Colorful years

It was the dead of winter, the weather was exceptionally cold and dry, and even the air seemed to be filled with a biting chill. Every breath felt like a heavy annotation to this frigid winter, making it all the more difficult and arduous.

The breath people exhale instantly condenses into wisps of white smoke, which slowly drift away from their mouths, like tiny clouds swaying gracefully in the cold wind.

This year has been a year of growth and change for Congcong. He is already nine years old, and without realizing it, he has grown from a naive child into a young man.

They grew taller and taller, their figures becoming slender and well-proportioned. When they walked, they were vigorous and energetic, each step revealing vitality and energy, in no way inferior to adult men.

At dawn, as the sky began to lighten, sunlight filtered through the thin clouds, casting delicate rays upon the earth. Father and son, bathed in the vibrant, hopeful morning light, embarked on a new journey.

Their faces beamed with anticipation and hope for the future, as if the cold weather could not stop them from moving forward.

They walked briskly, as if they had inexhaustible energy, moving quickly forward. Every step was firm and powerful, as if proclaiming their determination and courage to the world. After more than two hours of non-stop travel, they finally arrived at Liujia Production Team, Ganzipo Brigade, Jiaoziya.

However, when they stepped into the village, they found it unusually deserted, devoid of the lively atmosphere of every household busy making glutinous rice cakes and welcoming the New Year. The entire village seemed shrouded in a veil of silence, appearing exceptionally quiet, even somewhat desolate.

The unusual desolation made the father and son wonder: Were the farmers having a particularly tough year? Or was there some other reason why this place was so deserted?

As he walked along the road, his father asked the villagers he passed about Liu Shiqing's residence.

His face was filled with anxiety and anticipation, as if every moment of waiting was a waste of time. After several twists and turns, they finally found Liu Shiqing's door.

To his disappointment, the door was locked, and no one seemed to be home. The father knocked and asked, and Liu Shiqing's wife answered.

With a hint of surprise and unease on her face, she told her father and Congcong that Liu Shiqing had just gone out on business and she didn't know when he would be back.

With no other option, the father and son had to wait patiently in front of the Liu family's house.

Time passed second by second, and the sun moved from the east to its zenith. It was almost noon, but Liu Shiqing was still nowhere to be seen.

At this moment, Mrs. Liu showed no intention of cooking to entertain the guests. Her face held a hint of indifference and aloofness, as if she were deliberately maintaining a distance from the father and son.

The father thought to himself: Liu Shiqing has not shown up and his wife has not prepared any food. Could it be that he is deliberately avoiding us?

Thinking of this, a nameless fire welled up in his heart. However, he did not show it, but slowly turned his head and looked at Congcong.

His eyes were filled with earnestness and helplessness: "Cong'er, judging from the current situation, it's probably pointless for us to keep waiting here. It's just a waste of time. How about this, let's stop waiting and head straight to your aunt's house in the county town? Maybe we can get some help there."

Although Congcong was still somewhat reluctant when he heard his father's suggestion, he nodded obediently in agreement when he saw his father's tired but determined eyes.

And so, filled with disappointment and melancholy, the father and son turned and silently left the tightly closed gate of the Liu family's house. With heavy steps, they walked further and further away along the country road, eventually embarking on the long journey to the county town.

In fact, Liu Shiqing had not left the production team for a long time. He had heard that someone was looking for him, and when he saw Zhang Zhong and his son through the crack in the door, his heart skipped a beat. His face turned pale instantly, and his eyes revealed a trace of fear and unease.

He thought to himself, "It's already the 28th of the twelfth lunar month. These two, father and son, suddenly showing up at my door. It can't be anything good! I have to hide quickly. I can't let them get me entangled."

Having made up his mind, he tiptoed around to the back of the house and quietly opened the back door. Then, like a startled rabbit, he slipped away without looking back.

Before leaving, he specifically instructed his wife to stay inside and figure out how to deal with Zhang Cong and his son. He was filled with fear and unease, as if something terrible was about to happen.

After Zhang Zhong and his son left, he quietly returned home.

After leaving Liu's production team, Zhang Zhong became increasingly angry as he walked down the road.

His face was filled with anger and dissatisfaction, as if he wanted to vent all the injustices in the world.

He couldn't help but mutter a curse under his breath: "Hmph! You, Liu Shiqing, are so heartless, deliberately avoiding me. If you really have any difficulties, why don't you just tell me frankly? Do you think we'd be so unreasonable as to cling to you like this?"

Congcong, standing to the side, was also full of resentment.

His eyes were filled with anger and disappointment, as if he wanted to completely destroy Liu Shiqing's image.

He indignantly chimed in, "That's right, Dad! Look at the way he treats us like monsters, robbers, and bandits. We're better off without a godfather like that. From now on, I'll never acknowledge him again!"