country bumpkin

Kongjia Village has been quite lively lately. The new gate has been built, and the high walls are quite impressive.

These past few days, Kong Tongming has been grinning from ear to ear, staring at the new gate endlessly.

The gate was vermilion, with shiny copper rings on it that creaked when pushed, which was quite impressive.

Kong Tongming said, "This gate will protect us from the wind and rain in the future."

Mu Shuyun stood to the side, a smile playing on her lips. Yunya held her grandmother's hand, and together they stood in front of the gate, gazing up at the tall and imposing new entrance.

Mu Shuyun patted Yunya's head and said, "Yunya, this will be your home forever from now on."

When Yunya was very young, strangers came to the village, and Yunya was so scared that she hid in the house.

Now that there are these high walls, I feel very safe.

It's like a big protective shield, enclosing the warmth and happiness of their family.

My maternal grandparents lived in Kongjia Village their whole lives. This house and this courtyard hold so many memories for them.

Now, the new gate and walls have added a new dimension to this memory.

For Yunya, this is not only a new look for her home, but also a testament to her grandparents' boundless love for her.

In this small Kongjia Village, there are my beloved relatives and my warmest home.

Yunya smiled happily and showed off her new front door to Caixia.

Caixia also gave her face and praised how good and grand the gate was.

Just then, the sound of gongs and drums came from afar.

Yunya curiously tiptoed to look around and saw that it was her great-grandfather Kong Tongyuan and her second great-grandfather Kong Tongcang, each bringing their families.

Kong Tongyuan walked up to the new gate and said loudly, "Tongming, this new gate is great! Our whole family has more face in the village now. Today, your second brother and I pooled our money to buy a plaque to give you and hang on your door."

Several strong young men carried out a plaque with the four large characters "仁善之家" (Ren Shan Zhi Jia, meaning "A Family of Benevolence and Kindness").

Kong Tongming quickly clasped his hands in thanks: "Oh dear, this is too much, elder brothers, why are you spending that money again?"

Kong Tongyuan and Kong Tongcang waved their hands with a smile, "It didn't cost much. This is a joyous occasion, so I had to come and offer my congratulations and join in the fun."

After everyone worked together to hang the plaque, they gathered around the gate and praised it once again.

At this moment, Yunya saw a strange face in the crowd. It was a handsome older brother with fair skin.

Kong Tongyuan laughed heartily and introduced, "This is Jinbao, the eldest grandson of our clan patriarch Kong Zhenshan."

Yun Ya stared at him intently, a smile on her face.

I thought to myself, this older brother is so fair-skinned and handsome, like a "hero" in a TV drama.

Afterwards, Grandma invited everyone to sit in the yard and brought out her homemade fried dough twists with ginger and freshly roasted melon seeds to entertain the guests.

Everyone sat together, talking about the changes in the village and future plans, their laughter echoing in the warm and cozy courtyard.

The new gate seems to be gently telling the story of this family's happiness in the breeze.

While the adults were chatting, Yunya pulled Caixia over to Jinbao, greeted him, and wanted to play with him.

Kong Jinbao smiled as he watched the two little girls talking to him, but said nothing.

Yun Ya was puzzled. "Could he be mute?"

Aunt Liu saw this and quickly came over and said, "Yun Ya, you have to call him Uncle, you know?"

Aunt Liu explained, "He is my youngest son, your Aunt Xiuyan's younger brother. Because he is not at home most of the year and lives at his maternal grandmother's house, it's not surprising that you haven't met Jinbao."

Yunya quickly called out, "Uncle Jinbao." Then she looked at Aunt Liu and called out, "Grandma Liu."

Kong Jinbao laughed and said, "Hehe! You eat fried dough twists, here... I'll give you some."

Yunya and Caixia took the snacks from his hands, exchanged glances, and felt that he was a little different from others.

The two clever kids didn't say anything, just thanked them and went inside to watch TV.

Aunt Liu held Jinbao's hand and told him not to run around and to just sit here and eat.

Kong Jinbao blinked his bright eyes and murmured "Hmm, hmm" twice before falling silent.

Seeing that he sat down obediently, Aunt Liu felt relieved and went to talk to her husband.

Her full name was Liu Fangxiang, and her husband was Kong Shangbiao, the eldest son of the clan chief. They had three children.

The eldest daughter is Kong Xiujia, the second daughter is Kong Xiuyan, and there is also a beloved son, Kong Jinbao.

The whole family has dark skin, the second daughter has yellow skin, and only Kong Jinbao has fair and delicate skin and is pretty.

There was a rumor in the village that her husband, Kong Shangbiao, injured himself while working after giving birth to two daughters, damaging his manhood and ending their family line.

The son born later was conceived through a borrowed pregnancy by Liu Fangxiang, which is why he doesn't resemble anyone else in the family.

Back then, Liu Fangxiang was young and beautiful. She fell in love with a young, handsome man who frequented the streets. After she became pregnant, Kong Shangbiao quietly accepted the child.

From then on, rumors spread in the village that he was infertile.

When it was time for Aunt Liu to give birth, she went back to her parents' home and stayed there for a year. When she returned, she left the child at her parents' home.

Everyone could see clearly that Jinbao was indeed not a member of their family. And he didn't seem very bright.

Kong Shangbiao did not offer an explanation. He wanted a son, since all his children were daughters. He already had a son, so why wouldn't he want one?

As for his physical condition, he didn't know what happened; he just tripped and fell, and a stone hit his groin.

I went to the hospital for a checkup, and they said it wouldn't affect my normal life, but I still haven't been able to get pregnant.

Even though he's a bit slow-witted, I'm still very happy. At least I have a son.

He also has a younger brother, Kong Shangwu, who is already married. His wife is Yuan Yicao, his eldest son is Kong Xianglong, his second son is Kong Xianghu, his third daughter is Kong Xiujin, and his fourth son is Kong Xiangwei—a large family.

Kong Jinbao is 17 years old this year, the same age as Kong Xiangyao. He is also the same age as his great-grandfather's third grandson, Kong Xiangwei.

Jinbao isn't mentally disabled; he just seems a bit slow compared to other children. He can eat and sleep on his own.

But he couldn't do laundry, cook, or do farm work; he always just followed behind his mother and father, dawdling along.

He loves to talk, but he doesn't seem to understand what he's saying. When people listen to him, it's like listening to a three-year-old. So, the villagers secretly nicknamed him "Jin Sanbao" (meaning "Golden Three Treasures").

Time flew by as everyone chatted and laughed. Inside, Yunya and Caixia were eating melon seeds and watching the TV series "Journey to the West".

Suddenly, Yunya felt a sense of familiarity with Sun Wukong's golden, glittering eyes. She said to Caixia, "Caixia, have you noticed whose eyes Sun Wukong's eyes resemble?"

Caixia looked closely and exclaimed in surprise, "Oh! I remember now, it looks like Jinbao's eyes."

Yunya nodded seriously. The two children whispered to each other, both wondering if Jinbao was mentally challenged.

In the courtyard outside, Jinbao was completely unaware that people were talking about him; he simply sat there listening to his parents and relatives chat.

He occasionally chuckled along. Everyone was enthusiastically discussing the new gate and the new wall. No one paid attention to him; he was bored and secretly ran off to play.