Chapter 008: Local Customs and Father-Son Relationships

Lu Xiancheng did not know how many years it had been since he last heard that familiar voice, nor did he know how many dreams he had woken up to, tears streaming down his face, accompanied by that voice

If it were not for this skin and this body, along with the fact that this is his own biological father, Lu Xingguo would even think that the son before him was someone else in disguise

Son

Even if it is open, who can endure the smell of so many people crammed into such a small space

At present, this place does not yet resemble its future state. On both sides of the station, there are identical low two-story small restaurants. However, since it is past mealtime, there are not many people in the shops at this hour. Moreover, the main group returning on October 1st consists mostly of students, nearly all from the county town, who can easily return home without dining here.

With both eyes searching for the direction of the sound, I eagerly rushed over

Everyone leisurely walks under the shade of the trees or rides a bicycle, while only a few adolescents can pedal their bikes swiftly, like a gust of wind, gliding past on the road, occasionally provoking a few shouts of reprimand

Old Lu could only press his nose against the window, then take a cigarette in his mouth, which finally drove away the nauseating smell from his olfactory world

Lu Xingguo, pushing a cart, followed behind his son with a smile on his face

Knowing that his son has become better is enough; as for how he has changed, Lu Xingguo is not concerned at all

Old-fashioned soda, a common orange flavor, with the words "Coca-Cola" printed in white on the bottle

The shopkeeper took the bottle and said, "Oh, Master, this is your son."

Secondly, there is the issue of transportation. These three counties are almost located in the center of a large hilly area, surrounded by small hills. Although a major river flows through these three counties, the river's water level is highly seasonal. Only during the brief two-month period before and after the plum rain season can flat-bottomed boats navigate for inland water transport. As for the expressway, that is still a matter from 2005.

Lu Xingguo used to have a car before he learned to drive, and Bi He once managed a textile factory with thousands of employees. Although the position of deputy factory director may not be high in the county's hierarchy, it is unlikely that he would not be provided with a car

Lu Xingguo was so moved that he almost thought about presenting a banner to the school, all the while mentally expressing his gratitude for the military training at the university

The shopkeeper gestured to Lu Xingguo and said, "You go ahead and attend to your own matters!"

At this moment, sitting in the back seat, Lu Xingguo could not help but feel a surge of emotions, repeatedly nodding and saying, "Good, good!"

This word has long since disappeared from the heart of a fifty-year-old, yet it seems difficult to express it all at once. After a while of his lips moving, Lu Xiancheng still could not clearly utter these two words; it was not that he did not want to call out, but it seemed that something was blocking his throat.

Lu Xingguo believes that the hardships of military training have transformed his son. As for other matters, Lu Xingguo cannot recall anything during this period that could have led to such a significant change in his son

Among them is Old Lu's home, Gushan County. Gushan has maintained the title of the third-to-last county in the province for many years, with remarkably stable results, remaining at the bottom for decades! Every year, it relies on provincial relief. By the years 2011 and 2012, three counties managed to escape poverty through livestock farming, and not only did they escape poverty, but three years later, they also became among the top ten counties in the province.

After not riding for a long time, the foundation is still there; after riding for more than 100 meters, that feeling gradually returned

The pedestrians on the road also possess the unique characteristics of the small town, each moving at a leisurely pace.

Lu Xingguo immediately asked, "Are you capable or not?"

No one knows a child better than their father. How could Lu Xingguo not know what his own son is like? Now, comparing the two, he cannot help but wonder: does this university have such great capabilities? Can a month of military training really transform his son into someone completely different?

Lu Xiancheng said, "Please wait for me here, let me make a couple of turns!" After finishing his words, he stepped on the accelerator twice, and the car immediately slid out ahead.

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper naturally praised him again. However, Lu Xingguo was taken aback, because given Lu Xiangcheng's temperament at eighteen, it would have been good enough to offer a smile at this moment, let alone address someone as 'uncle'!

As soon as the car came to a stop, Lu Xiancheng eagerly grabbed his bag and rushed out of the vehicle. After getting out, he bent over, pressing his knees, and took two deep breaths of fresh air, instantly feeling a refreshing sensation in his lungs

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiancheng immediately raised his hand and gulped down the entire bottle of beverage in two swigs. After finishing, he directly took the bottle and walked towards the small shop

Old Lu has suffered greatly along the way, and just when he finally made it to the county town, he remembered that the new bus station in the county is still nowhere to be seen

For Lu Xingguo, who at the age of forty-two finally welcomed a son, there is nothing in this world that brings him more joy than seeing his child. Originally, the boy had said he would not return for this National Day, but unexpectedly changed his mind, leaving Lu Xingguo overjoyed.

Just as Lu Xiancheng was thinking of his hometown, a familiar voice that seemed to come from a dream reached his ears.

Father

Lu Xiancheng was passively pulled back to the shade by his father, and then he took the opened soda. The bag on his shoulder had already been placed on the handlebars by his father

"How is Grandma..." Lu Xiancheng then began to inquire about his family, starting from Grandma and continuing all the way to his younger sister Lu Muzhi, who is still in high school.

Dad, when I earn money, I will buy you a car to drive," Lu Xiancheng said

"Uncle, goodbye!" Lu Xiancheng said to the shopkeeper who had just praised him profusely.

Upon exiting the station, Old Lu surveyed the place that he could hardly remember. In the future, this old station would quickly transform in Lu Xiancheng's memory into a ten-story building, suddenly becoming a landmark in the county town. In a small county, a ten-story building, with a little paint, would not become outdated for twenty years.

Upon hearing his son's words, Lu Xingguo immediately felt a sense of great comfort in his old age. He placed his hand gently on his son's back and patted it lightly, saying, "Alright, Dad will wait for your car"

As an old saying goes, people only believe what they want to believe! Lu Xingguo has this mindset; military training has changed his son, and that is a good thing

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiancheng exerted force on his foot, and after the handlebars tilted slightly a couple of times, the vehicle regained its balance

Lu Xingguo sat down in the back seat with a crooked posture and said, "Alright!"

What are you dawdling for, is it not hot under the sun

Lu Xingguo smiled and said, "Thank you for your kind words, I will take my leave now"

As for Lu Xingguo, he was smiling with his hands behind his back, walking leisurely while glancing at his son

The highway company that was supposed to start construction a few years ago has yet to materialize. Traveling home along the old national road takes a full four and a half hours, with a stop for a meal along the way. It is nothing like the modern highways that allow for direct, fast, and stable travel. If there were a car at home, I could simply take the highway and be back in just over two hours, at most three hours.

Fortunately, there is currently no widespread belief among people that smoking is prohibited inside vehicles, and the dangers of secondhand smoke have not received sufficient attention

No problem! Lu Xiancheng took the car and directly climbed up with his long legs.

Although he used to manage a group of thousands, the current Lu Xingguo is just like a father who hears others praise his own son, being overly humble in a rather insincere manner

Poverty-stricken counties are naturally influenced by geographical factors. These three impoverished counties are located in hilly areas, unlike other regions in Jiangnan, which are known for their fertile soil and abundant resources. The hilly land here, if used for grain cultivation, yields less than one-fifth of the output found in Jiangnan. How could the people relying on agriculture in such conditions possibly become wealthy

Dad, I'm coming to ride!" Lu Xiancheng said

Then? Then there was nothing!

Not to mention the car, but this road is truly enough to make one feel exasperated

This is indeed good news, as the old train station is located in the center of the small county town. If the vehicle stops at the old train station on our side, it would only cost the base fare to take a taxi home.

Lu Xingguo cast a satisfied glance at his son and then contemplated riding the bicycle

Soon, his driving skills returned. Lu Xiancheng rode the vehicle next to his father and turned around: "Dad, get on!"

It would be one thing if everyone were just sitting, but the key issue is that some fellow villagers are also bringing chickens. The weather is already hot, and the air conditioning in the vehicle is simply ineffective. With the windows all open, it is likely that the driver is reluctant to turn on the air conditioning.

The father and son began to chat in the car.

The father, with a head full of gray hair, was holding onto a black bicycle with one hand while waving in my direction with the other. The laughter in his eyes deepened the crow's feet at the corners, and his entire face was filled with joy. It was a simple, pure joy, the warmth and affection of a father upon seeing his son

Hmm

Father

"Drink up, why aren't you drinking!" After a moment of nagging, Lu Xingguo said, "Finish it and hand me the bottle; I will return it to the store over there." He pointed to a small shop not far away.

"Military training is very tough?" Lu Xingguo asked as soon as he thought of this.

Lu Xingguo did not notice his son's unusual behavior, mumbling about his wife's thoughts on their son, as if he himself did not care much. In fact, at that moment, Lu Xingguo was overjoyed to see his son.

Currently, the vehicles used for transportation on the road are still the Iveco, a joint venture between Shiqi and Italy, which resembles a large van with a seating capacity of over ten. Sitting in the seats of this vehicle for several hours, the discomfort is indescribable

What good is it, just growing up without any sense! His mother and I have worried so much for this kid!" Lu Xingguo said this, but his mouth was almost shut, showing no sign of dissatisfaction at all

Lu Xingguo saw his son standing there in a daze, and immediately pushed the cart forward, talking as he took out a glass bottle of beverage from the front pocket of the cart.

The third point is that the local customs are exclusionary towards outsiders while being cohesive among themselves. As the old saying goes: "In impoverished and remote areas, cunning people emerge." These three counties are quite similar in this regard. Having been impoverished for so long, the local populace has developed a somewhat reckless attitude, embodying a sense of "if the pot is broken, let it be broken." Over time, this has led to a somewhat exclusionary and discourteous demeanor.

Lu Xiancheng stood still, suddenly feeling that the scene before him was somewhat unfamiliar, hoping it was not another heart-wrenching dream, waking up again in a gray-black room locked by the curtains

Lu Xiancheng had no idea what his father in the back seat was thinking, and casually remarked: "How could it not be tough? Let me tell you, wearing that thick military training uniform every day feels like it's gone bad. By the end of the day, my clothes are covered in salt frost, and I don't even have time to wash them. It's really making me feel nauseous..."

In this case, not to mention humans, even a few stray dogs lying at the door seemed a bit listless, resting their heads on their legs. Even Old Lu, as he passed by, merely opened his eyes to take a glance, showing no interest in lifting his head.

After pedaling twice, I realized that I haven't ridden a bicycle in many years and no longer know how to ride it

Moreover, the traffic police are not very strict about checking for overloading on the roads now. The small vehicle has not even left Shicheng, and five or six benches have already been lined up in the aisle, all filled with people. At this point, it is not just walking that is difficult; even those on both sides of the aisle find it quite challenging to move their bodies.

This child is well-built, tall and strong, what a fine young man he is

As he boarded the train at the station, Lu Xiancheng suddenly recalled the majestic Golden Dragon from his memories, and the even more luxurious Kaise Baol had yet to make an appearance

However, that was a public vehicle. After Lu Xingguo stepped down from his position, although the person in charge of the convoy was willing to show respect to the former factory director in name, in reality, it was just that way. After one or two times, Lu Xingguo no longer called for it.

Old Lu's hometown belongs to Pinggu City, which can be said to be the poorest city in Jiangnan Province. Every year, the bottom three poverty-stricken counties are all located in Pinggu City

"I still ride," Lu Xingguo exclaimed, this is simply too unreliable

You can tell at a glance that you are blessed The shopkeeper is very eloquent

After not seeing them for thirty years, encountering his parents once again, standing under the shade of a tree with beaming smiles, left Lu Xiancheng feeling somewhat at a loss.