C9 The Mountain Song Cools the Scenery

I slept really comfortably.

The only thing that was not good was that I dreamt of Mrs. Zhao, which was a little annoying.

Other than that, I also had another dream: I dreamt of an earthquake.

I felt that my body was swaying back and forth, and it was very strange.

However, slowly, I found it difficult to breathe. I could only breathe out, but not inhale.

I was so stifled that I could not take it anymore. I opened my eyes and saw my father half squatting on the brick bed, his hands on my neck, and he was shaking me hard.

"Water, water, wake up! It's already half past two in the morning, why are you still..."

"Eh? You're awake!"

I gently pushed away my father's hands that were full of calluses and coughed dryly twice. Then, I quickly took a deep breath of fresh air.

I thought to myself, no wonder I dreamt of an earthquake. It was because my father was shaking me.

Those who were familiar with him knew that he was my biological father, so he wanted to wake me up. Those who were not familiar with him might think that he was going to strangle me to death.

I rubbed my neck and said, "Dad, you're too cruel. Why don't you summon me? Why are you pinching me?"

Hearing me say that, my father felt a little embarrassed. His two thick palms moved back and forth, and his fingers intersected.

"Water, I actually started summoning you from half past two in the morning!"

"During this period of time, I shouted at you, pinched you, and slapped your face with the bottom of my shoe. But you just didn't wake up!"

"Listen to my movements. Didn't your throat break? Why are you sleeping so dead?" My father cleared his throat and said.

While my father was talking, my brother and sister Zhang Zhaixing and Zhang Zhuyan, who were beside him, were like little chickens pecking on rice. They kept nodding their heads, as if they were proving that my father was not lying.

I didn't have time to bother with these two little fellows.

I glanced at the old clock on the brick bed. It was only fifteen minutes until three o'clock. I was about to set off with Hsing.

I got off the brick bed and quickly went to the small house to change into a pair of pants.

When I confirmed that the aluminum rice box on the cabinet was filled with the porridge I wanted, I ran towards West Mountain, afraid that I would delay Hsing's business.

"Dad, I'm sorry. I overslept this time!"

"When I come back next time, I will talk to you!"

"Okay, Zhuyan... You two stay at home obediently! Don't be naughty and let our parents worry less!"

As I ran, I shouted out the words I wanted to say.

The faint voices of the two little fellows came from behind me.

"Brother, don't worry!"

"Brother, we will make our parents worry less! Just put your heart in the basin!"

The last sentence was shouted by my brother.

This little guy was just like me when I was young. He was uncoordinated and the most troublesome person to deal with.

I felt like I was being chased by wolves. I ran all the way and thought about my brother's little monkey-like appearance. My heart was warm and I couldn't help but want to laugh.

My parents didn't have much culture. They gave us three names.

I was a little worried. What would happen when they were old?

I was still fine. They called me "Water, go and pour a bowl of water for father." I could obediently pour the water.

My brother, Zhang Hao Xing?

They called, "Sure, go and pour a bowl of water for dad." He couldn't answer and said: "If you can do it, go and pour it yourself!" Why did they call me?

...

While thinking about all these, I was busy cleaning up my two pheasant legs. Finally, at 3 o'clock, I ran up West Mountain.

Hsing had already packed up. The large wooden box that was filled with tools was probably carried by Geng Yan into the courtyard.

Just like yesterday, before we left, we still couldn't see the figures of our master and second senior brother.

I didn't say much. I carried the lunch box with one hand and carried the heavy wooden box on my shoulder.

I grinned and followed behind Hsing quietly, walking along the old road.

About ten minutes later, when my sweat had disappeared, I finally noticed that Hsing had changed into a new set of clothes.

She changed into a blue and white floral dress that accentuated her waist.

Her long hair was tied up with a rubber band with flowers on it, and she gently pulled it to the right side of her shoulder.

Above her head, there were three unknown wild flowers, all of which were pure white.

I struggled to pull the dark green wooden box towards Hsing and asked, "Hsing, you changed into a new outfit again! You look so good today!"

Master had told me not to say anything useless to Hsing.

However, since Master was not around, I couldn't control my mouth.

Besides, Hsing was indeed good-looking. Why should I praise her?

At most, when I get to the main house, I won't talk to Hsing. That would be fine.

Hearing me praise her, Hsing turned around and looked at me. Her eyes were kind, but there was a hint of sadness in them.

Hsing paused for a moment and looked at the sun that was gradually setting in the west.

When she started to walk again, a clear and gentle voice came from her mouth.

"One life, one life, one life, one life, one day, one day, one day, one life, one life, one life."

"One life, one life, one life." "Three days, three days, three days, three days."

"One life, one life. One life, one life. One life. One life. One life."

I was a student. After graduating from junior high school, I went to school with my family.

Therefore, I didn't understand a single word of the lyrics Hsing sang.

I could vaguely feel that she felt a lot of grievances and reluctance in her heart, as if she was missing someone.

I thought, when she sang, did she think of her dead senior brother?

What was their relationship? Why did she only see Hsing's faint sadness, but not her crying?

My happy mood was completely wiped out by Hsing's singing. Looking at the bright red sun on West Mountain, I felt a little unhappy.

I thought of my parents and my brother and sister.

I thought, I haven't left home for long, why do I miss them so much?

I didn't think that Hsing and Haojun were so rare.

...

The tractor that the main family sent was driven by the young man from yesterday. He was very impatient.

I didn't say anything about him yesterday. He drove so fast that he almost broke my butt.

After driving for less than five minutes, the wheels of the tractor hit a big rock, and the body of the tractor tilted forty-five degrees.

If it wasn't for Hsing's quick reaction, I would have made him fall into the ditch!

After the tractor had calmed down a little, I said angrily, "Can you drive properly? Do you think this tractor is a tank?"

The young man did not even turn his head. With his right hand that was wearing thick white gloves, he suddenly flicked away a cigarette butt.

"What's wrong? Isn't it great to guard the soul? I can do this job too! So, don't talk to me!"

The meaning of his words was, 'Do you want to sit with Hsing or not? If I pick and choose, he can even make the two of us drop out of the job!'

I was so angry in my heart. 'Look at you, you are so powerful. Do you know your second uncle?'

I wanted to say something else.

Hsing pulled my arm and waved at me lightly. Then, I kept the words that I wanted to say in my stomach.

When they entered the main house, it was still the same as yesterday. When the hour was up, the main house had already left.

At about eight o'clock in the evening, Hsing sprinkled some water around the coffin to clean the place up.

I got up and was about to go to the toilet when I turned my head. Suddenly, I saw a figure flashing by the mourning hall.

Before I could react, Hsing's voice sounded in my ear.

"Who is it? Come out!"

The voice carried a sense of calmness and deterrence.