The news that Yuan Chengzhu had a TV at home quickly spread to the nearby neighbors. Most of the mountain people were simple and had good neighborhood relationships. Therefore, during the Spring Festival, many people came to Yuan's house to watch TV almost every day.
Yuan Chengzhu and Chen Yongying were also quite generous. Every day they would light a charcoal fire for their neighbors and boil a large pot of tea.
As the Spring Festival was approaching, Yuan Fangguo also discovered a problem, that is, his playmate Erzhu had not returned home yet.
Yuan Fangguo went to Erzhu's house several times, but the door was always closed.
Even when I went there at night, it was the same, with no lights at all.
Finally, Yuan Fangguo couldn't hold back his curiosity and knocked on Erzhu's door.
A middle-aged man with a gray face poked his head out and looked at Yuan Fangguo blankly.
This middle-aged man is Erzhu's father. Erzhu's mother originally thought that their place was too remote and poor, so she ran away with someone when Erzhu was in school and has never been seen since then.
"Uncle Zhang, is Erzhu at home?" Since returning to the village, Yuan Fangguo has always carried cigarettes with him. Whenever he sees elders or people of the same age, he will give them cigarettes.
Erzhu's father shook his head and didn't take the cigarette he offered.
"When will he be back?"
Erzhu's father continued to shake his head without saying a word.
"Uncle Zhang, come and visit when you are free." After seeing that he could not get anything out of Erzhu's father, Yuan Fangguo had to leave with a sullen look on his face.
After returning home, Yuan Fangguo asked about his parents.
In fact, Erzhu’s parents didn’t know about his situation. They just told Yuan Fangguo that Erzhu had not contacted his family since he went out to work at the end of the previous year. The two children were raised entirely by Erzhu’s father.
Erzhu's father is not in good health and his life is very tight.
After hearing this, Yuan Fangguo felt very uncomfortable. Although Erzhu was not educated, he had always had a good relationship with him. In particular, whenever Yuan Fangguo had any difficulties in the past, Erzhu would definitely help without hesitation. In his opinion, Erzhu was definitely his best brother.
Yuan Chengzhu was also a simple mountain man. He saw that his son was a little sad and couldn't help but say, "Boss, you and Erzhu are classmates. Erzhu is not at home now. Why don't you call him over on New Year's Eve and celebrate the New Year together."
Chen Yongying couldn't help but nodded when he heard it.
Yuan Fangguo had the same idea, but he had other ideas. He told his parents about it, and Yuan Chengzhu and Chen Yongying both agreed with his approach.
On the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, Yuan Fangguo went to the market again. He bought new clothes for Erzhu's grandmother, father and two children. He also took out 1,000 yuan as the money Erzhu earned from working outside.
When he gave the money to Erzhu's father, Erzhu's father was obviously a little unconvinced.
After Yuan Fangguo repeatedly insisted that the money and clothes were mailed by Erzhu, Erzhu's father accepted them with a look of doubt.
"Fang Guo, where is Erzhu now?" Erzhu's father couldn't help wiping away his tears.
"He is in Xinjiang," said Yuan Fangguo.
"Xinjiang?" Erzhu's father had never been far away and had no idea about the concept of Xinjiang, this strange hell.
Yuan Fangguo took out a map, pointed at it and told Erzhu's father that Xinjiang was thousands of kilometers away from here, and he couldn't buy a ticket to go home for the Spring Festival, so he didn't go home. He sent clothes and money back early, but the journey was too far, so they were not received until the 29th of the twelfth lunar month.
When Erzhu's father heard that Xinjiang was thousands of kilometers away from his hometown, he began to believe that his son was working in that distant place.
During the New Year's Eve reunion, Yuan Chengzhu called Erzhu's grandmother, father and two children to his home, and the two families reunited together.
Yuan Fangguo also specially gave each of Erzhu's children a lucky gift of 100 yuan. Erzhu's father was in tears during the meal. He repeatedly said that if Erzhu came home, he would definitely treat them to a good meal.
On New Year's Eve, as usual, many neighbors came to watch the Spring Festival Gala, and welcomed the new year amidst lively laughter and joy.
Also on this New Year's Eve, several family members of Yuan Fangguo came to take group photos.
During the first month of the lunar year, Yuan Fangguo either visited relatives or entertained guests himself. He felt that every day was busy and fulfilling.
Time flies, and it is the eighth day of the New Year in a blink of an eye. Tomorrow is the day when the two brothers Yuan Fangguo and Yuan Fangtai will leave.
Yuan Fangguo and Yuan Fangtai also felt reluctant to leave home. In the afternoon, they took their younger brothers and sisters for a stroll in the mountain village, reminiscing about the past.
The family members were somewhat reluctant to see them go. When cooking in the evening, Grandma Qin Mingzhen and mother Chen Yongying could not help but wipe away tears in the kitchen.
Yuan Chengzhu was also a quiet man from the mountains. He packed a lot of sausages, bacon and other cured meats from his own family for the two brothers.
During dinner in the evening, Yuan Fangguo and Yuan Fangtai even had a few drinks with their father.
"Dad, you must buy a bicycle and a horse after the new year. If you don't have enough money, call me." Yuan Fangguo said.
Yuan Chengzhu nodded and said, "Don't worry, I will buy it. I will plant more Coptis chinensis on the top of the mountain. The price of Coptis chinensis has increased a lot in the past two years."
"You two elders must take care of your health at home and don't overwork yourself. When I go home during the summer vacation, I will bring you a color TV."
"Wow, there's a color TV to watch." Fourth sister Yuan Fangan took the lead in applauding.
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