As the sun sets, smoke rises from chimneys everywhere on the island, and families are calling to their children and tending to their livestock, preparing for the coming of night.
The village is nestled behind orchards, and the farmland is laid out in neat, orderly grids, as if drawn with a ruler, with not a single weed in sight, even on the ridges.
A group of mischievous boys were kicking a sheepskin ball barefoot on the beach, shouting and cheering or complaining.
Everyone ignored their mother's calls from the village entrance, hoping to play and have fun a little longer.
Until one of the mothers couldn't stand it anymore and came over with a rice paddle, the naughty boys scattered like a swarm of bees, laughing and running away with their heads in their hands.
Not far away, a large fishing boat was moored by the pier. Uncle Zhao and Uncle Wei were unloading things. Seeing this, Uncle Zhao called out, "Sanwang's wife, are you chasing the kids again? It's good that the boy is naughty. Let them play a little longer, it's fine."
Uncle Wei also smiled and agreed, "Yes, look at our third young master. When he was a child, he was the most troublesome. Now, besides General Tang, he is the most powerful in the Hailan Army!"
"The pirates around here would flee ten miles against the wind at the mere mention of his name! The Japanese pirates would cower in their homeland, fearing that the Third Young Master would lead his troops to attack and destroy their country. He's truly too powerful!"
Sanwang's wife stepped forward to help the old men off the boat, and replied cheerfully, "The old men are right to scold them. These boys are just too naughty. They were supposed to come home from school and practice their writing, but look, we haven't seen a single character. Instead, they've been playing football until now!"
Uncle Zhao's expression immediately changed, and he also changed his tune.
"Not writing? That won't do! He has to be beaten! He's living such a good life, with food, drink, and books to read, and he doesn't even appreciate it!"
Uncle Wei and the others chimed in, "That's right, these kids must have been born when they first arrived on the island. They've never experienced hardship! I'll talk to the master about sending them back north so they can learn about the realities of life."
Sanwang's wife quickly asked, "Uncle Wei, is there fighting again in the north?"
Uncle Wei waved his hand and said vaguely, "I only overheard a few things when I went back to Quanzhou a while ago. This time it's not the grasslands, it's some kind of ethnic group from the Northeast. They shouldn't pose much of a threat!"
At this moment, the children who had run back to the village actually ran back again, jumping up and down and shouting.
"Great-grandfathers, let's go back and have a drink! Let's go back and have a drink!"
"And braised pork belly, and stewed fish!"
The old men were a little confused, but Sanwang's wife laughed and said, "Oh dear, gentlemen, I forgot to mention. Today we're celebrating your birthdays, the feast is all ready, just waiting for you to come back and start eating!"
Uncle Zhao and Uncle Wei then remembered and smiled.
These old folks are getting older and older, and every year the villagers celebrate their birthdays with them.
Last year, they decided to change the birthday celebration to one day, so as to save the villagers from having to go through the hassle of celebrating several times a year.
As a result, everyone remembered the change, but they forgot about it.
Everyone quickly gathered their catch, tied up the fishing boat, and headed back to the village.
As soon as they arrived at the village entrance, villagers rushed forward to greet them, crowding around the old men to take a bath and change into festive maroon jackets.
The old village chief, hands behind his back, pipe in hand, dressed in new clothes, stood at the door greeting his old buddies, jokingly saying, "Hey, look at you all! You're all getting old, yet you're still acting like young women getting into a sedan chair, all cheerful and festive. Anyone who didn't know better would think those red envelopes had come to life!"
The villagers burst into laughter and invited the old men to take a seat.
Jia'an and Maoge'er were also among the villagers, bowing to the old men and presenting them with gift boxes.
Jia Huan even personally carried a two-tiered cake and placed it in the middle of the table.
The old men couldn't help but grumble.
Uncle Zhao said, "Quanzhou must be very busy. Why did you make a special trip here?" "Yes, yes, we celebrate birthdays every year, so what's one more time?" Uncle Wei nodded in agreement.
They're just retired now, fishing and tending to their crops and fields—that's all they do. They can't really help their employers much, so how could they possibly hold them back or delay their important business?
Jia'an smiled and said, "Grandpa Zhao, Grandpa Wei, we've come here on business and just wanted to ask for a drink at your wedding."
"My family is very busy these days, and most of them are not at home. My grandma also caught a cold. Otherwise, everyone would have come over to join in the fun."
“You elders have watched us grow up since we were little. We haven’t been able to be very filial to you. It’s only right that we come here to wish you a happy birthday and share in your joy.”
Cat Brother also smiled and said, "Fu Niu'er is out and can't make it back in time. She sent a message saying that the birthday gift is on its way and will arrive in a few days."
The old men had no choice but to complain, though they were secretly overjoyed.
Once everyone was seated and their glasses were raised, the atmosphere became even more lively.
Halfway through the meal, the children from each family came forward to kowtow, and each one received a small red envelope, jumping for joy as if they had received some kind of treasure.
A man in his thirties, half-drunk, also knelt down.
"Grandpa Zhao, Grandpa Wei, I was just a child back then, and I followed the whole village across the mountains to escape famine and seek survival. When we were at the foot of the mountain, you prepared so as not to be a burden to everyone..."
"After all these years, I still remember you hanging from the tree, and I remember my parents making me kneel down and swear that I would take care of you in your old age!"
“I’m a good-for-nothing and incompetent person. For so many years, I’ve been working odd jobs with the villagers. But I haven’t lost my conscience. I did it! I was filial to my grandfathers and I truly took care of them in their old age!”
"The grandfathers have worn clothes and shoes made by my wife, eaten roast chicken bought by me, and drunk wine bought by me!"
"Grandpas, thankfully we made it through together! We're living a good life now, aren't we? We're living a good life!"
The seven-foot-tall man spoke while crying, and everyone who heard him felt heartbroken.
The mischievous boys who grew up together, recalling that autumn wind, and the old men swaying in the trees, couldn't help but wipe away tears.
That scene is an indelible nightmare for them and for the entire village.
One by one, the men stood up, knelt down, and kowtowed to the old men.
"Grandpa Zhao, Grandpa Wei, you must live to be a hundred years old!"
"Yes, our grandfathers should live a good life, and we should take good care of them!"
"Grandpas, we no longer need to seek death, we can finally enjoy life!"
Uncle Zhao, Uncle Wei, and the old village chief were all in tears.
Thinking back to those days, I feel a mix of emotions.
They were all disabled, and it was already quite an achievement that they survived to the point where the Li family settled in the village.
Unexpectedly, I survived until the whole village fled famine, until we crossed mountains and ridges, until we reached Broken Gold Beach, and finally I arrived at this paradise!
I'm afraid that all the retired and wounded soldiers in the world combined don't enjoy as much happiness as they do!
Fortunately, they persevered, and fortunately, they met these relatives who were not related by blood!
"Get up, everyone, let's drink, let's drink."
"Yes, let's celebrate this good day!"
"I'm so lucky! I'm so lucky! I haven't started a family or had children, but I have so many children and grandchildren to take care of me in my old age! I'm so content!"
Uncle Zhao and Uncle Wei helped everyone up.
The stacked wine bowls clinked together, making a crisp sound!
And after all the hardships and wanderings, they finally found their happy ending!
Today's update is here!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com