Sutton's Burdened Heart Chapter 5

Zhang Caihong's aunt walked around the main room, picked up the brown sugar water that Caihong's brother had just bought, and took a sip, "Hey, it's still sugar water. I'd rather drink cold water. That's the taste of our hometown." The authentic Nanyi accent made Caihong's heart tremble slightly.

Caihong's father smiled silently at her eldest sister, "Just come back and live more often. It's fun to live in the city all the time. There is a lot of food at home right now. If I send it to you, it won't be the same as eating at home." Taste." He pointed at Zhang Caihong and said, "Grab a bowl of cold water for your aunt, that tastes good."

Zhang Caihong held a large bowl of cold water and brought it to her eldest aunt with both hands. The eldest aunt said while taking the bowl, "We haven't seen each other for less than a year, and Xiaohongzi has become a eldest daughter. She is very similar to me back then."

Zhang Caihong often met her aunt when she was a child. When she heard what her aunt said, she couldn't help but take a closer look at her. But no, my aunt's appearance is really similar to mine. They all show off their appearance, with a pair of big fangs, and a light blush on their cheeks, reflecting their light eyebrows.

Caihong's mother, who came into the house with noodles, smiled quietly at Caihong's father and said, "It's really similar, but you are not as aggressive as your sister." Alas, my family must be poor, so I can’t do it yet, I’m squeamish. Hearing what her mother said, Caihong couldn't help but remember that her father always used the term aunt to talk about her, saying that if she was half as old as aunt, adults wouldn't worry about it anymore. 

The eldest aunt is really capable. She started earning work points at the age of twelve. During the wheat season, she wears a straw hat and goes to the wheat field just like the adults. After her grandmother passed away, the little girl, who was only fourteen, started making clothes for the whole family. After I was admitted to the district normal school, I not only did not bring money or food from home, but also gave my scholarship to my family. At that time, the national subsidy was seven yuan a month, so my aunt saved two yuan a month to support the family.

After finishing her noodles with two eggs, the eldest aunt took Caihong's parents into the west room. Zhang Caihong was clearing the dishes while guessing what her aunt and others were talking about. Did you find yourself a temporary job in the city, or did you find yourself a home? If you find a wife, then the man will not be blind or lame...

Zhang Caihong had just walked into the main room from the kitchen, and her aunt and others had already come out of the west room. This time, it was her mother who spoke first, telling Caihong that her eldest aunt had found a temporary job for her in the city at Dongfang Rubber Shoe Factory. The eldest aunt took Caihong's hand and said, "Xiao Hongzi, girls in the Zhang family can endure hardships and are not stupid. 

You should do your best when you get there." Caihong's father didn't say much. He just said that he would listen to his aunt and leave the day after tomorrow. Then my father turned to his eldest aunt and said, now that the state has loosened its control, when will the old man’s grave be repaired? While her father and eldest aunt were discussing the cemetery, her mother quietly pulled Caihong into the west room... .

One day later, on the afternoon of August 16, Zhang Caihong arrived at the county bus station with her own clothes on her back and a bag of new cornmeal in her hand. She carried in her mind the rules and taboos of being a girl that her mother had taught her over the past two days. Put down your luggage. The mother was holding the aunt's hand and still talking, while the father stood behind the aunt and smoked. Li Ye, Zhang Suping, one on each side, and the three girls gathered together without saying a word.

The car was about to leave. Zhang Caihong got on the car last, and Li Ye and Suping followed to the door. The moment the car door closed, the three girls said four words at the same time: Write to me!

The car speeding along the highway to the southwest soon merged with the setting sun. A gust of wind blew, and a few poplar leaves fluttered and fell to the dilapidated asphalt roadside. When Li Ye and Zhang Suping stared at the car again, all they saw in their eyes was the blood-colored sun, which was approaching the gray strip little by little. The misty horizon…. .

After returning from the bus station, Zhang Suping originally wanted to whisper to Li Ye. But as soon as I entered the village, I saw my sister-in-law pulling a cart of corn and oranges, so I hurried to push the cart for her.

Li Ye had no choice but to walk home in despair. Walking in the autumn night, Li Ye's untied long hair floated back and forth like willow branches with his footsteps. A gust of autumn wind blew by, blowing up the white Deliang shirt and drawing a soft curve...

Seventeen-year-old Li Ye started receiving notes from boys three years ago. He heard that his deskmate Zhao Xiangdong led some buddies to beat up a sophomore boy in high school who handed him a note. Li Ye never pretended to have seen or knew about these things. Li Ye has never been worried since he was a child. Last year, I was served an iron rice bowl in advance, and I felt even more worried. Occasionally when I am in a daze, I will think about what kind of family my parents will choose for me, but I just pass it through my mind. My parents are in charge of it anyway.

Now, Li Ye knows what sorrow is. The public meals that were served last year are now being eaten, and I don’t even know if I can graduate from junior high school. Although he is a commercial worker, he can't even graduate from junior high school. How can he find a job?

Back in the bedroom, Li Ye leaned on the bedside, stroking the small basket made of snow-white corn husks made by Zhang Caihong, and actually fell asleep...