Zhang Hongmei didn't go inside the house; she just strolled around in the yard.
Lu Jing led a few girls in cooking, while the boys helped out, doing things like tending the fire. There were also cabbages and radishes in the yard. That way, they wouldn't have to worry about running out of vegetables.
Because there were two elderly people with us, we made dumpling soup for dinner. We also smoked the remaining flatbread.
I also stir-fried shredded radish with dried chili peppers and stir-fried cabbage with vinegar.
Zhang Hongmei had never eaten so much before. She ate a mouthful of dumpling soup, a mouthful of stir-fried cabbage with vinegar, but didn't touch a single shredded radish.
Zhang Shouyi also picked up a piece of cabbage and swallowed it with difficulty, as he really didn't like the sour taste.
However, seeing my wife enjoying her meal so much, I realized that her taste is quite unique.
After dinner, Zhang Shouyi didn't let Zhang Hongmei go back to the house, but instead let her stroll around in the yard. The rest of the people were cleaning the empty rooms. The temperature was already quite low at night, so it was better to lie on the warm kang (heated brick bed).
Brother Zhang, how about we separate the men and women into different rooms? We girls can share one room, and you guys can squeeze in.
External conditions did not permit it, so Zhang Shouyi did not object.
The next morning, it was rice porridge, shredded radish, and stir-fried cabbage with vinegar.
Zhang Hongmei still only eats cabbage.
"Hongmei, should we go straight back to Liujiatun, or do you want to see your friends in the city first?"
"Go home, straight home!"
After cleaning the house, Zhang Hongmei left a letter and set off again.
The road has been repaired; although it's not a main road, it's much easier to walk on than before.
"Hongmei, shall we stay in the village for a meal?"
"No, let's go home right now." Zhang Shouyi rarely saw Zhang Hongmei so willful, and he found it quite amusing.
The car drove straight into the village, and Zhang Hongmei was a little excited. No longer were there low, thatched huts, but neat two-story houses. All were red bricks and red tiles. It looked especially comfortable.
The car drove straight to Zhang Hongmei's house. Why was it so easy to find? Because this was the only place where the old house still stood. Although it was also a brick house, it looked particularly conspicuous next to the two-story building.
The villagers knew a few days ago that Zhang Hongmei was coming back. Today, the children saw several cars enter the village. They knew that their parents had instructed them to inform them that the person who funded the building was returning.
Zhang Hongmei got out of the car but didn't go into the new courtyard. Instead, she took out her keys and opened the door to the old house.
I suddenly realized that I had been neglecting other people.
"Grandpa, Dad, let's look around the old courtyard first. You guys wait a bit, my third aunt and the others should be here soon."
"Honey, don't get agitated. We're home now."
"Yes, we're home." At this moment, two elderly people came out of the courtyard not far away. Seeing the car in front of Zhang Hongmei's house, the two helped each other over.
Zhang Hongmei entered the yard, and it was the same as before, except that the yard was full of vegetables. Moreover, it was exceptionally clean, without a single weed, and the vegetable plots were very neat, making it look very pleasing.
The door to the main room was also locked. Zhang Hongmei opened the door and went in. The layout was the same as before, but it felt very cold and desolate. However, it was indeed very clean.
I lifted the curtain and went into my room. It was a bit dark because the windows were closed. But I could still tell that there was a new kang mat on the floor, and the bedding was neatly stacked together. The kang wasn't cool either.
Lu Jing came in and said, "Zhang Hongmei, let's start a fire and cook!"
"Okay, both kitchens will be lit with firewood. I'll stay here."
Lu Jing's words shattered Zhang Hongmei's memories.
She immediately went out, "Grandpa, Dad, please come in quickly, I'm so excited I'm almost possessed."
"It's okay, I understand."
Han Mei unloaded Zhang Hongmei's luggage from the car, knowing that she was going to stay here, so she simply laid it out on the bed.
Just then, voices came from the courtyard. Zhang Hongmei went out to see what was happening and immediately went to greet them. "Hello, Principal and Grandma."
"Hongmei, you're finally back. We knew it was you as soon as we heard your voice." The old lady held Zhang Hongmei's hand, a little excited.
"Good, good, it's good that you're back!" The old principal was also very excited.
"Alright, let's hurry back so as not to delay them. Go get the eggs."
"Grandma, I'll have someone take you back to get the eggs. I'll go home after I've finished getting things sorted out here."
"Okay, we also have bean curd sheets and glass noodles at home, bring them over."
Han Mei followed behind the two elderly people to get the groceries.
The two elderly people and Liu Jingsong were already on the kang (heated brick bed). Chengzi was very quick. After setting up the bed, he went to start a fire. No matter what kind of food they were cooking, the kang had to stay warm.
"Red plum, red plum!"
Zhang Hongmei heard Li Cuihua's shouts from inside the courtyard!
He hurriedly ran towards the main gate and bumped into Li Cuihua as she came in.
The mother and daughter hugged each other and cried. "You're finally back! I was so worried about you."
"Third Aunt, I'm back, I'm really back."
Zhang Shouyi watched from the side and genuinely felt that if he tried to persuade his wife at this moment, she would definitely be angry with him, so he decided to let her cry.
A group of people suddenly rushed into the courtyard.
"Why are you running so fast? What if you fall?" Liu Maocai scolded Li Cuihua, but his eyes were fixed on Zhang Hongmei.
"Uncle, I'm back."
At this moment, Er Lengzi also popped up and said, "Third Uncle, I came back with you."
Also entering the courtyard were Liu Aimin and his wife.
Zhang Hongmei threw herself into Hu Aifen's arms and cried bitterly.
"Auntie, I'm back."
"It's good that you're back. It's good that you're back. Don't cry, this is a happy thing." Although Hu Aifen said this, she couldn't stop the tears from flowing.
Zhang Hongmei cried in Hu Aifen's arms for a while before taking the handkerchief offered to her and wiping her face clean. She smiled apologetically at Wang Hongxi and Da Shan's father as they entered the courtyard.
"Alright, let's get back to what we're doing. They must not have eaten. You two stay and help with the cooking. I'll go home and get some eggs and meat."
"I have fish at home, I'll go get them!" Da Shan's father turned and left.
"I have wild rabbits at home. I'll go kill one and bring it over in a little while." Liu Changlin also left.
"I'm going home to get some vermicelli." Wang Hongxi left too.
"Third Aunt, Third Aunt, let's go back inside. You don't need to cook. They're here. You can stay with me for a while."
"Auntie, I'll come to your house after I finish eating, okay, Great-Grandma?"
“She’s doing great. Mao Cai told her you were coming back, and he’s been saying it three times a day.”
"I think I'm too babyish."
"She misses you too. She counts the days every day, especially this year. She's always muttering to herself. Once I heard her clearly and realized she was saying, 'Hongmei should be home by now,'"
Hearing this, Zhang Hongmei's tears fell even harder. "I'm going to see Great-Grandma right now."
"No, let's eat first, the old lady is sleeping!"
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