At this moment, when Fang Shuxiang saw He Qunfang crying her eyes out, her heart softened, and her original toughness and indifference seemed to melt away.
"Stop crying! Quickly take the child inside. The child is dressed lightly, and it's cold outside!"
Although Fang Shuxiang spoke words of reproach, her actions were full of concern. She reached out and pulled Liu Feng, signaling He Qunfang to quickly take the child into the house.
Upon hearing this, He Qunfang quickly wiped away her tears and then wiped away the tear stains on Liu Feng's face.
Seeing their mother so heartbroken, Liu Yue and Liu Fei's eyes also turned red, as if they were about to shed tears at any moment.
A group of people escorted Liu Feng and his mother into the house, where the warmth inside contrasted sharply with the cold outside.
Liu Feng was seated in an armchair, while He Qunfang kept sighing and asking him questions, at a loss for what to do, busy preparing hot water and food for him.
Her eyes still held traces of wet tears, but her face radiated an unprecedented joy.
"Yue'er, go quickly and call your father. Tell him your second brother is back!" He Qunfang urgently instructed her eldest daughter, Liu Yue.
Upon hearing this, Liu Yue immediately ran out to find her father, Liu Changqing.
Before long, the news spread like wildfire throughout Liucun.
As it's passed down, the flavor changes.
"I heard that Liu Changqing's crippled child has been found?"
"Yes, I heard that it was actually sent back by someone."
"Oh dear, how will Liu Changqing's family survive from now on? Raising a disabled child is no joke!"
Finally, the news reached the ears of Grandpa Liu, the oldest man in Liu Village.
He sat in his wicker chair, shaking his head and sighing, "Wasn't that child sent to the Wudang Taoist Temple? Why is he being sent back now? The Liu Changqing family already has a hard life, and now they have to raise a disabled child. Their lives will probably be even more difficult."
When Liu Changqing heard Liu Yue say that Liu Feng had returned, he was at the edge of the field.
He dropped his farm tools and hurried home. He didn't hear what Liu Yue said after that; all he could think about was getting home to see his eldest son.
Some villagers reacted with mixed feelings when they saw Liu Changqing rushing home.
They all stopped what they were doing and gathered together, some whispering among themselves, while others watched from a distance.
Some have already gone to Liu Feng's home, wanting to see the current situation of this child who was once thought to be beyond recovery.
However, not everyone shares the same sentiment.
Some villagers felt sympathy and regret for Liu Changqing's family's plight.
They knew that raising a disabled child was a heavy burden for any family, let alone a family like Liu Changqing's that was not wealthy to begin with.
Some villagers, however, were simply curious and wanted to see what this supposedly "crippled child" actually looked like.
They gathered together and discussed the matter, occasionally making some harsh noises that stung Liu Changqing's heart.
"Changqing, you're finally back! Look at your son, he's so handsome!" A kind-hearted aunt greeted Liu Changqing warmly with a big smile.
As soon as Liu Changqing entered the room, he saw Liu Feng sitting quietly in a chair, surrounded by the crowd. His features were exquisite, and one could vaguely see a resemblance to He Qunfang.
"Son—" Liu Changqing looked at Liu Feng, his throat choked as if something was blocking it. Seeing this, everyone made way for Liu Changqing to walk up to Liu Feng.
“Dad—” Liu Feng stood up and looked at his still young father.
Liu Changqing's temples were not yet gray, and his back was still as straight as a pine tree, as if time had not left too many marks on him.
But in his memories of his past life, Liu Feng knew all too well the hardships his father had endured.
My father was like an ox pulling a cart; even when he was sixty and his hair was completely white, he still refused to stop.
Every time Liu Feng came home to visit him and tried to give him some money, he always firmly refused.
Later, Liu Feng gave the money to his mother, He Qunfang.
It wasn't until later that he learned his mother hadn't used the money, but had saved it up little by little, saying she wanted to save it for her eldest grandson's future wedding. She said that by then they would be too old to earn money!
At that moment, Liu Feng truly understood the weight of his parents' love, as heavy as a mountain, and that profound love pressed down on his heart like a mountain.
From then on, Liu Feng became increasingly taciturn, with only one thought in his mind—to earn more money to repay his parents.
However, reality is often cruelly frustrating.
The little money he earns isn't even enough to support his wife, let alone provide a better life for his parents. How could his parents not know that? And why would they want it?
Every time Liu Feng saw his parents' wrinkled faces, his heart was filled with guilt and self-reproach. He owed his parents so much, and this debt was one he could probably never repay in his lifetime.
In this world, the only people who give us money are our parents, and they are the ones we should never let down.
At this moment, Liu Changqing stood in front of Liu Feng, stroking his son's cheek repeatedly.
His hands were so rough yet warm. Liu Feng quietly felt his father's touch, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart.
Soon, He Qunfang came over carrying a steaming bowl of "poached eggs".
She quickly said, "Alright, Feng'er, come on, have a bowl of this. Mom made you some egg soup to warm your tummy." Her voice was gentle and kind.
Seeing this, everyone wisely left, not wanting to disturb the atmosphere of He Qunfang's family reunion. Liu Changqing, seeing that everyone was about to leave, warmly saw them to the door.
Then he turned around and went back inside.
Looking at the bowl of eggs made with boiling water in front of him, Liu Feng felt a surge of warmth in his heart.
He wasn't actually hungry, but seeing his mother's expectant gaze, he picked up the bowl and slowly began to drink.
The sweet aroma filled my mouth, the rich fragrance of lard and the sweetness of eggs intertwined, like the taste of motherly love.
This bowl of boiled eggs is the best food in this family.
Liu Feng drank half of his drink and then turned his gaze to his thin younger brother, Liu Fei, who was standing beside him.
He stood up, handed the bowl to Liu Fei, and said gently, "Youngest brother, I'm full. Help your brother finish the rest, otherwise it will be a waste."
He Qunfang felt both gratified and heartbroken as she watched this scene.
She looked at Liu Changqing, wanting to say something but not saying it, only sighing softly and saying, "Youngest brother, listen to your second brother, drink it."
Liu Fei stretched out his swollen, frostbitten little hands, gripped the large porcelain bowl tightly, and drank it down in big gulps.
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