It's that time of year again—the busy farming season in the first half of the year. Adults go to the fields before dawn, and the children get covered in the "busy" atmosphere.
The big tree where Huahua was born has a canopy of shade that, like a large green umbrella, has become a gathering place for the children who come to the fields with their parents.
They squatted under the tree, scrambling to catch ants from the cracks in the soil and stuffing them into empty eggshells. They plucked foxtail grass, teasing each other by tickling each other's necks and laughing loudly.
They would also gather broken tiles, collect soil from the fields, and pick wildflowers and weeds to "cook" their meals.
Fang Meili's repeated gifts of toys to Fang Dongqiang meant that Fang Dongqiang had more toys than other children.
Every time Fang Meihao came back, she would teach Fang Dongqiang to recognize some characters. He was the most educated and knew the most characters among these children who had not yet gone to school, which made him extremely prestigious among them.
Fang Dongqiang came over with a toy tucked in his arms.
"Dongqiang is here!" His friends were very excited to see him.
Fang Dongqiang brought a small tin train with two small wheels underneath, which made a "gurgling" sound when pushed.
"Dongqiang, can I play with him for a bit?"
"I want to play too."
Fang Dongqiang picked up the small train car and stepped back under the tree. "Want to play? Let's stand in a circle around the tree and each of us will drive a section."
"Okay!" The children quickly dispersed around the tree trunk.
Fang Dongqiang pulled them apart, "Xiao Yi, move forward a little. Hua Hua is behind Fang Yu. Come a little closer."
The children obediently stood still as Fang Dongqiang arranged.
"Okay, the train is starting." Fang Dongqiang gripped the train's handle. "Woo-woo—, woo-woo—"
Fang Dongqiang first moved the toy train in front of Xiao Yi, saying, "You push it from here to Fang Yu."
"Waaah—" Xiao Yi pushed Fang Yu in front of her.
Seeing Fang Yu push it over, Hua Hua clapped her hands happily.
"Huahua, don't just clap your hands. When it's your turn, you have to drive over here to me." The child behind Huahua was very anxious, afraid that it wouldn't be their turn.
"Oh!" Hua Hua took the toy train, the wheels making a "gurgling" sound as they rolled over the mud. She grinned and quickly stopped in front of the next child.
We've completed one lap by the time we reach Fang Dongqiang's location. "Dongqiang, let's go on another lap."
"Train Captain Dong Qiang!" a child called out.
"Train conductor, Dongqiang, the train conductor!" The other children joined in the commotion.
The highest-ranking official in the village is the village chief, and the train conductor is the highest-ranking official on the train. This is what the children think, and this is what Fang Dongqiang thinks too.
Fang Dongqiang gripped the hem of his clothes and shook it gently. He quietly raised his head, puffed out his chest, and couldn't stop smiling. His smile was already overflowing from the corners of his eyes and brows.
This looks just like Fang Damiao.
"Okay, let's do one more round and then take the train."
The children cheered and waited in their seats for the train to arrive.
The train went around in circles and returned to Fang Dongqiang's hands.
"Those who want to take the train, follow me." Fang Dongqiang held the train and placed it under his crotch.
"The train has departed, the train is going to Beijing, the train is going to my aunt's university, the train is going to my dad's place."
The children held hands with the child in front of them and ran around in circles under the tree.
The shouts of "Woo-woo!" mingled with the children's cheerful laughter, peeked out from between the branches and drifted far away on the wind.
"Third brother has been crushed by a stone slab! Someone come quick!" came a panicked shout from the other side.
“Fang Yu, that’s your dad.” The children stopped.
Fang Yu let go of the child's clothes and ran over.
People from the nearby fields rushed over to see, and some even came over to tell the children not to go over there.
Fang Meixiang's father went to see, and Fang Meixiang's mother came to see Fang Dongqiang.
"Grandma, what happened to Fang Yu's dad?"
"I don't know yet. Grandpa went to check. You children stay here and don't go over there. Where's Fang Yu?" Fang Meixiang's mother didn't see Fang Yu.
"Dongqiang, don't run around here. Grandma is going to check on Fang Yu." Fang Meixiang's mother also ran over.
Everyone has already helped spread straw on the cart.
Fang Sandi's right knee swelled up, turning red and purple. Moving his leg even slightly felt like needles were pricking his bones, causing him to chatter in pain.
"It looks like his bone is fractured!"
"Be careful when you lift it."
Yu Jihong, holding Fang Sandi's hand, turned pale with fright.
"Mom, what's wrong with Dad?" Fang Yu cried out in fright when she saw him grabbing Yu Jihong's trouser leg.
Yu Jihong then covered Fang Yu's eyes with her other hand, saying, "Fang Yu, you stay home, we'll take Dad to the hospital."
Yu Jihong frantically searched through the crowd for someone who could take care of Fang Yu.
Fang Meixiang's mother took Fang Yu's hand and said, "Jihong, Fang Yu is with me. I'll take her with me."
"Grandma Dongqiang, thank you for your help."
"Quickly take Third Brother to the hospital, and ask Grandpa Dongqiang to go with him."
"Make sure the straw is thicker here, so it won't shake on the road later." A villager next to him brought over another handful of straw to put on the mat.
Fang Sandi was sweating profusely from the pain on the cart.
"Hurry, get it to the health center as soon as possible."
Fang Meixiang's father pulled the cart, and Fang Sandi's uncle from next door and another villager went together.
Yu Jihong followed beside him, her trousers splattered with mud, her mind a jumbled mess.
By the time we arrived at the town's health center, it was already dark.
The doctor held Fang Sandi's knee for a long time, then shone a light on it, his brows furrowed tightly: "The kneecap is cracked and the ligaments are injured. It needs to be put in a cast for immobilization. He'll have to lie in bed for at least half a year, and he absolutely cannot walk during this time. He should also avoid heavy work in the future."
"Okay, doctor, whatever you say you want to do, I'll do it." Yu Jihong quickly agreed.
Everyone had come from the fields and hadn't brought any money. When the doctor asked Yu Jihong to pay for the medical bills, the other two people who had come with him both looked at Fang Meixiang's father at the same time.
Yu Jihong hurriedly said, "I'll borrow the money, it's alright. Doctor, please see us first, getting medical treatment is the priority. We're still here."
"It's so late today, everyone still has work to do in the fields, so let's go back first." Yu Jihong thought for a moment and then said, "Wait a minute," before hurriedly running out.
Yu Jihong walked up to the sesame seed cake stall, clenched the hem of her clothes, and pursed her lips. "Master, we came straight from working in the fields and didn't bring any money. Could you give me a few sesame seed cakes on credit? I'll borrow some money from my fellow villagers and pay you back later."
The pancake vendor glanced at her.
“We are from Fangjia Village. My husband’s name is Fang Sandi. He’s not a freeloader.”
"Hehehe, I even went to your village to ask for money for a few pancakes. Here are two left over for you."
Are there three?
"No, I'm not doing that today. I'm closing up shop."
"Okay, I'll give you these two on credit first. Once you're done selling, I'll definitely bring the money over tomorrow."
Yu Jihong ran to the hospital with the two sesame cakes in her hands, looking a little embarrassed. "The sesame cake stall is closed for the day. There are only two left. You can share them."
"We thought you went off to do something else. No need, no need, we'll go home to eat, you guys eat." The three were about to leave when they asked, "Are you alright here all by yourself?"
"It's alright, we're already at the hospital."
Yu Jihong broke the sesame seed cake in half and stuffed half into each of their hands, saying, "Here, don't be disgusted. We're all hungry now, so have something to tide us over."
"No, no. You and your third brother eat."
"I'm too scared to eat today. Give this half to my third brother. Take it and go home quickly."
Fang Meixiang's father looked at Fang San Di. Everyone knew his daughter lived in town, and he didn't want to go there at this hour. He was afraid that if Yuan Xinkang's family found out, they would have to cook dinner for them, and he felt embarrassed to do so with so many people.
"Jihong, are you sure you can handle all this at the hospital by yourself?" Fang Meixiang's father asked, still feeling a little embarrassed.
"Sure, I have a way."
"Uncle, go back and tell Auntie to keep an eye on the chickens in my coop. There are corn kernels next to the coop door," Yu Jihong instructed her uncle next door.
The three of them went home under the moonlight.
"This Ji Hong seems to be quite polite; she doesn't act like a madwoman when she's not arguing," another villager said.
“We’ve been neighbors for so many years, and she’s always been very polite to my family. She’s a really nice person,” the uncle next door chimed in.
“My third brother hasn’t been able to work in the fields for more than half a year; she’s really suffering.” The two of them chatted.
Fang Meixiang's father didn't say much.
After Fang Sandi finished bandaging his wounds, Yu Jihong handed him half a sesame seed cake.
"You eat it, I don't want to eat it." Fang Sandi pushed the sesame seed cake away.
"I've been in pain all afternoon, and my stomach is aching and I'm starving. You eat first, I'll go borrow some money from Meili. We need to pay back the pancakes tomorrow, and we also need to pay the hospital bills."
“Ji Hong,” Fang San Di said, looking down at his newly bandaged knee, which was wrapped tightly in white gauze, like a heavy iron weight.
"I'm going now, her shop is about to close."
"Wait a minute," Fang Sandi broke the half of the sesame seed cake in half again and handed the other half to Yu Jihong.
"Do you want anything else to eat?" Yu Jihong glanced at the sesame seed cake and took it.
"don't want."
Yu Jihong turned and walked out of the ward.
Fearing that Fang Meili's shop would close, she quickly walked to the door of her shop.
The lights in the shop were still on. When she reached the door, Yu Jihong stopped again, feeling embarrassed to go inside.
Yu Jihong took a deep breath and walked into the store.
Fang Meili was carrying her daughter and preparing to go back to her room when she saw Yu Jihong and was surprised. "Sister Jihong, why are you here tonight?"
"Meili, my third brother was accidentally crushed by a stone slab today and is in the hospital."
"Oh, is it alright?"
"It's already bandaged up. Your dad and the neighbor brought it over this afternoon."
"My dad came too?"
“They’ve already gone back; everyone’s busy with work in the fields right now. Meili, we rushed over from the fields without any money, we were thinking…”
"Okay, how much?"
"Lend me 10 yuan first, I'll go home and get it tomorrow and pay you back."
"Getting medical attention is the priority, Xin Kang, come and get 10 yuan."
"Merry, I didn't expect you to agree to lend it to me so quickly. I'm so sorry, I don't know anyone else in town."
Fang Meili then grabbed a packet of malted milk powder, saying, "Take this to Third Brother."
"No, no!"
"Take it quickly, I'm taking my daughter and don't have time to go see her, so just take it with you, I don't need to rush you."
"Your family is so kind. Fang Yu stayed at your house tonight, and your mom helped take care of her. This time, your whole family has been busy."
"It's okay. She's about the same age as Dongqiang. The two kids are happy playing together."
"Is the child asleep?" Yu Jihong looked at Fang Meili's daughter in her arms.
"Yes, I was just about to carry it to the room."
"Then you should take the child to sleep quickly, I'm going to the health center."
"Okay, get there soon, and be careful on the road!"
"Okay, I'll go home tomorrow and get the money to pay you back."
"It's okay, no rush."
Yu Jihong hurriedly returned to the hospital with the money in her pocket.
Fang Meixiang's mother had already cooked a meal for the two children.
Fang Dongqiang brought out almost all of the toys in the house.
"Dongqiang, you have so many toys?" Fang Yu asked, looking at the pile in front of her.
"That's right! I still have books." Fang Dongqiang ran to his room to get more books, eager to show off all his good possessions.
"My second aunt gave me the toys, and my little aunt gave me the books. Fang Yu, do you have an aunt?"
"have."
Will your aunt buy you anything?
"My aunt isn't as capable as your aunt; she doesn't run a shop or go to university."
"Oh!" Fang Dongqiang bit his lower lip and shook his head smugly. "Then you can play with the things my aunt bought for me."
"Dongqiang, where do you live? Do you always live at your maternal grandmother's house?"
“My home is over there,” Fang Dongqiang pointed with his finger. Then he added, “No one lives in my house. My dad went out to earn money, and my mom and I are at my grandma’s house.”
Fang Meixiang's father is back.
Fang Meixiang's mother took the food out of the pot and asked, "How is Third Brother?"
"It's a bit serious. The doctor said I can't work in the fields for more than half a year."
"Oh dear, Ji Hong will have a hard time then." Fang Meixiang's mother looked at Fang Yu, who was playing with Fang Dongqiang over there.
“At the hospital just now, none of us brought any money with us, and they wanted me to borrow some from Mei Li.”
"Ji Hong asked you to help her borrow it."
"No, the others who went with me also felt that since I was the only one with a daughter in town, it would be more convenient for me to borrow money. Ji Hong immediately said that she would find a way to borrow it herself, and I didn't say much. There were so many of us eating here, and I was afraid that Mei Li and the others would be inconvenienced."
"Yes, Meili eats with her mother-in-law, and she has a child with her, so she can't trouble them. Ji Hongren is also very resourceful; she gets along well with Meili, and if she needs to borrow something, she'll contact her herself."
"Grandpa Dongqiang, how is my dad?" Fang Yu asked when she saw Fang Meixiang's father return.
"The doctor bandaged him up; he'll be fine soon."
When are my mom and the others coming back?
"The doctor needs to check on the situation further. Come back when he's better. Fang Yu, you can stay here tonight with Grandma."
“Okay, Fang Yu, you can stay here and I’ll tell you stories tonight. I sleep with my aunt and she tells me stories too. I’ll tell you one.” Fang Dongqiang was very happy to hear that Fang Yu was here.
Fang Meixiang watched from the side, a child playing with her son at home, and she was just as happy as Fang Dongqiang.
Fang Meixiang's mother also said, "Meixiang, if you can take care of it yourself and the policy allows it, you should really have another one. Two children will be more lively. Look at Dongqiang, when other children come to our house to play with him, he will show off any good things or skills he has."
In the hospital, Fang Sandi looked distressed. "Jihong, what will happen to the farm work? I won't be able to work in the fields for so long."
"I'll do it. Don't think too much about it now, just focus on recovering," Yu Jihong comforted her.
"How could I be so careless?" Fang Sandi slapped his thigh in frustration.
Yu Jihong took his hand and said, "It was all an accident. Who would want to suffer like this?"
"We'll talk about the future later." Yu Jihong was thinking about her daughter, who had never left her side since she was a child. She looked out the dark window at night, not by her side.
I wonder if my daughter is asleep.
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