Summer in Northeast China is lyrical. No matter how bright the sun is during the day, the evening breeze turns into wisps of coolness at night, soothing people who have worked all day.
Even in the hottest days of summer, you should still sleep under a thin blanket. At the same time, it is also very short, and often before you have time to cherish it, the autumn wind will blow in the blink of an eye.
This most beautiful season is when sorghum and corn are in bloom. The air is filled with the sweet fragrance of pollen, which is the breath of the wilderness that cannot be felt in the city.
The summer in Northeast China, with its green mountains, clear waters, blue sky, white clouds and cool breeze, is always unforgettable for Zhang Guoqing, who suffers from the heat in Beijing.
At this moment, under the night sky dotted with stars, he drove a military vehicle happily and came to Zhangjia Village where he was born and raised.
"After a heavy rain a few days ago, Xiao Zuo, Xiao You, and the three brothers Shitou were picking mushrooms in the mountains when they encountered a wild rabbit that had crashed into a tree and fainted. I hope it came back safely."
"Now those fruits and vegetables in your backyard are ripe. They are all very big. If the three of them come back, they will be very happy. It's not even summer yet for us on June 1st and May 1st."
The chirping of autumn insects echoed one after another, and the occasional accompaniment of katydids added a few sounds, which, together with Zhang's mother's gentle voice, dispelled the tranquility of the night.
Zhang Guoqing knew his mother missed her three grandchildren, so he promised: "Next summer, Liuyi and Wuyi will be a year older, and the two brothers will come back with Ping'an for the summer vacation."
"Really?"
"Well, Jiaojiao and I can't be with you and my dad all the time, so we decided to let the children come over to be with you during the summer vacation."
Zhang Guoqing once discussed with Zhou Jiao that the plans to go on vacation with his father-in-law at the beach were canceled. The situation in the city was unclear, so it was better to let the three sons come to their hometown to accompany the elderly during the summer vacation.
Father Zhang on the side quickly stopped him, "No need to go back and forth every year. It's better for the children to stay with their parents. I also want your father-in-law to teach the three children some skills."
"Yeah, if they get acquainted with the village hooligans and go up the mountain and down the river, I'd be worried."
Zhang Guoqing smiled. "Mom and Dad, you wouldn't believe it, but we, Ping An, have no problem hunting pheasants and rabbits in the outskirts right now. Liuyiwuyi is still young, but the three brothers have inherited my great strength, so they won't suffer any loss. But there's one more thing I can't mention in this letter."
"What is it?"
Even without looking back, Zhang Guoqing could guess his parents' expressions. He smiled and said, "Liuyi and Wuyi are just as smart as Ping'an was back then. They've already finished learning the Thousand Character Classic. Every night, Jiaojiao or my father-in-law, whoever is free, teaches the three children."
"Good, good, good." Father Zhang clapped his hands happily. Regardless of whether the two little grandsons were adopted or not, they were still his biological grandsons.
Zhang's mother burst into laughter. The hearty laughter from the bottom of her heart, melodious, gentle, and joyful, resounded all around, extremely contagious, making the father and son laugh along with it.
As the car approached the village, Father Zhang, who had stopped smiling, could not help but warn, "Xiaowu, don't ever mention this matter again in front of Mom and Dad. Don't forget that Jiaojiao's father was a man of great literary talent who was harmed."
Zhang's mother also whispered, "Your father-in-law's parents who died young are a perfect example. If you can keep it hidden, don't reveal it."
Hearing this, Zhang Guoqing's eyes lit up, "Dad, Mom, your son will definitely remember this."
It was late at night, and I thought the villagers who had been working hard all day had already fallen asleep. Unexpectedly, as soon as the car stopped at the door of the old house, Uncle Zhang, who was not far away, shone a flashlight towards this side.
"Is it the second one?"
Zhang Guoqing, who had just gotten off the car, avoided the lights and glanced in the direction of Uncle Zhang's house. Two people also came out of this yard. Any movement in the village would be known.
"It's me, big brother. Brothers, haven't you rested yet?"
"I've already gone to bed. When I heard the car rumbling in the middle of the night, I figured it was your family. Is this Xiaowu coming back? Where are the children?"
After Zhang Guoqing greeted everyone, Zhang's father replied cheerfully: "Xiaowu is passing by on a business trip this time, and the children are still in Beijing."
"When are you leaving?"
"We'll leave tomorrow." Father Zhang said nonchalantly, "Big brother, little brother, you guys go to sleep first, we'll talk tomorrow morning."
Uncle Zhang nodded, then turned and walked back to the yard, his hands behind his back. He didn't ask why he came back so late at night. He simply wanted to avoid being around and get some meat the next morning.
Uncle Zhang waved his hand at them when he saw this. "If you need anything, just give me a shout."
"Okay. I will definitely not be polite." Zhang Guoqing watched them enter the courtyards of each family, and then followed his parents into the old courtyard and into the main house.
Zhang's mother stayed in the main room while the father and son filled a sack with Zhang's "private money." After working for over an hour, they started the car and left.
With the military vehicle and Zhang Guoqing's familiar face, they found an excuse, greeted the patrolling militia in the village and the occasional patrol team in the city, and successfully arrived at the courtyard.
In the basement of a small courtyard in the county town, Father Zhang placed his collection items one by one into two wooden boxes and breathed a sigh of relief when he was done.
"These are the few things Dad has left for you in his lifetime. I'll give you this box, and I'll divide that box between your two brothers."
"Dad, no need. You can give it all to my brothers."
Zhang's mother glared at him behind her husband's back. What a foolish son! "Dad, don't listen to him. We just need to know what's going on."
Zhang Guoqing, who was used to seeing good things, really didn't take these things seriously. Not to mention his father-in-law's huge family fortune, even his own accumulated fortune was not a small amount.
However, his mother's partiality still warmed him. This deep maternal love is more precious than anything else!
After returning to his room, Zhang Guoqing finally had time to show off the things he brought this time to his parents.
"Mom, my dad knows how to use this old camera. It won't be noticeable at all when he's out and about. You guys can take a couple of pictures as souvenirs wherever you go."
Zhang Guoqing took out his first camera from his bag and placed it on the kang. He wasn't as attentive as Zhou Jiao, but he had heard her say that Zhang's father couldn't let go of his camera, so he gave it to him this time.
"This little radio is a defective one that a classmate of mine who works in the electronics industry asked me to buy for him. Don't be fooled by the fact that it has a bit of leather on it; you wouldn't be able to get it without someone you know."
Really, the department store would have charged 65 yuan, but he only paid 30 yuan, the internal price. Of course, he couldn't tell them that he had spent half a month's salary.
"The phonograph at home doesn't work well, and some records are unplayable now. This one is for you to listen to the news and storytelling. It's also easy to carry with you when you go out."
Zhang's father and mother looked at the two electrical appliances on the kang in amazement, feeling a headache.
Father Zhang winked at his wife, asking her to persuade him.
Zhang Guoqing laughed heartily at the sight, "Dad, it's only inappropriate now, otherwise Jiaojiao and I would have bought two TVs for the house."
"Don't do anything stupid!" Father Zhang was frightened and scolded immediately.
Two years ago, they kept the pair of brand new watches the young couple gave them as a gift, hiding them from public view. Now they've added two more big items. Are they still trying to make a big fuss?
Spending every bit of your salary is such a waste!
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