Colorful years

Fortunately, a passing villager found Zhang Zhong and took him to the hospital in time.

After examination, the doctor discovered a problem with his heart muscle, making him unable to withstand strenuous physical exertion and intense stimulation. This time, Zhang Zhong injured his back in a fall and needs to rest in bed for 100 days.

When his family heard the news, they rushed over and couldn't help but shed tears when they saw their father lying in the hospital bed.

During his treatment, Zhang Zhong's children took turns caring for him, feeding him, wiping his body, and telling him stories.

They told their father that they were all grown up and could take care of themselves and their families. They hoped he wouldn't have to work so hard anymore and could focus on recovering and worrying less.

Hearing the children's words, Zhang Zhong felt incredibly gratified and proud. He knew that his life's hard work had finally paid off.

He lay in bed, looking at the bright sunshine and clear blue sky outside the window, his heart filled with peace and contentment.

"If I can't work as a porter, what can I do after being discharged from the hospital?"

Although he was resting in bed, Zhang Zhong's thoughts never stopped.

He has four children in school and a heavy financial burden. He has to consider his future livelihood.

However, there are simply no easy and lucrative jobs in rural areas.

If I can't be a porter, I'll have to be a gigolo.

After being discharged from the hospital, due to the restrictions of the doctor's orders and the persuasion of his children, he had to give up his heavy and arduous moving job and take up a new side job - herding ducks.

Zhang Zhong bought 150 duck eggs, which hatched 120 ducklings. After more than a month of careful feeding, most of the ducklings grew to about half a pound.

It's time to let the ducks see the world and roam freely in the wild.

In early autumn, the fields are golden, and the heavy rice stalks droop their heads as if paying the deepest respect to the hardworking farmers.

Standing on the edge of the field, Zhang Zhong looked at the rice paddies that were about to be harvested, feeling both joy and worry.

His weathered face is etched with the marks of time, each wrinkle telling a story of his hard work and perseverance.

Zhang Zhong is a simple farmer whose eyes reveal his love for this land and his dedication to life.

He was wearing a faded shirt, his trousers were covered in mud, and his cloth shoes were worn out.

He was delighted that the rice was growing well this year and a bumper harvest was in sight; he was worried about whether his 120 ducks could thrive in this vast land and bring him the expected profits.

That morning, the sunlight gently shone on every corner of the village, and Zhang Zhong was already busy.

He carefully inspected the duck shed and bamboo fence, making sure that everything was sturdy and reliable.

Then, he picked up the long bamboo pole and gently patted a duck that was leisurely preening its feathers beside him, as if to tell them, "Today, we're going on an adventure."

The ducks seemed to understand their owner's meaning and began to flap their wings as if to fly, but they appeared somewhat clumsy because their wings were not yet fully grown.

Zhang Zhong smiled, a smile tinged with a mixture of indulgence and helplessness. He herded the ducks together and led them onto the path to the fields.

Along the way, the ducks quacked happily, sometimes looking down to forage for food, sometimes looking up to gaze into the distance, full of curiosity and longing for the unknown world.

Zhang Zhong walked silently ahead, his steps firm and powerful. He would occasionally look back at the ducks to make sure they hadn't wandered off.

His eyes were filled with concern and expectation, as if these ducks were his children, and he hoped they could grow up healthy and happy.

However, the hardships of free-range farming had only just begun.

The environment in the field is far more complex than that in captivity.

This place not only has abundant food sources, but also hidden dangers.

Zhang Zhong knew this well, so he was always extra careful and kept a close eye on the ducks' movements.

On one occasion, Zhang Zhong led his ducks to a rice paddy near a pond.

The area is lush with aquatic plants, making it a paradise for ducks to forage. However, the pond also harbors many ferocious wild animals, such as water snakes and birds of prey.

Not long after Zhang Zhonggang put the ducks down, he noticed that several of them suddenly started squawking in panic.

He immediately became alert and looked in the direction of the ducks' quacking. He saw a water snake stealthily approaching one of the ducks. Without hesitation, Zhang Zhong picked up a bamboo pole and swung it at the snake. The snake nimbly dodged the attack.

But Zhang Zhong did not give up easily. He gripped the long bamboo pole tightly and swung it vigorously. Each swing made a sound as it cut through the wind, demonstrating his unwavering determination and fearless courage.

The cunning water snake was not to be outdone. It nimbly twisted its body, trying to evade Zhang Zhong's fierce attacks time and time again, and looking for an opportunity to counterattack.

And so, a thrilling life-or-death struggle unfolded between the man and the snake in these waters.

Time ticked by, and the battle grew increasingly intense. Sweat dripped from Zhang Zhong's forehead, but he didn't stop what he was doing.

Finally, after another precise strike, the water snake, in pain, turned and fled in a sorry state. Watching the water snake disappear into the distance, Zhang Zhong finally breathed a long sigh of relief and lowered his somewhat aching arm.

The ducks had been watching the battle from a distance. When they saw the water snake being driven away, they quacked excitedly and gathered around Zhang Zhong.

A pair of small eyes filled with gratitude, as if saying in their own unique language, "Thank you, Master! If it weren't for you, we would have been in big trouble!"

However, for Zhang Zhong, just repelling the water snake was merely the tip of the iceberg among many dangers.

In this vast field, the weather changes as quickly as a child's face. Sometimes it's clear and sunny, so bright you can't open your eyes; but in the blink of an eye, the once azure sky will be covered by thick dark clouds, followed by strong winds, lightning and thunder, and large raindrops pouring down like beads from a broken string.

Faced with such unpredictable weather conditions, the experienced Zhang Zhong had long been prepared. He always carried rain gear with him, whether it was a lightweight raincoat or a sturdy umbrella, so that he wouldn't be too disheveled in a sudden downpour. Moreover, he had developed a keen eye, able to pay attention to subtle changes in the sky at all times.

As soon as he sees even a hint of dark clouds gathering on the horizon, he will not hesitate to blow his whistle and quickly lead the ducks to a nearby, higher, and drier spot to ensure that everyone can safely escape the torrential rain.