Chapter One: The Incident Occurred Suddenly

  "Huang Xiangyun, your phone!"

  Huang Xiangyun had just walked into the dormitory when the phone rang. His roommate answered it and handed it over to him.

  "Hello, I am Huang Xiangyun."

  "Xiao Wu, it's your Aunt Lin... Come back for a visit. Your mother is ill!"

  Huang Xiangyun's heart skipped a beat. Lin Yi had always been an outspoken person, often smiling before speaking, and it was rare to hear her speak in such a low and serious tone.

  He didn't dare think about it anymore and asked in a trembling voice: "Aunt Lin, what happened to my mom?"

  Lin's aunt was silent for a moment, then sobbed and said: "The examination at the municipal hospital says it's gastric cancer! ... Yunzi, you must be open-minded, your mother is not in good spirits now, don't make trouble."

  Huang Xiangyun's mind went blank, his face turned pale. Tears streamed down his face instantly, he took a deep breath and said in a trembling voice: "Aunt Lin, don't worry! I'm fine! I'll rush back today."

  "Be careful on the road, I won't say more!" Lin Yi hung up the phone with a sob. Huang Xiangyun sat there with a stunned expression, holding the phone and crying for a while before taking a deep breath. She went out to wash her face, then returned to the dormitory and wrote at her desk for a bit before leaving the dorm building and entering the office building.

  He walked up to the manager's office and knocked on the door.

  "Come in!" A majestic male voice sounded from inside the door.

  Huang Xiangyun pushed the door and walked in. Behind the solid wood office desk, Manager Lin, who was slightly overweight, was sitting in a leather executive chair with his head down writing something. Hearing his footsteps, he looked up. Seeing it was him, he first froze, then smiled and asked: "Little Huang, is there anything?"

  Huang Xiangyun handed the paper in his hand to Manager Lin. "Manager, my mother is seriously ill and I need to go back to take care of her... Thank you for your care and cultivation over the years!"

  Manager Lin's smiling face suddenly froze, putting the resignation letter on the table and staring at him with a scrutinizing gaze. After a moment, he said: "I can give you leave! ... Little Huang, tell me the truth, is there another company that offered you a higher salary?"

  Huang Xiangyun was feeling very annoyed at this time, but it wasn't good to lose his temper with Manager Lin. Manager Lin had helped him before, and he was a grateful person who knew how to control his emotions.

  "Manager, I just received a call from my family saying that my mother has been diagnosed with stomach cancer. My two younger sisters are still in high school and there's no one at home to take care of my mother, plus her mood is really bad right now... My mother has worked so hard for us three siblings all these years without enjoying any happiness. Now she... I..."

  Huang Xiangyun couldn't speak anymore, and tears flowed uncontrollably across his face. Manager Lin only then realized that Huang's eyes had been red earlier, it seemed this was true, he had misunderstood the kid!

  Manager Lin stood up, handed him a tissue and patted his shoulder apologetically. "Sorry, Little Huang, I was wrong to blame you. Your resignation application is approved... I really don't want to let you go, but after what happened, your decision is completely correct. As a child, one should have filial piety... I'll call the finance department and have them give you all your salary and bonuses. And also, take the quarterly and annual awards together. They were originally going to be given out in a few days, but... Little Huang, when you want to come back to work again, just come here. The door is always open for you!"

  Huang Xiangyun wiped away his tears and bowed deeply to Manager Lin: "Manager, thank you! If I come out to work in the future, I will definitely come back to your place! ... Manager, then I'll take my leave first. Take care of your health, I'll send some honey to you after I get home, it's good for your insomnia."

  Manager Lin saw him off to the door, and after hearing his words, he felt a warmth in his heart. He patted his shoulder and said: "Xiao Huang, go back and deal with family matters first. Other things are secondary... Okay, I won't see you off anymore, wish you a smooth journey! If there's anything that needs my help, give me a call!"

  Huang Xiangyun agreed and gave Manager Lin a bow, then turned around and walked out of the office. After closing the door, Manager Lin returned to his desk and slumped into his leather chair, letting out a sigh: "Oh, where can I find another repairman as good as this?"

  Huang Xiangyun received the call at more than 8 o'clock in the morning, and by 9 o'clock, he had boarded a direct bus from Chun City to Songjiang City. The journey passed unknowingly, and when he looked up again, he had already arrived at Xinglong Township.

  "Wait a minute, I'm getting off!"

  The car was just about to start, and upon hearing his shout, it stopped again. The conductor had wanted to say a few words to him, having already asked if anyone was getting off and he hadn't responded. But seeing that his eyes were bright red and looking quite abnormal, he swallowed his words instead.

  With his luggage in hand, Huang Xiangyun hailed a No. 212 bus and rode the bumpy road back to Tunli from the countryside.

  It's already late afternoon, and the five households in the village are surrounded by snow, with wisps of smoke rising from their kitchens. The village broadcast is playing a duet, while children are laughing and playing, occasionally setting off one or two firecrackers. Under the golden sunset, the place is filled with a strong festive atmosphere.

  Seeing a jeep entering the village, the children all followed behind and ran for a while, shouting loudly. The middle-aged driver couldn't help but laugh.

  It's already the twelfth month of the lunar calendar now, and there are less than half a month left before the Spring Festival.

  If it were any other time, Huang Xiangyun would have been delighted to see such a scene. He might even have chatted idly for a while - he loved the Chinese New Year and the lively atmosphere that came with it in the village. But at this moment, his mood was growing heavier... His mother was ill, so what was the point of celebrating every day like it was the New Year?

  "Is this the one?"

  "Hmm!"

  Huang Xiangyun had paid the fare, and under the driver's gaze, he, who looked like a rich young master with his tall and handsome appearance, pushed open the wooden gate and walked into the courtyard with two small earthen houses, carrying his luggage.

  The yard was still as clean as ever. The big yellow dog barked loudly when it saw someone entering the yard, but after seeing that it was its own master who had not been seen for a long time, it wagged its tail and hummed with joy, looking very happy.