He never imagined that Zhang Damao, now a famous director, would be so poor.
The few dilapidated thatched houses in the fenced yard, although they look like they've been repaired, still show that they are old houses from many years ago.
A wisp of smoke was still rising from the chimney, indicating that someone was home.
Hu Haidong walked to the gate of the courtyard. The gate was ajar. There was nothing to steal in the house, so it didn't matter whether the gate was closed or not.
He pushed the door open and walked in, making a creaking sound that startled the people inside.
An old voice came out.
Who is it?
Then the door to the main room opened, and an old man nearing sixty years old poked his head out. His cloudy eyes were full of the marks of time.
The old man was taken aback when he saw a neatly dressed city dweller standing in the courtyard.
In their small mountain village, city dwellers rarely visit, especially in the dead of winter.
In previous years, the villagers would only have a brief moment of excitement when his son, Zhang Damao, returned home during the Chinese New Year.
But to my surprise, my son didn't come back for Chinese New Year this year either.
"Hello sir, I'm Zhang Damao's friend."
Hu Haidong and the police officers from Sibao were both dressed in plainclothes when they came out so as not to alert Yaji. They looked like strong, fit young men from the city.
Upon hearing that it was his son's friend, Old Zhang's face immediately lit up with surprise and delight.
"Quick, it's cold outside, come inside and sit down."
Then he turned back and shouted inside.
"Mother, your son's friend has arrived. Quickly pour water for the guest."
The old man, wearing a tattered cotton coat, hurriedly went into the yard to take Hu Haidong's arm.
"Come inside, come inside quickly."
Hu Haidong was pulled into the house by the old man. It wasn't as dilapidated as he had imagined; at least the basic necessities for daily life were still there.
A fire was burning in the stove, making it much warmer than outside.
The old man helped him sit down on the small stool, then added a few more pieces of firewood, making the flames grow stronger and stronger.
Zhang Damao's mother looked to be in her sixties, but she was in good health and worked quickly and efficiently, serving tea to Hu Haidong.
“Kid, you’re Da Mao’s friend. Can you tell us what Da Mao has been up to for the past six months and hasn’t come home to visit?”
The old lady placed a ceramic water cup into Hu Haidong's hand and asked with a smile.
It's been more than half a year since the old lady heard from her son, and she's getting impatient.
Hu Haidong placed the gifts he had bought before entering the mountains on the small wooden table, took the water cup, and sipped two mouthfuls of water.
"Grandpa, Grandma, you don't need to worry about Brother Mao. He's doing very well now. He's already a very famous director, and his movies are excellent. He's famous all over the country."
Hu Haidong shared some information he knew about Zhang Damao with the two elderly people.
However, he did not know why Zhang Damao did not come back.
It just feels like it's better to comfort the elderly person this way, based on our emotional feelings.
"Brother Da Mao is very busy right now and can't get away at all, so he asked me to take advantage of my business trip here to give you two elders my regards."
The old couple's expressions dimmed for a moment, and it was the old lady who spoke.
"Sigh, this child, all he does is keep busy. No matter how busy he is, he should come home to visit. He's been gone for more than half a year, and the baby is almost due."
Hu Haidong was startled.
The baby's almost due? I haven't heard anything about Zhang Damao getting married.
He subconsciously scanned the room with his eyes; apart from the three of them, there was no one else.
"Where's my sister-in-law? Isn't she home?"
"Oh, Da Mao's wife? She doesn't live here. Our place is too small, so she always lives at her parents' house."
The old lady explained it to Hu Haidong.
“His father-in-law is the village chief, and his family is relatively well-off. Our little shabby house can't compare.”
Old Zhang added, worried that Hu Haidong might not understand why his daughter-in-law didn't live with him.
Actually, Hu Haidong had no idea that Zhang Damao was married, and that he had married a girl from the mountains, which made Hu Haidong quite curious.
With Zhang Damao's talent and insight, what kind of city couldn't he find a girl to look for?
If he were to look now, he could pick any of the girls in the country.
His fame is higher nationwide than that of his chairman, Xiao Weiguo.
When he arrived, time was of the essence, so Xiao Weiguo didn't explain the situation in detail. He only told him and Jiao Bai to come and protect Zhang Damao's parents.
Jiao Bai rarely spoke to outsiders, and was like a silent gourd the whole way. This meant that Hu Haidong was not very familiar with the situation here.
Now that he heard that Zhang Damao was married and his wife was pregnant, Hu Haidong immediately realized that he had gained another person to protect.
Oh, no, there are two.
"Grandpa and Grandma, we've come up with some business in the mountains and will be staying here for a while. Could you take us to see your wife? And could you also help us find a place to stay? I have a few colleagues out there."
It's not like summer now; the wind in the mountains is very strong. Even if you're scorched white, you can't withstand sleeping in the mountains every day.
Not to mention those few police officers.
"No problem, I'll take you to see it. There's plenty of space at her place, enough to accommodate a few people."
Old Zhang, true to the honest and kind nature of people from the mountains, never doubted Hu Haidong's words.
She immediately agreed to his request.
Hu Haidong stood up and casually patted the dust off his backside.
"Let's go now, some of my colleagues are still freezing in the mountains."
He was eager to find out the situation and didn't want to waste a moment.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
