Northeast Zhang Family, Mr. Zhang also received that long-awaited reply letter. He took out a few sheets of letter paper after opening it, "Mother of the children, where’s the reading glasses Jiao Jiao bought for me?"
Mother Zhang pulled open the drawer under the brick bed piano and complained, "It’s right near you, why are you in such a hurry? What does Xiao Wu say? Nothing’s happened over there, right?"
"No, didn’t brother Ah Guang mention they might be on a business trip?" Mr. Zhang took the glasses from his wife’s hands, "The letter’s here too, rest assured."
"What do I have to worry about, my old son is capable."
His wife’s words didn’t match her feelings, Mr. Zhang felt deeply. He chuckled and said, "You’re right, let me read what our old son has said."
The sunset glow reddened the window, and Mother Zhang, lying on the bed, stared wide-eyed at her husband, eager to snatch the letter and have a look herself.
"...Dad, the autumn harvest is coming, are you itching to return to the village again? You must take care of yourself, I hope you and mom live to a ripe old age..."
"...Lately, I’ve been dreaming every day about you and mom eating steamed cornbread with pickled vegetables, clothes still patched in several places. Is mom still unwilling to eat and use things? Please persuade her more for me. The weather is about to cool down soon, both of you must be sure to keep warm..."
"...Let’s not compete with the villagers for firewood up the mountain, don’t give away the coal ticket this time. Have my brother get it early for you and store it at home..."
"...Tell mom that Jiao Jiao has already started buying yarn, and before winter she’ll knit sweaters for you and mom, letting mom do less housework..."
"...The kids are all very sensible...We don’t have long holidays, so we can’t return to the hometown to accompany you. When will you and mom come to Beijing? Definitely let your old son know if you lack anything..."
Following Mr. Zhang’s voice, rising and falling steadily, Mother Zhang wiped her tears while breaking into a smile.
"Mother of the children, how about you visit in the next few days?" Mr. Zhang paused halfway and sighed inwardly, the most caring son is still too far away.
Mother Zhang wiped her face vigorously, shaking her head, her voice hoarse, "Is there more? Quickly look at what our little Wu said?"
Mr. Zhang shook his head helplessly, "If you keep wiping your tears, I’ll tell Xiao Wu. If you miss your son, then go, with Xiao Mi’s sports car you and she can go without worries."
"You don’t understand! Xi Zi is about to have a wedding, the oldest in the family, how can I feel at ease? And the eldest grandson, I have to keep an eye on things."
Mr. Zhang muttered to himself: You’re really busy!
"This is great, heaven bless us. Quick, take a look at whether our Xiao Wu mentioned why it took him so long to reply? Did something happen?"
Mr. Zhang was nudged by her, teasing, "Why don’t you take a look yourself?"
"You’re just bullying me for being illiterate!"
"You’re not illiterate anymore, you can even write Xiao Wu’s name, who dares look down on you, I’ll beat them to death. Mother of the children, why don’t you write a few words to the son yourself?"
"Dad?"
Outside came Zhang the Second’s hurried steps and loud shouting.
Mr. Zhang climbed surprised to the window, stretched his neck out to look, "How old are you? Still so hasty, your father is here."
Zhang the Second ran in without sparing a glance at Mother Zhang, leaned in close to his father’s ear, and whispered a few words.
Mr. Zhang widened his eyes in disbelief.


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