Li Jin was thinking that once Grandpa Fu's illness improved, she would go back to the village to visit her uncle and aunt. Over the years, she had only occasionally sent them some things. Making phone calls in the village wasn't very convenient either.
Li Jin didn't know how Chief Fu dealt with those who had harmed him; she only heard people in the hospital talking about how someone from the logistics department had been arrested, seemingly related to Chief Fu's case. Li Jin didn't care to find out more; she was more concerned about Grandpa Fu's health.
That morning, before the sun had fully risen, Li Jin had already set off from the guesthouse for the hospital. Her steps were light, and her mood was exceptionally cheerful, because today she was going to visit her relatives.
The day Li Jin arrived, Xiao Li thoughtfully arranged accommodation for her at a guesthouse next to the hospital. It was very close, only a two-minute walk, which Li Jin found extremely convenient. So much so that when Chief Fu later suggested she move in with him, Li Jin refused without hesitation; she simply didn't want the hassle of moving around!
Upon arriving at the hospital, Li Jin went straight to Chief Fu and explained her decision to visit her relatives in the countryside. Without hesitation, Chief Fu immediately arranged a jeep for her and told her she could leave anytime. Li Jin was naturally delighted. She stayed with Chief Fu at the hospital for a while longer, then took her things to the hospital entrance, where the car was already waiting!
The jeep sped along the provincial highway, the road somewhat rough and uneven, causing the vehicle to bump and jolt from time to time. Li Jin sat inside, admiring the scenery outside the window. The fields rushed past, her gaze following the fleeting landscape, yet a strange feeling stirred within her.
A few years ago, when Li Jin left, the fields along the roadside were neatly divided into orderly squares, and commune members moved busily through the collective fields like ants. However, the scene now is vastly different. She sees scattered farmers working at the edge of their own fields, some pruning cotton plants, others carefully tending to newly planted apple trees. These scenes would have been absolutely forbidden in the old communes, as they were considered "capitalist remnants."
Li Jin gazed at the fields outside the window, a complex mix of emotions welling up within her. She marveled at the passage of time and the changes in society, while also feeling deep respect for these hardworking farmers.
The old locust tree at the village entrance was still there, but now a low wall made of blue bricks had been erected around it, with bundles of bamboo brooms stacked at the base, clearly a side business for the villagers. The car had just come to a stop.
My uncle came running up, his worn-out rubber shoes crunching on the newly paved gravel road. Instead of the patched-up blue cotton shirt draped over his shoulder, he wore a slightly worn polyester shirt, the collar neatly turned up. "Jin'er! It really is you!" His voice was laced with laughter, the wrinkles around his eyes deeper, but he looked much more energetic than I remembered. "You called the day before yesterday saying you were coming back, and your aunt has been waiting for you every day!" "Uncle, you've changed so much!" Li Jin smiled as she got out of the car, looking her uncle up and down. Her uncle scratched his head and grinned, "It's all thanks to the policies. Now we can do some side jobs, and life is much better than before." He then took the bag from Li Jin's hand.
Li Jin invited Xiao Chen to come in and have some water, but Xiao Chen refused. Li Jin didn't insist and said he would pick her up early the next morning before driving away.
Li Jin followed her uncle home with a joyful heart. Along the way, many villagers greeted her warmly, their faces beaming with contentment. This made Li Jin feel very welcome, and she smiled back at everyone.
Finally arriving at her uncle's house, her aunt was already waiting at the door. Upon seeing Li Jin, her aunt quickly stepped forward, tightly grasped her hand, and carefully looked her up and down, her eyes filled with concern: "Xiao Jin, you've become more and more beautiful these past few years, but you've gotten so thin!" Li Jin quickly replied with a smile, "Auntie, you look even younger!"
The aunt was overjoyed to hear this, muttering, "Oh my, this girl has such a sweet tongue!" Then, she took Li Jin's hand and they went into the house together.
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