncle! He loved me the most when I was little, and he always bought me delicious and fun things."
At the same time, someone else was ecstatic, dancing and shouting, "Haha, what a coincidence! My third brother, my third brother is Liu Boming!"
Some, however, could not contain their inner ecstasy and shouted joyfully, "Oh my God! Liu Shengqing is actually my father. My father is still alive! No, I have to tell my eldest brother this great news right away."
Thus, a myriad of voices mingled, a cacophony of clamor, deafening and overwhelming. After all, time flies, and for so many years, they had always believed their loved ones were either dead or missing, their fate uncertain. Yet, at this moment, they unexpectedly learned that their families were all safe and sound, separated only by unforeseen circumstances. How could such a scene not bring about a chorus of emotions and a deep sigh?
Many people couldn't help but burst into tears, their hearts filled with indescribable joy and emotion. Who could have imagined that after so many years and so many changes, they would have the opportunity to learn the whereabouts of their loved ones? The feeling was like waking from a dream, both unreal and incredibly real.
"Uncle Chuncheng, I want to ask, Aunt Chunhua and Uncle Chunsheng must have started their own families and careers, right? I wonder how they are doing now? Did you respond to the country's call and go to the countryside? Logically speaking, Aunt Chunhua and Uncle Chunsheng are much older than you. Logically speaking, you are the only unmarried child in the family. Why do you still need to go to the countryside? Although going to the countryside is compulsory to a certain extent, isn't it usually only for unmarried people?" Liu Yanran couldn't help but feel confused because she was not familiar with the specific situation of that era, and she blurted out the questions in her heart.
Hearing this, Liu Chuncheng sighed deeply, a look of helplessness on his face, and he slowly began to speak, "Alas... Sister Chunhua has never married! She's been ill since she was in her mother's womb, and has been bedridden for so many years. My parents have spent almost all their life savings on her medical treatment. With her physical condition, what man would be willing to marry such an expensive patient? Our family's financial situation is not good, and Brother Chunsheng also married late, around the age of thirty. Fortunately, my sister-in-law's family still has some wealth, but because of this, my sister-in-law always relies on her family background to control Brother Chunsheng. The five of them currently live in the house allocated by the factory, and they usually only go back to their hometown during the New Year and other holidays."
Well, as the saying goes, every family has its own unspeakable hardships! Looking at it this way, my grandparents' lives are indeed somewhat unsatisfactory. Think about it, with a frail aunt to care for, a henpecked uncle, and a young aunt who's married to a boisterous young woman who can turn the family upside down—how can life not be difficult? Before even meeting them, Liu Yanran's heart began to ache for her grandparents.
"In any case, now that we know about this, it's only logical that we go and visit him," said Liu's mother, Cao Cuilan. When she decided to marry Liu Chunping, whose parents had passed away, her family initially strongly opposed it. However, as time went on, they gradually realized that Liu Chunping was not only down-to-earth and hardworking, but also deeply knowledgeable about various technologies. Their attitude gradually changed, and they finally agreed to the marriage. They still remembered that during Liu's confinement, Grandma Cao cared for her wholeheartedly. Unfortunately, Liu Yanran was still naive at the time, and by the time she regained consciousness, Grandma had already passed away. It was truly a pity.
Liu Chunping gazed at his wife beside him with gratitude, his eyes full of affection and approval. He knew very well that his wife had always been so understanding and considerate.
"Chunling, tell me about this. Will you take the child directly to the capital, or come with us?" Although he is the older brother, Liu Chunping always understands that he must never interfere and make any important decisions for his sister.
After a moment's thought, Liu Chunling answered firmly: "Brother, let's go together. I was separated from my parents very early, and now even their appearances are blurry." Her words revealed her deep longing for her parents.
"In that case, Third Uncle, our family will go and investigate. Once I understand the specific conditions of the other grandparents, I'll immediately write back to let you know. Then, you can decide who will go and whether this arrangement is appropriate," Liu Yanran said sensibly. After all, in those unusual times, most families didn't have much savings to speak of. They relied on hard work to earn work points to make ends meet, and they couldn't move around freely.
"Very good, that's really great! I never expected that the children who were separated in the past are all safe and sound. This is undoubtedly the blessing of our ancestors!" The third uncle couldn't help but feel deeply moved, his face filled with relief and joy.
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