Chapter 385: Uncle Zhang's Story
"Young man, you've hit the nail on the head. I'm not going to be modest with you. I was born and raised here, and I have deep feelings for this land."
"Back then, our first batch of railway employees were all local young people. They devoted themselves to the railway industry with a vision for the future and a passion for building their hometown."
"At that time, although this place was remote, we were all full of energy. But as time went by."
"We are working longer and longer, and we are gaining more experience, so there are more opportunities out there."
"They were transferred one after another for various reasons. Some went to larger stations, and some went to other departments of the railway system."
"Today, after so many years, I am the only old man left here."
"I can't bear to leave. Every blade of grass, every brick and every tile here are like my relatives and friends."
"I have witnessed the entire process of its development from humble beginnings to perfection. How can I leave so easily?"
During this moment of communication, Zhao Shuzhuo frowned slightly, with a hint of doubt in his eyes, and finally couldn't help but raise the questions in his mind.
"Uncle Zhang, I really don't understand why you don't transfer? You see, this place is remote and transportation is inconvenient."
"Resources in all aspects are much scarcer than in big cities or prosperous areas."
"If you can be transferred to another place, you will definitely have more choices in terms of job opportunities and living conditions, which will also be more conducive to your own development."
When Uncle Zhang heard this, a faint smile appeared on his face, and that smile was filled with deep affection and nostalgia for the past years.
He shook his head gently, as if responding to Zhao Shuzhuo's question, or as if recalling his own persistence along the way.
"Your question is so similar to my child. Every time he comes home to visit me, he always nags me to apply for a transfer to another place."
"He always said, 'Dad, you've been in this remote place all your life, it's time to think about yourself.'"
"If I am transferred to another place, I can live a better life and enjoy better quality living resources."
Uncle Zhang paused, his eyes gradually became brighter and more determined, and he continued:
"But they don't understand me. I have lived on this land for most of my life, and every inch of this land has a special meaning to me."
"I grew up on this hot black land. The wind here, blowing across my face, feels like my mother's hand caressing me."
"The rain here falls on my shoulders, as if the earth is talking to me softly. I am familiar with every corner and every alley here."
"The local customs and culture here have long been integrated into my blood and have become an indispensable part of my life."
When he got excited, Uncle Zhang's face was filled with a happy smile.
"It's just like our Yangge dance, with its lively scenes of gongs and drums, its cheerful and lively dance steps, and its smiling faces filled with enthusiasm and joy."
"Every time I see the Yangge dance, my heart is like it's on fire, full of energy and passion. I can't live without it."
"If I leave here, I will be like a fish out of water, losing my soul. So, I never thought about leaving, and I will never leave."
Uncle Zhang's voice gradually became low and hoarse, and his affectionate words seemed to draw out the softest and hottest emotions from the depths of his heart.
As his emotions surged, his eyes gradually turned red, and crystal tears rolled around in his eyes. Finally, they burst out and slowly slid down his cheeks, which were scarred by time.
Wang Jianguo and Zhao Shuzhuo were slightly stunned when they witnessed this scene. Their eyes met in the air and they looked at each other briefly.
At that moment, they read the same emotion in each other's eyes - deep admiration.
This admiration comes not only from Uncle Zhang's unswerving commitment to this land, but also from his unreserved, pure and sincere love.
This love is so strong that it can enable a person to ignore the temptations and changes of the outside world over the long course of time and consistently guard the holy place in his heart.
At this moment, a long and loud train whistle broke the silent air. The sharp sound was like a powerful magic.
The three people who were immersed in their own thoughts were instantly brought back to reality. Uncle Zhang seemed to be suddenly awakened from a deep dream.
He raised his rough big hand in a panic and quickly wiped his face, trying to wipe away the traces of tears. The action was a little shy and embarrassed.
"Hey, look what happened to me."
There was still some sob in Uncle Zhang's voice.
"I'm so sorry for telling you kids all this. The horn sound must be the arrival of a freight truck. Let's not waste time here, we have to go check it out."
As he said this, he turned and walked to the table in the corner, picked up a registration book, and walked out of the cabin with slightly hurried steps.
Seeing this, Wang Jianguo and Zhao Shuzhuo hurriedly adjusted themselves, straightened their clothes slightly, and then quickly followed Uncle Zhang.
Outside the cabin, the cold air hit them in the face, but the hearts of the three people were filled with warmth because of the soul-touching communication just now.
They walked towards the direction where the train was parked. On the empty platform, the sound of their footsteps was particularly clear, as if they were playing a hymn of patriotism and passion.
With the long sound of the train's brakes, the huge train body gradually slowed down and finally stopped steadily at the edge of the platform.
As the slight vibration stopped, a middle-aged man slowly walked down from the train.
He was wearing a blue work suit that had faded from washing, with some dust and stains on it, as if silently telling of his long journey.
The work boots on his feet made a firm and rhythmic sound as they stepped on the platform floor, and every step was calm and capable.
Uncle Zhang, who had been waiting on the platform, came forward immediately. He took the registration book and handed it to the middle-aged man, saying:
"Master Xu, thank you for your hard work. This is the registration book for receiving the goods."
The middle-aged man looked calm. He just nodded slightly without any extra words in response, and reached out to take the registration book.
His fingers were long and strong. The moment he grasped the pen, he seemed to become one with the pen and wrote his name fluently in the register without thinking.
The handwriting was just like him, simple and neat, with force visible through the paper.
After finishing writing, the man stood up, his eyes sharp as a torch, and looked directly at Wang Jianguo and Zhao Shuzhuo who were standing not far away.