Summer Green Apples

She stood there silently.

Luo Meixia thought she was just too happy. "Your mother called last night and said that she'll stay a little longer this time and take you back to Beijing with her. You can stay at home for half a month and then go directly to your new school to register."

Everything is going well.

No one ever asked her whether she was willing or not.

Ji Xiwen stood there stunned for a moment before speaking, "What time are you arriving?"

"We should be there by 10:30," Luo Meixia said with a smile.

She has been very happy these past few days. She always knew that her granddaughter had good grades, but she never expected her to rank third in the province.

What does it mean to be third in the province?

For Luo Meixia, this is no less than the God of Literature descending to earth; it is already a great honor for her ancestors.

In addition, her eldest son and daughter-in-law were about to bring her grandson back, and the whole family would be reunited. She was so happy that she couldn't sleep. She got up early in the morning and started killing chickens.

Luo Meixia was illiterate. As a child, she helped with housework and took care of the family. After getting married, she continued to take care of the children and the family.

For her, the happiest thing is having her family reunited and her younger generation succeeding.

10:30 is simply not enough time for a round trip to the county town.

Ji Xi sighed and looked down at the dress she was wearing.

She turned around, went back to her room, changed out of her dress, and sent a message to Young Master Chi.

CS hasn't replied, so he's probably still "hibernating."

Mingying and the other two arrived much earlier than Luo Meixia had said. Just after ten o'clock, Luo Meixia received the call.

"Mom, we've arrived at the village."

Luo Meixia's cell phone was old, and the speakerphone volume was very loud, which could be clearly heard by the other three people in the kitchen.

Ji Rong washed the cucumber, took a bite, and said, "I'll go check at the door."

My aunt also put down the garlic sprouts she was holding, "I'm going too."

Ji Xiwen was the calmest one. She lowered her head and peeled the garlic methodically, her movements slow and leisurely, peeling it very cleanly.

Luo Meixia hung up the phone and patted her on the shoulder. "Go out and see what's going on. We're all family, don't be shy."

She defined Ji Xiwen's "calmness" as "shyness".

Ji Xiwen put down what she was holding and did not object. "Okay."

As soon as she reached the door, the director, who was lying by the roadside, clung to her.

The director is an older dog who hasn't been very active since the beginning of the year. In the past, it would have circled around Ji Xiwen, rubbing against her ankles and wagging its tail enthusiastically. Now, it just lies down at Ji Xiwen's feet.

Then he stared at Ji Xiwen with his wet, black bean-like eyes without blinking.

It hummed softly.

"Woof."

It didn't understand why Ji Xiwen hadn't come back for so long this time.

So whenever it sees Ji Xiwen, it will definitely come over.

Ji Xiwen squatted down and reached out to rub its head, a feeling of sadness welling up inside her.

She has grown up, taken the college entrance examination, received an admission letter from her dream university, and is about to go to a new city.

This backward, peaceful, tranquil, yet decaying little village always welcomes and sees off visitors in this way, sending off one young person after another.

The director is a little mongrel, a dog that grew up and grew old in this village, a domineering little dog. It will stay in this village forever, and its body will remain on this land forever after it dies.

Separation is an indispensable part of human growth.

She whispered, "I hope you'll be alright when I come back next time."

The director grunted and flicked his tail, it was unclear whether he understood.

The sound of a tricycle horn could be heard in the distance.

Ji Xiwen raised her head.

When the tricycle stopped at the door, Ji Feiran was the first to jump down.

He was wearing a light blue short-sleeved shirt with a small dog printed on the front and black shorts.

I hadn't seen him for almost two years. He had grown taller and had a fair complexion. He looked like someone who had been pampered since childhood, and he was very different from the children in this village.

He ran up to Ji Xiwen, a little shy but with bright eyes, and said, "Sister, you're amazing!"