C22 Nocturnal Life in Rural Areas

The endless mountain ranges and the silver crescent moon exuded an especially cold and desolate aura.

Although it was around nine o'clock, the village on the slope of the Loess Plateau was especially quiet. There were absolutely no signs of human figures, as if they had already entered their dreams.

There were a few black-and-white televisions in the village, but no one would open their doors to watch them for free. Of course, due to the fatigue of the day, adults were basically unable to kill time by looking at small squares. Although the children wanted to stay until dawn, no one would be satisfied. Therefore, the night in the countryside was especially long and long. Early sleep had become a habit that could never be changed.

I don't have a TV in my house, and neither does Xiao Ya's, but according to my sister-in-law's request, I seem to need a big TV no less than fourteen inches long when she marries into the house. However, my interest wasn't too high. When I bought the TV, it would be placed in my brother's and sister-in-law's new room. Thus, there wasn't much difference between having it and not having it.

While she was thinking, Xiao Ya was already sitting on the ridge of her own field. Behind her, there was a large apricot tree with a crooked neck, which had become a reliable support.

"Come sit down!" It's been a long time since we've had anything to say to each other. In a few days, you might want to talk to me, but you won't have the chance! "

Xiao Ya spoke in a light voice, as if she was in a helpless mood.

I lifted my head and looked out into the distance. I was no stranger to the ravines and terraces, but it was the first time I'd seen them in the dead of night.

Slowly turning around to adjust my posture, I felt a little helpless as I landed on my butt. I sat down on the ice-cold wet soil slope. At this moment, there was an indescribable feeling of melancholy in my heart, but there was also an unspeakable difficulty.

After sitting down, I couldn't help but look down at the courtyard below the slope. Actually, the number of youngsters in the village had decreased a lot in the past two years. Most of them had already left to do side jobs and earn money. In the yard at the foot of the hill where I was sitting, there lived my new daughter-in-law, and my husband went away. The thought filled me with melancholy. A little woman kept to herself at home, able to work during the day and forget everything, but there was no one around at night to talk to. I could not imagine how she spent the long night.

Xiao Ya pushed at me eagerly, as if in response to my long silence.

"What is it? You have something on your mind! "

She stuck her head forward, her face full of surprise, as if she were confused.

I smiled and gently shook my head. There was really a sadness that was hard to calm down in my heart.

"Sis, will all women have to face Sister-in-law who descends the steep slope in the future? We have to be alone and keep our rooms empty!"

As I spoke, I pointed down. The owner of the courtyard at the bottom of the slope is also my uncle's daughter-in-law. However, he is already of the fifth generation and isn't that close.

In this village of mine, there are five surnames. In fact, there are only three most ancient clans. As for the other two surnames, they belong to the family of the groom and the family that moved afterwards. But Chu Family was not the biggest household in the village, surnamed Wang was the real big family, accounting for more than half of the village's population.

"Are you talking about Fifth Uncle's daughter-in-law?"

Xiao Ya asked softly as she slowly turned her face to the side. Her expression was exceptionally tranquil, as if she was worried about something similar to my mood.

Even though I asked such a childish question, I believe that Xiao Ya's feelings are definitely deeper than mine. After all, she has more experience and understanding.

"Sis, why do I feel that women are especially attractive? I can't find any traces of happiness at all. The feeling I give is that they are just living and there is absolutely no meaning to quality of life."

I said something that was not very obvious, but I could already see the slight, unsmiling expression of understanding on Xiao Ya's face.

"I don't really understand the quality of life you're talking about, but I know clearly in my heart that the women in the village are definitely different from those in the city. They are definitely not like the women we've seen, but live a particularly lively and enjoyable life, even happier than the men."

When Xiao Ya said that, her gaze was filled with envy.

The full moon hung high in the sky, reflecting the light on her face. Although it reflected the azure color, it clearly showed the fluctuations of her emotions. I knew that she had such a view. It was an impression she had seen while working on the spot, not a thorough experience.

Suddenly, just as I was deep in thought, an unfamiliar figure appeared on the courtyard wall below me.

I immediately twisted my body around and pressed my mouth against Xiao Ya's ear. My heart was already starting to race, but I still couldn't help but whisper in a low voice.

"Sis, looks like someone is going to climb over the wall into Sister-in-law's house, and he's a man as well. Could he have stolen something?"

In the village, due to the pressure of life, there were many people doing things like stealing chickens and dogs in the middle of the night. Although I didn't see it with my own eyes, I did hear a lot about it. At this moment, when I saw that sneaky man standing at the base of the courtyard wall, my first reaction was that of a thief.

Xiao Ya shook her head eagerly, avoiding my ear. As she leapt forward, she looked down at me seriously for a moment, as if to confirm who the figure was.

As I didn't like to go out at home because of school, I didn't know much about the village, including the gossip that my aunts and aunts talked about. Moreover, he was even more unfamiliar with the men of the village. Although I've heard that there are people who don't sleep at night and do things they can't see, I really don't know who they are.

Suddenly, Xiao Ya leaned back, as if dodging something.

As I looked ahead more eagerly, I could see through the gap between the low elms in front of me, and I could see the figure climbing up the wall of the courtyard.

"Move back a bit, don't let the other side see it. This kind of thing must not be revealed."

Xiao Ya said softly, but resolutely pulled on my shoulder, forcing me to back off a little.

However, her words made me unable to make sense of it. If it was a thief, not only would they have to stop him, they would also have to make an example for him.

"Sis, are you going to just watch as someone steals something from Sister-in-law's house? Whether it's stealing chickens or grain, it's the biggest loss for Sister-in-law. "

I shouted, but out of the corner of my eye I could see more clearly beneath the canopy of elm trees, and the man on top of the wall didn't seem to be in a hurry. He was squatting on top of the wall without moving, as if he were waiting for something.