Reborn in 1985, starting from the mountains of Northwest China

In Chen Feng's family, the three brothers divided the family property long before they got married.

This is the village rule: once a son gets married, he must live separately to avoid disagreements between sisters-in-law and estrangement between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

Old Chen's family used their mountain-moving skills to buy a house for each of their three brothers.

The land was also divided according to the number of people, one mu and three fen per person, no more and no less for anyone.

On the day the family divided their property, my mother cried.

Chen Laogeng sat on the threshold smoking his pipe, one pipe after another, and finally said in a muffled voice, "It's good that we've separated. It's peaceful now."

From now on, everyone should live their own lives.

That's what they say, but how can parents really just abandon their children?

Especially Chen Feng's family.

Chen Feng was the third child. He was spoiled by his mother from a young age, which made him a reckless and unruly person.

Years ago, I hung out with a few good-for-nothings in the village. I didn't make any money, but I did develop a carefree and irresponsible personality!

Chen Feng snapped out of his thoughts and followed his mother into the main room.

The main room was small, but it was kept very clean.

An old-fashioned square table stood against the wall, with a thermos and several enamel mugs on it.

On the wall directly opposite the door, there was a New Year's picture. It depicted a chubby baby holding a big carp, and it was very festive with its red and green colors.

Chen Feng was lying in bed when he heard the noise, so he propped himself up to get up.

Chen Feng took two quick steps and pressed him down: "Dad, don't move, lie down and rest."

His father is sixty-seven years old this year, and his health is not as good as before.

Leaning against the headboard, her complexion was much better than when Chen Feng had just returned before the New Year; she had regained some color.

"You're back?" The old man looked at him, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Chen Feng sat down on the edge of the bed: "Hmm. Dad, how have you been these past few days?"

"I'm much better now. I can eat and sleep well. Your mother cooks delicious food for me every day, and she's so good to me that I can barely walk."

Mother chimed in from the side, "That's right, she ate two steamed buns and drank a bowl of porridge this morning, more than I did."

Chen Feng laughed: "It's good that you can eat. If you can eat, you'll be strong."

He waved his hand: "Strong my foot, my old arms and legs are useless."

That's what he said, but there was a sense of ease in his tone.

Chen Feng looked around.

The firewood inside the house was stacked neatly, the water tank in the kitchen was full, the yard was swept clean, and even the chicken coop was lined with fresh dry straw.

The old man looked at Chen Feng and suddenly said, "Fengzi, you look different since you came back this year."

Chen Feng was taken aback: "Why is it different?"

The old man said, "Before, when I came back, my eyes were lifeless, like I'd lost my soul. This time, my eyes are bright, and I walk steadily."

Mother nodded in agreement: "I noticed it too. I saw you in the yard yesterday, and I told your father that our third son has changed."

Chen Feng lowered his head and remained silent.

"How's it going on the construction site?"

Chen Feng thought for a moment and said, "It's alright. There was a lot of work this year, so I made some money."

"Money doesn't matter, what matters is your safety. Your safe return is more important than anything else."

Chen Feng nodded.

The old man paused, then said, "Fengzi, I have a few words to say to you, listen carefully."

Chen Feng raised his head: "Father, please speak."

He looked at Chen Feng, his eyes holding something—a gentleness rarely seen in recent years.

"Your mother and I have worried a lot about you over the years."

Chen Laogeng's voice wasn't loud, and he spoke slowly, "When you were little, you were naughty, and we thought you'd be better when you grew up. You were still naughty when you grew up, and we thought you'd be better after you got married. Even after you got married, you were still unreliable, and we thought you'd be better after you had children."

He sighed: "But you were still the same back then."

Chen Feng felt uneasy listening to this.

"The hardest time was for Lin Xiu. She married into the family but didn't enjoy any happiness; she only suffered because of you. When you weren't home, she raised two children alone, farmed the land, fed the pigs, and had to deal with all sorts of troublemakers outside. Your mother and I felt so sorry for her."

The mother quietly wiped away her tears.

"But that child never complained once. In front of your mother and me, he was always smiling, saying it was okay, that he could change, and that things would get better."

The old man looked at Chen Feng and said, "Fengzi, do you know why your mother and I have been living here with you?"

Chen Feng said, "I know. Help me take care of Lin Xiu and the children."

Chen Laogeng shook his head: "It's not just that."

Chen Feng was stunned.

"Your mother and I live here to protect your home. When you're not home, we're here so Linxiu has someone to rely on and the children can be looked after. Even if you don't come back, this family won't fall apart."

Chen Feng's eyes welled up with tears, and his throat felt like it was blocked by something.

Old Geng looked at him, his eyes also reddening: "It's all right now. You're back, and things have changed. Your mother and I can finally rest easy."

Chen Feng opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but couldn't get the words out.

His father reached out and patted the back of his hand: "Fengzi, treat Lin Xiu well from now on. That child has suffered too much with you; you have to make her life sweeter from now on."

Chen Feng nodded vigorously: "Dad, I know."

"And then there's Xiaoshan and Xiaoyue. The children are all grown up and sensible now, you need to set a good example for them. Don't let them learn from your past awful behavior."

"I know."

"And this home. What is home? Home is not a house, not land, it's people together. As long as you are here, Linxiu is here, the children are here, this home is here. When you're working outside, no matter how hard or tiring it is, knowing that there are people waiting for you at home makes it all worthwhile."

As Chen Feng listened, he recalled the years he had spent away from home, lying in the work shed during the Spring Festival, listening to the firecrackers outside, feeling empty inside.

At that time, he thought that he must go home next year.

He looked at his father and mother, and a surge of warmth welled up in his heart.

He said, "Dad, Mom, don't worry. From now on, I will work hard to support this family, let Linxiu live a good life, let the children grow up well, and let you two enjoy your retirement."

Chen Laogeng smiled, his wrinkles smoothing out: "Good, good. Your mother and I will wait."

The mother, wiping away tears, also smiled.

The room fell silent for a moment, with only the distant sound of firecrackers outside, sporadic and intermittent, crackling a few times before fading away.

Chen Feng suddenly remembered something and said, "Oh right, Dad, tomorrow is the 30th. My eldest brother sent word that we should all come over for New Year's Eve dinner."

The eldest brother was going to the county town the next day, so he directly asked Chen Feng to tell their parents.

Cheng Laogeng was taken aback: "Go to his place?"

Chen Feng nodded: "Yes. My older brother came to the house earlier and specifically mentioned that everyone is back this year, so it will be more lively with so many people. He invited our whole family to come over."

"good!"

"It's been so many years since the whole family got together for a meal. I... I also want to see what it's like to have the whole family sitting around the table."

As her mother listened, her eyes welled up with tears again.

Chen Feng knew what his father was thinking.

Over the years, the three brothers have lived their own lives, and during holidays they would just make a perfunctory visit, bring some gifts, sit for a while, and then leave.

This is the first time we've ever sat down together for a proper New Year's Eve dinner like this.

His father didn't say it, but he was actually hoping for it.