Colorful years

Sunny days are the days that Congcong cherishes most.

Because at this time of year, as the sky begins to lighten, Congcong would hurriedly get out of bed and start his busy and fulfilling day.

His destination was Zhaiyu and Bamianshan, more than ten miles from his home. The dense forests there made it an ideal place to gather firewood and find wild fruits.

Congcong's steps were always so light and quick, as if the morning breeze was cheering him on.

In the jungle, Congcong is like a nimble little deer, weaving among the trees.

His eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, always able to spot dry, flammable firewood in the first instant.

Each time, he would painstakingly select the best quality firewood, bundle it neatly, and make sure he could carry it home. And whenever he was lucky, he could also find traces of kiwifruit or chestnuts deep in the woods.

These wild fruits are not only delicious, but also add a rare touch of sweetness to the home.

With fifty pounds of firewood and the occasional ten pounds of wild fruit, Congcong always returned home with a full load.

Since high school, the family has relied entirely on Congcong to gather firewood from the mountains throughout the year, and there is even a surplus that can be sold to neighbors, bringing in a small income for the family.

However, Congcong's diligence goes far beyond that. After school, while other children are playing happily, he goes straight to the small river by the village.

The river water was crystal clear, and fish swam happily in it. Congcong had already mastered a variety of fishing methods. Whether he used a harpoon or a hammer to catch fish, or used arrow dams to lure them, or simply used his nimble hands to catch them directly, he always managed to catch something.

Every time he returns from fishing, he carries one to two pounds of small fish. Although the quantity is small, it is enough to add a piece of meat to the family's dining table and bring a rare nourishment to his family.

Whenever Congcong brings home the fruits of his hard work, his mother always greets him with a face full of satisfaction.

Her warm hands gently stroked Congcong's head, her eyes sparkling with pride and love. "Congcong, you are such a good child to your mother. I am so happy to have such a sensible son like you!"

His mother's words were like a gentle spring breeze, warming Congcong's heart. He knew that no matter how difficult life was, as long as his mother was by his side, he would have boundless strength to face any challenge.

In the blink of an eye, summer has quietly passed, and autumn has quietly arrived with the joy of harvest.

The crops in the fields are gradually ripening, and the golden rice ears sway gracefully in the breeze, as if paying the most sincere tribute to the hardworking farmers.

Looking at the rice paddies, a long-lost smile appeared on the father's face. He knew that this year's harvest was good, and the family was expected to receive a relatively sufficient amount of grain from the production team.

However, fate is unpredictable, and a sudden storm shattered the father's hopes once again. In this merciless natural disaster, the summer grain harvest was reduced by 20%, and the grain allocated to the family was once again insufficient.

Faced with difficulties, Congcong did not back down, but became even more determined to share the burden for her family.

One day, he stumbled upon a wild persimmon tree in the woods. The tree was laden with bright red persimmons, like little lanterns, looking especially tempting against the backdrop of green leaves.

Congcong was overjoyed and couldn't wait to climb the tree to pick persimmons. However, in his haste, he accidentally fell from the tree.

At that moment, he grimaced in pain, but there was no sign of backing down in his eyes. He endured the pain, picked up the persimmons from the ground, and carefully tucked them into his pocket.

He knew what these persimmons meant to his family—they could provide his mother with a hearty meal and bring a long-lost smile to his sister's face.

When Congcong returned home covered in bruises and carrying persimmons, his mother looked at him in surprise. She stroked Congcong's wounds, her eyes filled with heartache and tears.

But Congcong smiled and said to his mother, "Mom, look, I picked some persimmons. We can have a delicious meal now." At that moment, his mother was deeply moved.

She knew that these persimmons were not just food, but also a manifestation of Congcong's deep love and filial piety towards his mother.

So she decided to use these persimmons to cook a sumptuous meal for Congcong.

That day, Mother carefully prepared persimmon cakes, persimmon soup, and persimmon porridge. The whole family sat together, enjoying this rare meal.

Although the ingredients were simple, the deep family affection and happiness filled everyone's hearts with satisfaction and warmth. Congcong felt a great sense of accomplishment watching his mother and sister enjoy the meal.

He knew that although life was full of hardships and challenges, as long as everyone worked together, they would surely be able to overcome difficulties and usher in a better future.

As time went by, the family's life gradually improved. The father earned some money doing side jobs, and the dryland crops he planted on their private plot also yielded a bumper harvest.

A year's hard work has finally paid off, and the family's food reserves are once again plentiful.

After the winter solstice, the weather turns frigid, which is the perfect time to cure bacon and sausages.

The Zhang family slaughtered a large, fat pig weighing 180 jin (approximately 90 kg), a joyous occasion rarely seen in many years. Long-lost smiles graced the faces of the entire family; they knew this was the best reward for their hard work.