Cheng Cai lay on the kang (a heated brick bed), thinking about what had happened during the day, and couldn't fall asleep.
I played sledding with my younger brothers, and seeing them happy made me happy too. This was the first winter since my parents passed away that I didn't have to worry about making a living.
I feel like I've grown up, but in Aunt Tingting's and Uncle Jianjun's eyes, I'm still a child who needs care.
When Uncle Jianjun pulled me to play on the sled, I was happy, as if I had a father myself.
Last winter, I watched from the shore as the pillars had their fathers with them, and I felt sad and envious.
But this year I can study and play with everyone, and I have mixed feelings about it.
In winter, Youcai and I didn't have to brave the cold wind to go up the mountain. Everyone knows that going up the mountain in heavy snow is dangerous, but there was no other way. Being full was the most important thing for the two of us at that time.
But everything changed with Aunt Tingting. Uncle Jianjun and Aunt Tingting treated her very well. She and her younger brother were able to eat their fill in winter, and the house was warm every day. They could also study.
We have new clothes to wear, and we're clean every day. We're eating well now, and we've grown quite a bit taller.
In previous winters, my brother and I would have our hands covered in frostbite cuts, but now they're all gone, and we wash our hands and faces with hot water every day.
These are things I never dared to imagine before, but now they've all come true.
All of this feels like a dream, happening right before my eyes. If it's a dream, I hope I wake up later.
So on the way home, I shed tears. I always tell my younger brother not to cry easily, but today I didn't set a good example.
Uncle Jianjun saw that he was crying, but he didn't say anything. He just told the pillars to go home first when they were almost home.
He said to himself, "Chengcai, why are you crying? Is something on your mind? You're a child. I know you're very mature, but don't keep everything bottled up inside. It will break you over time."
“If something is wrong, you should speak up. Don’t keep it to yourself. You’re a child, you don’t have to be so strong. No matter what happens, we are your family and we will face it together with you.”
"Uncle, I'm just so happy, there's nothing else," Cheng Cai said, crying as he spoke.
"Now that Youcai and I can eat our fill, stay warm, and go to school, I feel both sad and happy. It's an indescribable feeling."
“Last year, I watched Zhu Zi and the others on the shore and they were so happy. I envied them for having such a good father.”
"Chengcai, the hardships of the past are over. We must face this new life with courage. Your life has changed now."
“Your life has changed too. In your aunt’s and my eyes, you are an excellent child. We are all your family.”
"Uncle, may I call you Dad?"
“In my heart, you are my father, and my aunt is my mother. Youcai and I will definitely take good care of you in the future.”
“Of course you can. Even though you still call me Uncle in public, in my heart you are my child,” Jianjun still felt sorry for this sensible child.
My sons have had it too easy. Compared to this child, they lack perseverance and courage. I admire this child very much.
"Father, Father," Cheng Cai said, tears streaming down his face.
“Hey, you and Youcai are like my children. You shouldn’t be so anxious and insecure anymore. Be confident.”
"I understand. Can I not tell Aunt Tingting about this? I'm all grown up now, a real man. It's really embarrassing to cry."
“I won’t tell your aunt about this. Even though you’ve grown up, in your aunt’s and my eyes, you’re still a child,” Jianjun promised him.
"Alright, Chengcai, it's so cold outside. Hurry up and go back inside. Dinner will be served soon."
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