"Then I'll leave?!"
Wang Tiangao still didn't understand what Wang Dabao meant, so he pointed in the direction of his own house.
Wang Dabao, with droopy eyelids and one hand on his hip, let out a deep breath: "Uncle Tiangao, you can go back now. By the way, thank you for earlier. You have no idea, those aunties and grandmas kept trying to introduce me to potential partners, it was driving me crazy."
"You're worried about being introduced to someone? This is such a good thing. I want to find someone but I don't know where to look."
Wang Tiangao's mouth practically curled up, his words dripping with a sour, sarcastic tone, "Anyway, what kind of girls can these people introduce you to? If I were you, I'd still have to find one in the city."
"Find men with big butts, have a few big, fat sons. You're the only son left in your lineage, the task is tough, you know?!"
Wang Dabao was taken aback. "Wow, this kid's lecturing me now. He's really acting like a wise old man."
"Don't worry, Uncle, I'll definitely have a lot of kids."
After saying goodbye to Wang Tiangao, Wang Dabao lit a cigarette and walked home alone.
Relying on the memories of the previous incarnation, after turning several corners, they arrived at a dilapidated courtyard.
The courtyard wall still bears traces of repairs made when the previous owner returned from military service. Taking out the key to unlock the old brass lock and pushing open the heavy wooden door, Wang Dabao looked at everything in the courtyard and felt a strange sense of disorientation.
Perhaps influenced by his memories, he had unknowingly begun to integrate into "Wang Dabao's" life.
For him, today was the first time he had returned to this home, and the feeling of warmth and familiarity he felt was far stronger than when he was in the traditional courtyard house.
The yard had been tended before, and the weeds had been removed, but no crops or vegetables had been planted.
That said, this season doesn't seem to be suitable for planting anymore.
Across the street are three large houses with several damaged sections on the eaves, giving off a sense of decay, but they don't feel like they're collapsing; they're still habitable.
When the door opened again, Wang Dabao stepped over the threshold and slowly looked around at everything.
Then, they went to the east room, took off their shoes, climbed onto the kang (a heated brick bed), opened all the windows, found a kang broom on the kang, and began to sweep.
He hadn't been gone for very long, so it's impossible for it to be that dirty.
However, the doors and windows of that era were not well sealed, and too much dust was brought in by the air circulation. The kang (a heated brick bed) and cabinets were covered with a layer of dust, and it was really hard to live in without cleaning.
After sweeping the kang (a heated brick bed), Wang Dabao found an aluminum basin, filled it with water, and then found a piece of absorbent rag. He began to busy himself wiping the windowsill, the cabinets, and the mirror on the wall.
After finishing the east room, they moved on to the west room. On the cabinet against the north wall of the west room were several photos framed in old wooden frames, showing Wang Dabao's eldest uncle, second uncle, and parents.
After changing the water, Wang Dabao carefully and meticulously wiped the photo frame.
Then, he took out his uncle's portrait from the space and placed it next to his father's.
Finally, we offer incense to our elders!
After finishing all this, it was almost lunchtime. Wang Dabao tidied up the items in the room one last time, locked the door, and left.
Even from a distance, you could hear the lively atmosphere at Third Uncle Wang Tiemin's house. There were three or four hundred people from the village, and tables were set up on the dirt road outside the courtyard.
As you approach, you can smell the delicious aroma of the stew on the table, and the white steamed buns and rice are all mouthwatering.
When the men, young and old, who were fond of fine wine, learned that the liquor Wang Dabao brought was Moutai, they were like hungry wolves seeing a wounded lamb, eager to pounce on it and take a sip.
The feast hadn't started yet, but the table was already full of villagers. Despite being attracted by the meat dishes and steamed buns, no one touched their chopsticks.
"Da Bao, I'm on my way to your house."
Wang Tiangao hurriedly walked out of the yard, waved to Wang Dabao, and perhaps annoyed that Wang Dabao was walking too slowly, he came over, grabbed his arm, and pulled him into the yard.
Several large pots were set up in the courtyard, emitting a fragrant aroma that made Wang Dabao's stomach rumble.
"Uncle Tiangao, what are you doing?"
Seeing that Wang Tiangao didn't speak, Wang Dabao silently pulled himself into the house.
"Those old men want you to eat at their table."
No, please don't.
Wang Dabao tried to break free, but by then they had already entered the house. However, he still tried to get the other person to let go, saying, "I think it's better for me to sit with people of the same generation."
Wang Tiangao snorted: "You want to sit at the same table as people of your generation? Most of the people of your generation aren't even adults yet."
Wang Dabao's face darkened; this seemed to be true.
The kind that can't be refuted!
Wang Dabao let Wang Tiangao drag him into the east room.
When I looked inside, wow, even Third Master Wang Tiemin didn't look old at all.
"Da Bao, come here and sit here with Third Master." Wang Tiemin beckoned to Wang Da Bao.
"Third Master, please eat, elders. I'll eat outside. It's not proper for me to sit here."
Wang Dabao shook his head like a rattle drum, then turned and lifted the curtain to walk out.
As a result, Wang Tiangao immediately understood after Wang Tiemin gave him a look and pulled Wang Dabao back again.
"Da Bao, come and sit down. I have something to ask you later." Wang Tiemin smiled and patted the stool.
Seeing this, Wang Dabao stopped insisting and went around to sit next to Wang Tiemin, chatting with a group of elderly people of his grandfather's generation about the big and small things happening in the village.
Seeing this, Wang Tiangao was extremely envious. He glanced at it twice, sighed, and left.
During the meal, Wang Tiemin asked about Uncle Wang Dabao. Upon learning that everything had been kept simple and that he had been buried several days earlier, his eyes reddened slightly, and he raised his wine glass to suppress his grief.
Halfway through the meal, Wang Tiemin took Wang Dabao to toast the villagers inside and outside the courtyard. Wang Dabao was moved by the pure atmosphere and drank a few more cups.
The Moutai he brought wasn't enough for the group of men, young and old, so many of them brought bulk liquor from home to continue drinking.
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