In 1959, what's wrong with me pedaling a tricycle?

When his family learned that Wang Xingguo would be working in Beijing and would no longer have to travel for work so often, they were overjoyed.

Wang Xingning said to Wang Xingguo, "Second Brother, I have a salary now. I'll treat you to something special tomorrow. How about we have chicken soup?"

Wang Xingguo suddenly realized that his younger sister was already eighteen years old!

Time flies so fast. As always, he patted her head and said with a smile, "Great! Your second brother has been waiting for your chicken soup. It's so good to have grown up."

Wang Xingning said with a grin, "Of course! Tomorrow I'll check if there's anything good in the shop, and then I'll make a trip to the Baizhifang Pigeon Market during my lunch break. There aren't as many people stealing poultry in the Tianqiao area now, but the area around Lotus Lake is where the most people steal and sell chickens and ducks that aren't part of the mission. If someone checks, just say you're giving them to relatives. With an entry permit, the police can't arrest you."

The girl has really grown up; she already knows these things.

Wang Xingguo sometimes feels awkward, and he hopes that his younger siblings will grow up quickly and become sensible.

But they were very sensible from a very young age.

He also hoped they wouldn't grow up too fast and face all the problems that arise in society.

But time spares no one!

Having experienced so much over the years, even the smile that used to be on his face has disappeared.

How could he expect his younger siblings not to grow up?

Perhaps in the not-too-distant future, they will still be there for her, seeing her off on her wedding day...

Wang Xingguo looked up at the ceiling, his mind filled with memories of the four siblings after their parents passed away.

Wang Xingning tugged at his sleeve and asked, puzzled, "Second Brother, what's wrong? Why are you suddenly spacing out?"

Wang Xingguo's thoughts returned to reality. He quickly wiped his eyes and replied with a smile, "It's nothing, just a flying insect hit my eye. I was wondering why there would be flying insects in this weather. It was probably just some debris from the ceiling."

"Second brother, let me take a look. We need to get something out of there."

"It's okay. The pain from it making my eyes water probably brought some tears out. I feel fine now..."

It was a little embarrassing, and Wang Xingguo dared not let his sister know that he was thinking about the past and was shedding tears because of the memories.

He didn't think there was anything wrong with a man urinating a little. Everyone has emotions. What nonsense about men bleeding but not crying? Are men not human?

Everyone has moments when their true feelings are revealed, so he doesn't think tears are a sign of weakness, nor does he believe that being able to grit your teeth and not cry because you're sad is a sign of strength.

He was just trying to save face and didn't want to show too much emotion in front of his younger siblings.

Everyone started eating lunch, and Wang Xingguo said to the others, "I'm afraid I can't be of any help; I'm too sleepy."

Wang Xingbang said cheerfully, "Second brother, go and rest after you've eaten. We've bought all the vegetables; we'll just stack them up to dry."

Actually, it's really necessary to dry the outside of Chinese cabbage. Besides preventing it from rotting, drying the outside of the cabbage means that even if the outer leaves turn yellow or spoil, at least the inside won't be affected.

The Beginning of Winter in 1964 was November 7th, but the weather is getting colder today, so the Chinese cabbage can't wait until the Beginning of Winter to be harvested; it has to be done a few days earlier.

There was still a mobilization for the autumn vegetable harvest campaign, but Wang Xingguo felt that these things seemed a bit distant from him, since he hadn't participated in the autumn vegetable harvest campaign for the past two years.

After eating and drinking their fill, Wang Xingguo was extremely sleepy, and Wang Jianhua was also tired from playing all day. For the first time, he said he wanted to sleep with his father.

Wang Xingguo happily carried the little guy back to the room, and the father and son fell asleep soon after lying down.

Wang Jianhua doesn't really like sleeping with his parents, but lately he's been missing his father, so he wants to catch up on sleep with him.

After sleeping for several hours, Wang Jianhua woke up.

He had intended to wake his father, but his father was snoring loudly.

Actually, he's not stupid.

He knew that his father didn't snore much when he wasn't tired.

When a father snores in his sleep, it usually means that he is very tired and sleepy.

So he couldn't bear to wake him up, and the feeling of heartache appeared in his mind for the first time.

So even my radiant, heroic father gets tired?

He tiptoed out of bed, ran out, hugged Li Xiuping's leg, and cried.

His crying startled Li Xiuping, who quickly asked, "Son, what's wrong? Did Daddy accidentally roll over on you?"

Wang Jianhua replied tearfully, "Mom, Dad is so tired..."

Li Xiuping paused for a moment, then squatted down and looked at her son, asking, "How did you know Dad was tired?"

Wang Jianhua sobbed, "Dad...he doesn't usually snore...but he snores every time he comes home...he's just tired..."

Li Xiuping held her son and gently patted his back. She felt both gratified and proud of her son's intelligence.

She said softly, "Yes, Dad has to work outside to support Mom, you, and your sister. He gets very tired every time he goes on a business trip. Plus, he wants to come back and see us, so he's always exhausted. So, we need to cook him delicious food and make sure your dad gets some nutrition."

Wang Jianhua continued crying, "But Dad always gives me the eggs... he never gets any..."

Li Xiuping said with a smile, "Because your father loves you and your sister. He hopes you will eat more and grow up healthy, so he gives you eggs."

At this moment, Shen Wangxingbang and his wife, along with Wang Xingning and her brother, returned with their two sons.

When Wang Xingbang saw Wang Jianhua crying, he quickly bent down, picked him up, and asked, "Jianhua, why are you crying? Tell me what's wrong."

Wang Jianhua told him again about how tired his father was, which brought tears to Wang Xingbang's eyes.

Just like your father now, he works hard to earn money to support you and your sister. I believe he doesn't find it hard at all. His greatest happiness and joy is seeing you both safe and sound, growing up healthy, every time he comes home.

Wang Jianhua wiped his eyes with his sleeve and said, "Uncle, I understand. Great-grandfather said I'm a real man, I should shed blood but not tears. But seeing how tired Dad is, I couldn't help but cry. Am I too useless...?"

"Nonsense!"

"My Jianhua is the bravest!"

"Jianhua, your aunt is telling you that you are a very brave man, but you mustn't say that about yourself."

Wang Xingmin took Wang Jianhua from his arms, looked him into the eyes, and said earnestly, "Our Jianhua is the bravest. He can express his sadness and grief, which is something only a real man can do. What nonsense about men shedding blood but not tears, that crying to the enemy is weakness, and that crying to family is our most precious emotion—don't listen to your great-grandfather's rubbish..."