Lin Jin had actually mentioned her family situation briefly during a previous casual conversation. She hadn't elaborated on the reasons, as if it were a painful wound. Chief Fu had simply nodded silently at the time, not asking further. He knew everyone had their own unspeakable secrets, and respecting others' privacy was basic courtesy. Therefore, even though he occasionally felt curious about Lin Jin's family, Chief Fu never brought up her parents. He didn't want Lin Jin to relive potentially painful memories.
When it was lunchtime, Chief Fu warmly invited Lin Jin to stay for lunch. The table was laden with delicious-looking dishes, including fragrant braised pork, vibrant green stir-fried vegetables, and a flavorful fish soup. As Chief Fu served Lin Jin food, he said with concern, "Eat more, these were all carefully prepared." Lin Jin smiled and nodded, a warm feeling welling up inside her.
After lunch, Lin Jin sat with Chief Fu in the living room for a chat. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting bright patches of light on the floor. Chief Fu sat on the sofa, his expression amiable, chatting with Lin Jin about interesting anecdotes from his life and work-related matters. However, Chief Fu was, after all, busy with official duties, and this harmonious atmosphere was quickly interrupted. A moment later, his secretary hurried in, carrying a stack of documents, and respectfully said, "Chief, these are the latest important documents. Please review and sign them." Chief Fu took the documents and began to carefully review them. Before he had finished reading, the phone rang again. Chief Fu picked up the phone and began a serious discussion about work matters. Lin Jin sat beside him, watching Chief Fu's busy demeanor, feeling somewhat guilty.
So Lin Jin stood up and sincerely said to Chief Fu, "Grandpa Fu, you're so busy, I won't bother you any longer. I'd like to go back to Hongxing Village for a visit." Chief Fu put down what he was doing and said with concern, "How can that be? You've only been here a short time and you're already leaving? You have to stay here and keep this old man company for a few days. A room has already been prepared for you!"
"Grandpa Fu, I'll come back tomorrow. I'm going to pay my respects to my grandparents!" When Chief Fu heard that Lin Jin was going to pay respects to her grandparents, he didn't stop her and said, "Okay! After you're done paying your respects, you have to come back here. I need to take you to meet my friends!"
Okay! I'll listen to Grandpa Fu!
"I'll have the driver take you." Lin Jin quickly waved her hand and said, "No need to trouble yourself, I can manage on my own." Chief Fu insisted, "The roads aren't safe, it'll be safer for the driver to take you." Lin Jin couldn't persuade him otherwise, so she had to compromise, "Alright, just have the driver take me to the bus stop. It only takes 20 minutes by bus to get to the village, it's very convenient." Chief Fu nodded and arranged for the driver to prepare. A little while later, the driver brought the car to the door, and after saying goodbye to Chief Fu, Lin Jin got into the car.
The car slowly drove into the village entrance. The familiar old locust tree still stood there, like a silent elder, witnessing the passage of time. In the original owner's memory, this was her childhood, the place where she was born and raised! For some reason, Lin Jin felt a tightness in her chest. Lin Jin got out of the car and walked into the village. Familiar aunts and grandmothers warmly surrounded her. Their faces were etched with the marks of time, but their smiles were still so simple and honest. Holding those rough hands, the familiar local accent rang in her ears, and an indescribable sense of warmth welled up in her heart. Those days of sweating together in the fields, those voices calling her "Jin-ya-tou" again and again, played back before her eyes like a movie. Lin Jin greeted them warmly and grabbed a handful of candy to give to the children surrounding her!
Then I said goodbye to my aunts!
Arriving at the courtyard where I once lived, I pushed open the somewhat worn door. The interior remained exactly as it was. The earthen bed, the wooden table, the faded paper-cut window decorations—everything was so familiar. Touching the mottled walls, I could almost feel the joys and sorrows I experienced here. Here, I learned to walk, to talk, and grew from an infant into who I am today. It felt as if my grandparents were still here, and the laughter from the courtyard still echoed in my ears!
Lin Jin suddenly burst into tears. This feeling was very painful. Lin Jin knew that this was the original owner's emotion! Could it be that the original owner hadn't left yet? Perhaps the original owner's grandparents had been very good to him, which was why he was like this! This time, he came back so that the original owner could leave in peace, and it could also be considered as fulfilling a wish for the original owner.
Lin Jin tidied up the house a bit, planning to make do for the night.
Unexpectedly, the original owner's aunt arrived. As soon as she entered the courtyard, she called out loudly, "Jin'er, Jin'er..."
Hey... Auntie, I'm here!
Oh dear! You silly girl, don't tidy up, come to my place tonight! This house hasn't been lived in for so long, he said, and walked into the house, where he saw Lin Jin lying on the bed wiping the headboard!
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