Colorful years

After meeting, the three generations of the family naturally had endless things to say.

They shared their experiences and stories with each other, their laughter echoing throughout the room, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

As expected, it was consistent with his memory. Zhang Zhong successfully captured a five-step snake in the morning. This snake was huge and unusually fat, with its middle part as thick as a bowl, and it weighed a whopping five pounds.

The five-step snake, one of the most venomous snakes, is so potent that its venom is feared by all. There's a folk saying that if bitten by a five-step snake, death can occur within a few steps, highlighting its terrifying nature.

However, despite its deadly venom and fearsome nature, the five-step snake has become a coveted delicacy in some places.

As night slowly descends, like an inky silk ribbon enveloping the earth, the dazzling stars, like jewels inlaid in the sky, shimmer with a faint yet captivating light, adorning this vast and boundless night sky.

At this moment, the three generations of the family sat around the campfire, enjoying a sumptuous and incredibly delicious snake meat feast together. The tender, juicy, and fragrant snake meat transformed into a culinary extravaganza as they gently chewed, each bite bringing unprecedented satisfaction. The wonderful flavors blossomed on their tongues, leaving a lingering and unforgettable aftertaste.

After eating and drinking their fill, the grandfather, grandson, and granddaughter washed up briefly and then lay quietly on the spacious bed, which was simply made of rough wood.

The long journey was a difficult challenge for everyone. The long road and the rugged terrain were really exhausting, and the grandfather and grandson were already feeling tired.

At this moment, fatigue surged like a tidal wave, quickly overwhelming their consciousness. Before long, the youngest, Congcong, was the first to drift into a sweet dream, his breathing even and steady, just like a cute little pig sleeping soundly without a care in the world.

At midnight, the bright moonlight shone through the dense, intertwined branches of the forest, creating patches of light and shadow of various shapes, like a natural painting of light and shadow, dappling the simple wooden bed.

In this tranquil and peaceful atmosphere, a wonderful story is unfolding in Congcong's dream world.

In his dream, Congcong discovered that he had also mastered the superb skill of digging gourds. He held a sharp digging knife and worked with practiced ease, from the first rays of sunlight falling on the earth until sunset and dusk.

Throughout this long period, he persevered tirelessly, his forehead beaded with sweat, but his eyes shone with determination and unwavering resolve.

Persistence pays off, and he eventually dug out a full ten exquisitely shaped and appropriately sized gourds.

Filled with joy and pride, Congcong excitedly carried his hard-earned fruits of labor to the supply and marketing cooperative. When he carefully placed a stack of gourds on the counter, the young and beautiful woman in charge of purchasing goods couldn't help but widen her eyes in surprise.

She stared incredulously at the small figure before her and the neatly arranged, exquisitely crafted gourds, her eyes revealing undisguised admiration and respect.

She praised Congcong for digging up a gourd that was not only exquisite in appearance but also sturdy and durable, a rare find and definitely a first-class product.

Hearing these words of praise, Congcong was filled with pride and joy, and a happy smile spread across his face.

In this wonderful dream, Congcong felt an unprecedented sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

However, in reality, he didn't know that this was just a beautiful illusion. What awaited him was still a life full of challenges and difficulties.

Perhaps this dream is a hint to him that he should grow up quickly and share some of the family's burdens with his parents.

During his visit to his father in Shentang Bay, Congcong experienced firsthand the hardships of digging up watermelons, which deeply moved him.

He hated that he was still too young, just a five-year-old child, and couldn't help his father dig up melons.

On the long journey home, Congcong didn't beg his grandfather to tell him a story as usual, but instead fell into deep thought.

He couldn't help but wonder, what was his father doing all alone in that desolate, mountainous, and densely forested place, digging gourds and living a life of hardship every day?

Ultimately, all my father did was work so hard to earn more money to support the family and give his children a better life.

Thinking of this, Congcong couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness and emotion.

He looked out at the high mountains and deep valleys and shouted at the top of his lungs, "God, let me grow up quickly! I want to share the burden of life with my parents!"

In fact, in his past life memories, Congcong had been going up the mountain to chop firewood with his father since he was six years old.

Since starting school, he would get up early every day before dawn and go to the mountains to chop firewood. He would carry a full load of firewood back home before going to school. This habit of working continued until he was admitted to university.

During this period, he not only provided firewood for his family to cook and warm themselves throughout the year, but also sold surplus firewood to the supply and marketing cooperative to pay for his tuition and to buy himself some new clothes.

From the age of twelve, Congcong would actively participate in the team's collective production labor during holidays, just like a hardworking member of the production team.

A year passed in this way, and he was able to earn more than a thousand work points and receive a full five hundred catties of grain!

Among them, rice planting is one of Congcong's best skills; he is particularly fast and plants rice very well.

Therefore, every time rice seedlings were planted, Congcong enjoyed the same treatment as those strong laborers, and received ten points every day.

"Congcong, we've arrived at Grandma's house!" Grandpa shouted.

Congcong was brought back to his senses after hearing the sound.

Isn't that right? Grandma's house is right here, and those two pear trees on the right side of the entrance are the best landmark.

At this moment, the lush branches of the tree were swaying gently in the breeze, as if dancing joyfully, warmly welcoming the arrival of the grandfather and grandson.