Which way to go is the road?

Xiang Fei returned home on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, just in time for the peak of the return journey. The square of Yandu Railway Station was packed with people, and a large number of passengers filed out of the exit, all with rosy cheeks and full of energy, returning home with the nourishment and joy of the New Year from their hometown.

The entrance was relatively relaxed, filled with passengers transferring at Yandu Station. Without exception, everyone was carrying large bags and small bags, filled with the earnest wishes and entrustments of their loved ones.

Some young men were furious and grimaced at the heavy luggage, wishing they could throw it away as soon as possible, but they still gritted their teeth and persevered. Parents' love can sometimes become a burden, but who can bear to throw it away?

The day before she was to go home, Qian Luomei called Xiang Fei to the attic and handed him a red envelope: "You've worked hard these past few days, this is a treat for you. Have a good New Year when you get home!"

Xiang Fei did not refuse. He had been working hard outside for more than half a year. If he returned home empty-handed for the New Year, not to mention whether his family would worry or complain, he would also feel ashamed and embarrassed.

He opened the envelope and found 2000 yuan in brand-new banknotes. Adding this to his recent salary, he had a total of over 4000 yuan. He would keep 1000 yuan for his mortgage payment, and 1000 yuan to live in Yandu. He would have 2000 yuan to spend freely when he went home for the Chinese New Year.

This time when he went home, Xiang Fei got a hard seat by the window. Not only did he have something to lean on while sleeping, but he could also look at the scenery outside the window when he got bored. It was arguably the most pleasant train journey he had ever had, even though it only happened twice. But after taking countless train rides since then, he still felt that it was the most pleasant one.

When the cost of happiness is relatively low, people tend to experience more joy and satisfaction. Conversely, when expectations are higher, the sense of happiness decreases significantly.

I boarded the train at 3 p.m. and after a bumpy five-hour journey, I arrived back in the county town. It was completely dark by then, and the lights at the small station were dim. A few people who had just gotten off the train were dragging their suitcases and carrying various plastic bags as they walked on their own.

Eager to get home, I hurried along!

Although his family already knew that Xiang Fei was coming back today, he didn't expect anyone to come and pick him up. After all, the family's only means of transportation were the two bicycles. Although they had a tractor, it was too cumbersome. It was fine for hauling crops, but not suitable for picking up people!

The exit was crowded with people: relatives picking up passengers, women promoting hotels, and various drivers soliciting customers!

As soon as Xiang Fei exited the station, he walked away with his head down, too lazy to pay attention to the women and drivers trying to solicit customers. Suddenly, someone grabbed his clothes from behind. He turned around, about to get angry, but had to hold back and change his expression.

"Mother, what brings you here?"

"All you do is run away! Don't you even look where you're going? If I hadn't stopped you, you would have disappeared!" Mother Zhang Xiue scolded, taking the things from Xiang Fei's hands.

"Hehe, I didn't expect you to come pick me up! My mom really loves me. Let's go home!"

Xiang Fei followed his mother down the steps. They hadn't walked far when they came to a corner of the train station square. There were two bicycles parked there, and a girl was standing next to them. Who else could it be but Xiang Fei's younger sister, Xiang Mei!

"Brother, you're back?" Xiang Mei ran to Xiang Fei in a few steps, took off her backpack and put it on her own, and took her brother's hand to walk back!

"Xiang Mei, did you miss your brother?"

"No, why would I miss you? You left without a word, making me worry and even doing so much work for you! Look at my hands!" After the initial excitement of seeing her brother, Xiang Mei pouted, expressing her dissatisfaction as she remembered her brother's sudden departure.

Xiang Fei held his sister's hand and touched her palm. There was indeed a thin layer of calluses. Usually, as long as he was at home, Xiang Mei didn't need to do any work. It seemed that she had suffered a lot in the past six months. He couldn't help but feel a little guilty!

"Brother was wrong, I shouldn't have made you suffer. I accept the punishment. What kind of punishment do you want? Anything is fine!"

Xiang Mei couldn't think of anything to punish him with, but seeing the two bicycles, an idea came to her: "You'll be punished by riding them to take me home, and you can't stop or rest along the way!"

"No, your brother just got off the train and he's exhausted. I'll take you!" Before Xiang Fei could answer, his mother firmly objected.

"Mom, don't worry about it! It's alright, we're just sitting on the train, it's not tiring at all. Taking Xiangmei along is good exercise!"

Xiang Fei walked over, pushed the bicycle aside, got on, and braced himself with one leg: "Come on, Xiang Mei, hurry up and get on!"

"Wait a minute, are you really going to ride back like this in this freezing weather? Come on, put on some thick clothes, gloves, and earmuffs!" Mother Zhang Xiu'e had somehow produced so many pieces of equipment.

After getting ready, Xiang Mei steadied herself against the car body, jumped lightly, and sat steadily in the back seat.

With a powerful push of his feet, the bicycle slid forward, and Xiang Fei rode quickly with his sister. They could even hear the wind rushing past their ears. Their laughter and playfulness dispelled the surrounding darkness, and the road they passed became as bright as under a streetlamp.

They rode their bicycles in the opposite direction along the road where Xiang Fei had run away from home. The brother and sister laughed and played in front, while their elderly mother followed closely behind, calling out from time to time to tell Xiang Fei to slow down. When it didn't work, she couldn't help but chuckle and mutter a few words.

The roads closer to the county town had streetlights, but after riding for three or four miles, the streetlights went out, and the surroundings suddenly became dark. Fortunately, on the night of the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, although there was no moon, there were many stars, enough to light the way home.

"Brother, are you suffering in Kyoto? Where are you staying?" After the laughter subsided, Xiang Mei began to inquire about her brother's life in a foreign land.

Hearing the topic, the mother behind her also took two quick steps to keep up!

"What suffering? On my way to Kyoto, I met a kind girl. We hit it off, and she recommended a place to stay to me—a two-bedroom apartment. I shared one room with her friend, and the place was really nice!"

Half-truths, half-lies; reporting only good news and hiding the bad—which traveler returning home doesn't do the same?

"So what kind of work do you do in Beijing? Is it profitable?" Xiang Mei continued to ask.

"Working as a manager at an internet cafe doesn't earn you a lot of money, but it's enough to live on, and you can even save a little! Xiang Mei, does your brother look like someone who's broke?"

Xiang Mei pursed her lips: "Whether she looks like a poor person is hard to say, but she certainly doesn't look like a rich person!"

Xiang Fei and his mother Zhang Xiue were amused by Xiang Mei's words. Xiang Mei glanced at the two laughing people and laughed herself!

"Xiang Mei, feel my left shirt pocket, yes, this pocket! Take the things out!" Xiang Fei instructed his sister, who took a piece of paper out of the pocket.

"One hundred yuan! Brother, what do you mean? Is it for me?" Xiang Mei said excitedly, stroking the brand-new one hundred yuan bill.

"Here you go, this is your New Year's money!" Xiang Fei said with a smug look on his face.

……

After cycling for more than an hour, they finally arrived at the village entrance.

The village, like an old ox, lies quietly on the open plain, dotted with lights that twinkle with the joy and peace of the rural New Year. The sounds of barking dogs, firecrackers, and children crying come from all around, familiar and comforting. You can even smell the aroma of food and wine wafting from someone's yard.