Chapter 502 Mr. Huang
In this cold winter month, the biting wind blew like a knife. Wang Jianguo stood at the door of his house, holding tightly in his hands the basket he had just brought back from outside, his eyes fixed on the meatballs in the basket.
Those meatballs are round, white and plump, and emit an enticing aroma. In this snowy season, just looking at them can make people feel warm from the bottom of their hearts, as if all the coldness around the body has been dispelled.
The corners of Wang Jianguo's mouth rose unconsciously, and his wrinkled face was full of happiness and satisfaction. He sighed slightly, as if expressing his emotion for this hard-earned warm moment. He was about to reach out to close the door and turn back to the house.
"Knock, knock, knock--" A series of rapid knocks on the door suddenly rang out, sounding particularly abrupt in the quiet corridor.
Wang Jianguo was stunned for a moment, full of doubts. Who could it be in such a cold day? He stopped closing the door, gently put the basket on the ground beside him, reached out to hold the door handle again, and slowly opened the door.
The moment the door opened, a gust of cold wind blew in his face, and Wang Jianguo couldn't help but shiver.
Standing at the door was my neighbor, Mr. Huang. He was a little hunched over, and the years had carved deep wrinkles on his face. His hair was a little messy, and the old cotton-padded jacket on his body looked a little white from being washed, but he was wrapped tightly in it.
Grandpa Huang held a bamboo basket tightly in his hands. The basket was stuffed full and covered with a clean floral cloth to prevent the things inside from freezing.
When Mr. Huang saw Wang Jianguo, his bloodshot eyes suddenly lit up and his face was instantly filled with smiles. He took two quick steps, stepped over the threshold, entered the house, and said hurriedly:
"Jianguo, the New Year is coming soon. I was thinking that you three kids are in the growth stage and you must be very busy every day."
"I made some meatballs myself and saved some eggs. I'll bring them over to you so you can have a taste and get some nutrition."
As he spoke, Grandpa Huang handed the basket to Wang Jianguo and gently lifted a corner of the floral cloth, revealing the round meatballs and white eggs inside. Under the dim light in the house, they looked particularly tempting.
Wang Jianguo had a simple and apologetic smile on his face. He bowed slightly and spoke to Mr. Huang sincerely:
"Master, our whole family appreciates your kindness, but we really can't accept your things. You take care of us enough on weekdays, and how can we accept such a generous gift from you during the holidays?"
As he spoke, Wang Jianguo turned sideways, pointed to another basket on the ground beside him, and continued:
"Look, it's been a short while since Aunt Du came over and stuffed these meatballs on us. I haven't even had time to take them into the house yet."
"Everyone is thinking of us, and we all remember this kindness in our hearts, but we are really embarrassed to accept your gift anymore. You should keep this good thing for yourself and enjoy it slowly."
When Mr. Huang heard this, his gaze naturally fell on the basket in Wang Jianguo's hand. A trace of disappointment flashed in his eyes, and then he raised his head with determination.
The wrinkles on his face seemed to deepen because of his anxiety. He waved his hands hurriedly, and his voice trembled with anxiety:
"That...that won't do! Jianguo, you must eat these eggs. These are not ordinary eggs. They are country eggs that I asked my relatives in the countryside to save for you."
"Those hens grow up eating insects and wild vegetables all over the mountains. Their eggs are very nutritious! I thought you three kids needed some more nutrition."
"Don't make excuses, just take the eggs. I'll feel at ease if you guys eat them healthily."
As Grandpa Huang spoke, he handed the basket of eggs in his hand toward Wang Jianguo, his eyes full of concern that could not be refused.
Wang Jianguo's eyes slowly fell on the basket handed to him by Grandpa Huang. The eggs in it were round and white, like treasures that were being carefully protected.
His eyes gradually became complicated and deep, and then he fell into a long period of contemplation.
In these days, the policy is strict and individuals are not allowed to raise chickens, ducks and geese at will. If anyone raises a few privately, it will be considered an act of speculation and will be dealt with seriously.
In everyone's perception, raising these poultry at home is nothing more than a task assigned by the production team. They start to be busy at the beginning of the year, taking good care of them every day, hoping that they will grow up and lay eggs.
But at the end of the year, all the fruits of your harvest have to be handed in, and you can only keep a few.
Wang Jianguo knew that Uncle Huang was not well off and he usually lived frugally, relying on the little money distributed by the production team to get by.
This basket of eggs may not seem like a lot of eggs, but in today's circumstances, they must have been saved up one by one by Grandpa Huang's hard work.
Maybe in order to save these eggs, he got up before dawn every day and watched over the production team's chickens, hoping to pick up a few more eggs.
Or perhaps, when others were not paying attention, he secretly hid the eggs he was given, and was reluctant to eat a single bite, just so that he could give this rare treat to the neighborhood children during the New Year.
How long will it take to save up this money? Only Mr. Huang knows the hardships and difficulties involved.
At this moment, these eggs, which embody Mr. Huang's countless efforts, are placed in front of him. Wang Jianguo felt a warm current surge in his heart and was deeply moved.
He looked up at Grandpa Huang again, and saw that the old man's face was full of sincerity, and the wrinkles on his face seemed to tell of his true feelings.
Wang Jianguo knew that if he insisted on not accepting it, Mr. Huang would probably think that he did not appreciate his kindness, which would hurt the old man's feelings and he might even get angry.
After hesitating for a long time, Wang Jianguo slowly stretched out his hand and prepared to take the basket. He thought to himself that he must repay this heavy friendship doubly in the future.
Wang Jianguo was filled with emotion and reluctance. After hesitating for a moment, he slowly reached out his hand and solemnly took the basket from Mr. Huang. With an expression of gratitude and embarrassment on his face, he said to Mr. Huang:
"Uncle Huang, your kindness is so great. Our whole family is deeply grateful. Please wait a moment. I will go and empty the basket for you. You can take it back and use it."
After saying that, he turned and walked quickly towards the kitchen.
As soon as he entered the kitchen, Wang Jianguo gently placed the basket on the wooden chopping board with some paint peeling off, his eyes full of cherishment.
Carefully, he picked out the eggs one by one. Every time he picked up one, it was like holding a fragile treasure, afraid that it would be broken if he was not careful.
These eggs carry so much love from Grandpa Huang that Wang Jianguo did not dare to be careless even though he was only handling them for a short time.
After picking up the eggs, Wang Jianguo quickly glanced around the kitchen, thinking about what other good things he had at home.