At 9 o'clock in the morning on January 28, 1978, after everyone had breakfast in the ancestral house restaurant in Daling Town, Brother Jingtian, brother-in-law Xiaodong, and Jingdi went to the Daling River to fish with fishing gear.

I, Xiaoda, Yanfang, Kexin, Gangsheng, Lilan, Anbang and Kewen wandered and toured on Daling Street.

Along the way, at various attractions, Lilan kept asking everyone to pose and group for everyone to take pictures, so everyone had a great time!

Because Yanfang, me, Xiaoda, and Lilan had been away from Daling Town for too long, the residents of the town treated us as strangers. They all think that we are overseas Chinese who have come here for sightseeing!

Of course, we don't see any acquaintances in the town anymore, I, Yanfang and Xiaoda didn't have many friends when they lived and studied in Daling Town, and now everyone has changed, and no one knows anyone anymore!

However, we feel that this small mountain town has not changed, the urban layout and architecture of Daling Town, as well as the Daling Street that runs from north to south, are still the same as before, with bluestone pavement, stone arch bridges, small-leaved banyan trees on both sides of the street, and the bustling Daling Bazaar still the same as it was!

The Daling River on the edge of Daling Town is still so clear and long-flowing, nourishing the farmland and vast plants here, and the surrounding mountains here are still so lush and colorful! Thousands of years ago, they must have been like this!

Yanfang took me by the hand and said, "Alas! Ahh We're not great spirits anymore! The people here have changed, but the mountains and rivers have not changed! ”

I said, "Yes! In fact, we have changed, and everything that should have changed has changed! ”

Xiaoda smiled and said, "Alas! It's good! If a few of us don't leave Daling Town! Now, we should help the villagers take pictures in the original photo studio of the Daling Bazaar?!! ”

Lilan smiled and said, "Little Da Ge! Do you remember when you first came to Daling Town from Guigu Gorge? At that time, you were riding a horse, with a thick black turban on your head, and you were wearing black homespun clothes! The first time I saw you, you were a complete mountain dweller! ”

Everyone laughed!

Kewen smiled and said, "Uncle Xiaoda! Was the costume you were wearing at the time a national costume?! These costumes should be sold in the Great Spirit Market, right?! I think the mountain folk costumes are so handsome! Would you like to buy a costume like this?! I want to wear them back to the capital and show off to the children in our yard! ”

Xiaoda picked up Xiao Kewen and said with a smile: "Kewen! That's not good! If, you wear such a national costume back to the capital! The people who meet you must think you're quite strange, and maybe someone has arrested you as a gangster! ”

Everyone laughed!

Before we knew it, we came to the gate of Daling Elementary School.

This is the alma mater of me, Yanfang, and Xiaoda, and it is also the place where Yanfang's parents, Teacher Tao and Teacher Li, used to work and live.

At this time, the school was already on winter vacation, and after we identified ourselves with the school doorman and explained the reason for the visit, the doorman let us enter the campus for a tour.

There are no changes to the layout and appearance of the teachers' dormitories, offices, classroom areas, playgrounds and roads!

It's just that we feel that the buildings and spaces here are not as tall and grand as we remember, its space has become smaller, and the houses here are very low and dilapidated, which makes us very disappointed!

After entering the campus, Yanfang, Kexin, and Hong Kong students went to the teacher's dormitory area to find Mr. Tao's original house, the old house where the Tao family lived!

Anbang and Kewen were running and playing happily on campus, and Lilan kept capturing their movements and facial expressions!

Xiaoda and I stood on the campus playground, quietly watching everything in front of us, and the scenes of the year came to mind!

Xiaoda said: "Ah Cai! The place where we are standing now should be the place where Teacher Tao, Teacher Li and Yanfang once knelt, right?! ”

I said, "Alas! It's these things that suddenly came out of nowhere and changed the trajectory of all our lives! If, without Mr. Tao, they don't have the East Window incident! Maybe we won't join the secret service, we won't be adrift! Perhaps, we are still the mountain people here! ”

We were chatting, Kexin and Hong Kong students helped Yanfang out of the teacher's dormitory, and at this time, Yanfang cried into tears!

Xiaoda and I hurried forward to comfort them.

Hong Kong Sheng said: "Brother-in-law! My sister doesn't know what's wrong? When she saw a ruined house, she began to cry! ”

I said, "Hong Kong students! That's your old home! What are you going to do in those places? Let's go! Don't look at this kind of place! ”

So, I greeted Lilan, Anbang and Kewen, and they all left the campus together.

Leaving the school, we headed for the town's bazaar.

When I arrived at the market, I happened to meet my mother, Wei's mother, Haiyan's sister-in-law, Fei Fei, Sister Li Fen and Xue'er.

At this time, they bought a lot of souvenirs and children's special gifts from the market.

After we joined them, Yan Fang, Ke Xin, Hong Kong Sheng, Li Lan, An Bang and Ke Wen followed their mother and the others home.

After they left, Xiaoda and I were about to go to Mr. Cen's mansion to play, and on the way, we met Cai Jinghua.

Cai Jinghua smiled and said, "Ah Cai! Xiaoda! I just met your nemesis, Guard Liu! Alas, he is now rich! He opened a big mahogany furniture store in the place where you used to open a photo studio, and I heard that my father said that Liu Weibing's business is good! The furniture in your new house was bought in Liu Weibing's shop! ”

I said, "Yes! My mom told me! Jinghua! Now, Liu Weibing's background is very complicated, and he is not a person from us! You have to tell your family that in the future, don't pay attention to Liu Weibing! Sooner or later, this kind of person will get into trouble! ”

Cai Jinghua said: "Yes! That's what my dad said! Liu Weibing is in the wood and jade business in northern Myanmar, who knows, what else does he do?! Our family has long stopped interacting with their family! I heard that Liu Weibing has recently recruited a lot of young people in Daling Town, and he wants to take these people to northern Myanmar to help him do things! ”

I said, "Alas! In that kind of place in northern Myanmar, there are poor mountains and bad waters, soldiers and chaos, and it is very barren! What's the good thing to do there?! If the mainland doesn't buy timber and ore from them, they can only grow that kind of harmful thing! Alas, this kid is really harmful! ”

After the three of us finished talking on the roadside, we went to Mr. Cen's mansion together.

When we arrived at Teacher Cen's house, Teacher Cen, Uncle Lan, Brother Lide and others had already gone fishing with Brother Jingtian and them to the river.

At home, I only saw the sixth master and his son Uncle Silly, who were feeding the birds and playing in the pavilion near the Tibetan Scripture Pavilion, and we went forward to talk to them.

I said, "Sixth Master! I'm Ah Cai! Do you still recognize me? ”

The sixth master looked at me blankly, he kept shaking his head, and his mouth was reading, "Oh! I don't remember! I don't remember! ”

I looked at the sixth master, I couldn't help but hug him and cry!

Xiaoda patted me on the shoulder and said, "Ah Cai! Now, the sixth master's eyes can't see things clearly! His ears are also sharp! He knows everyone! He can only live on the impression of the past! Now, Teacher Cen is hiring someone to take care of the sixth master, the sixth grandmother and the stupid uncle! There shouldn't be our lunch here, let's go to your Qin family's ancestral house to eat! Then, let's go to the river to watch Mr. Cen and them fish! ”

So, after we said goodbye to the sixth master, the three of us left the Cen family compound and returned to the Qin family's house.

When we got home, lunch had just been prepared, and we had dinner with everyone.

After eating, me, Xiaoda, Cai Jinghua, my mother, Sister Caiyan, and Uncle Luo, the father of Brother Dazhi and Brother Daxin, drank tea and chatted in the main living room of the house.

Uncle Luo smiled and said, "Ah Cai! I heard your mother say, this time you are going to take Dazhi and Daxin to work overseas with you! We are very happy about this! Dazhi and Marsh can do things together, it's their blessing! ”

I said, "Uncle Luo! We are relatives, don't be so polite! After the Spring Festival, Brother Dazhi and Brother Daxin will leave with us! In the future, you and your aunt will have to take care of themselves! ”

Uncle Luo smiled and said, "Ah Cai! Never mind! We have a lot of Luo family, and we still have two sons at home, Daren and Dayi, and in the future, Dazhi and Daxin will follow you for a long time! Whatever you do, you can tell them to do it! I can trust you! ”

After Uncle Luo finished speaking, he went to do housework.

After he left, Sister Caiyan smiled and said, "Ah Cai! Do you think it's okay for me to be with Brother Lidger? ”

I said, "Okay! Brother Li De is sincere, honest and responsible! Sister Caiyan is hardworking, virtuous, smart and capable! You're going to be able to live a good life! ”

Sister Caiyan smiled and said, "Ah Cai! You're a cultural person! You summed it up so well for Lid! Mr. Cen said, after the Spring Festival, I will hand over the things I am responsible for in the shipping company to others, and then I will go to work in your Yangcheng Hualong office! In this way, I can be with Brother Liddell and you every day! ”

I said, "Good! Teacher Cen, this is well arranged! Our Yangcheng office is all our own people! When you get there, it's the same as at home! ”

The mother smiled and said, "Caiyan! You can rest assured to go to work in Ah Cai's office! Ah Cai will definitely take care of you! Teacher Cen and Uncle Lan are fishing by the river, they must be hungry, you can bring them lunch! ”

After we finished talking, me, Xiaoda, Cai Jinghua, and Sister Caiyan sent lunch to Teacher Cen, Uncle Lan, Brother Jing Tian, Brother-in-law Xiaodong, Brother Lide, and Jing Di.

We brought the food to the grass by the river where they were fishing, laid food and drinks on the tablecloth, and then beckoned them to put down their fishing rods and come over for dinner.

Soon, Teacher Cen, Uncle Lan, Brother Jing Tian, Brother-in-law Xiaodong, Brother Lide and Jing Di all gathered over, and everyone chatted while eating.

Teacher Cen smiled and said, "Okay! There is a big boss from overseas who brings us food, and this meal is so comfortable! ”

Uncle Lan smiled and said, "Yes! It seems that Ah Cai is the only one who has the true biography of Teacher Cen! Therefore, Ah Cai can become an immortal, and in this way, we will all become immortals! ”

Everyone laughed!

Brother Xiaodong said: "Yes! At that time, Ah Cai and Xiaoda were just naughty and smart children in our eyes! No one thought that now, Ah Cai is already a big boss who has started a family! Daling Town is really outstanding! ”

Teacher Cen smiled and said, "Yes! In the Republic of China in 46, I was the mayor of Daling Town! Establish a self-defense army, run schools, open factories, and trade for half a lifetime! Downs! How many times have you lived and died?! When everyone thought that the mountains and rivers were exhausted, Ah Cai rescued our big family! Ah Cai is indeed the pride of our great spirit people! ”

After they finished eating, me, Xiaoda and Cai Jinghua joined the ranks of fishing, and Sister Caiyan cleaned up everyone's leftover food and dishes and chopsticks and went home.

When the sun set in the afternoon, we caught a lot of fish, and after everyone collected the rods, Mr. Cen, Uncle Lan, Xiaoda and Brother Li De took their fishing gear and harvest back to Cen's house to make dinner.

I, Cai Jinghua, Jing Di, Jing Tiange, and Xiaodong's brother-in-law also returned to Qin's house with their things.

When we got home, my mother had already made dinner, and after we had put away our fishing gear and harvest, we had dinner with everyone, and we talked while eating.

The mother smiled and said, "Alas! Daling Town, it's that big! We're pretty much done in a day! Tomorrow we will go back to the provincial capital! ”

Cai Jinghua said: "Aunt! I'll go back to the provincial capital with you! In this way, it is more convenient for me and Ah Cai to go back to Hong Kong City! ”

Xiaoda said: "Alas! Teacher Cen and my dad are going to stay in Daling Town for the New Year, I want to go back to discuss with them, it's better for me, Kexin and Brother Lide to go back to the provincial capital with you! The New Year in the provincial capital is more lively and fun than here! ”

The mother said, "Yes! After eating, go home and discuss it with your family. Tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock, you guys bring your luggage here, and we'll go from here! ”

After dinner, Xiaoda and Cai Jinghua left, and I went to the kitchen with 5,000 yuan to find Uncle Luo and Aunt Luo.

When we saw them, we handed over 5,000 yuan to them, but Uncle Luo refused to accept it!

Uncle Luo said: "Ah Cai! You've helped us a lot! Your mother pays more than 100 yuan a month! You give so much money, we don't know how to use it? ”

I said, "Uncle Luo! This is my Chinese New Year red envelope for you! In the future, you can use it to buy some favorite things for medical treatment and emergency use! Take it! This money is important to you! ”

Uncle Luo and Aunt Luo accepted the money, and they wept and nodded to me.

......

After giving the gift, I went back to the room where Yanfang and I lived, and drank tea and chatted with Yanfang.

Yanfang smiled and said, "Ah Cai! When you went fishing at noon, Kexin and I went to the market, and we bought some mountain goods such as shiitake mushrooms, fungus, matsutake mushrooms, dried bamboo shoots and dried clams, as well as precious medicinal herbs such as notoginseng and gastrodia. These are all things that mom and dad love! Let them take it back to San Francisco and use it! ”

I said, "Yes! This can also relieve them of homesickness! ”

Yanfang said, "Yes! Hong Kong students and I think the same way! Ahh This place no longer belongs to us, and in the future, we can only develop and live overseas! ”

I said, "Yes! Life is like flowing water in a river, it is difficult to flow back when it flows past! ”

Yanfang hugged me and cried!

......

At 8 a.m. on January 29, after breakfast, everyone began to pack their luggage and belongings, as well as dry food and water for the road.

Soon, Xiaoda, Kexin, Cai Jinghua and Brother Li De came to our yard with their luggage and belongings.

Teacher Cen, Uncle Lan, Brother Lan Feng and others also came to the Qin family's ancestral house to see us off.

After our people returning to the city took their luggage and belongings and got on the minibus, we headed for the provincial capital.

......

At around 5 o'clock in the afternoon, we arrived at our home by the river at Yongcheng Wharf.

After getting off the bus, everyone moved their luggage and belongings to the house, and their mother arranged housing for Xiaoda and Kexin, Cai Jinghua, and Brother Lide.

After everything was arranged, me, Xiaoda, Jingdi and Cai Jinghua and other juniors went to cook dinner for everyone.

......

Early in the morning of Chinese New Year's Eve on February 6, after the Lan family and the Cen family set off firecrackers, Brother Zu Xing, Sister Li'an and Sister Caixia drove back to Daling Town for the New Year, and we went to see them off.

After seeing them off and having breakfast, everyone started to put up the lights, Jing Di and Lilan took Hong Kong Sheng, An Bang and Ke Wen to set off firecrackers and play in the courtyard of their homes, while the others were busy cooking New Year's dinner!

At 6 o'clock in the evening, Mother, Wei Ma, Jingtiange, Meixin, Sister Lifen, Xiaodong's brother-in-law, me, Yanfang, Xiaoda, Kexin, Brother Lide, Cai Jinghua, Jingdi, Lilan, Hong Kong Sheng, Anbang, Fei Fei, Kewen and Xue'er, etc., gathered around two tables of New Year's dinner in the restaurant at home, chatting while eating.

The mother smiled and said, "Alas! This New Year's dinner is a reunion dinner, but it's also a work dinner! After eating this meal, everyone is going to work hard and rush for the new year again! Being a human being is so busy, bumpy, it's hard to pause! ”

Wei's mother smiled and said, "Yes! Man is an animal, and if anyone can't move, it's over! ”

Everyone laughed!

Brother Xiaodong smiled and said, "Alas! That's a good idea! However, I think, in the future, you old men, don't work so hard and worry! Now that we young people have grown up, let's do a little more in the future! ”

Brother Lide said, "Yes! However, we have little experience and lack of experience! The older generation still has to lead the way, come up with ideas! ”

The mother smiled and said, "Alas! Lide must have learned a lot from Mr. Cen during this time, right? ”

Brother Lide smiled and said, "Yes! Teacher Cen told me that when I have nothing to do, I should fish more, and fishing can tell us a lot of life truths! When it comes to food and clothing, fishing is a game of people playing fish! When you're hungry, fishing is a way to make a living! You must not be in a hurry to make a living, otherwise, you will jump into the water to touch the fish! ”

Everyone laughed!

......

On February 7th, the first day of the Lunar New Year, our family went out to the streets, visited the park and took pictures.

In the evening, Jing Di and Lilan developed the photos they took during this time and made several albums, and gave them to Jiajia, Sister Lifen, Yanfang and Kexin, etc., and Xiaoda and I also gave our wedding photo album and wedding banquet photo album to each family.

After watching these albums, everyone was very happy!

......

On February 8, the second day of the Lunar New Year, Brother Furong, Brother Fugui, Brother Dazhi and Brother Daxin returned to our house with their luggage, and after my mother arranged housing for them, my mother went to the Southwest Shipping Company to help us buy tickets to Yangcheng.

At noon, my mother helped us buy tickets from the Southwest Shipping Company wharf to Yangcheng at 9 a.m. on February 9.

So, the people who were going to leave began to prepare their luggage and belongings.

......

Early in the morning of February 9th, 13 people, including me, Yanfang, Xiaoda, Kexin, Jingdi, Lilan, Gangsheng, Cai Jinghua, Brother Lide, Brother Furong, Brother Fugui, Brother Dazhi and Brother Daxin, after breakfast, we prepared to set off with our luggage and belongings.

Mother said, "Brother Furong, Brother Fugui, Brother Dazhi and Brother Daxin! All four of you are going out for the first time! When you arrive overseas, you must follow Ah Cai's arrangements and instructions! You must adapt to the new environment as soon as possible, learn skills, and be serious in life and work! Do you understand? ”

All four of them nodded to their mother with tears in their eyes!

Mother, Wei's mother, Sister Lifen, sister-in-law Meixin, Anbang, Kewen, Feifei and Xue'er saw us off in the courtyard at home.

After we said goodbye to our loved ones, we got on the bus with our luggage and belongings, and Brother Jing Tian and brother-in-law Xiaodong drove us to the dock of Southwest Shipping Company to take a passenger ship.

After arriving at the pier, after Jing Tiange and Xiaodong's brother-in-law put us on the boat, they left the passenger ship and drove home on the pier.

My mother booked three first-class cabins for us, one for Yanfang, Kexin and Lilan; Cai Jinghua, Brother Fu Rong, Brother Fugui, Brother Da Zhi and Brother Da Xin live in one room; I, Xiaoda, Jingdi, Gangsheng and Brother Lide live in one room.

After we put away our luggage and belongings, everyone lay down and rested.

......

At 8 a.m. on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year on February 11, we arrived at a passenger terminal in Yangcheng.

The 13 of us got off the boat with our respective luggage and belongings, and after leaving the dock, we saw Aunt Wen, Uncle Xian, as well as Director Ma Fengfeng and Aunt Xia Hong, Ma Yaya and Ma Xiaolan and other Ma family members.

Director Ma smiled and said, "Ah Cai! We heard that your passenger ship is calling here, so we came here! Here, I'm handing over Asia and Xiaolan to you! ”

I said, "Uncle Ma! Aunt Xia! You can rest assured! I'll help you get your two siblings right! Go back! We're going across the sea to Port City today! ”

Aunt Xia Hong said with tears in her eyes: "Asia! Xiaolan! In the future, you have to listen to the arrangements of Ah Cai, Jing Di and Lilan! When you arrive at the school overseas, you can call and write to your home! You know? ”

Asia said with tears in her eyes, "Daddy, Mommy! You have told us to remember! We must study hard and strive to return home as soon as possible! Take care of yourself! ”

After they said goodbye, Ma Yaya and Ma Xiaolan got into a business car with the 12 people we were going to Hong Kong City with their luggage and belongings.

Director Ma, Aunt Xia Hong, Uncle Xian, Aunt Wen and Brother Li De returned to the office in Brother Zhengmin's business car.

Then, Brother Zhengjun drove us to Yangcheng Afei Wharf.

At 10 o'clock in the morning, we arrived at Yangcheng Afei Wharf, and after all our personnel, luggage and belongings got off the bus, Brother Zhengjun drove back to the office.

The 14 of us went into the dock office, and Ah Fei happened to be on duty.

I said, "Ah Fei! I have six relatives who want to apply for a port city certificate and passport! How much? ”

Ah Fei smiled and said, "Talent! You have so many relatives! $8,000 per person for permanent ID and passport! Let's get $48,000 together! There are so many of you guys, I'll charge you another $2,000 for a ticket! Just give me $50,000 together! ”

Then, Ah Fei, Xiao Da and Jing Di took Brother Furong, Brother Fugui, Brother Dazhi, Brother Da Xin, Ma Yaya and Ma Xiaolan to the next office to apply for the certificate.

At around 11 a.m., all six of them got their permanent resident ID cards and passports.

After everyone verified that it was genuine, I gave Ah Fei $50,000!

Then, we went to the pier with our luggage and belongings to board the boat.

At 12 noon, 13 of us boarded a speedboat bound for Port City.

.....

At 2 o'clock in the afternoon, we arrived at the port city Longge Wharf, Brother Xiaobin and Brother Xiaohua drove a business car to pick us up, and we got in the car and returned directly to the Magic Star Villa.

......