Back to my 1980s

"Squeak—Gurgle…Squeak—Gurgle…"

Zhao Hua helped Song's father push the cart home, while Song's mother helped on the other side, and Song Xueping followed beside him with a basket.

This is the second load already. We just pushed one load back, and it's filled with more than twelve bags, almost thirteen.

Song's father told Zhao Hua that they had harvested about 1,300 jin this year. Their family had 3.5 mu of land, and each mu yielded more than 300 jin, almost 400 jin. He also said that in the past, in the commune, each mu of land would only yield a little over 200 jin.

Zhao Hua could sense Song's father's happiness and that he felt a closer connection to Song's father. This time, when Song's mother came to the wheat field, she was less of the previous fake politeness, even though Song Xueping was still arguing with him.

Let's just assume she's angry because she doesn't want me to leave. Anyway, face isn't that useful, and besides, what if it's true?

"Qiangzi, how did you handle the pheasant?" Song's mother opened the courtyard gate first and asked Song Zhiqiang, who was lying on the bamboo bed under the shade of a tree.

Song Zhiqiang waved lazily and replied, "It's all ready. We're just waiting for you to come home."

Song's mother stepped forward and kicked him, glaring at him and scolding, "Even Xiao Zhao knows to come and help, but you just lie here after killing the chicken? You treat food like it's your own father, but asking you to help with chores is harder than asking you to eat shit!"

Song Zhiqiang was kicked and stumbled. He hurriedly braced himself on the bed and rolled over. Once he was settled, he looked up and muttered, "Don't you have enough people? What else do you need me to do?"

Hearing this, Song's mother was so angry that she went forward to chase after him again. Song Zhiqiang quickly got up and hid behind Song Xueping, and gave Zhao Hua a resentful look. In the past, no one had ever said anything to him when he was lazy.

Zhao Hua and Song's father ignored them, pushing the cart into the yard. Who could they blame for their own foolishness? They figured they should just stay home and watch over the harvested wheat to prevent it from being stolen…

Seeing that Mai Zi had already entered the yard, Song's mother let Song Zhiqiang off the hook for the time being, and scolded, "Go and prepare the meal! I don't even know what use you are!" After scolding him, she took a few steps and followed the cart, preparing to put Mai Zi in the corner of the yard.

Several wooden planks were laid out on the ground in the courtyard. Zhao Hua and Song's father stacked the wheat on the planks and covered it with an oilcloth. This wheat was to be used for paying public grain and levies. Their own food had already been put inside the house.

While Song's father and Zhao Hua were busy, Song Zhiqiang had already returned to his room and called Song Xueping to help prepare lunch.

Zhao Hua reached up and fanned himself with his clothes. After all that work, his clothes were soaked through. Song's mother handed him a bowl of cool boiled water and sighed with a smile, "Thanks to you, otherwise the two of us old folks would have been busy for who knows how long. Qiangzi is useless too. He's good at catching chickens and dogs, but he's completely useless when it comes to work."

"Don't mention it, ma'am. It was just a small favor." Zhao Hua took the bowl and drank it down in a few gulps, which relieved some of the heat in her body.

The kitchen was filled with the clanging of pots and pans. Zhao Hua handed the bowl in, and Song Zhiqiang had already started cooking. Song Xueping stared at the stove fire and didn't look at him.

Zhao Hua went into the kitchen, his nose filled with the aroma of food, and sweat was still sliding down his cheeks and onto his neck, feeling cool.

There was no wind at the kitchen door. Song Xueping was adding firewood with her head down. Her profile was slightly reddened by the firelight, and her long eyelashes were drooping, making it impossible to see her expression.

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Hua leaned against the kitchen doorway and chatted idly with Song Zhiqiang, watching him busy himself while unconsciously keeping an eye on her movements.

Before I could exchange more than a few words with Song Zhiqiang, I saw Song's mother come out to sweep the alleyway, and Song's father went out to find out about other people's harvests from the neighbors.

Soon the food was ready. Song's mother went out to call Song's father back, and together they moved the table to the alley entrance. It was a bit stuffy eating inside, so they moved to this breezy spot.

As soon as the table was set, Song Zhiqiang quickly served the dishes. The pheasant looked glossy and red, and the aroma was irresistible. Zhao Hua glanced at Song Zhiqiang in surprise, not expecting that this kid's cooking skills were actually quite good.

"Xiao Zhao, sit down quickly. You've been busy all day, have something to eat." Song's mother said, setting out the bowls and chopsticks as she called out to Zhao Hua.

After exchanging a few polite words, Zhao Hua sat down at the table next to Song's father.

Song Xueping came out of the kitchen and saw her mother sitting at the table. She stood there hesitantly.

Seeing this, Song's mother quickly beckoned her to her side, saying, "You can sit here and eat. It's so hot in here. Just come and sit next to me."

Song Xueping gave a soft "hmm" and sat down next to her mother with her head down. Song Zhiqiang was less reserved and looked at the fragrant stir-fried pheasant on the table. After everyone was seated, Song Zhiqiang picked up a piece of meat with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth.

Song's father patted Song Zhiqiang on the shoulder and said, "You're always in such a hurry. Go, go, go get a bottle of wine. Xiao Zhao has been busy all morning. Have a drink with him to help him relax."

"Uncle, I have to catch a train this afternoon, so just a little bit is fine. I can't drink too much today."

Mr. Song nodded and sighed, saying, "We've been too busy at home this time and haven't had a chance to properly entertain you. Just have a few sips to soothe your throat. Come back when you have more time, and we'll have a proper drink then." Mr. Song knew he had to catch his train and didn't dare let him drink too much. These days, it's not safe for someone to travel alone, especially when they're drunk.

Zhao Hua was grateful. Fortunately, Song's father wasn't the type to drink excessively and insisted on making Zhao Hua drink. Otherwise, he might not have been able to go home tonight.

After Song Zhiqiang brought back the wine, he sat down and the others ate together. He kept picking up pieces of meat with his chopsticks. When Zhao Hua saw this, she secretly gave Song Xueping a look, telling her to eat more meat, but Song Xueping glared at her.

After finishing his meal, Zhao Hua rested for a while and planned to wait for his bus. Before leaving, he originally wanted to secretly slip Song Xueping some money so that she could buy some things and live a more comfortable life. However, after thinking about it carefully, he gave up the idea.

It's obvious to the naked eye that she doesn't dislike me, but if I secretly leave the money with her now, she might feel that I'm insulting her and trying to buy her body.

If her parents or others find out, rumors might spread that he seduced her with money, or that she was only with him for money.

This isn't the future; in the future, many people, regardless of gender, will be shouting, "Let's bury me in money!"

I'll think about being nice to her later. Next time I come, I can bring her more things that girls use.

Zhao Hua boarded the bus for his return journey. Song Zhiqiang and his father waved goodbye from outside the bus, while Song Xueping stood quietly by her mother's side, watching Zhao Hua leave.

Looking out the window at the village receding into the distance, Zhao Hua felt a sense of emptiness. However, after thinking about it, he realized that the trip had been quite fruitful. At least Song Xueping had come to see him off. With that thought, Zhao Hua was filled with anticipation for the future.