CHAPTER 371: CHAPTER 371: THUMBS UP

Song Family Village had seen an increasing number of its residents venture out, witnessing the world beyond and gaining experience. Yet someone like Xu Xiuxiu buying a small car and even a big color TV to bring home was truly a first for the village. When the car drove into Song Family Village, a group of kids playing outside the village were so excited they chased after the car, shouting, "Oh! A car, a car!"

After all, this was the first time these children had seen a car drive into the village. In less than a moment, it caused a sensation among the vast majority, prompting young and old alike to come out upon hearing the noise.

"The second son of the old Song family is really something, driving a car back home for the New Year, hey, that’s really stylish. That car must have cost quite a bit!" Some of the older men gathered under a tree at the entrance of the village, gossiping and joking. When they saw the car entering the village, some of the elders recognized the driver as Song Yuanhuan, and immediately spoke with admiration.

This car, ah! It was the first of its kind in the village. In these times, there were still many poor families eating sweet potato meals, but the Song family was already driving cars. Even if a bunch of old men didn’t get out much and weren’t well informed, cars, these fashionable items, had been around since before the founding of the nation, driven by rich families. It seemed that Song Tiezhu’s family had struck gold, having raised a successful son and having a daughter-in-law with good fortune.

"Yes! Ever since that boy was little, I felt he was meant for great things." Another man, puffing on his pipe, chimed in, "A bunch of the bigger kids would go up the mountain to shoot birds or fish in the stream, and he was always the leader. Whenever there was trouble, he was brave enough to shoulder it. When the other kids were scared to tears, he’d get caught by Song Tiezhu and take a beating without uttering a word, staying tough as nails."

"Right! I heard the lad now holds a high military rank in the army, and it seems he was even sent to the Imperial Military Academy for further studies. Ah, you know, that’s the Imperial Military Academy, a place in our country where so many people would crack their heads open just trying to get in," the old man said, giving a thumbs up when he spoke of the Imperial Military Academy, the meaning of which said more than words could.

...

Mrs. Song and Father Song had already known that their second son and his family were driving back today. When their son mentioned that they had bought a stylish little car, Mrs. Song was so delighted she could split her cheeks grinning. She wandered aimlessly around the main hall, muttering about why they hadn’t arrived yet.

Song Yuan Yao had already finished school for the holiday break and returned home a few days earlier. With the absence of Wang Qinghua, the troublemaker, Song Yuan Yao was quite comfortable at home. Having spent two months in Z City with Xu Xiuxiu and her little nephew and niece, she had developed a strong affection for them. Now that the New Year was approaching and she could see her little nephew and niece again, she was excited. But seeing her mother spinning around like a top in the hall, she couldn’t help but laugh.

"Mom, you better stop spinning around. My brother and sister-in-law will be here any minute. If you keep twirling, you might not get dizzy, but you’re going to make me dizzy," Song Yuanhuan teased Mrs. Song while covering her head as if dizzy and disoriented.

"You child, what are you talking about! How could you get dizzy just because I’m spinning around?" Mrs. Song chuckled and shot her daughter a look as if to scold her, but the corners of her eyes were brimming with amusement. "Go, go check on the boiled eggs warming on the stove to see if they’re still warm. If the fire’s gone out, throw some more wood on to heat them up a bit. They have been driving for so long in this winter weather; eating something warm can really perk a person up."

"Yes! I will go right away. Your son, daughter-in-law, and grandson definitely can’t be having cold boiled eggs," Song Yuan Yao joked with Mrs. Song and then sauntered into the kitchen.

"Look at her, she’s so grown-up but still can’t be serious," Mrs. Song said, laughing as she watched Song Yuan Yao’s retreating figure, talking to Father Song.

Mrs. Song sat in the main hall taking long drags from her pipe, casting a glance at Mrs. Song but made no intention of responding to her comments. He felt quite content with how his daughter turned out. Moreover, preoccupied with thoughts of his son and grandson, he felt too shy to express these feelings aloud and could only puff away at his pipe, pretending to mask his emotions.

Mrs. Song and Father Song, decades-old husband and wife, knew exactly what was on each other’s minds, with all its twists and turns. Mrs. Song, seeing this, said nothing, craned her neck, and continued to peep outside, bright with anticipation, even though she knew for certain that her son and daughter-in-law would come home. She was, after all, always looking forward to their return every year with great joy.

"Oh! Chasing the car, chasing the car!" Suddenly, outside came a chorus of children’s joyous, rowdy laughter. Mrs. Song shivered with excitement as her eyes sparkled with eagerness, she immediately left the Song family yard, and upon seeing the car parked outside, her smile widened even more.

Song Yuanhuan had no idea that driving home would cause such a stir in the Song Family Village. Seeing a group of children running behind the car, he felt it was just their curiosity for novelty, and so he remained calm and drove all the way to the family’s doorstep before stopping.

"Ah! Yuanhuan, Xiuxiu, you’re back. You’ve arrived a bit earlier than in years past! How was the trip? Was it very bumpy on the road? You must be tired," Mrs. Song cheerfully asked Xu Xiuxiu and Song Yuanhuan as they got out of the car, also signaling to Father Song inside the house.

Father Song usually held traditional male views, thinking that when his son and daughter-in-law returned home for the New Year, it was sufficient for his wife to step outside for the welcome; he, as the head of the family, should not indulge the children’s habits and ought to sit inside and wait. However, ever since he found out that his second son’s family had bought a car, he could not stay seated in the hall upon hearing the car’s sound outside. For the first time, Father Song left the house, pipe in hand and a smile on his face, to greet his son.

"Welcome back!" Father Song stood under the eaves of the Song family house, smiling at his son and daughter-in-law, "The trip should have been smooth."

"Smooth indeed! Are you both well at home?" Xu Xiuxiu asked cheerfully as she got out of the car with Little Moon in her arms.

"We’re all well!" Father Song nodded with a puff of his pipe.

"Grandpa, Grandma..." Dressed in a smart little jacket, Song Chengguang hopped out of the car nimbly and ran toward Father Song and Mrs. Song standing at the door, waving and beaming joyously. He dove into Mrs. Song’s arms and held her hand.

"Ah, my dear grandson! Were you tired from the car ride? Are you hungry? Grandma has cooked some eggs and they are still warm in the pot. Let’s go in quickly and have something to fill your stomach, shall we?" Mrs. Song said with a laugh as she took Song Chengguang’s hand, though her gaze involuntarily lingered on the small car parked nearby, her eyes crinkling into a smile.

"Mm! Cheng Guang will eat in a bit."

"Good," Mrs. Song quickly replied.

"Mom, Dad, we’re back," Song Yuanming said as he got out of the car, holding Little Baby on the other side. The young man had grown quite a bit, smiling at Father Song and Mrs. Song while holding Little Baby.

Father Song and Mrs. Song smiled back in satisfaction, nodding their heads at him.