Having not seen Xiao Luo for almost a year, Hua Heying couldn’t stop gazing lovingly at her son from head to toe. As usual, she was always concerned about his well-being, and she said, “Son, you’ve become thinner. You haven’t eaten yet, have you? Hurry, come in and have some warm food, I’ve saved it for you.”
Xiao Luo smiled as he looked at his mother. Compared to only a year ago, she had gotten a lot older, with more freckles on her face. This was the very woman who had raised him, and he still remembered his impression of her as a child, he always thought she was as pretty as a flower. Even now, he still felt that his mother was the most beautiful woman in the world.
“Why are your clothes wet?”
Hua Heying touched Xiao Luo’s clothes, then shot Xiao Zhiyuan a glare, expecting an answer.
Xiao Zhiyuan was still very annoyed about it and said, “It’s all because of Xiao Qiudong, that little jerk just left our son alone by the road and went off. There’s no shelter at the junction to our farm, so Little Luo had to wait for me standing there in the rain.”
What?
Upon hearing what her husband had just said, Hua Heying was furious. “That’s too much! What’s wrong with that short Winter Melon, leaving my son there in the rain. I will definitely scold him when I see him the next time.”
“Mom, just drop the matter. His son wasn’t well and was crying a lot. Anyway, the road to our farm is in poor condition. If he really had driven me here and got his car damaged in the process, I’d feel bad about it.” Xiao Luo didn’t want his family to be troubled over such a little matter; there was no need for it.
“You are too kind, still defending that short Winter Melon even now. Never mind, let’s not talk about him, go take a hot shower and change into dry clothes before eating,” she said. Hua Heying was always worried about Xiao Luo’s health, so she had already prepared a clean towel, filled a bucket with hot water for Xiao Luo to shower.
“Alright.”
Xiao Luo felt a warmth in his heart, being with the family was always best.
The village got its supply from the mountains, which provided natural spring water, and it was potable too. By connecting the pipes to the stream, the households had access to continuous running water.
When he got out of the shower, Hua Heying already had a scrumptious meal prepared, and the dishes were laid out on the dining table in the living room.
The table was spread with a variety of red meat, chicken, duck, fish, and vegetable dishes, prepared especially for Xiao Luo.
Xiao Luo gulped down three bowls of rice in no time. For him, his mother cooking was the best, and he really enjoyed her delicious dishes from his heart.
Xiao Zhiyuan, who was sitting beside him, looking stern as always, lighted a cigarette, and said, “Don’t just eat the meat, eat more vegetables, it’s good for your health.”
“Husband, let our son eat whatever he likes, why do you nag so much.”
Hua Heying chided Xiao Zhiyuan, then smiled happily at Xiao Luo and said, “Son, don’t mind your dad, eat more meat, all of these are from our own livestock. The quality of the meat is much better than what you can get outside.”
Xiao Luo nodded and continued eating the dishes and rice in big gulps.
Xiao Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow and wisely decided to change the topic to avoid another broadside from Hua Heying. “Little Luo, you said that you are the boss of a company in Jiangcheng now?” he asked.
“Yup, the company specializes in product development, production, and sales of bakery products like bread, cake, mooncake, and Chinese desserts.” Xiao Luo looked up at his father and answered.
“My son is doing great. See, Zhiyuan, I told you that our son would definitely be successful in life.” Hearing what Xiao Luo said about his company, Hua Heqing couldn’t stop smiling.
Although Xiao Zhiyuan was happy and very proud of Xiao Luo, it wasn’t his nature to show it. He still kept a stern face and spoke to Xiao Luo earnestly. He said, “Don’t be too overconfident, it is easy to start a company, but difficult to maintain it. You have probably received help from a benefactor to become the boss of a company so fast, so don’t ever forget about your benefactor.”
“Mmm.”
Xiao Luo smiled and nodded, then lowered his head again and continued to eat.
“Oh yes, how’s Ruyi doing over there?” Xiao Zhiyuan suddenly asked.
Hua Heying sat up. She had had a strained relationship with her daughter for many years. Back then, Xiao Ruyi was rebellious and would always argue loudly with her mother. Now that Ruyi was married, their relationship had mended and was getting much better with time. After all, she was her own daughter, and regardless of what had gone wrong, Hua Heying would never stop caring for her.
“Her relationship with Tang Ren is quite good, she is working hard in the hospital. She has grown a lot more mature and sensible. These days she doesn’t act as rashly and willfully as she did last time,” Xiao Luo said.
Xiao Zhiyuan signed with relief and was comforted. “Good to know!”
Hua Heying smiled, looking very contented and said, “As long as she is leading a good life, as parents, we can rest in peace.”
“Mom, you don’t have to worry anymore, everyone needs to grow up and change, and Ruyi has now grown up. I met her before coming home, she bought clothes and shoes for you, dad, grandpa and grandma, and asked me to bring them back,” Xiao Luo said, pointing at the pile in the living room.
Hua Heying was so touched that she shed tears, then she walked over and took a cursory look at the gifts. “There’s so much stuff, it probably cost her a lot. I must remind that girl not to spend so much money again. She’s already married and should start saving up, how could she spend so much.”
As she said that, she took her phone out and called Xiao Ruyi, then mother and daughter began to chat.
…
After a satisfying meal, Xiao Zhiyuan sent Xiao Luo home with his motored trishaw.
Although Luo Village was located in a rural mountainous area, surprisingly, every family here had a new house. For the last twenty or so years, the people of Luo Village had gone to the south to find work and earn money. Over the years, they’d saved up the money they earned and raised new houses. Any family that had yet to build one would be derided by others, and couldn’t hold their heads up with pride.
Xiao Luo was amazed by what his parents had achieved. Ten years ago, with just a monthly income of several thousand dollars a month, they had managed to build a four-story house for the family. The first floor was plain and unadorned, but the second floor was well furnished, and his aged grandparents lived in that house.
It was almost 11 pm by the time he arrived, and Luo Village was dead silent except for the occasional bark from afar. Unlike the hustle and bustle of the city, the nights here were quiet and would take some getting used to.
His grandparents usually went to bed at around 9 pm. But as they knew he would be coming home today, they watched television on the first floor while waiting for him to get back.
Hearing the sound of the trishaw, his grandparents immediately turned on the lights in the living room and opened the door.
“Grandpa, grandma!”
“Little Luo, you are back!”
It was his grandmother who spoke. Her hair was naturally curly, and her kindly eyes had a smile in them. She held Xiao Luo’s hand tightly with her rough hands. “It’s raining outside, come in, quick.”
The first thing Xiao Luo noticed when he saw them was that they had grown older. Time had left its indelible mark on their wrinkled faces, and their hair had turned completely white.
His grandmother poured two cups of hot tea for Xiao Luo and Xiao Zhiyuan. She missed Xiao Luo dearly and had so many questions for him. She wanted to know how he was keeping, why he was now thinner, and whether he was having proper meals in the city. She also asked about his work and how he was coping.
Grandfather was taciturn by nature, it was just part of his personality, not being good with words. Xiao Zhiyuan had probably inherited the trait from him, and likewise, Xiao Luo, in turn, inherited it from Xiao Zhiyuan.
