After dinner, Li Weidong said to his parents, “Mom and Dad, come here for a moment. I want to tell you something.”
His parents exchanged glances and followed Li Weidong into the inner room, feeling a bit curious, wondering what he wanted to say.
Once his parents were inside, Li Weidong quickly bolted the door from the inside and peered through the crack to check outside, finding that his elder brother and younger sister were not out there.
Li Dahe and Liu Xiaoli looked at each other, a puzzled expression on their faces.
Li Dahe couldn’t help but ask, “Li Weidong, what’s the matter? Why are you being so mysterious?”
Li Weidong took a deep breath, lowered his voice, and said, “Mom and Dad, I found some things in the mountains today.”
Seeing his demeanor, his parents also grew nervous. Liu Xiaoli quickly asked, “What things?”
Li Weidong calmly said, “They are valuable things.”
Li Dahe frowned, “Li Weidong, don’t do anything foolish.”
Li Weidong quickly waved his hand, “Dad, don’t misunderstand. I just picked them up in a mountain cave. There are a few small yellow croakers inside.”
As he spoke, he pulled out a small cloth bag from under the mattress. After opening the bag, there were six small yellow croakers inside.
Li Dahe and Liu Xiaoli’s eyes widened at the sight of the small yellow croakers, and they were speechless for a moment.
After a long while, Li Dahe finally recovered, his voice trembling as he said, “Li Weidong, this is no small matter. We must handle it cautiously.”
Liu Xiaoli also chimed in, “Yes, son, don’t let anyone find out.”
Li Weidong nodded, “Mom and Dad, I know, that’s why I’m discussing it with you first. I plan to go to the City tomorrow to exchange these small yellow croakers for money and find a job in the City.”
Li Dahe pondered for a moment, “Alright, but you must be careful and not reveal your wealth.”
Liu Xiaoli also warned with a worried expression, “Li Weidong, when you go to the City, you must be more vigilant and not trust others easily.”
Li Weidong replied, “Mom, don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. Tomorrow, I plan to go find Third Uncle first.”
Liu Xiaoli asked with some confusion, “Why are you looking for your Third Uncle?”
Li Weidong explained, “Third Uncle has been in the City for so long after all. After exchanging the money, I can also ask him to help inquire if there are any suitable jobs.”
Li Dahe nodded in approval, “Hmm, that’s a good idea. Your Third Uncle is reliable, and with his help, we can be more at ease.”
Li Weidong continued, “Moreover, Third Uncle is well-informed and might be able to give me some other suggestions.”
Only then did Liu Xiaoli feel more at ease, “Alright then, go find your Third Uncle first. Be careful on the way.”
Li Weidong smiled, “Got it, Mom.”
Li Weidong asked Li Dahe, “Dad, where in the City does Third Uncle live?”
Li Dahe thought for a moment and replied, “I don’t remember too clearly either. Go to your grandpa’s house and ask.”
Li Weidong nodded, “Alright, I’ll go ask now.”
After speaking, Li Weidong got up and left, hurrying towards his grandpa’s house.
Along the way, he was still pondering about going to the City tomorrow, thinking that he must handle things properly.
The Village he lived in was a small Village in Changping County, on the outskirts of Si Jiu City, about thirty to forty li away from Si Jiu City. There was a public bus every morning and afternoon.
Li Weidong thought to himself that he had to get up early tomorrow morning to catch the 8 o’clock public bus so that he could get to the City and find Third Uncle as soon as possible.
Li Weidong arrived at the courtyard where his grandpa lived and saw his grandpa cooling off under a tree in the courtyard through the low courtyard wall.
Li Weidong’s grandpa was named Li Yong, and his grandma was named Wang Guizhi. Both were native farmers.
He called out from outside the door, “Grandpa.”
Li Yong heard the voice, looked up, and a kindly smile appeared on his face, “Li Weidong, come in quickly.”
Li Weidong pushed open the door, entered the courtyard, and quickly walked to his grandpa’s side, “Grandpa, I came to ask you something.”
Li Yong held his hand, “What is it, child?”
Li Weidong said, “I want to ask for Third Uncle’s address in the City. Do you know it?”
Li Yong patted his forehead, “How long has that rascal Third Uncle been gone? He doesn’t even come back to visit, forgetting his home after becoming a worker.”
Li Weidong smiled and comforted him, “Grandpa, Third Uncle might be busy with work. He’ll come back to see you when he has time.”
Li Yong grunted, “Busy, busy, busy! No matter how busy, he shouldn’t abandon his home.”
Li Weidong quickly said, “Grandpa, don’t be angry. I’m here to ask you for Third Uncle’s address, preparing to go to the City to find him.”
Li Yong glanced at Li Weidong, his tone softening slightly, “Alright, then go find him, and tell him that if he doesn’t come back soon, this old man won’t acknowledge him as a son anymore.”
Li Weidong nodded repeatedly, “Grandpa, I will definitely deliver the message. Now, quickly tell me exactly where Third Uncle lives?”
Li Yong said, “Go get it from your grandma. The address is all recorded with her.”
Li Weidong said, “Okay, then Grandpa, you can lie down here first. I’ll go find Grandma.”
After speaking, Li Weidong turned and walked towards his grandma’s room.
Along the way, he was still thinking about Third Uncle, and his steps unconsciously quickened.
When he reached his grandma’s room, he gently knocked on the door and called out, “Grandma, it’s Li Weidong.”
Grandma’s voice came from inside the room, “Li Weidong, come in.”
Li Weidong pushed open the door and entered the room, seeing his grandma sitting on the kang, mending clothes.
Wang Guizhi put down her needlework, looked up, and smiled at him, saying, “Oh, it’s Li Weidong. Come here to Grandma.”
Li Weidong obediently walked to his grandma’s side, holding her hand, and said, “Grandma, how have you been feeling lately?”
Wang Guizhi smiled kindly and replied, “Grandma is doing very well, my good grandson. Don’t worry about Grandma. It’s you, you’re such a big person now, it’s almost time for you to find a wife.”
Li Weidong’s face reddened, and he said somewhat shyly, “Grandma, what are you talking about? I’m not in a hurry right now, besides, I’m still young.”
Wang Guizhi gently patted his hand, “Silly child, you’re already 18, and you’re still young? Look at the children in the Village your age, many of them are already married.”
Li Weidong scratched his head, “Grandma, I want to get my work settled first before talking about finding a wife.”
Wang Guizhi shook her head, “Work is important, but getting married is also important. Grandma is looking forward to holding a great-grandson soon.”
Li Weidong smiled and said, “Grandma, don’t rush. This depends on fate. Besides, isn’t there still my Cousin from my Eldest Uncle’s family? My Cousin’s wife is already pregnant, so you’re not far from holding a great-grandson.”
Wang Guizhi laughed, “That’s your Cousin. Grandma also hopes you can settle down and start a family soon.”
Li Weidong said helplessly, “Grandma, let’s not talk about this for now. I came to get Third Uncle’s address in the City.”
Only then did Wang Guizhi react, “Oh, I almost forgot about that! The item is in the box on top of the cabinet. Go get it.”
Li Weidong went to the cabinet, took down a box from it, brought it to his grandma, and said, “Grandma, which one is it?”
Wang Guizhi rummaged through it and pulled out a slightly yellowed piece of paper, handing it to Li Weidong.
Li Weidong took it and immediately froze.
It read: “Front Courtyard West Wing, No. 95 N锣鼓巷.”
Yi Zhonghai
Big Silly Pig
Qin Huairu
Xu Damao
Liu Haizhong
Yan Bugui
………………