Jiang Lin: “…”

She was a little at a loss, but didn’t move to avoid startling him.

Cheng Rushan’s voice was low as he said, “When his mother passed away, eldest brother was only 12 years old. He was greatly traumatized and has been somewhat unclear-minded since. Later, he took a knife to kill Cheng Fugui, stabbed Cheng Fugui’s eldest son, and was also severely beaten by them… After some other incidents, he became even more unclear-minded.”

Jiang Lin thought that he must only remember his mother when she was young.

Seeing a young and beautiful woman, he thought it was his mother.

A wave of pity surged in her heart.

She smiled, reached out to stroke Cheng Ruzhou’s messy, bird’s nest-like hair, and said, “Yes, yes, we’re home. Look at you, all messy like a wild child.”

The group of children also gathered around, curiously watching them.

Cheng Rushan patted Cheng Ruzhou’s shoulder. “Big brother, let’s go.”

Cheng Ruzhou turned his head to look at him and grinned, “Dad, you look younger and more handsome.”

Cheng Rushan: “…”

Cheng Ruzhou turned and squatted down, saying to Jiang Lin, “Mom, come on, I’ll carry you. I’m really strong now, I can carry you like I’m flying.”

Jiang Lin thought it was better not to.

It would be troublesome if she ended up flying into a ditch.

Finally, Dabao and Xiaobao couldn’t hold back anymore. “Uncle, that’s my mom!”

Cheng Ruzhou put on a stern face. “Nonsense, call me big brother. My mom is your Aunt.” He pointed to Cheng Rushan. “That’s my dad, your uncle.”

Dabao and Xiaobao were a bit confused, their little faces twisted in indecision, unsure of what to do.

It was beyond their understanding.

Cheng Rushan picked up Dabao and Xiaobao and said to Cheng Ruzhou, “You’re too thin. You’ll make mom uncomfortable. No need to carry her.”

Cheng Ruzhou pinched his own arm.

Was he really that thin?

Then he pinched Cheng Rushan’s arm and found that he did indeed have less flesh.

He whined to Jiang Lin, “Mom, if you don’t come, I’ll miss you so much that I’ll get thinner.”

Seeing him act so spoiled, Cheng Rushan remembered his uncle saying that Ruzhou was the most mischievous and unruly when he was a child, not listening to his mother’s discipline, always making her angry, causing trouble if he wasn’t punished for three days.

Jiang Lin smiled and took his arm, “The ground is slippery, you hold on to me.”

Cheng Ruzhou obediently and carefully supported her, saying, “Mom, I learned a new opera, I’ll sing it for you.”

He began singing the operas his mother loved, such as “The Peony Pavilion,” “The Peach Blossom Fan,” “The Western Wing,” “The Palace of Eternal Life,” and other classics that any opera lover must hear.

He also sang some other pieces.

These were all learned from scripts he memorized as a child.

Singing them effortlessly now, it was as if he had been singing for years, his voice smooth and skillful.

“…Yan Hui! My son! Which gust of wind blew you back home?” His thoughts quickly jumped, and in a series of lines, he moved on to “Four Scholars Visiting Their Mother.”

Jiang Lin, unfamiliar with the operas, nodded frequently even though she was confused, as if she were deeply engrossed.

Cheng Ruzhou was very happy.

Dabao and Xiaobao, held by Cheng Rushan, watched as their mother was taken away by their uncle.

Dabao pouted with a serious face, and Xiaobao pouted his lips, clearly unhappy.

They had thought their uncle’s return would mean playing with them, but instead, he took their mother away!

By the time they reached the small courtyard, the sun had already set, but it was not yet dark.

Yan Runzhi and Cheng Yunzhi came out when they heard the commotion.

Jiang Lin said to Cheng Ruzhou, “Look, that’s your mother.”

Cheng Ruzhou looked confused again.

He glanced at Yan Runzhi, his eyes showing some excitement, but the light quickly faded.

He shook his head, “Mom doesn’t have wrinkles on her face.”

Yan Runzhi said, “Wensheng, I’m your mom. You’ve grown up, so of course, mom has wrinkles now. Come here.”

Cheng Ruzhou looked at Jiang Lin again, “This is mom. Mom is beautiful and young.”

Yan Runzhi hurried over, stood on her tiptoes, and gestured to him, “Look how tall you are. You’ve grown so big, so mom has become like a grandma.”

Cheng Ruzhou seemed to understand a bit, nodded, but still held onto Jiang Lin’s arm, “This is mom. You are grandma.”

He pointed to Dabao and Xiaobao, “They are Big Dongsheng and Little Dongsheng.”

Jiang Lin quietly asked Cheng Rushan, “He remembers you when you were little?”

Cheng Rushan said, “When I was little, he was sometimes clear-minded and sometimes confused. Later, he became completely unclear.”

Cheng Yunzhi called to Cheng Ruzhou, “Wensheng.”

Wensheng was Cheng Ruzhou’s childhood nickname.

He looked at Cheng Yunzhi and said, “Dad, what’s up?”

Dabao shouted, “That’s your grandpa! If you call grandma ‘grandma,’ shouldn’t you call him grandpa?”

Cheng Ruzhou readily agreed, “Grandpa, hehe.”

Cheng Yunzhi: “…”

He sighed, “Wensheng has always called me Dad, now he’s confused.”

Yan Runzhi said, “Bao’s mom, don’t worry. He’ll get used to it over time.”

Jiang Lin said, “It’s nothing. Shouldn’t we take big brother to the provincial hospital for a checkup?”

Cheng Rushan said, “It might not help.”

Cheng Yunzhi sighed, “Secretary Guan helped find a doctor before. They said this kind of illness generally can’t be cured.” At that time, they knew that normal people who became feeble-minded usually only got worse, rarely better.

Jiang Lin didn’t want the atmosphere to be too heavy, so she said, “Anyway, it can’t be worse than before.”

Dabao and Xiaobao immediately ran over, each grabbing one of her hands, afraid that Wensheng would come to take her away.

Cheng Ruzhou looked a bit conflicted but then generously said, “Fine, my mom is your mom.”

Cheng Rushan said to Yan Runzhi, “Mom, help dad and big brother pack up. We’re moving to the guest house.”

This place was too small to accommodate everyone, and Cheng Yunzhi and Cheng Ruzhou didn’t live alone; they had other roommates.

Unless couples came together and stayed in one room, usually several people shared a room to save space and help each other.

This was a benefit that came with improved policies and longer stays.

Initially, everyone slept in large communal beds at the detention center, even couples had to sleep separately.

Yan Runzhi took Cheng Yunzhi to pack up.

Cheng Yunzhi said, “Actually, there’s not much, just a few clothes.”

The clothes were all patched up, repaired over the years.

The shoes were straw sandals and straw socks, not cloth shoes, and everything else was simple.

Yan Runzhi helped him pack.

Cheng Yunzhi said, “Wait a minute, I need to say goodbye to some old friends.”

Cheng Rushan went to make arrangements and would come back to pick them up later.

After a while, Cheng Yunzhi’s two roommates returned, also men in their forties or fifties, looking ten years older than their actual age.

“Old Cheng, your good days are here! Congratulations!” Old Yuan said happily.

Another roommate, Old Chen, wore a somber expression but sincerely offered his blessings, “Brother Cheng, if anyone else had been vindicated before me, I wouldn’t be happy. But for you, I’m glad. Dongsheng is a good man.”

Cheng Yunzhi had been here for over twenty years, initially confined in a labor camp where he couldn’t even contact his elder brother.

After a few years, the situation improved, and when he got married, they were allocated a small room.

Later, Yan Runzhi was allowed to take the children home, so he stayed with his brother and nephew.

After his brother passed away, he continued living with his nephew, sharing accommodation with others.

Over these years, he had lived with all kinds of people.

Due to his mild temperament and uncomplaining nature, along with his tight-lipped demeanor, he got along well with everyone, no matter how solitary or difficult they were.

Cheng Yunzhi shook hands with him, “Don’t lose heart.”

Old Chen scoffed, “Lose heart? I’m doing just fine here. Going back would be uncomfortable.

This brain of mine is already rusty, only good for tending sweet potatoes and composting manure, can’t do any other nonsense.

What’s the use of going back? If they asked me to go back, I wouldn’t.”

At this time, others who heard Cheng Yunzhi was leaving came to congratulate and bid farewell.

Some brought vegetables, others brought flour and eggs.

Cheng Yunzhi introduced Jiang Lin, Dabao, and Xiaobao to them.

Everyone was envious, “Old Cheng is truly blessed, having a son like Dongsheng, and such a daughter-in-law and grandchildren.”

It was rare for an educated youth from a good family background to marry a descendant of a landlord.

In some families, the children were in their thirties or forties and still couldn’t find a spouse.

Yan Runzhi decided to leave their clothes, bedding, and utensils for the roommates to use.

Cheng Yunzhi carried a wooden box, which contained his writings about Yunye Lake, helping him alleviate his longing, depression, and resentment.

He had attended a private school in his youth, not a Western-style one, and was less influenced by new culture movements.

His writings were in old-style Chinese with a classical touch, subtly expressing his feelings, so they were not confiscated.

The old men were reluctant to part, exchanging farewells, while Jiang Lin played with Dabao, Xiaobao, and Wensheng in the courtyard.

Cheng Ruzhou didn’t quite understand why Dabao and Xiaobao were monopolizing his mother, but being generous with his younger brothers, he played with all of them and his mother together.

Jiang Lin asked him, “What other operas can you sing?”

Cheng Ruzhou proudly replied, “I can sing all the ones Mom likes. You name it!”

Dabao and Xiaobao pouted and exchanged glances before saying to Cheng Ruzhou, “Uncle…”

“Call me big brother! You got the generations mixed up!” Cheng Ruzhou earnestly corrected them.

Dabao and Xiaobao leaned into Jiang Lin’s ear and whispered, “Mom, Uncle is so silly, even sillier than Gou Sheng.”

Jiang Lin didn’t scold them.

They were still young and didn’t understand the situation.

She would have to explain it to them slowly, preferably quietly, so Cheng Ruzhou wouldn’t hear and get upset.

Besides, she realized that Cheng Ruzhou wasn’t completely unaware—he still understood that the generational titles were wrong.

Jiang Lin smiled at them, “Let’s play a game. Do you want to play?”

Dabao and Xiaobao got excited, “Yes, yes!” They were always up for a game.

Cheng Ruzhou got even more excited, “Mom, I want to play too.”

Every time he called her “Mom,” Jiang Lin shivered a little.

“Okay, you go over there and wait. I’ll give you your task soon.” She pointed to the fence.

Cheng Ruzhou obediently went over.

Jiang Lin then whispered to Dabao and Xiaobao, “Your uncle is sick. He forgot how old he is and thinks he’s your age.

So now he’s your big brother.

If he calls me Mom, let him.

He doesn’t understand things as well as you two do.

When Mom and Dad tell you something, you understand right away, but he doesn’t, so we have to handle it this way, okay?”

Hearing their mother praise them for being understanding, the boys nodded immediately. “Mom, we understand.”

Jiang Lin smiled, “You two are so good. From now on, take care of your big brother, protect him, and make sure he doesn’t get hurt.”

“Okay!” The little brothers agreed readily.

Jiang Lin gestured for them to bring their big brother back.

Dabao and Xiaobao ran over, each taking one of Cheng Ruzhou’s hands, signaling him to squat down.

So the three brothers squatted next to two chickens, staring at the chickens with wide eyes.

Dabao said, “Big brother, we’re going home. You have to listen to us from now on.”

Xiaobao added, “Listen to us, and we’ll give you candy.”

He then took out an orange candy he had hidden away, peeled off the wrapper, and handed it to Cheng Ruzhou. “But don’t bite me, okay?”