Father's Land Mother's River

Chapter 87 Foundation
When Liu Zhixin and Jiang Changling woke up, Liu Xiaonan was still soundly asleep.They didn't wake up their son. The son was reading and writing. He must be very tired. Let him sleep for a while.

Hearing movement in the outer room, Meng Xiangxiang got up.After putting on his clothes, he walked to the outer room, secretly glanced at Liu Xiaonan who was sleeping soundly, and felt an inexplicable panic in his heart.I hurried outside the house and helped my aunt hold the grass and light the fire to make breakfast.

Jiang Changling was worried that Meng Xiangxiang's clothes would get dirty, so she wanted to find out her own clothes and change them for her, but she didn't think they fit, so she just wrapped an apron around her waist.

Liu Zhitai and Liu Erya also came early in the morning in a miniature farm vehicle.When building new houses in rural areas, most of them rely on the help of villagers in the village. They can eat and drink as long as they want, regardless of wages.Liu Zhixin handed the prepared menu to Liu Zhitai, and asked his younger brother to go to the city to buy vegetables, wine and meat according to the order.

Jiang Changling introduced Meng Xiangxiang to Liu Zhitai and Liu Erya, Liu Zhitai was slightly surprised, and Liu Erya took Meng Xiangxiang's hand to greet him.Jiang Changling asked Liu Erya to go home and find some work clothes for Meng Xiangxiang to change into.

Liu Erya measured Meng Xiangxiang and said to Jiang Changling: "Sister-in-law, the clothes on your daughter-in-law are also old, let her wear them to work first, and I will follow Zhitai to the city to buy her a new set. "

Jiang Changling seemed to see the sun coming out from the west, and was very surprised: "Why did you suddenly become generous today?"

Liu Erya said in embarrassment: "Look at what my sister-in-law said, it seems like I'm usually stingy. Your goddaughter is also my niece, so it's not right to buy her a new set of clothes."

Meng Xiangxiang refused, but Jiang Changling said to her, "Don't say no, it's rare for your aunt to be generous. You can see if she is sincere by seeing what kind of clothes she buys for you."

Meng Xiangxiang readily accepted that her aunt was half her reliance, so naturally she had to listen to her.She fetched half a basin of wash water and went into the room. Seeing that Liu Xiaonan had just put on her clothes, she jumped onto the kang to make the quilt, very skillful and natural.

Liu Xiaonan didn't stop Meng Xiangxiang, he felt that she was a member of the family, so there was no need to deliberately be polite.He went down to wash his face, and when Meng Xiangxiang finished folding the quilt, he asked, "Did you sleep well tonight?"

Meng Xiangxiang lowered his head and replied, "It's like my own home."

Liu Xiaonan took off the towel on the rope, wiped his face and said, "I originally wanted to bring you back to meet a relative, give you a surprise, and make you happy. I didn't plan to build a house and lay the foundation at home. I'm afraid you will be troubled in the next two days." gone."

Meng Xiangxiang said cheerfully, "I'm very happy to help my aunt with some work."

As soon as the family had breakfast, people who helped build the foundation came to the door one after another.The masons drew lines in advance according to the layout, dug down to a depth of more than one meter, and built them with bluestone and cement, which is durable and labor-intensive.Those who know the craft of bricklayers are responsible for masonry, and those who are strong work as small laborers, carrying stones and cement.

Liu Xiaonan introduced Meng Xiangxiang to the villagers in the village. Those who should be called uncles were called uncles, and those who should be called uncles were called uncles, and most of them were called elder brothers.When Liu Qishun was introduced, Liu Xiaonan said to Meng Xiangxiang, "Don't think that Qishun is the same age as me. According to his seniority, he has to be called my uncle. Naturally, he should also be called your aunt."

Liu Qishun was making cement. He looked at Meng Xiangxiang with a shovel, and said to Liu Xiaonan dissatisfied, "It's a disadvantage for me to call you uncle, but you brought me a little aunt. The old age overwhelms me."

The fourth brother was the main force in moving the stones. He threw a large bluestone into the foundation, raised his waist and said to Liu Qishun, "You can have some fun. Your uncle and aunt are both college students. Where can you find them?"

Everyone laughed.The appearance of Meng Xiangxiang reminded the descendants of the Liu family of the hardships and glory of their ancestors, and many old events were recalled one by one.So someone suggested to Guan Deyu that Mr. Guan's stele should be erected again, so that future generations can remember the origin of Liuzi Street.

Guan Deyuxin said, on weekdays, which one of you still remembers that stone tablet?Only Liu Zhixin and his son could keep that stone tablet in their hearts.He discussed with Liu Zhixin whether it was necessary to erect the stele again.

Liu Zhixin recalled the scene when Mr. Guan ordered someone to knock down the stele, and said calmly: "It's okay to erect it again, but it's against Mr. Guan's last wish. Letting the stele lie there is even more irreplaceable."

Guan Deyu asked Liu Xiaonan again: "What do you think?"

Liu Xiaonan said: "I remember grandma told me that there will be no more Mr. Guan after Mr. Guan. The elders make up their minds."

One sentence diluted everyone's occasional passion, and Guan Deyu and Liu Zhixin finally agreed to keep it as it was.

The men are engaged in heavy physical work, and the women are also busy preparing the noon meal.Jiang Changling shouted: "Think about it, you boil the water in the pot first."

Meng Xiangxiang is his daughter-in-law, she works swiftly and has good eyesight, so she doesn't have to treat Gu Yu as a guest and take care of her in every way.Jiang Changling provoked Meng Xiangxiang, just as casually as her own daughter:
"Think about it, you pour these rotten leaves into the pigsty to feed the pigs."

"Think about it, you brush the borrowed dishes and the table, and then peel some green onions and garlic after cleaning."

Meng Xiangxiang agreed to everything, neatly doing the tasks assigned by his aunt.

Liu Erya came back from shopping in the city, and handed over the small shop to her niece to take care of it, and she stayed to help out.She cut the meat and whispered to Jiang Changling: "Sister-in-law, you really treat this as your daughter-in-law? What about the original one?"

Jiang Changling picked the vegetables, glanced at Liu Erya, and said, "What about this and that, you are completely blind. Think about it, she is my goddaughter, and Gu Yu is the future daughter-in-law, so we can't confuse them."

Liu Erya asked mysteriously: "Sister-in-law, if you could choose, which one would you like to be your daughter-in-law?"

Jiang Changling said: "I can't say for sure, time will tell people's hearts."

In fact, she prefers Gu Yu in her heart.Only Gu Yu can be worthy of her son, he can be proud and decent.

Liu Erya said: "Our family's Xiaonan is really amazing. If you say you get one back, you will get one back. It's really hard to say what will happen in the future. You can't neglect any of them."

Jiang Changling defended Liu Xiaonan: "My son doesn't play tricks and flirt. He treats Xiangxiang as a distant relative of the old Liu's family."

Liu Erya bought a mid-range denim suit for Meng Xiangxiang. Although she felt distressed, she felt that she had to please Liu Xiaonan. Her two children might have to rely on their elder brother to support them in the future.

She said to Jiang Changling: "Think about it one bite at a time. Although this is your daughter-in-law right now, you can't be cruel. If one day you accidentally become your daughter-in-law, be careful that people will hate you and show you face." . These are all bad things to say."

Jiang Changling gave Liu Erya a blank look: "You have spent all your attention in these places. No wonder you are willing to spend a lot of money to buy clothes for my goddaughter. This is to find a way out for yourself in advance."

Liu Erya was overwhelmed and laughed nonchalantly.

With more than [-] strong laborers, it took two days to finally lay the foundations of the five new houses, and the family relaxed.At night, Liu Xiaonan asked Meng Xiangxiang to help his sister with homework.Liu Xiaonan's younger sister was in the first year of high school, her grades were not satisfactory, and she struggled with all subjects.

Meng Xiangxiang's English pronunciation with a strong local accent made Liu Xiaonan's younger sister laugh out loud, and Liu Xiaonan himself hid his face and snickered.When explaining the math exercises, Liu Xiaonan couldn't help being deeply impressed.I am afraid that the problem-solving thinking and clear and accurate argumentation similar to science students are far behind when I was in school.

When talking about geography and history, Meng Xiangxiang didn't need to read textbooks at all, and told the story from memory.Liu Xiaonan's younger sister took the textbook to compare, her surprised eyes didn't blink.

Liu Zhixin listened silently.His two children's memory is not half as good as his own, but this Meng Xiangxiang is on par with him.Some people say that children's intelligence mostly follows that of their mothers. I don't know if it makes sense.

There was only one day left in the holiday, so Liu Xiaonan decided to take the textile factory bus back to Bincheng at noon.With one more free time in the morning, Meng Xiangxiang changed into the denim suit that Liu Erya bought for her, and followed Jiang Changling to the river to wash clothes with a washbasin in his hand.

There were still some sporadic finishing work on the homestead. Liu Zhixin took his son to level the foundation and clean up the stone tiles.Looking at Meng Xiangxiang's back, Liu Zhixin said to his son from the bottom of his heart: "In such a family environment, Meng Xiangxiang's daughter was able to enter the university. Apart from her own hard work, her talent played a decisive role."

Liu Xiaonan also admitted this point: "It doesn't have to be too good. If she lives in a family like ours, she can also be admitted to a better university. I have been a classmate for more than a month, and I understand her learning status. I am convinced of this. .”

Liu Zhixin said: "You have made a little success now, mainly due to the subtle influence of your grandma and Mr. Guan on you. Your mother and I can only say that we are ashamed. In terms of how to behave in the world, your uncle and aunt and I are the same. Even your grandpa is far inferior to your grandma. An outstanding woman has a profound impact on the family and future generations."

Liu Xiaonan nodded and said: "I still remember the words my grandma said to me. I didn't understand them when I was a child. Now I savor them carefully. Every word contains the true meaning of life."

Liu Zhixin said to his son with some emotion: "You have the desire to support Meng Xiangxiang to complete her university studies, and you can bring her back to Liuzi Street to recognize her relatives. To a certain extent, you have some qualities of your grandma. You have done something Your mother and I both support you for your ancestors’ extraordinary event. If possible, it’s best to go to your hometown to have a look.”

With the understanding and support of her parents, Liu Xiaonan felt very relieved, and she started working with ease.His father's words reached his heart, and he responded to his father and said: "If I have the opportunity, I will definitely visit my hometown."

Liu Zhixin changed the subject: "Through these two days of observation, I think Meng Xiangxiang is smart, lively and has a strong personality. She is a good girl suitable for an ordinary family like ours."

It was only then that Liu Xiaonan realized that there was something deeper in his father's words.

The foundation of the new house was laid, and Jiang Changling was happier than anyone else, so excited that she couldn't sleep.Married to Liu's family for more than 20 years, she has been living in a dilapidated wing, living a poor life, and now she is finally making it through.

At this time next year, the family will move into a spacious and bright new house, and they will no longer be ridiculed, ridiculed or looked down upon.Walking on the dirt road leading to the river, she couldn't help but want to tell others about the suffering of the past twenty years.

Meng Xiangxiang is the most suitable person to listen to. Over the past two days, they have been together day and night, understanding and merging with each other in their busy schedule.

Meng Xiangxiang listened to his aunt babbling about those old events, as if seeing what his mother had experienced.The days of poverty are so similar, it can be seen that it is easy for no one in the world to be a mother.She held one arm of her aunt, and her clear eyes lingered on the flat land by the river bank.

The autumn harvest has passed, and the land reveals its broad and broad mind.This is the land described affectionately by the elder brother. This fertile land has raised the descendants of the Liu family who migrated here from Lijiazhuang, raised the uncles and aunts of the Liu family and the elder brother, and made the widely concerned Chinese story of the elder brother. A novel "Father's Land, Mother's River".

One side of water and soil nourishes one side of people, and one side of people creates a side of water and soil.

When he came to the bank of the river, Meng Xiangxiang touched the mussels by the river with great interest, ignoring the laundry.Black, yellow, green, round, flat, and slippery, it's fun to put in the palm of your hand.

Jiang Changling sat on the bank of the river, scrubbing and washing clothes on the stone slab, and said to Meng Xiangxiang: "If it wasn't for the family work these few days, Xiao Nan would definitely lead you to fish and catch crabs. Ordinary people can't beat him."

Meng Xiangxiang raised his head and said, "Eldest brother is outstanding in everything he does."

"Come on." Jiang Changling didn't know why, and began to belittle her son: "In addition to not doing farm work, he also does stupid things. When he was five or six years old, he went to the river with the fourth boy and a group of older children to play. , People jumped into the river to take a bath, he also jumped into the river and almost drowned. After being rescued, he was stupid for more than half a month. Fortunately, his grandma had experience and let me drag him to the river to call his soul , This is how he is today."

"Really?" Meng Xiangxiang was quite surprised, his eyes opened wide.

Jiang Changling continued to scold: "The year Gu Yu left was also this season. It was a few days later than now, and the river was already very cold. Gu Yu, you know, is Xiao Nan's current partner. He has nothing to give Gu Yu, Jumping into the river early in the morning to touch crabs, it took more than ten days to recover from a cold and fever. Tell me, is there anyone more stupid than him?"

Meng Xiangxiang whispered, "Eldest brother is not stupid."

Jiang Changling sighed and said, "Xiaoyun and Xiaonan grew up together, and she is my favorite daughter-in-law. After Xiaonan graduated from high school, our two adults decided to make a marriage for them. It didn't work out, so I went to the city Afterwards, the two broke off the engagement in private. Not long after, Xiao Nan took Gu Yu home. I couldn't help it, I don't know when he will be able to settle down and bring me back a real daughter-in-law. .”

Meng Xiangxiang thought to himself, it turns out that senior brother is not as simple and clear as it appears on the surface.

(End of this chapter)