When Jiang Yuanjin saw the old man again, it was at his doorstep.

He sat casually on the threshold of his house, his shoes and pants a little muddy, apparently having just returned from farm work.

He lit a match and smoked a hookah with a grunt.

In the smoke, his weather-beaten eyes were a little cloudy.

Jiang Yuanjin stopped, raised his eyes and looked at the door of a quietly closed room behind him, thoughtfully.

He smiled and sat down beside the old man.

Jiang Yuanjin hadn't spoken yet, but the old man spoke first.

"I've seen you...... At noon at the noodle stall. The old man spat out a shisha and said in a hoarse voice.

"The old man has a good memory. Jiang Yuanjin said with a smile, "This is the second time we have met." ”

"Is there something wrong?" asked the old man, puzzled.

Jiang Yuanjin was silent for a moment, and then said softly: "The owner of the noodle stall also told me about your family......

"It makes you laugh. The old man said with a wry smile.

"Every family has a scripture that is difficult to read, and I can understand it......" Jiang Yuanjin sat with him and looked into the distance.

The pale golden glow of the wagons of the bus floats out on the undulating slopes, surrounded by ancient buildings, with intertwined power lines overhead, and clouds in the distance, floating faintly.

"Who says it's not," the old man showed a look of reminiscence, "The son and daughter-in-law left early, and Xiaoqing and our old couple depended on each other."

Seven years ago, my wife also left, and I only have Xiaoqing as one relative left in this world

Although Xiaoqing was not very sensible when he was a child, he was at least lively and active, but now he has completely changed......"

Jiang Yuanjin listened silently and did not speak.

At this time, the old man didn't need his consolation, he just needed an audience.

The old man looked worried and continued: "Now he is at home all day long, ignoring the outside world.

No one sees anyone, nor does he go out, every day he opens his mouth for food and stretches out his hand for clothes......

Of course I am a hundred willing to love my grandson, and our grandchildren depend on each other, and we can be regarded as having a care.

It's okay considering I'm still alive, but what if I'm gone?

I can't just watch Xiaoqing starve to death at home, right?

Otherwise, I won't be able to die!"

"Dead...... Jiang Yuanjin groaned.

"People are old," the old man looked lonely, "It's not okay to be old...... I used to be able to carry 300 catties of rice, but now I am out of breath after walking a few steps!

Birth, old age, sickness and death are the laws of nature, but I can't rest assured......"

The old man stood up with difficulty, patted the dust on his trouser legs, and Jiang Yuanjin also stood up.

"If you could...... Can I help you persuade him?" Jiang Yuanjin asked with a smile.

The old man looked at him seriously, and then said, "It's rare that you have a heart!"

"He and I are both young people, so it might be easier to communicate. Jiang Yuanjin said sincerely.

The old man hesitated for a moment and nodded, acquiescing to Jiang Yuanjin's opinion.

Jiang Yuanjin said softly: "Is he in the house?"

"Well, come in. The old man crossed the threshold and led Jiang Yuanjin to the door of a room.

The doors and windows of this room are closed, and there is no trace of light inside, like a completely enclosed space.

Jiang Yuanjin stood at the door and stopped, and said softly: "Old man...... Have you ever thought that your grandson became like this because of a bitter ......?"

The old man sighed and said, "Who doesn't have a little difficulty, but no matter what, this day must go on!

Just like ordinary parents, the old people are worried, worried, thinking, and reading, all of which are their children and grandchildren!

The old man is right, no matter what, this day must go on.

But what if there are no more days...... Jiang Yuanjin sighed in his heart.

"No need to knock on the door, just go in, he won't open the door anyway!" The old man said with a smile when he saw that Jiang Yuanjin didn't enter the door.

Jiang Yuanjin nodded and pushed open the door that blocked the sunlight.

The sun shone in through the crack in the door, and in the beams, the dust floated in the air......

The curtains were opened, and the whole room was covered with dust, and there was no one in the room.

The wardrobe, bed, table, and chair are all there, but the grandson in the old man's mouth is not there......

"How...... How can this be, where has Xiaoqing gone?" muttered the old man.

"Xiaoqing...... Xiaoqing, he ran away from home!" the old man suddenly became nervous.

Jiang Yuanjin walked to the table and wiped his fingers lightly on the table, stained with a thick layer of ash.

This is already more than a cloud of dust that can accumulate in a few months......

Walking to the bed, Jiang Yuanjin found a document from under the dusty pillow.

Jiang Yuanjin glanced at it and sighed, things did not surprise him.

"Is that his letter?" the old man immediately stepped forward to check.

At the top of the paper were the words "Death Notice......

The old man's hands were trembling, and he looked at them word by word.

"By accident...... Rib insertion into the chest and lungs...... Died ......"

"Five years ago...... the old man's hands and feet trembled, and he could barely stand still, "Xiaoqing ...... five years ago"

Jiang Yuanjin hugged the old man and looked at a backlit corner of the room......

"Have you found out...... a familiar voice came into the old man's ears.

The old man turned his head abruptly and looked at the familiar figure, which he was concerned about day and night.

"Grandpa......" the young man called softly as he looked at the old man.

He is Xiaoqing's ghost...... The old man has seen and taken care of him over the years.

"Xiaoqing, you ......" The old man's mouth trembled, and he couldn't say a word.

"Grandpa, I'm sorry, because I grew up with you and grandma......

After my grandmother died, I was thinking, you are stubborn, you must not be able to listen to persuasion.

I don't know if you'll be able to stand it if you know I'm gone......

So I pretended to be nothing and went home to be with you.

It's too much, and I want you to work for me day and night......

I feel guilty too, but I can watch you slowly go from sadness to energy.

Then I'm relieved!"

Xiao Qing turned his head to look at Jiang Yuanjin again, and said softly: "Although I don't know why you can see me, I thank you very much for your care and love for my grandfather."

After this is over, I beg you to help me send my grandfather to a nursing home so that he can live out his old age in peace......"

Jiang Yuanjin sighed and nodded solemnly.

Looking at the gradually blurred figure, big tears finally flowed out of the old man's eyes.

"I couldn't be reassured all along...... It's me!"