Reborn in 1985, starting from the mountains of Northwest China

Chen Feng said, "Then it's settled. Let's all go over tomorrow and have a good meal."

Chen Laogeng nodded, then suddenly remembered something and looked down at his legs.

He tried to move, and his brow furrowed.

Chen Feng saw this and asked, "Dad, what's wrong?"

"Nothing much, it's just... this leg seems a bit unresponsive."

Chen Laogeng lifted the blanket, revealing his two legs.

Wrapped in cotton pants, you can't tell much, but it's obvious that he's not very agile when he moves.

He tried to move his legs toward the edge of the bed, and sweat appeared on his forehead as soon as he did so.

His mother quickly pressed him down: "Alright, alright, stop moving. We'll talk about it tomorrow."

He didn't give up and tried again. This time he managed to move his leg a little, but he was still far from being able to walk.

He sighed, leaned back against the headboard, and didn't say anything.

Chen Feng felt a pang of sadness as he looked at it.

He knew his father's temper. His father had always been a strong-willed man; even in his sixties, he was still working in the fields and never let anyone help him walk. Now, making him admit that he couldn't walk was more painful than getting a beating.

Chen Feng leaned forward and said, "Dad, it's alright. I'll carry you there tomorrow."

Chen Laogeng paused for a moment, then looked up at him: "Carry me?"

Chen Feng nodded: "Okay. I'll carry it, we'll be there in no time. My brother's house isn't far, it's just a few steps."

"No need. I can manage on my own."

"Dad, why are you being so polite with me? I'm your son, isn't it only right that I carry you?"

"Alright, just listen to the child. Your legs are so bad, you need to rest for half a day after walking just a few steps. It's the New Year, why are you making things difficult for yourself?"

Chen Laogeng opened his mouth, then closed it again.

Chen Feng knew his father had tacitly agreed, so he smiled and said, "Then it's settled. I'll come early tomorrow afternoon and carry you there on my back."

The old man glanced at him, his eyes holding something Chen Feng hadn't seen in years.

That was... a sense of relief?

Or something else?

Lao Geng didn't say anything, but simply reached out and patted Chen Feng's hand.

Chen Feng recalled how his father used to pat his head and shoulder like this when he was a child.

When my dad was young, he had strong hands; one slap from him could make him stumble.

Now Dad's hands have no strength left.

He held his father's hand for a while, then said, "Dad, take good care of yourself. I'll carry you on my back tomorrow."

The old man nodded without saying a word.

Chen Feng stayed at his parents' house for a while longer, helped them with some tasks, and then went back to rest.

The next day was New Year's Eve.

Chen Feng woke up before dawn.

He opened his eyes; the room was still dark. Lin Xiu was asleep beside him, breathing evenly.

At the other end of the kang (heated brick bed), Xiaoyue and Xiaoshan were snuggled together, fast asleep.

Chen Feng quietly got up, put on his clothes, and went out of the house.

The courtyard was a vast expanse of white.

It snowed again last night, not much, just a thin layer that covered the footprints from yesterday.

The lanterns were still lit, their bright red light reflecting off the snow, creating a beautiful scene.

He stood in the courtyard and took a deep breath.

The cold air seeped into my lungs, feeling cool, but my heart was warm.

Today is the 30th.

He went into the kitchen, lit the fire, and boiled a pot of water.

Then I started sweeping the yard, pushing the snow to the corner and piling it up.

As they swept, dawn slowly broke.

When Lin Xiu got up, Chen Feng had already finished sweeping the yard and was adding firewood to the stove.

She stood at the kitchen door, staring at his back, and remained there for a moment.

Chen Feng turned around, saw her, and smiled: "Awake?"

Lin Xiu hummed in agreement, walked over, squatted down next to him, and also looked into the stove.

The two of them squatted there, watching the flames in the stove jump up and down.

After a while, Lin Xiu said, "Today is the 30th."

Chen Feng said, "Mm."

Lin Xiu said, "After I finish eating, I'll go check on my parents and see if there's anything I can help them with."

Chen Feng said, "I'll go with you."

Lin Xiu nodded.

Xiaoyue and Xiaoshan also got up, rubbed their eyes and ran out. Their eyes lit up when they saw the snow piled up in the yard.

Xiaoyue shouted, "Snow! It's snowing!"

She ran over, squatted down, scooped up a handful of snow, squeezed it, and called back, "Xiaoshan! Let's build a snowman!"

Xiaoshan ran over, and the two of them started rolling a snowball again.

The snowman from yesterday is still there, but it's covered in a layer of snow and looks a bit fatter. Xiaoyue looked at it and said, "Let's build another one to keep the old one company."

The two children got busy again.

Lin Xiu called from the kitchen, "Stop playing around and come in to eat!"

Xiaoyue responded, rolled around a couple more times, and then ran inside.

Breakfast was simple: a pot of porridge with some pickled vegetables.

The family sat around the table, munching away.

While eating, Xiaoyue suddenly asked, "Dad, when are we going to Grandpa's house?"

Chen Feng said, "We'll go this afternoon. Your mother has to go help out this morning, so you all stay home."

Xiaoyue said, "I'll go help too."

Chen Feng said, "Okay, go ahead."

After breakfast, Lin Xiu cleaned up the dishes, changed into clean clothes, and prepared to go out.

In rural areas, during festivals, several sisters-in-law usually cook together. Those who have money contribute more money, while those who don't contribute more labor.

Xiaoyue was already waiting at the door, wearing her new red cotton-padded jacket, which she was reluctant to change out of.

Lin Xiu looked at her and smiled: "Let's go."

The mother and daughter went out together.

Chen Feng didn't go; he stayed home, tidied up the yard again, stacked the firewood neatly, and repaired the chicken coop door.

Xiaoshan helped from the side, handing over a hammer and a nail, working quietly and diligently.

After finishing his work, Chen Feng went inside, wrapped up the wine and snacks he had bought for his parents, and placed them on the table.

Then he stood in the room and looked around.

The couple put up the couplets yesterday. In the countryside, there's no such custom; they usually put them up on the 29th. They wanted to get a feel for the New Year atmosphere in advance.

The chickens were squatting in their nest, clucking and clucking, seemingly unaware that it was Chinese New Year.

At this moment, Chen Feng stood inside the house, looking at the bright snow outside the window, and the corners of his mouth curved into a smile.

He called to Xiaoshan, "Come on, let's go pick up your grandpa."

Xiaoshan put down what he was holding and followed behind him.

Chen Feng walked into the inner room, where his father was already dressed and sitting on the edge of the bed.

Today I'm wearing a new cotton-padded jacket, navy blue, which Lin Xiuqiu made for me. I haven't been willing to wear it until today, the New Year.

Seeing Chen Feng enter, Father looked up and said, "You've arrived?"

Chen Feng nodded: "Yes. Dad, are you ready?"

"alright."

As he spoke, he tried to stand up, supporting himself on the edge of the bed, but after moving his legs, he sat back down.

Chen Feng quickly went over and squatted down in front of him: "Dad, come on, I'll carry you on my back."

He looked down at Chen Feng, but didn't move.

Chen Feng turned around and said, "Father, come on up."

He was silent for a while, then finally reached out and put his hand on Chen Feng's shoulder.

Chen Feng carried his father on his back and stood up steadily.

His father was lighter than he had imagined.