"Get up, get up now!" He Zhongguo dragged his son, who was kneeling on the ground, to his feet. Looking at He Da, who had lost a leg and was tragically thin, He Zhongguo, as a father, could hardly hold back his tears and didn’t know how to express how heartbroken he was.
When He Zhilan called him and He Da called out "Dad" on the phone, informing him that he would be coming home with Zhilan in a couple of days, He Zhongguo felt truly blessed that God had finally decided to return his son to him!
But he never could have guessed that his healthy, sturdy son would leave home and return in this state!
He Teng’s eyes were swollen red; he watched his brother, sister, and father break down crying. Even as a tough man, he could feel the tears welling up in his eyes.
Turning towards the silent Zhilan, he noticed her head bowed down, her silent tears, and the trace of a smile mixed with joy and tears at the corner of her lips. She was strangely dressed in a long-sleeved shirt and long pants, likely to cover the scars on her body.
He Teng approached Zhilan and, taking advantage of a moment when no one was observing, quietly asked her, "Are your injuries healed?"
Upon hearing He Teng’s concerned question, Zhilan raised her head, wiped away her tears, and after a small laugh, she shook her head at him and motioned him to be silent.
After He Zhongguo helped He Da to his feet, he patted He Da’s shoulder, careful not to exert too much force due to his frail body.
"Let’s go home! Finally we are reunited as a family!" With one hand holding He Da and the other pulling He Dongxue, he turned his head and called out to the young couple behind him. "Ateng, let’s go home together!"
"Alright!" Zhilan enthusiastically agreed and quickly took hold of He Teng’s arm. Without giving him a chance to shake off her hand, she walked briskly towards home.
He Da, who had been missing for six years, had returned. This news excited the entire village. On their way, numerous villagers gathered to see him, expressions of regret and surprise on their faces at the sight of his missing leg. But no one said much, they were just happy for He Zhongguo.
No matter what, as long as they were back and safe, that was all that mattered!
Word spread quickly, and by the time He Da reached home, He Hongmei had also rushed back to the He Family with her husband and daughter.
"Auntie!" Seeing He Hongmei, He Da called out to her. Then he addressed Liang Tao and Liang Jing, "Uncle, cousin!"
"You’re finally back! Don’t you realise how frantic we have been, missing you these past years? Especially your dad and aunt, they were at a loss for words whenever they mentioned you!"
As elders, it was hard not to feel any regret upon seeing He Da in this state.
In the He family, no, in any family, who could accept this? A healthy child, disappearing for a few years and returning back in this state?
An ordinary family, with no wealth, might not even be able to afford the best treatment for He Da at the hospital.
Undeniably, He Da had become a temporary burden on the He Family. But they bore this burden willingly, with delight.
None in the He Family dared to ask He Da what he had undergone over the years. Observing He Da’s gaunt appearance, everyone held their questions back. The most they could say was, "It’s good that you are back! You’ve really suffered over these years!"