Just arrived, afraid that asking now would affect everyoneâs mood. Mu Qing didnât speak either.
Around five oâclock, Dad drove back and took the family to a place more than ten miles away, which took just over ten minutes by car.
When they arrived, Mr. Lin Senior and Grandma Lin were already waiting at the gate.
Lin Guozhi and Liang Hongmei led them forward. They called out, "Mom, Dad," quickly introducing the two siblings to the elderly couple.
"Dad, Mom, this is your eldest grandson and granddaughter-in-law, Ying Hui and Mu Qing. This is your granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Xiao Wan and Han Yi." Lin Guozhi introduced the two.
Several people quickly stepped forward, calling out "Grandpa, Grandma."
Mr. Lin Senior stepped forward, his eyes red, patted Lin Yinghuiâs shoulder, and pulled Xiao Wan aside, saying continuously, "Good, good, good!"
Mrs. Lin hugged Lin Yinghui and Lin Wan, saying a bunch of words, about how her grandchildren suffered outside for over ten years.
The Lin familyâs eldest was found, and within a year, this solitary eldest son suddenly had a wife and two grown-up children. Many people in the courtyard came out to watch the excitement.
The eldest of the Lin family married a woman from the countryside; he married her when he was sent down as educated youth. She came here a few days ago, and people in the courtyard initially thought she was an unimpressive rural woman, but she turned out to be quite decent-looking, slim despite being in her forties, not showing any signs of aging. Itâs said they met in S City.
The two children were well cared for, both gaining admission to university.
Today, they came out to see the Lin familyâs eldestâs two children.
Unexpectedly, both children were married; the granddaughter married a military officer, and the grandson married a university graduate, who is said to be working as a translator in a government unit.
Mu Qing seemed familiar to some; was she not the daughter from Minister Muâs family? Old Mu had struck luck this time, his daughter married into the Lin family. Many were envious.
The family stood at the gate in the summer heat, all with red eyes. Wang Lu, the second daughter-in-law of the Lin family, quickly invited everyone inside to talk.
"Xiao Wan."
"Xiao Yuan"
Inside the house, the adults marveled at past difficulties, and Lin Yuan, holding Lin Wanâs hand, was enthusiastically surprised, "I didnât expect we were sisters; if Iâd known you were uncleâs child, I would have brought you earlier. Alas, we are late by so much time."
"Itâs not too late; weâre reunited now. Alas, where is your Wang Yuan?"
"Heâs in S City and canât come back this time, but youâve met, and next time when you return, meeting in S City is not too late. Come, Iâll introduce you to my brother." Lin Yuan pulled Lin Wan and introduced the few people in the living room.
Grandpa has two sons and a daughter, the eldest son is her father, Lin Guozhi; the second son is Lin Yuanâs father, Lin Guowen, who works in a government unit and is currently the municipal party committee secretary in Z City. Lin Yuanâs mom, Wang Lu, works in the National Construction Department, uncleâs son, Lin Anliang, with his wife Wang Xi, both are researchers in the Agricultural Bureau and already have two sons. Daughter Lin Yuan is a doctor. Her son with Wang Yuan is currently in preschool. The Lin familyâs youngest daughter, their aunt Lin Nian, was named due to Mr. Lin Senior and Grandma Lin missing their eldest son too much then. She is a primary school teacher, husband Peng Zhengtian works at the Railway Bureau. Their eldest son Peng Fei is a navy soldier, married to a member of the Art Troupe. Their younger son Peng Li works at his fatherâs unit, already has a formal job, and, according to Lin Yuan, is in a relationship soon to be married. The youngest daughter Peng Le is currently a university freshman. The family reunited for this occasion, filling the living room with the Lin family members. The family was harmonious and joyful.
"Back then, working with your Grandpa, we were relocated from Beijing to here, accompanied by someone. Unexpectedly, the person fell ill due to different climate and didnât escort us. I, with your dad, carrying you two brothers, and Guowen was only two then, couldnât be left alone for a moment. While passing through C City, the train stopped for a while, Guozhi saw fruit sellers through the window and insisted on eating. Your dad got off to buy some, asking us three to wait in the train. Suddenly, Guowen needed to use the bathroom, so I took them both to the toilet. In the cramped toilet holding Guowen, Guozhi somehow ran out. When I came out and didnât see anyone at the toilet door, I thought he returned to the seat. When I returned with Guowen, your dad came back with things, asking about Guozhi. Saying Guozhi hadnât returned, we both panicked, quickly looking across the train, thinking he was on the train, not imagining he went off the train in such a short time. Back then, like mad, your dad and I searched all over the train. Finding no one, we hurried back to look, but no child was reported missing on the broadcast... Your dad and I went out to look every holiday, I even left my job, running blindly to different places, later falling terribly ill. Your dad stopped me from searching. These years, he secretly contacted people to find but to no avail. Over the years, Guozhiâs disappearance was my lingering pain, not living comfortably a day, thinking Iâd pass away with regret, but unexpectedly, heaven granted, allowing us old couple to find our eldest in our lifetime." Grandma Lin speaking, wiping tears throughout, "Heard some information later, tracing back mostly false, these years wasted countless efforts. Alas, the children seen were lost ones." Grandma Lin speaking, suddenly smiling through tears, "Your dad through the years helped many kids find their families. Easy for them, reunited without much effort, while your dad and I waited long without even a shadow."
"Alas, the matter is past, the kids are here, why talk about such sad things, donât let the children feel sorrowful," said Grandpa Lin, although he sighed deeply, "Isnât it heavenâs blessing, bringing the child to us? Now with grandchildren around, what else to desire."
The couple quite halfway through their life didnât enjoy a day comfortably due to losing their eldest. Thankfully, no regrets before dying.
Their Lin family, none cowardly, eldest although not around, did well, serving as a undercover soldier, mistakenly becoming their countryâs special agent. Despite exposure, luckily returned with life. Mind lost memory but fine as long as alive. Contributed many secrets to the country, well treated from above to Guozhi.
The only regret is the eldest aged so much, still single. When awakening, the old couple arranged potential partners for him.
Searched long without satisfaction, at such age mostly widows with children, their son unknown with woman over years, but marrying at his age raising kids they didnât want him troubled.
Or divorcees (rare then), divorces surely of poor behavior, why else divorce easily.
They didnât rest assured, Guozhi unwilling to meet, verbally claimed having wife. This surprised them; wife in T City wasnât allowed bringing back by authorities.
Their thoughts quickly discouraged by Guozhi, good the child was busy barely concerned with personal matters.
Unexpectedly, a recent encounter recollected many things, said his wife was in a southern hometown.
Insistently wished to fetch her back.
The couple advised over years gone by, maybe she wouldnât wait. Learning of two kids, just fetching them sufficed said his wife.
If she found someone else, going back would create just awkwardness.
The wife imagined rural women illiterate facing years of farm labor in harsh weather, whereupon returning unable to uphold household status.
The son, responsible, insisted returning. Unexpectedly, brought wife not as imagined but a city woman, or now city woman.
The wife had painstakingly raised two children, supported their university, after times improved started business sustaining the family. Ultimately, even after years remained alone, waiting for her husband.
An excellent wife indeed rare to find, naturally no objections from the old couple; their Guozhi was fortunate. The family had come through hardship to happiness.
Grandma Lin during family gatherings shared past stories with second son, third daughter, grandchildren, nephews, becoming accustomed.
Though Lin Guozhi and Liang Hongmei momentarily heard these from their parents, with red eyes.