Colorful years

Congcong's sense of family responsibility is far greater in depth and breadth than people imagine.

Back when he was an innocent and carefree twelve-year-old, while his peers were still immersed in the carefree days of childhood and enjoying the meticulous care of their parents, Congcong had already become the little pillar of the family with his extraordinary maturity and sense of responsibility.

In those ordinary yet extraordinary days, weather permitting, Congcong would always greet the first rays of dawn and embark on the rugged mountain road to Zhaiyu or Bamianshan without hesitation.

His goal was simple, yet weighty—to chop a heavy load of firewood and contribute to the warmth of his home. The path leading to the mountains witnessed his countless mornings of sweat and perseverance, and etched the footprints of his growth.

Only after completing this arduous task would Congcong enjoy his simple yet heartwarming breakfast with a satisfied smile. Then, he would hurriedly pack his schoolbag and head to school full of hope to continue his academic journey.

Such days continued day after day, year after year, without interruption, until the perfect end of his high school career.

Since then, the problem of firewood at home has no longer been a burden on the parents' hearts. They no longer have to run around looking for firewood, nor do they have to work hard to go up the mountain to collect it during the off-season. All these changes stem from Congcong's heart that knows how to be grateful and give.

Looking back, the family's firewood mostly depended on my parents squeezing out time from their busy farm work to go up the mountain to collect it. Their figures shuttled through the mountains and forests, day after day, year after year, without ever stopping for a moment.

Looking at her parents' increasingly thin faces and tired bodies, Congcong's heart was filled with endless heartache and self-blame.

As the years went by, Congcong gradually entered adolescence. He knew that as a member of the family, he had a responsibility to share more of his parents' burdens.

So he resolutely took on the arduous task of chopping firewood. Although he didn't chop much firewood at first due to his young age and limited strength, his love and sense of responsibility for his family kept him from ever backing down.

With perseverance and tireless effort, Congcong continuously improved his physique and wood-chopping skills.

Finally, at the age of fourteen, he successfully used his spare time to provide his family with enough firewood for the entire year. This achievement not only brought great joy to his parents but also greatly relieved the financial burden on the whole family.

In those days, firewood was an indispensable energy source for every household. Whether it was cooking, boiling water, feeding livestock, or even keeping warm in winter, it was essential.

However, as the forests near the production team gradually dried up, people had to travel even further to find new firewood resources in the deep mountains and forests.

Faced with this predicament, Congcong did not choose to escape or complain. He knew that only by bravely facing difficulties could he find a solution.

Therefore, relying on his extraordinary intelligence and in-depth research on the surrounding geographical environment, he began to carefully plan his route for chopping wood and his coping strategies.

During his busy and demanding study time from Monday to Saturday, he would choose Zhaiyu, which was relatively close to his home, as his specific location for chopping firewood.

The reason for making this choice is simply because there are many chestnut trees growing in Zhaiyu.

Although these chestnut trees do not produce delicious fruit like other fruit trees, their thick, sturdy, and incredibly strong branches are undoubtedly an excellent choice for making high-quality firewood.

However, once it's Sunday or a long school holiday, Congcong will not hesitate to shift his focus to more distant areas.

For example, there's the mysterious Shadao Bay, the tranquil Qingfeng Gorge, and the fairyland-like Moon Pass.

It's important to understand that these places are remote, and few people are willing to travel long distances to visit them. But precisely because of this, the abundant firewood resources they contain have been preserved intact.

Moreover, it is very easy to find dry firewood here. It does not require a long drying process. As long as you carefully select it and bring it home, you can use it immediately for boiling water and cooking.

Every time Congcong happily sets off on his journey home, carrying a heavy load of firewood, the sense of accomplishment and pride he feels is like the warm spring sun, instantly dispelling all the hardships and fatigue of the journey.

Because he deeply understands that all his tireless efforts are a contribution to his family.

This power may seem insignificant, but it is like countless stars converging into a dazzling galaxy, illuminating and warming the hearts of the whole family.