Xu Nianhua spent her first night back in 1979 busy moving house.
Xu Nianhua was physically weak, but she still helped carry things. It was hard work, but she felt at ease. Now that she'd left that family behind, from now on, their days would definitely get better and better. By then, they'd make those people jealous!
The four of them first carried the essentials to the old house. Along the way, they ran into quite a few villagers, and when people learned they'd split from the family, everyone was surprised.
The Xu Family's old house was at the easternmost edge of the village, backed by a bamboo grove, with a large yard in front of the house.
No, this yard nowadays should be called a lawn.
The grass growing here was taller than a person, thick and wild.
"Nianhua, you and your mom wait over by the road," Xu Qinghe said, picking up a stick and taking Xu Nian'an with him to clear out the grass. No one had lived here for a long time, so who knew if there could be snakes? Father and son started beating the grass, chased away the snakes, and then burned some dried mugwort to drive out the mosquitoes.
"Nianhua, don't be afraid. Tonight, Mom's here with you." Ji Ying held a torch, gazing at the dark house before them. It was a standalone house, at some distance from the others, and not just Xu Nianhua—even Ji Ying felt a bit creeped out.
"Mom, I'm not scared."
A smile lit up Xu Nianhua's face. With the firelight shining on her, her bright eyes seemed to have a glow in them.
The whole family pitched in, and soon they'd cleaned up two rooms, laid down straw mats, spread out bedding, and it was enough to sit down.
"I'm sorry you all have to put up with this," Xu Qinghe said, looking at the drafty house—if it rained, water would leak in. He really felt like he'd let his wife and kids down.
"Dad, it's no hardship. I like it here." Xu Nianhua said cheerfully. Looking at her loving parents and second brother, she felt truly happy. This life, she would never let tragedy repeat itself like last time.
"Mom, our days are going to keep getting better and better. The house might be old, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that our family is together, happy, and never to be separated."
Xu Nianhua leaned against Ji Ying's shoulder, half drowsy, feeling a bit tired.
"Yes, we'll only get better." Ji Ying also felt relieved. Though the house was old and they'd have to live frugally for a long time, this was their home now.
"Little sister, don't worry. Second brother will definitely make lots of money in the future and let Dad, Mom, and you all live good days."
Xu Nian'an vowed with ambition that he would make lots and lots of money and give Dad, Mom, and little sister a good life.
"And big brother, we'll all live good days together."
"Alright, I'll work hard too, so you all can have good lives." Xu Qinghe looked at the smiles on his children's and wife's faces, and the sadness from splitting the family gradually faded.
'Knock knock knock'
The old yard gate was knocked on, and the four all glanced at each other.
"Dad, Mom, Nian'an, little sister."
An anxious voice called out from outside.
Xu Nianhua jumped up with excitement and said, a little emotional, "It's big brother, big brother is back!"
Xu Nian'an, young and energetic, dashed from the house to the yard gate, opened the old door, and sure enough, it was big brother, Xu Nianji.
"Big brother!"
Xu Nian'an hugged Xu Nianji in excitement. When they split the family, he wished so much that big brother could be here.
Big brother was always the most capable, the strongest.