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Wang Zhenhe looked at the nearly ripe wheat and had a sudden idea. “Wife, I feel staying here isn’t so bad. We’ve been here for so long, and I feel quite comfortable. Maybe we should live here in the future. The climate is like spring all year round, and there are no mosquitoes. It might even improve your health.”
Zhang Lan had considered this question before, but with so many people at home, it wouldn’t be ideal if they were discovered. “Zhenhe, let’s take it easy on this matter. Too many people will easily give away our secret. We’ll come in at night and do some work. Look, the corn hasn’t been husked yet. Let’s sit down and do that; it’ll be a form of rest for us.”
With Wang Zhenhe joining in, even husking the corn felt invigorating for the mother and daughter. Watching the couple husking the corn, Wang Qian felt that bringing her father in was the right decision. With just her mother and herself, it would have taken much longer to finish the work.
“Dad, in a couple of days, we’re going to the city to sell vegetables. You should come with us. Take the older siblings to the city. We’ve been living here for so long, and our family members haven’t even been to the city. We can also submit the documents left by Grandma Zuo.”
Zhang Lan had long wanted to take her children to experience life in the city, but the right opportunity hadn’t presented itself. If her husband could help this time, it would be a good chance for her and her daughter to sell vegetables and for the children to see the outside world.
Wang Zhenhe’s movements didn’t slow down. “Sure, it’s time for our family to go out and see the world. It’s a good thing for the kids.”
Glancing at the vegetable garden, Wang Zhenhe couldn’t help but sigh. “Wife, it’s a shame. We have this treasure, but we can’t eat fresh vegetables every day. I’m craving some. I’m going to eat a persimmon.”
Having eaten only potatoes and pickled vegetables all winter, he was eager to taste something fresh. The cucumber he had just eaten left him wanting more.
After taking a bite of the persimmon, Wang Zhenhe felt it was much tastier than the vegetables they grew. It had a sweet and refreshing sensation, making him feel relaxed. Looking at the entire space, Wang Zhenhe felt the vegetables produced here might be extraordinary.
“Wife, you should eat more of the vegetables from here. I feel comfortable after just one bite. Maybe it could even cure your heart disease. Think about it, our daughter is an extraordinary child. Perhaps the things grown here have healing properties,” Wang Zhenhe said.
Zhang Lan had always suspected that her improved health was related to the space. Hearing her husband’s words only confirmed her belief. “Zhenhe, haven’t you noticed how much better my health has been in the past two years? I haven’t fallen ill in spring, autumn, or winter. I believe it’s related to spending time here and eating the produce.”
Wang Zhenhe was well aware of his wife’s improved health during this time. “Wife, it seems this space has had a positive effect on your health. I don’t wish for anything else, just for you to be healthy. Let’s watch our children grow up together and enjoy family happiness.”
For Zhang Lan, seeing her children grow up had always been her wish. She was moved by her husband’s words. “Zhenhe, if heaven could take pity on our family, allowing me to live a few more years, I don’t think I could rest in peace until I see the children grown up.”
Wang Qian knew that her mother had unresolved concerns about her health. “Mom, heaven will surely open its eyes. Look at us; we’re sensible and obedient. Our family is hardworking and kind. If even a kind person like you doesn’t live a long life, then that’s just not fair.”
Wang Zhenhe patted his daughter’s head and smiled. “Sweetie, your mom will definitely live a long and healthy life. She’s such a kind person, enduring so much suffering. Heaven will surely take pity on us.”
The family of three worked happily in the space, and Wang Qian was able to take it easy this time. She had the opportunity to check on the ginseng she had planted, relocating all the fruits to a new location. She felt that the ginseng she had previously planted would grow exceptionally large, benefitting from the unrestricted growth in this space.
After two nights in the space, Wang Zhenhe deeply appreciated the hardships endured by the mother and daughter. After harvesting the soybeans, he suggested focusing on sesame, which would allow the family to have sesame oil. Additionally, any surplus could be sold, making it a less conspicuous option than selling soybean oil.
Observing the ginseng fields planted by his daughter, Wang Zhenhe couldn’t help but be surprised at the quantity of such a precious item. All of this was attributed to his daughter’s efforts. Without her, their family might still be struggling near the poverty line. Now, they had no worries about food and clothing, and this child had played a significant role in that.
Though he couldn’t recall exactly how this child had gradually improved their family’s situation, one thing he did know was that since the incident of the family being mistreated, this child had changed. She had become not only sensible but had also made him realize the responsibilities of being a father and a husband.
Wang Zhenhe lifted his daughter, who was helping to tidy up the tangerines, and said, “Qianqian, I’m grateful to have you by our side. I owe you a belated apology and my thanks.”
This heartfelt expression from Wang Zhenhe, albeit belated, revealed his genuine sentiment. Though somewhat late, a man must stand by his actions and be willing to face his own shortcomings. This was Wang Zhenhe’s current mindset.
Hearing Wang Zhenhe’s somewhat belated apology, Wang Qian felt a mix of happiness and sadness. If only he had spoken these words sooner, she thought, perhaps her little self wouldn’t have faced such a tragic fate. Nevertheless, she welcomed the admission of fault from her current father, especially given that he was her father.
“Dad, I accept your words, but you must remember your promises in the future. We can respect our parents, but we shouldn’t be used as sacrifices without reason. Some things we can endure, but we have to have a minimum bottom line. Please don’t let us down again. The human heart is fragile, and once hurt, it’s difficult to mend,” Wang Qian advised her father.
Listening to her daughter’s advice to her husband, Zhang Lan felt a myriad of emotions. If these events were to happen again, she wasn’t certain she would have the courage and patience to endure them once more.
“Zhenhe, listen carefully. What our daughter just said is what I want to say as well. Over the many years of our marriage, I’ve never complained to you about anything. But after all that has happened, and with our child’s life nearly lost, I don’t want such a thing to happen again. So, for our sake and for the sake of our family, remember our daughter’s words today,” Zhang Lan added.
Wang Zhenhe, upon hearing both mother and daughter, understood that he would be foolish not to grasp the gravity of their words. He quickly embraced his daughter and reassured his wife, “Wife, from now on, you can judge me based on my actions. I can’t change the past, but I won’t let it happen again. After all that’s happened, if I still don’t understand, then I’ve lived these years in vain. Rest assured, my heart has always been with you, and I’ll unquestionably follow your lead.”
The mother and daughter couldn’t help but chuckle at his last words. “Dad, you really do have a sense of humor. From now on, you’re under my command. You just need to follow my lead, and our family life will be just fine,” Wang Qian said humorously.
The couple couldn’t help but smile as they looked at their daughter, who seemed somewhat like a little general.
When Mingyuan and the others heard that they were going to the city today, they were overjoyed. It had been a long time since their last visit to the city.
Hao Lianchun helped the children change into clean clothes. Zuo He didn’t feel particularly excited, as he had already been to the city for quite some time. However, it was different for Zuo Hao. Since coming to this place, he hadn’t been anywhere else, so he was eager to see what the city was like.
Hao Lianchun was glad to see this day come. Finally, Zhang Lan had been able to let go of her worries and tell Zhenhe everything, which meant that their relationship had taken a step forward.
“Hao Hao, when we’re in the city, you need to look after your younger brothers. Don’t be naughty,” the old lady reminded her eldest grandson before they left.
“Don’t worry, Grandma. Are we the kind of people who don’t know how to behave? We’ll be obedient and follow Uncle and Auntie. When we come back, we’ll bring you some delicious treats,” Zuo Hao reassured his grandmother.
The children had their eyes opened when they arrived in the city. It was quite different from their rural home. While Mingcheng had been to the market town, it was the first time for him and the others in the county town. Everything seemed new and exciting to them, and they were full of questions. Zuo He helped explain things, which saved Wang Qian a lot of trouble. There were some things she didn’t quite understand. She usually went there to earn money, and apart from that, she hadn’t really had the chance to explore their county town. Mingcheng made a mark in a small notebook for every place they visited, prompting Mingyuan to ask curiously, “Brother, what are you doing that for?”
Mingcheng said earnestly, “I’m making a map. That way, when we come back, we won’t get lost.”
Wang Zhenhe patted his eldest son’s shoulder. In the blink of an eye, the little boy had grown into a young man, and he seemed to be getting more mature in his actions.
Wang Zhenhe strolled around with the children, and Zhang Lan and her daughter parted ways with them. The mother and daughter seized the opportunity to sell their goods, agreeing to meet up at the courtyard of the Zuo family.
The father and his children went for a walk in the park, which wasn’t very large. They soon passed through the park and arrived at the shops.
“Dad, why do I feel like the people living in the city don’t have it as good as we do? Look at those little courtyards; I saw that many families live in each one,” Wang Xuan observed, noticing that the people here didn’t have houses as big as theirs.