Linxia

Chapter 19, departure

The next day, the government also knew that some villagers were leaving today, so they began distributing coarse rice soup early in the morning so that the people could eat it and set off as soon as possible.

After breakfast, those who were going to the provincial capital were about to set off. Every household in the village came out to see them off. It was a huge crowd, with the majority seeing off the minority.

The men in each family were relatively reserved, saying things like "take care" and "take care of yourself"; the women were much more emotional, with sisters-in-law holding hands, their eyes red; the mother reluctantly held her son's arm, her face full of worry, and she sobbed softly.

When it was time to send them out and set off, emotions exploded and many people burst into tears.

- Don’t think this is just an ordinary separation, as I’m only going to the capital for more than a month. But in this era when the average life expectancy is only over 40 years old, even if you stay in the village, the person you meet today may suddenly disappear the next time you hear about him, not to mention such a long journey that is like going through the gates of hell - no one knows which will come first, tomorrow or an accident. This is the most true portrayal of the lower-class people of this era.

"My son!"

"Shiwa, be careful on the road!"

"Kaizi, remember what your father taught you, don't act tough when you're out in public!"

……

The entire Fang family was naturally among those who came to say farewell. No matter whether it was Grandpa Fang, Grandma Fang, or the people from the first, second, and fourth wives, there was visible sadness on their faces, silently telling of the blood-thicker-than-water kinship of this era.

"No need to send me off, go back, we're leaving now!"

Fang Sun's voice was a little choked with sobs. She asked them to stop, and the whole family followed the crowd.

Fang Lin looked back, then moved forward. When he passed a pit that almost made him fall, he paused slightly.

"This was a bad luck trap that almost got me into trouble, but it was also a lucky trap that allowed me to get to know the little official named Wei. So, many times, if you deal with the same thing properly, a bad thing can turn into a good thing, just like this trip to the capital city!" He thought to himself.

Amid the farewell gazes from behind, the people of Xiaohe Village continued on their journey and set out for the provincial capital.

Boo!
In the distant blue and empty sky, a goshawk was soaring with its wings spread. At a certain moment, it suddenly swooped down. In the blink of an eye, a rabbit in the grass on the ground was pounced away with a trace of blood and a few splashed feathers. This scene, like everything in this world, is desperately and tenaciously alive.

……

On the road.

Uncle Fang was pushing a wheelbarrow that contained most of the belongings, while Fang Sun, Fang Lin, and Tian Xuan were carrying the rest of the things that couldn't fit in. Compared to when they came to the county town from Xiaohe Village, their journey was already easy.

"I told you, your son advised you to buy a unicycle, but you were reluctant to do so. You said you didn't need it. Now you realize it's convenient, right? Otherwise, it would have been so much trouble!" Fang Sun said to Fang's father in a tone that showed foresight and pride for her son.

But she forgot that Fang Lin insisted on buying a unicycle yesterday, and she was one of those who was reluctant and reluctant to spend the money.

Uncle Fang was a man of few words, and he was not one to argue. He pretended not to hear what Fang's mother said, and just put his head down and pushed the small wheelbarrow hard, making it roll and spin very fast.

'I never realized that there's still a child living in my father's heart!'

Mr. Fang is not a person who is good at expressing his emotions. Whether he is in a good mood or a bad mood, he rarely shows it. It is difficult for others to perceive his emotions, but Fang Lin is naturally different. At this moment, he can clearly feel Mr. Fang's happy mood. He pushes the small wheelbarrow hard, just like a child who gets a toy.

After walking for a while with the sound of the small wheelbarrow rolling, sweat began to appear on Fang's forehead.

——Although the small wheelbarrow is indeed less labor-saving than carrying or carrying, the Fang family is going to settle in the capital city, and they have to take all their belongings with them. The first, second, and fourth wives have also given them some useful things, so there are a lot of things, and even just pushing it is not a labor-saving task. "Dad, let me do it!" Fang Lin took it over, looking at the small wheelbarrow that was so easy to use in Fang's father's hands, but in his own hands, it actually required a lot of strength and full concentration to control it.

"Use the strength of your waist, just... just... think of it as... a donkey and follow it." Mr. Fang is not good at speaking and is obviously not a good teacher.

"I will try again."

However, Fang Lin was a smart student and understood that it was probably the principle of leveraging force. But even though he understood it, there was still a big gap between him and mastering it. While he was groping, the small unicycle suddenly tilted to the side, tearing a hole in his clothes.

"Hey, Linzi, be careful!" Fang's mother rushed over and checked him. Seeing that he was not injured, she breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Let Xiaoxuan sew your clothes tonight. Let your father push this broken cart!"

Because she almost hurt her son, the Fang family’s precious little unicycle became a broken car in her mouth.

"fine."

Fang Lin did not give up. He had already found some tricks. It felt a bit like practicing Tai Chi in his previous life. He started out crookedly but soon became proficient in pushing the small unicycle steadily and with less effort.

"My son is so smart!" Fang's mother habitually started to brag. As she spoke, she squinted at Fang's father and said, "I remember when we were in Xiaohe Village, your father borrowed your uncle's small wheelbarrow for the first time. He didn't know how to use it, and he needed someone to teach him step by step. It took him a lot of effort and half a day to learn it."

Father Fang's past was exposed, and he was still comparing himself to his own son. He felt a little embarrassed and said in a very rare way, "How could it be possible?"

However, the sound was so quiet that Fang Lin and his mother didn't notice it. Only Tian Xuan, who had the sharpest ears, heard it. She covered her mouth and smiled quietly, her big eyes narrowed into a crescent shape.

……

Next to the Fang family is the Geng family, but Geng's father and sister-in-law stayed in the county town. Now it is Geng's second son Geng Shi, and his young wife, whose surname is Su and name is Su Xiaoqing. She is in her early twenties and very young.

"It's so relaxing to have a small unicycle. Dad said he would buy you one, but you refused. Do you regret it now?" Su Xiaoqing retracted her envious gaze towards the Fang family and said to her husband.

"Don't want everything others have. We don't have that much stuff." Geng Shi said in a muffled voice.

That's right, relatively speaking, his family did bring much less stuff.

Su Xiaoqing was about to say something when she suddenly felt an itch in her throat and dry-heaved twice.

"daughter in law?"

"It's okay, maybe you have a stomachache, it will be fine in half a day, let's go!"

……

When they started their journey, each family was still chatting, but soon, they all walked in silence to save energy - after all, the government did not distribute much food, barely enough to reach the provincial capital, and the journey was also much faster than going to the county town.

As we hurried on our way, Haining County soon disappeared from our view.

……

(End of this chapter)