Grandma Yan was already excited when she saw the oxcart. When her eldest son ran towards her, she quickly took a few steps forward. Because she was walking too fast, she almost tripped over the snow on the ground, which startled Cuihua and Xuemei, who rushed over to help.
Yan Daqiang leaped forward and caught Grandma Yan just in time. Looking at Grandma Yan's obviously aged face, Yan Daqiang cried out "Mother!" and his knees buckled as he knelt down in front of Grandma Yan.
Yan Xiaoqiang and Yan Dongnan couldn't help but shed tears, while Cuihua and Xuemei kept wiping away tears with their sleeves. Yan Xiaonan originally didn't have a good impression of this uncle, thinking that he was just like his second uncle, an ingrate who forgot his mother after getting a wife.
But after listening to Grandma's nagging all night, I learned that this uncle was a soldier who was stationed on the border for a long time for the sake of the country and the people. He had no time to go home and was frugal in the army, sending most of his allowances and receipts to his mother. Because his father was still young at that time and his second uncle was not at home, the burden of supporting the family fell on this eldest brother.
Because of his patriotism and bravery, he was wounded several times. Fortunately, God had eyes and he was not seriously injured, but he still bears many heroic marks. Due to his good performance, he was promoted slowly and is now working in the capital. It can be said that his hard work has finally paid off.
Yan Xiaonan had been thinking about her mother all along, but the journey was long and it would take almost half a year to go back and forth. She could only keep saving up her vacation days. Finally, she saved up enough to come back. It was really too difficult. Yan Xiaonan suddenly burst into tears. The scene in front of her was so touching.
Yan Xiaonan's crying startled Grandma Yan and Yan Daqiang. Grandma Yan quickly helped Yan Daqiang up, saying, "Daqiang, the ground is cold. Come on, let's go back inside."
Yan Daqiang stood up, and thunderous applause erupted around him. Yan Daqiang's deeds were widely known in Mushroom Village. How many families had such a good son? He was also a soldier who protected his country. The villagers of Mushroom Village were proud that their village had such a hero.
When they learned that Yan Daqiang was coming back today, they were all eagerly waiting. When they came out after hearing the commotion, they saw Yan Daqiang kneeling in front of his mother, calling out "Mother" again and again. They were so moved that they forgot about the cold and the time. It wasn't until Yan Xiaonan's crying came that they came to their senses.
The village chief ran over and shook hands with Yan Daqiang, saying, "Welcome back, Daqiang!"
Yan Daqiang held the village chief in high esteem. He stood at attention and saluted the village chief, who tried to imitate him but his movements were far from perfect. The surrounding villagers, with tears in their eyes, burst into laughter.
Yan Daqiang took two bags off the oxcart and handed them to Village Chief Ma: "Village Chief, a young man leaves home and returns old, his accent remains unchanged but his hair has turned gray. These are local specialties I brought from the capital. You decide to distribute them to the uncles and aunts in the village."
The village chief was surprised by Yan Daqiang's magnanimity and sighed deeply: "Sister-in-law, I really envy you. You've raised two wonderful sons."
Grandma Yan smiled through her tears and said, "Village chief, you're too kind. After you've distributed the goods, come to my house and have a drink with my son."
Village Chief Ma laughed heartily: "Alright, sister-in-law, I'll definitely come tonight. It's cold outside, the little girl will get terribly cold. Come on in, everyone, disperse, it's too cold outside."
Yan Xiaoqiang drove the oxcart into the yard, moved all the luggage from the oxcart into the main room, and then secretly fed the old ox some grass. He also added hot water to the trough, and the old ox mooed and started eating. Being able to eat grass in winter was the happiest thing. After eating its fill of grass and drinking its fill of hot water, the old ox was sent back to Uncle San's house.
Uncle San smelled the scent of grass on the old ox and felt grateful. Winter fodder was hard to come by, and it must have been those two boys, Xi Nan Bei Nan, who had gone through a lot of trouble to get it. Ah, they are both good children.
In the main room, Yan Daqiang sat on the kang (a heated brick bed). Bei Nan and Xin Nan, one holding a washbasin and the other a towel, brought them to Yan Daqiang: "Uncle, wash your face and wipe your hands."
Yan Daqiang nodded in satisfaction. He was a clever man. The warmth in the room made him feel comfortable all over. He wiped his face with a hot towel and washed his hands, feeling even warmer. Xuemei promptly brewed a pot of tea and invited her uncle to drink it.
Yan Daqiang looked at the children and said to Grandma Yan, "Mom, these children are really good. You are so lucky. Qiangzi and Cuihua will be lucky in the future too."
Grandma Yan loved hearing these kinds of words the most. She happily hugged Yan Xiaonan and pointed at Yan Daqiang, saying, "Nannan, this is your uncle. Quickly call him uncle."
Yan Xiaonan liked soldiers with such upright character the most, so she immediately ran up to Yan Daqiang, gave him a very standard military salute, and said loudly, "Hello, Uncle."
Yan Daqiang was stunned for a moment, then picked up Yan Xiaonan and asked, "Girl, who taught you to salute?"
Yan Xiaonan really wanted to say something, but she couldn't say it during university military training, so she could only tilt her head and say, "That's what you and Uncle Village Chief did just now."
Yan Daqiang agreed with Yan Xiaoqiang; this daughter was too clever. Holding Yan Xiaonan, he said to Grandma Yan, "Mother, this girl is extraordinary, she's the treasure of our Yan family. How about I take her to the capital this time, and I'll raise her properly?"
Grandma Yan shook her head: "This girl is my little darling. No one can take her away from me, or I'll turn on them."
Seeing Grandma Yan's serious face, Yan Daqiang gave up. Cuihua quickly took Yan Xiaonan from Yan Daqiang's arms and hugged her tightly. Seeing Cuihua's actions, Yan Daqiang smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, don't worry, I was just teasing my mother. A gentleman doesn't take what others like. Don't worry."
Then she opened a duffel bag, which was full of pink and green little clothes, pants, a floral skirt, a light green coat, and a small cloth bag. When she opened the small cloth bag, it was full of hair accessories, hair ties, bows, hair clips, and the like, which made Yan Xiaonan very happy.
Yan Daqiang took out the light green coat and said, "Mom, my wife saw Nannan's photo and asked someone to buy this coat for me to give to Nannan the next day."
Grandma Yan quickly took the coat. It felt smooth to the touch and had a vibrant color, clearly indicating it was expensive. She asked, "Daqiang, this coat must be pricey, right?"
Yan Daqiang laughed heartily: "My mother has a good eye; this coat must have cost eighty yuan."
Everyone in the room gasped. Selling a piece of clothing for eighty yuan? Either the seller or the buyer is insane. Only two lunatics could do something so crazy. That's several months' worth of living expenses for a family.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
