Han Qingsong turned his gaze and saw that Xiaowang was lowering his head as if he was a chicken pecking at bits of rice. He didn’t know what the child was doing as Xiaowang was occasionally nodding here and there.
“Xiaowang, what are you doing?” he asked.
Xiaowang raised his head and held a small diatonic(10-hole) Bakelite harmonica and said happily, “Mom bought it for me and it’s really cool, listen.”
Now that his father had seen it, Xiaowang could finally make a sound with peace of mind. He placed the harmonica to his mouth and blew it once. Immediately, it made a melodious sound, which was much more fun than the flute.
Lin Lan hurriedly said, “This one didn’t require a ticket— it’s only 48 cents, so it was quite cheap.”
She was afraid that Han Qingsong would think that buying the harmonica for the kid would be a waste of money.
Han Qingsong nodded, “Very good.”
Xiaowang thought that his father was praising him for playing the instrument well, so his round eyes sparkled as he was elated with joy.
Lin Lan smiled and said, “When we return, let’s have Teacher Huo teach you how to play the harmonica.”
She looked at her watch, and noted that it was almost 4 o’clock, “Are you adjourning the meeting now?”
Han Qingsong nodded, “Almost, the rest will be finished tomorrow, so we can go home today.”
At this moment, Liu Jianyun came over to greet him, “Director Han, we’re going to sort out and register the materials that Zhao Anpin and the others got greedy for. Do you want to come along?”
He was giving Han Qingsong a signal, though it was also a customary act. If he went, he would have a share of contribution towards the registration of the documents.
Han Qingsong said, “Thank you for your hard work, but it’s getting late, so I’ll take them home first.”
Liu Jianyun didn’t know whether Han Qingsong understood the meaning behind his words, so he didn’t say much after that and went ahead.
Han Qingsong packed the vegetables that he had bought and had Lin Lan hold them as he went to push the bicycle.
After a while, Han Qingyun also came out with Zhang Heilu trailing behind him.
Although Zhang Heilu was dismissed, he didn’t become angry from embarrassment. Instead, he acted like he wasn’t afraid of anything that would come in his way.
When he saw Han Qingsong, he ran over, “Han Qingsong, you should come to the farm if you have the guts. Let’s compete.”
Luo Haicheng followed, “If you want to pull him down, you should first start by being able to land a hit on me.”
Zhang Heilu was still unconvinced and looked angry.
Xiaowang, “Dark old man, bang bang bang.”
…Han Qingsong, God damn it, even your son bullies other people!
Zhao Jianshe was not wearing handcuffs, but Zhao Anpin was cuffed with his arms twisted back.
At this time, there was no vehicle available to take them there. As it was impossible to support them by bicycle, they were escorted on foot.
Although Zhao Anpin had a dejected look on his face, he still muttered, “I’m going to confess, I’m guilty… I’m going to confess, I’m guilty,” However, the resentment in his gaze was hard to hide when he glared at Han Qingsong.
Han Qingsong raised his eyebrows slightly, “Have you finished counting your tickets and money?”
Who would have thought that he, who had been doing well all along, could fall into the hands of a mud-legged demobilised soldier?
He wanted to cry even without the help of tears, but he was about to die out of anger.
He couldn’t get his nephew out and even got himself sent inside. His heart was full of hate, but he couldn’t say a single word.
The green hills won’t change and the jaden waters will flow forever(3); you better wait for your just deserts!
(T/N: Refers to something that will inevitably happen or at least, is predicted to happen even as time goes by)