Back to my 1980s

Once outside,

Zhao Hua found a secluded corner and hid the money from selling the goods close to his body, since the security wasn't so good at the moment.

The commune was bustling with people from all walks of life, a real melting pot...

Many people saw him carrying a sack on the way here, and he went straight to the commune restaurant.

Anyone with a modicum of sense can guess pretty accurately what you're here for...

Perhaps someone has already set their sights on me.

Being cautious, Zhao Hua didn't dare linger. He rolled up the sack and headed out of the commune.

Zhao Hua pretended to be going to the market as usual, but her pace quickened considerably compared to when she first arrived...

Until they were completely away from that crowded and noisy place.

He reached into his pocket and felt around; the firm texture was still there, so the money wasn't gone.

Looking back, no one was following.

I finally felt a little more at ease.

It was already May, and the roadside was covered with green grass, interspersed with clumps of unnamed wildflowers.

White, yellow, and light purple hues are densely packed along the ridges of the fields.

Several old locust trees in the distance are covered in blossoms, and a faint fragrance drifts over when the wind blows.

Zhao Hua took a deep breath, smelling the familiar fragrance, and unconsciously relaxed.

Zhao Hua walked and looked around, slowing his pace a bit.

We've gotten used to towering buildings and concrete jungles.

Seeing the countryside so clean after being washed by the rain was truly refreshing.

There were no noisy horns, no crowded streets, only soft soil underfoot.

A country road in 1983...

……

……

Before even entering the door, I could smell the rich aroma of food.

Zhao Hua stepped back into the familiar, quiet courtyard.

He walked to the pile of miscellaneous items, put down the burlap sack that had been rolled up on his arm the whole way, and casually patted the dust off his hands.

Zhao Hua's father was already home, sitting on a bench in the main room, holding a pipe in his hand.

Seeing her son go straight home after selling the fish, she gave him a smile.

"I heard you and your little sister caught a big mandarin fish today?"

"hold head high!"

"Where did you run into him?"

"It's by the river, a little in front of that old poplar tree."

"Why didn't you call me back to take a look? I didn't even get to see it before they took it away to sell."

"It would be such a mess then, there wouldn't be any time to save them. They'd be stranded, and by the time they got home, they were practically dead."

"Oh, I wonder if there are any left?"

"...Dad, what do you take this for? It's not like you'd find it so easily, with people lining up to come ashore and pick it up for you!"

Father Zhao rolled his eyes at his rebellious son, who spoke a single word against his will:

"So how did you find it?"

"...Just lucky, Zhao Ru saw it, you can ask her."

"You're back? How much did you sell it for?" Zhao's mother's voice came from the kitchen.

"51 yuan and 3 jiao, sold for 9 jiao a jin." Zhao Hua followed the voice and took out his money as he walked.

Zhao's mother was standing in front of the stove, cooking vegetables in one pot and simmering rice in another.

The younger sister, Zhao Ru, was squatting under the stove, painstakingly adding wheat stalks; no wonder we hadn't heard her utter a sound.

Zhao Hua handed the still-warm money to his mother.

Well, if I need money, I'll ask my mom, because she's easier to talk to, while my dad always asks a lot of questions.

Zhao's mother glanced at the money in his hand, surprised that he would voluntarily hand it over.

"Keep it; you caught the fish yourself."

Zhao's mother paused for a moment: "Stop running around all day. Find a stable job and save some money. You're old enough to get married."

It seems I've already discussed it with my dad beforehand.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ru abruptly looked up, her eyes blinking rapidly, all focused on the young man.

And what about me...?

I did my part too...

Doesn't anyone care about their own feelings...?

Seeing his younger sister's funny expression, Zhao Hua suppressed a laugh and deliberately teased her:

"That's not a good idea. My sister and I found it together; she was the one who suggested going to the river!"

Zhao's mother glanced at Zhao Ru:

"What does a child need money for? We have plenty of food and drink at home."

The burning light of hope in Zhao Ru's big eyes vanished...

You're so naive, Mom. Kids need money too, especially little girls.

However, people in rural areas don't have this concept anymore, nor do they have that much spare money.

Zhao Hua winked at his younger sister and secretly mouthed something.

Zhao Ru's eyes lit up, and she shrank back, worried that her mother would see the joy on her face. She bent down and continued to add firewood to the stove.

Zhao Hua stood there for a moment, the smoke choking him so much he couldn't open his eyes.

He quickly scurried out, thinking, "Forget it, let's avoid this place. Let's make things difficult for my little sister instead..."

Seeing him walk out, Zhao's mother called out to his retreating figure, "Dinner's almost ready, where are you going?"

"It's too humid here, I can't stand it, I'm going to sit in the main room for a while."

"I cook every day and I've never choked to death!" Zhao's mother replied irritably.

Zhao Hua ignored it, moved a stool against the wall, and started sunbathing in the yard.

Zhao Hua experienced a range of emotions that day: disorientation, surprise, joy, and peace, with the warm sunshine on his body.

He squinted, listening quietly to the soft sounds coming from his parents and younger sister, feeling a sense of peace and contentment that was intoxicating.

……

"Wash your hands before eating!"

"Time to eat! Time to eat!" Zhao Hua got up, moved the stool back to the table, and called out.

"Go serve the dishes. Who are you waiting for to invite you?"

...It was so comfortable I almost fell asleep, forgetting that I've gone from being a grandfather to a son.

Zhao Hua quickly got up and ran to serve the dishes.

Fish braised with chili peppers, boiled dried shrimp, and sweet potato rice.

Then, a dish of pickled dried radish was taken out from the kitchen cabinet.

Zhao Hua stared at the food on the table, his expression indescribable.

Boiled shrimp and small river fish are fine, but these things are not very common in later generations and are quite expensive, considered a main dish.

But this sweet potato rice...

It's been so many years since I've had this...

When I was little, I would get stress from eating sweet potatoes...

Nowadays, rice is expensive, so people usually cook it by mixing sweet potatoes and rice.

Zhao Hua was determined to make some money so he could at least have some delicious rice to eat. Who could stand eating sweet potato rice all the time?

Zhao Hua forced himself to swallow the meal, and after finishing, he handed the bowl and chopsticks to his younger sister.

I'm a person destined for great things! How could I do such a small job as washing dishes! Hmm! I'll continue to make things difficult for my little sister. She's still young, and it's good for children to suffer a bit to temper their character.

Zhao Ru's face darkened, she glared at her brother, quickly swallowed the food in her mouth, and puffed out her cheeks, about to speak.

Seeing this, Zhao Hua didn't look to the side, reached into his pocket and pulled out a small bill, waving it at Zhao Ru under the table.

"Brother, you must be exhausted after working all morning. It breaks my heart to see you like this."

"Go sit down and soak up some sun, take a break. Leave the dishes here, I'll do them. I promise I'll wash them spotless!"

Zhao Ru's eyes narrowed with laughter as she secretly pulled a one-cent coin from Zhao Hua's hand from under the table as she spoke...

Well done! You're flexible and adaptable, truly worthy of your reputation!

Mr. Zhao pretended not to see the siblings' little antics and continued eating his meal.

Zhao's mother rolled her eyes but didn't say a word.

Zhao Hua picked up a stool, dusted himself off, and leaned it against the outer wall.