Reborn in 1982, the prodigal son returns

Lin Nuo and Qi Dawu took their crossbows and went into the back mountain to find an open space. It was a gentle slope, and the snow on the slope had been blown thin by the wind, revealing the withered grass and pebbles underneath.

Linno took the crossbow off his shoulder and held the stock in his hand.

Lin Nuo stepped back a dozen paces, stood still, rested the crossbow stock against his shoulder, held the crossbow level, and stared at the sights and rear sight, aligning the three points in a straight line.

Pull the trigger.

With a "whoosh," the string was plucked.

It was planted straight into the pine tree.

But it's slightly off-target.

Lin Nuo walked over and pulled the arrow out. The arrowhead wasn't deeply embedded in the snow, and when he pulled it out, it brought up a small clump of snow. He checked the shaft; it was undamaged. He nocked it back onto the crossbow and then stepped back a dozen paces.

The second arrow. This time he adjusted it, the crossbow whirred, and the arrow flew out, this time slightly to the left.

Qi Dawu stood by and watched.

The third arrow. Lin Nuo adjusted again, and this time it hit the crosshair perfectly.

Lin Nuo walked over and pulled out the arrow. The arrowhead was covered in white pine shavings, smelling of resin. He looked at the arrowhead, then at the crossbow string. The crossbow was powerful, but accuracy required practice.

This thing is different from a snare. With a snare, you just put it down and wait to retract it. Crossbows require a feel for the game; you can't master it in a day or two.

However, it's a good thing that the crossbow bolts can be retrieved and reused.

Qi Dawu rubbed his hands together, then rubbed his palms against his trouser leg twice, and said:

"Brother Nuozi, shall I give it a try?"

Lin Nuo handed him the crossbow. Qi Dawu took it, held it in his hand, and braced the butt against his shoulder, striking a rather professional pose. However, he pulled the trigger too hard, his index finger yanking it as if he were trying to pry it off.

The crossbow is unstable.

The arrow flew out, and the two searched for a long time before finding it in the bushes a dozen steps away. The arrow was stuck in the snow, its fletching pointing upwards, and its feathers were covered in snow.

Qi Dawu scratched his head and smiled sheepishly.

Lin Nuo didn't say anything about him:

"Go back and practice some more."

The two continued setting traps. They followed the route they had scouted the day before, circling the woods once.

The two walked around the forest for a while but didn't encounter any living creatures. The forest was very quiet, with only the sound of the wind rustling through the pine branches. Lin Nuo carried the crossbow for a while longer and saw a squirrel jumping from branch to branch, its tail fluffy like an umbrella.

He raised the crossbow, aimed it, and then put it down. The squirrel was too small; even if he hit it, there wouldn't be much meat on it, so it wasn't worth it.

The crossbow was not used.

Qi Dawu was a little disappointed.

Lin Nuo turned and glanced at him, then said:

"What's the rush? There's plenty of time."

The two of them came down from the mountain and arrived home close to afternoon.

"How was your day?" she asked.

Qi Dawu honestly replied, "The crossbow missed, and the noose hasn't been put away yet."

Zhao Xiuying said:

"No rush, take your time." She turned and went into the kitchen, and the sound of the spatula hitting the iron pot rang out again, clanging and tinkling.

Several dishes were laid out on the table: stewed cabbage, scrambled eggs, pickled radish, and a dish of peanuts. Zhao Xiuying put a piece of egg on Qi Dawu's plate, but Qi Dawu said, "That's enough, that's enough," as his bowl was already piled high with eggs.

While picking up some food, Zhao Xiuying asked:

"Has a date been set for the Zhou family?"

Qi Dawu lowered his head and said:

"I...I don't know what to do. I have no parents, no one to help me."

His voice trailed off as he said this.

Zhao Xiuying glanced at Lin Nuo. Lin Nuo didn't say anything, picked up a piece of cabbage, put it in his mouth, chewed it twice, and swallowed.

He knew what his mother meant, but he was also wondering how to arrange things. Old Zhou had already given his approval; all that was left was to go through the formalities and set a date. Qi Dawu had no parents, no one to represent him, so someone had to handle things for him.

Zhao Xiuying turned her gaze away from Lin Nuo and looked at Qi Dawu:

"I'll talk to the Zhou family later and tell them we can't let their daughter wait around."

Qi Dawu raised his head, his eyes reddening, then lowered it again, shoveled a large mouthful of rice into his mouth, chewed twice, and swallowed. He muttered something under his breath.

"Thank you, Auntie."

Lin Weiguo sat at the table without saying a word until Zhao Xiuying agreed, at which point he finally spoke:

"Da Wu is a good boy."

It means they agreed and will help make the arrangements.

That night, Lin Nuo and Su Wanqing lay on the kang (a heated brick bed).

Lin Nuo rested his hands behind his head:

"Da Wu has had a hard life. He lost his mother when he was just over ten years old and didn't understand anything. After his brother got married, no one cared for him anymore. He was lucky if he had enough to eat and wear. Now he's finally going to settle down."

He paused:

"It's a good thing that Mother is willing to help him make arrangements."

Su Wanqing listened without saying a word.

He simply held Lin Nuo's hand.

Just as dawn was breaking, someone knocked on the courtyard gate.

Someone came to our door very early in the morning.

Lin Nuo came out of the east room, his cotton-padded coat unbuttoned, the cold wind blowing in made him shiver. He buttoned it as he walked, and when he reached the courtyard gate, he unlatched it.

Two people were standing outside the door—Old Zhou and his wife.

Old Zhou was wearing a new black cotton-padded jacket with the collar turned up and the buttons neatly fastened, even the collar buttons were tied. He was carrying two glass bottles of wine, which were in a net bag.

Lin Nuo looked at it and saw it was Fenjiu liquor.

Zhou Laoshuan had a smile on his face.

Zhou Laoshuan's wife followed behind, wearing a dark red cotton-padded jacket, her hair neatly combed, carrying a basket in her hand. The basket was covered with a blue cloth, which was washed until it was whitish and bulging, its contents unknown.

Lin Nuo was stunned for a moment.

Old Zhou spoke, his voice not loud:

"Nuozi, is Da Wu here? I'm afraid... afraid things might change if I wait too long. I've come today to set a date with Da Wu in person."

Looking at Zhou Laoshuan's face, which was red from the wind, Lin Nuo understood.

After Qi Dawu left, Old Zhou was increasingly satisfied. Old Zhou had lived in the village for over sixty years; what kind of people hadn't he seen? But someone as honest and simple as Qi Dawu was rare.

If she really marries into another family, will those families treat their daughter well? Her eyesight is poor, and marrying into that family would only cause them trouble. Even if they don't say it, they'll still have resentment in their hearts. But Qi Dawu is different; he definitely won't look down on his daughter.

With his wife constantly nagging, Zhou Laoshuan's head was throbbing from her nagging, but he still couldn't sleep.

He also had people inquiring about the situation. News of Qi Dayong's disturbance reached Xiahe Village yesterday, and Zhou Laoshuan didn't sleep well all night. He was afraid that Qi Dayong would detain Qi Dawu, and the whole thing would fall apart.

Plus, my own daughter was willing too.

So he and his wife arrived early this morning. They got up before dawn, and his wife boiled ten eggs, bought a roast chicken, put them in a basket, and covered it with a blue cloth. Zhou Laoshuan took out the two bottles of Fenjiu liquor from the cupboard.

They came to our door.

Lin Nuo stepped aside and said with a smile:

"Uncle Zhou, come in. Da Wu is here."

Old Zhou stepped over the threshold, his wife following behind.

Qi Dawu had just come out of the storeroom, carrying a basin of water for washing his face.

When he saw Zhou Laoshuan and his wife, his hand trembled, and he almost dropped the basin of water. His face turned red to the roots of his neck.

Old Zhou's wife walked over. She walked slowly, her steps small but steady. She reached Qi Dawu, switched the basket to her other hand, and took Qi Dawu's hand with her right.

She took his hand and looked him up and down, becoming more and more satisfied with the look.

Zhou Laoshuan was welcomed into the house by the Lin family. Lin Weiguo came out of the main room, stood on the threshold, glanced at the wine in Zhou Laoshuan's hand, then at the basket his wife was carrying, his expression remained unchanged, but he pulled his hand out of his sleeve.

"You're here? Come in and have a seat."

Lin Weiguo said. His voice wasn't loud, but his tone was much softer than usual.

The last time the two families met, things didn't go very well.

Inside the main room, the stove burned brightly, and the tin chimney glowed red. Old Zhou placed two bottles of Fenjiu liquor on the table, and the bottles clattered against the table with a "thud".

Fenjiu is 4.8 yuan a bottle at the supply and marketing cooperative; it's good stuff.

His wife placed the basket on the table, lifted the blue cloth, and inside was a roast chicken and several packets of cooked food wrapped in oil paper. The oil had seeped through the paper, leaving patches of oil stains on the surface.

A roast chicken costs eight yuan, and with the other dishes, it's at least 20 yuan.

Old Zhou really went all out in his life.

Old Zhou took out the wine, unscrewed the bottle cap, and the aroma of the wine wafted out of the bottle. He first poured a glass for Lin Weiguo, then a glass for Lin Nuo, and finally a glass for himself.

The glass was filled to the brim with wine, almost overflowing. He picked it up, raised it to Lin Weiguo, and took a sip without saying a word.

Lin Weiguo also took a sip, smacked his lips, and said, "Good wine."

Old Zhou took out the roast chicken again and placed it on the table. The roast chicken was whole, glistening with oil, its skin roasted to a golden brown, and the meat peeking out from between the bones, emitting a slight steam. His wife then took out several packages of cooked food from the basket, unwrapped the oil paper, sliced ​​the pig's head meat, arranged them neatly, and laid them out on the table.

It's easier to say these things after drinking.

Old Zhou picked up his cup, took another sip, and a little wine spilled from the corner of his mouth. He wiped it away with the back of his hand. He put the cup down, tapped his fingers twice on the table, and said:

"We are quite satisfied with Qi Dawu, and neither side has any objections, so this matter is settled."

Qi Dawu stood at the entrance of the main room, his hands hanging at his sides, his fingers slightly curled. He dared not sit on the table.

In the past, he was not allowed to sit at the table in such situations; Qi Dayong wouldn't let him sit at the table.

Lin Nuo pulled him over to sit down.

Qi Dawu, after holding it in for a long time, finally managed to utter a single sentence:

"Uncle, Aunt, I...I will definitely treat Xiaoyu well."

Zhou Laoshuan nodded.

Qi Dawu's eyes were red, and he looked like he was about to cry.

Old Zhou looked at him and lowered his voice:

"As long as it's good for Xiaoyu, whether or not she marries into the family is fine. The initial suggestion of marrying into the family was just a trial. Dawu is a good person. Since he was kicked out by his brother, why not go live with him?"

Qi Dawu was stunned.

Zhou Laoshuan's wife chimed in from the side:

"There's room at home, the west room is empty, you can tidy it up and move in. You're all alone, without a place to call home, so once you come, you're family."

Qi Dawu blushed, rubbed his hands on his trouser legs a couple of times, unsure where to put them, and hummed in a voice barely audible, "Isn't that inappropriate?"

Old Zhou pulled him aside and said:

"What's good or bad about it?"

His palms were thick and rough.

"Once things are settled, what's wrong with just moving in? Your brother won't let you go back; are you going to sleep on the streets?"

He paused, then lowered his voice even further:

"From now on, all the land and money in the house will be yours. We're getting old, and Xiaoyu's eyesight isn't good. The family needs a man to support it. We'll feel at ease if you come."

Qi Dawu's tears finally fell, and he couldn't help but cry out.

"dad."

Everyone in the main room heard it.

The hall was quiet for a moment.

Lin Weiguo's hand, holding the wine glass, froze in mid-air. The wine swirled in the glass but didn't spill. He looked at Qi Dawu, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

Old Zhou was stunned.

His mouth was slightly open, revealing a few dentured teeth. His hand was still gripping Qi Dawu's wrist, his fingers slowly tightening and then loosening. His lips moved, as if he wanted to say something, but no words came out.

Zhou Laoshuan probably never expected that Qi Dawu would change his mind so quickly.

Even the usually stern-faced Zhou Laoshuan had slightly red eyes.

Lin Weiguo across from him couldn't help but laugh out loud. He picked up his wine glass, downed it in one gulp, and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

The change of address was too hasty, but I'm happy for Qi Dawu.

What kind of family is Zhao Lao Er? A whole family of hooligans and thugs.

Zhao Xiuying poked her head out of the kitchen, a smile on her face, a smile that came from the heart.

Lin Nuo couldn't help it either; the corners of his mouth curled up, and he couldn't suppress it no matter what he did.

In this era where sincerity reigns supreme, a simple and honest man like Da Wu is extremely effective at winning over a somewhat rigid father-in-law like Zhou Laoshuan.

Su Wanqing couldn't help herself.

With a "pfft".

Lin Nuo turned to look at her. Su Wanqing's face was slightly red. She lowered her head, the corners of her mouth still holding that smile she hadn't had time to retract, her eyes fixed on the table, not looking at anyone.

Looking at her slightly flushed face, Lin Nuo felt a stirring in his heart and subconsciously reached out to hold her hand.

Su Wanqing's hand moved slightly in his palm, not by pulling it away, but gently, slowly, as if unintentionally, she grasped his hand in return. Her fingers were slender, finding their place between his fingers, and she intertwined them.

Lin Nuo tightened her grip on her hand.

Inside the main room, Qi Dawu was still crying, crying like a child. Zhou Laoshuan's wife stood up, walked to him, took a handkerchief from her pocket, and stuffed it into his hand, saying:

"Don't cry, it's the New Year."

Qi Dawu took the handkerchief, wiped his face haphazardly a couple of times, looked at Zhou Laoshuan's wife, his lips moved, and he called out again:

"mom."

This sound was just as lethal as the previous one.

Old Zhou's wife's eyes immediately welled up with tears. She reached out and patted Qi Dawu's arm:

"Why."

Lin Weiguo raised his glass to Zhou Laoshuan, and the two clinked glasses.

Lin Weiguo said, "Good thing." Just two words, but he said them very slowly, as if he was savoring the meaning of those two words.

Old Zhou nodded and said, "That's a good thing."

The two clinked glasses and talked about their past, seemingly putting aside their grudges with a smile.

It's true that life is unpredictable. If Lin Jian hadn't gotten into this mess, we wouldn't have had this kind of fate.

The snow outside the window has stopped.

Qi Dawu clutched the handkerchief in his hand, tears still streaming down his face, but he couldn't suppress the smile on his lips. He looked at Lin Nuo, who smiled back at him.

Qi Dawu folded the handkerchief neatly and carefully stuffed it into his pocket.

That was the first gift he had ever received in his life.

From now on, he will have a family.