The Rise of the Youth in the War of Resistance

Time always rushes by, like the soles of our feet are greased, and it slips away in the blink of an eye.

Under the careful care of He Niu and his wife, Zhao Shao had a peaceful childhood despite his memory loss.

But life is something that won’t allow people to live smoothly and peacefully all the time!

On the contrary, it is full of rapids, dangerous shoals and raging waves, which makes it interesting and meaningful!

……

After that short period of happiness, will there be a long period of darkness?

——Zhao Shao wrote these words on the sand pile in the courtyard.

He's mother put down her work, saw it in a moment, and asked curiously:

"Shao'er, why did you write such a sentence?"

“I don’t know, I just feel like I should write it this way.”

"Silly child, as long as you feel that the road ahead is bright, you will find that you are always walking on the bright road!"

Zhao Shao scratched his head, looking confused, indicating that he didn't understand.

"Do you remember the story about your dad?"

"Of course I remember. Wasn't it the time when Daddy battled wits and courage with the bandits?"

"Shao'er, I want you to learn from this story that no matter what happens in the future, you must live well."

Then came He's mother's monotonous explanation again.

It seemed like there was water in Zhao Shao's brain, and he was so dizzy that he couldn't think anymore.

After He's mother finished speaking, he still didn't understand what truth his mother was trying to convey.

.........

As soon as the sun climbed over the top of the mountain, Zhao Shao began to look forward to this day's journey - going to the small town outside the bamboo forest with He Niu.

Walking along the forest path in front of the house, we soon walked out of the bamboo forest.

It was completely different from what Zhao Shao had imagined. There was no flat road outside, but a road that was as curved as an earthworm.

The dense jungle seems to have no end in sight. Occasionally, you can hear the chirping of birds, like a big opera.

He Niu, who was leading Zhao Shao, was very familiar with the road, just like he was familiar with his own toes.

He Niu was wearing a coarse cloth robe, an old kettle on his waist, and his cloth shoes were stained with mud.

He walked steadily, taking each step firmly, and looked back at Zhao Shao from time to time, his eyes full of concern.

Zhao Shao was excited, looking around and was curious about everything around him.

He was wearing a slightly loose jacket, with his trouser legs rolled up several times, and holding a small wooden stick in his hand, poking here and there.

As he was walking, a colorful butterfly flew past Zhao Shao's eyes. He immediately dropped his stick and jumped after it, shouting:

"Daddy, look, what a beautiful butterfly!"

He Niu smiled and shook his head, telling him not to run around.

He Niu said:

"Son, if you run away, Dad will be like a headless fly!"

Zhao Shao replied:

"Dad, I won't run away. I'm not a three-year-old child!"

He Niu joked:

"You, in Daddy's eyes, will always be a tiny thing!"

He Niu can always miraculously find the right path even in places where he might get lost.

After passing through the woods, they arrived at Huangzipi.

This place is as sparse as its name suggests. Apart from the yellow grass all over the ground, there are very few other plants, as sparse as the hair on a bald man's head.

Zhao Shao followed He Niu all the way to the foot of a mountain.

The mountain is very steep and looks so steep that it seems to reach the sky.

"Are we going over this mountain?"

Zhao Shao asked.

He Niu nodded,

"This road is a short cut to town."

Zhao Shao took a deep breath and began to climb the mountain.

The mountain road was rugged and uneven, and he took every step carefully, as if he was stepping on eggs.

When they finally climbed to the top of the mountain along the path, Zhao Shao was panting with exhaustion.

However, the scene before him made him forget his fatigue all of a sudden - on the other side of the mountain was a quiet little lake, about ten meters in size.

The lake water is crystal clear and surrounded by green trees. It is as beautiful as a fairyland in a painting.

"What a nice view......"

Zhao Shao couldn't help but sigh, his mouth opened so wide that an egg could fit in it.

He Niu smiled,

“This is the place I often came to when I was a kid. It’s nice, isn’t it?”

The two of them strolled along the lake, enjoying the beauty of nature, it was so pleasant.

The anxiety in Zhao Shao's heart gradually dissipated. He felt the breeze on his face and listened to the birds singing. It was as if he had found the tranquility deep in his heart. It was so beautiful that he felt like he was floating!

……

Gradually they came to the small town.

Walking into the town, Zhao Shao looked around curiously, his eyes almost unable to see enough. He had never seen so many people before...

He Niu took him to a grocery store and bought some daily necessities.

Afterwards, they went to the market again. He Niu greeted some shop owners in a familiar manner, as if they were old friends.

Zhao Shao watched quietly from the side, trying to integrate into this unfamiliar environment.

When he heard the shop owner praising him and offering to give him more goods, he would politely reply:

"Thank you, uncle."

He Niu was so excited that he grinned at his son's politeness.

There is a crystal clear river next to the market. People often wash clothes and rice here, and children also like to play by the river. It is as lively as New Year's Day.

In this bustling place, you can often see a group of ragged beggars begging along the way, hoping to get alms from kind people.

After Zhao Shao left He Niu, he held the money he had just received from He Niu tightly in his hand, feeling so happy.

He ran happily to the stall selling candied haws and bought a string of tempting candied haws with the few copper coins.

When he passed by a little girl begging, he felt pity for her and without hesitation took out a few candied haws and handed them to her.

The little girl burst into tears of gratitude and whispered:

"Thank you!"

However, this action attracted more little beggars, who flocked to the little girl and tried to get more benefits from Zhao Shao.

One of the beggars said confidently:

"Since you can give candied haws to that little girl, why don't you give us some too?"

Zhao Shao blinked and said, "I'm not a candied haws wholesaler, how can I have so many?"

The other little beggars also echoed and blamed Zhao Shao. The scene was like a quarrel in the vegetable market.

Zhao Shao had never experienced such a scene before. He was frightened by the criticism and greed of the crowd. He was suddenly at a loss and burst into tears. The sound of his cries could have blown the roof off the house.

At this time, He Niu, who was shopping not far away, heard the familiar crying sound. His heart tightened and he hurried over to check the situation.

When he saw a group of little beggars surrounding Zhao Shao, he was furious and ruthlessly drove them away, as if he was driving ducks.

He's father held Zhao Shao in his arms and comforted him softly, saying:

"Stop crying, it's okay."

When Zhao Shao saw that it was He's father, he stopped crying and sobbed.

Then they set out on their journey home.

On the way, Zhao Shao raised his head and asked He's father curiously:

"Dad, why do those people go there to beg?"

He Niu gently touched Zhao Shao's head and patiently explained:

“The father of these people!

He always dreams of getting rich overnight, but ends up losing everything in the casino.

In the end, this is what happens to their children.”

As he spoke, he stared at Zhao Shao closely and warned him seriously:

"You must remember this: if one day you grow up and start gambling in a casino, I will definitely throw you into the wilderness and let wild wolves take you away. I will never care about you again!"

Zhao Shao widened his eyes and said:

"Dad, I don't dare. I still want to follow you carefully. The gaps between the wolf's teeth are so big, I don't want to get stuck in them!"

Hearing his son's frightened look, He Niu felt a pang of sadness in his heart and secretly made up his mind to teach Zhao Shao well and let him embark on the right path in life.

.........