It was Xiao Yichen's third grandfather who was driving the carriage.
The old man was quite dashing, smoking a cigarette and holding a whip.
They drove the carriage leisurely.
It was late autumn, the sky was high and the clouds were light, and the forests were ablaze with color.
Amidst the colorful woods, a horse-drawn carriage slowly made its way along the constantly patched-up dirt road.
Even with frequent repairs, the road condition is still not good.
Since it's made of earth, it's easy for tire tracks to appear after being driven over by vehicles.
Especially when it rains.
So the carriage bounced back and forth.
However, nobody cared.
Xiao Yichen and Su Ruobai sat together.
Old He sat in one place.
There were also a few villagers who went to the commune together.
Today is the production team's rest day.
It's not that everyone is taking a break, it just means you can take the day off today.
You can go to work, or you can not.
The production team's horse-drawn carts could also take everyone to the commune.
It's free to go there and back.
That can be considered a benefit or perk.
Many people went to the commune today to buy this and that.
There are also consignment stores in the village.
Most of them are necessities such as oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar.
Ordinary people are so greedy they want to squeeze oil out of their pockets.
You have to stretch every penny to its limit.
Aside from these things, they don't spend much money.
So other items, even when placed in the village's general store, don't sell very well.
Even the more expensive pastries in the consignment store have been sitting for a long time and are not fresh.
Therefore, if they wanted to buy some pastries and candies as gifts, they still had to go to the commune or even the county.
The food there is fresher and there are more varieties.
When it comes to giving gifts, it's all about making them look nice!
However, it's not easy to make this trip; the road is not short.
It also delayed my work.
Therefore, few people go.
Some people go there just to look around, without buying anything.
They called it: "Go to the commune and see for yourself."
The road is quite long, and it takes quite a long time to get there.
Everyone chatted, talking about this and that, and the time passed easily.
When people heard that He Laoxi was going back to his hometown, they became interested.
"Old Xi, you're from Haishi?! I've never heard you mention it before?"
He Laoxi gave him a simple, honest smile and touched the hat that was askew on his head with his dark, rough hands.
The hat was dark blue and had a brim.
It's probably been around for quite a few years.
It's already faded to white after washing.
In some places, the fabric is worn, exposing the warp and weft threads.
It was also slightly whitish.
The brim of the hat was no longer flat; it was broken in the middle.
Even on the side, the hard plastic supporting the hat was exposed due to the severe wear and tear of the fabric covering the brim.
The clothes he was wearing were also dark blue.
It is also very old.
The elbows, knees, and other places have been patched up.
Even so, these are relatively good clothes for Mr. He.
There's also the best set, although it's faded from washing, at least it doesn't have any patches.
He's not wearing any clothes right now.
His wife told him to change into it after he got off the train.
Otherwise, during these three days on the train, some people would be smoking and others would be eating.
It was smoky and smoky.
Once you arrive in Haishi, you can't dress like that in public anymore.
This is his first time going back after so many years, he should at least make it look presentable.
Thinking of his wife's thoughtfulness, He Laoxi felt a warmth in his heart, but then he felt a pang of guilt when he thought about the decision he had made.
However, when I think about my own tasks and responsibilities...
He had no choice but to harden his heart.
At this moment, he also had to deal with these people.
Especially Xiao Yichen and his wife.
My heart is already filled with countless mountains and rivers.
On the surface, however, he always appeared honest and unassuming.
He nodded sheepishly, "Yes, it is. I was just too embarrassed to say it."
“What’s there to be embarrassed about? You’re from a big city! It’s so prestigious! If you had told them back then, maybe your husband wouldn’t have had this opportunity.”
Everyone greeted each other with laughter and jokes.
To make fun of someone without restraint.
Old He didn't know how he did it either.
Even though her face was rough and dark, she still had a few rosy blushes showing through.
His honest and simple image has deeply resonated with people.
This is the impression that He Laoxi left on the people of Shangwan Village.
"I wouldn't dare to talk nonsense. I'm already incredibly grateful that my parents took me in."
It's not unusual to eat hairy crabs in Shanghai. I had no choice back then, I was starving, so I ate hairy crabs every day, nothing else.
That's why I fled famine and came here; it's only here that I'm finally able to have a full meal."
He Laoxi held his handbag tightly.
The sign also reads "Mirage".
The zipper is broken.
Aunt He sewed on a few buttons.
It can still be used if you fasten it with buttons.
The material around the handle of the handbag has aged and crumbled.
Aunt He covered it with colored fabric and sewed it up.
In short, He Laoxi is a reflection of Aunt He in every way.
Su Ruobai was drowsy; she had been feeling sleepy a lot lately.
She was currently dozing off on Xiao Yichen's shoulder.
Hearing what Old He said, he perked up.
Hairy crabs!
You eat this every day?!
Su Ruobai and He Laoxi were not very familiar with each other.
That is to say, I've seen it.
According to Aunt He's family hierarchy.
Both she and Xiao Yichen had to call He Laoxi "Uncle".
When Su Ruobai heard Old Xi say that he was unhappy about eating hairy crabs every day, he asked, "Uncle Old Xi, isn't it good to eat hairy crabs every day?"
That's asking too much.
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
