Colorful years

"Yes, my son is very promising and has always done very well in his studies." When Zhang Zhong mentioned his son Zhang Cong, a proud smile spread across his face, a smile filled with endless satisfaction and anticipation.

"You must be working very hard, right? You have to farm and support your son's education all by yourself," Li Qiang asked with concern, his voice filled with admiration and sympathy for Zhang Zhong.

"It will definitely be tough, but as long as my son can get into university, I'm willing to endure any hardship." Zhang Zhong's tone was firm and resolute, without the slightest hesitation or retreat.

The two walked and talked, and before they knew it, they had walked quite a distance. The scenery along the way appeared particularly peaceful and beautiful in the afterglow of the setting sun, but their hearts were filled with anticipation and hope for the future.

As night fell and the stars twinkled, they finally arrived at the gate of Ganziping Middle School.

"Uncle, I'll see you off here. Please go inside." Li Qiang gently put down the heavy load of rice, his eyes filled with reluctance and concern, as if he were saying goodbye to an old friend.

"Thank you so much, young man, you're such a good person," Zhang Zhong said gratefully, his voice slightly choked. He held Li Qiang's hand tightly, as if he wanted to remember this kindness forever.

"Don't be so polite, uncle. Please go in quickly; your son must be getting impatient." After saying this, Li Qiang turned and left.

His figure faded into the night, but his kindness and warmth remained forever in Zhang Zhong's heart.

Watching Li Qiang's departing figure, Zhang Zhong was filled with gratitude. He shouldered his load and trudged heavily into the schoolyard. Every step seemed so difficult, yet his heart was brimming with strength and hope.

At that moment, Zhang Cong was standing by the dormitory window, anxiously waiting for his father to arrive. His eyes were filled with anticipation and longing.

When he saw his father finally appear on campus, he immediately ran out excitedly.

"Dad, you're finally here!" Zhang Cong ran to Zhang Zhong and hugged him tightly. His voice was full of excitement and joy, as if he were expressing his endless longing and concern for his father.

"Son, I'm late. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting," Zhang Zhong said guiltily. His eyes were full of apology and heartache, as if he were blaming himself for being late.

"It's alright, Dad, you've worked so hard." Zhang Cong looked at his father, who was covered in sweat and exhausted, and felt a pang of heartache and gratitude. He knew that his father must have suffered a lot to bring him rice and money.

"This is the rice and living expenses your father brought you. Take it and use it." Zhang Zhong's hand trembled slightly as he spoke, as if conveying a silent strength and hope.

Suddenly, Zhang Cong noticed that his father's knee was bandaged. He immediately understood everything, and tears welled up in his eyes.

"Dad, what happened to your leg? Did you fall and hurt it?" Zhang Cong asked with concern, his voice filled with worry and anxiety.

"It's nothing, I just tripped and fell. It's already bandaged up, it's fine," Zhang Zhong said nonchalantly. He tried to comfort his son with a lighthearted tone, but the pain and hardship he felt were undeniable.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Cong's nose tingled, and tears almost welled up in his eyes. He hugged his father tightly, as if he wanted to keep this gratitude and love in his heart forever.

He knew that his father had sacrificed so much so that he could focus on his studies.

"Dad, you must get some rest and stop worrying about me," Zhang Cong said, choking back tears.

"Don't worry, son, I'm fine. As long as you study hard and get into a good university, that will be the best way to repay your parents." Zhang Zhong patted Zhang Cong on the shoulder with a smile, his words casual.

The father and son smiled at each other, and all the hardships and exhaustion vanished in that moment. They embraced tightly, as if to freeze this moment of kinship and love forever.

Zhang Zhong and his son spent the night in the same bed. That night, they talked a lot, about the future, about dreams, about family... every topic was filled with warmth and hope.

The next morning, Zhang Zhong, dragging his still aching and limping leg, slowly embarked on his journey home. His figure appeared particularly lonely yet resolute in the morning light, as if telling a story of fatherly love and perseverance.

Zhang Cong, on the other hand, devoted all his energy to his intense studies. He worked harder than ever before, as if repaying his father's sacrifices and expectations with his actions. Every problem and every piece of knowledge became a stepping stone to his dream.

Time flies, and three days have passed in the blink of an eye.

In the past few days, although Zhang Cong had been engrossed in his studies, he couldn't shake the thought of his father returning home injured that day. That worry and concern weighed on his heart like a boulder, making it impossible for him to let go.

Finally, unable to contain his anxiety, he decided to call the commune where his family lived to inquire about the situation.

My elder brother, Zhang Ming, was successfully promoted to agricultural technician at the county agricultural bureau stationed in the commune before the new year. He took on the important responsibility of promoting and guiding agricultural technology throughout the commune, and was fortunate enough to become a technical advisor for Secretary Wang of the commune when he visited villages.

As fate would have it, on that very day, Secretary Wang was unable to go to the countryside as scheduled due to unforeseen circumstances. Therefore, Zhang Ming stayed at the commune office to handle routine matters.

When the old telephone rang, he picked it up without thinking.

"Hello, who is this?" Zhang Ming's voice was full of doubt and curiosity. He had no idea what kind of news this call would bring him.

A familiar voice came from the other end of the phone: "It's Big Brother! This is Congcong. Dad hurt his leg when he came home that day. I've been worried about him these past few days. I wanted to ask how his leg injury is now? Is it any better?"