Chapter 202: “are You Human?”
“……”
Leader Ning glanced at his son. “I’m Mao Dan’er’s dad.”
“Stepdad?” Tie Niu blurted out.
The scene fell dead silent.
The little kid didn’t realize he’d said something wrong and stared eagerly at the tall soldier uncle.
“……No.” Leader Ning was silent for a few breaths before finally answering, emphasizing again, “Biological.”
Tie Niu’s mouth formed a big O, his face full of surprise. “Are you human?”
Leader Ning narrowed his eyes.
What an unabashed naughty child—from the village chief’s home, no, now the brigade leader’s, from the brigade leader’s house? He wasn’t afraid of him at all.
“……Yes.”
Still a calm, steady voice, but it made Tie Niu sense danger.
The little guy scratched the back of his head and grinned innocently. “Uncle, you didn’t die?”
He was happy for Mao Dan’er. “Mao Dan’er, you have a dad now. From now on, someone will do the heavy work at your house, and you’ll have tons of time to hang out with us.”
Leader Ning: “……”
Was “hang out” the right word?
But.
The naughty child’s words made his heart feel sour and bitter. While other kids were playing, his son had to do heavy labor…
He had let his son down.
Mao Dan’er pursed his lips, not looking his dad in the eye, glancing casually at Leader Ning from the corner of his vision, and said stubbornly, “I’m used to doing it myself. I don’t need anyone’s help.”
Leader Ning wasn’t angry—he had no right to be. He looked at his son gently and said politely, “I haven’t done housework in years, so I’m probably out of practice. Son, teach me.”
The guard steadied the car and got out. Hearing this, he nearly lost control of his expression.
He was a rough guy and didn’t know how to describe it, but it was just… tsk tsk tsk.
The leader had changed so much!
Mao Dan’er lifted his little chin proudly but didn’t say whether he’d teach him or not.
Villagers heard that Mao Dan’er’s dad had come back alive, driving a four-wheeled car no less, and they all rushed over, not wanting to miss Fengshou Brigade’s first big melon.
Seeing the car parked at the Ning family’s door, they couldn’t resist getting closer.
Some touched the car body, their eyes shining unbelievably.
“This big guy—I never thought I’d touch one in my lifetime. Worth it, worth it.” Yuan Bao’s father’s face was flushed with excitement.
“So impressive!” another said. “How did you drive this thing here? Amazing.”
Seeing a naughty child climbing onto the hood, someone yanked him down. “What are you doing? What are you doing? If you break it, you couldn’t sell yourself to compensate! No sense of boundaries, you naughty kid!”
Heng Bao heard and said, “It won’t break. It’s made of steel, super sturdy. Uncle, if you punch it, your hand will hurt.”
The man: Why would he punch iron for no reason?
The kid touching the car grinned smugly. “Heng Bao says it won’t break, nyah nyah nyah…”
Right in front of the man, he touched it again hard.
…
The village’s most senior elderly person appeared.
Looking at the tall, imposing Ning Mingde, his wrinkled old face broke into a smile.
“It’s Mingde, it’s Mingde! Mingde boy, you’re back alive!”
“I said you didn’t look like someone with bad fortune. Good that you’re back, it’s just a pity your dad and your wife didn’t live to see it…”
“Your mom and Mao Dan’er have had it tough these years. Take good care of them.”
Ning Lao Tai worried her son’s head wasn’t fully healed, so she rolled down the car window and reminded him, “This is your Uncle Youfu.”
Leader Ning’s eyes showed helplessness.
He really did remember now.
“Uncle Youfu.” He called out.
“Hey, hey!”
Leader Ning returned in a jeep with a spirited young man by his side. Everyone could see he was different now, no longer the young kid from back then.
Fengshou Brigade folks were mostly honest, hardworking people. There were some awful ones, but overall the folkways were simple. Even though the Ning family were outsiders, no one had bullied them, or else they wouldn’t feel bold enough to crowd around.
Several brigade cadres hurried over. Seeing the big jeep, they paused, then beamed with joy.
Their brigade’s great talent who went out!!
Tie Niu and the other little friends were already eating candy given by Mao Dan’er’s dad, their faces smiling brighter than the dawn.
Spotting his grandpa from afar, Tie Niu shouted loudly, “Grandpa!”
Then continued, “Mao Dan’er’s dad is back! Uncle Ning is so generous, he gave us lots of candy!”
The brigade leader glanced over and saw the kids’ pockets bulging—definitely a lot.
“Comrade Ning, you’ve spent too much.” The brigade leader said politely.
Ning Lao Tai was still in the car. “What Comrade Ning? Call him by name. Why be so polite? He’s from our village, we watched him grow up. Don’t stand on ceremony.”
“No matter what achievements he’s made in his career, back in the village… he’s our village’s Ning Mingde.”
The old lady had been treated with acupuncture by Doctor Sun that morning and was in great spirits now.
Leader Ning nodded. “Yes.”
He had chatted with his biological mother late into the night last night and knew the brigade had taken good care of his family.
Without the brigade’s special care, how could his elderly and young family have survived the famine years?!
It was all the villagers skimping a mouthful here, a mouthful there, sharing grain with them.
The brigade leader smiled. “Good, we won’t stand on ceremony, Mingde.”
Then he asked, “Mingde, are you leaving again this time?”
Leader Ning nodded.
Leaving meant he was still in the troops—great news!
To stay in the troops for so many years, his rank must be pretty high.
The brigade leader was thrilled.
“Good, good!” His dark face was all smiles.
No wonder the brigade leader was so happy—
Laws weren’t well-established yet, and brigades clashed with each other. Before, two brigades fought over water, one died, two injured, and they still held a grudge.
Their brigade had a family officially honored from above, plus two active soldiers—outsiders respected their villagers on sight.
They’d never had water-grabbing incidents.
The brigade leader remembered something important, slapped his forehead, and asked, “Mingde, is your mom okay?”
As he spoke, he looked at Ning Lao Tai sitting in the jeep.
Her face was rosy, eyes bright—not like someone who had fainted just yesterday.
“I’m fine.” Ning Lao Tai smiled. “Nothing wrong, feeling great.”
She’d always been open-minded, and now with her son back, nothing could get her down.
“Good that you’re fine.” The brigade leader relaxed, but seeing members crowding around the car, treating the high-ranking leader like little gold, his face darkened. “What are you all squeezing here for? No more work in the fields? Don’t want work points?”
His usual tirade at the members—everyone quickly dispersed.
Gawk all you want, but work points can’t be skipped!
Those on good terms with the Gu family escorted Gu Fu and Gu Mu along, eagerly asking about the four-wheeled car experience.
Old Woman Li looked at Gu Mu, her expression sour. “Never thought I’d fall behind you again. You’ve even ridden in a four-wheeler.”
“Four-wheeler sounds so tacky. It’s called a jeep.” Gu Mu felt her good sister’s words weren’t classy at all. Classy—that word she’d learned from Third Son’s Wife.
Old Woman Li: “Hmph.”
“Why are you copying my Yao Bao’s talk!” Gu Mu laughed, then coaxed her old friend. “You and me, who’s with who? Me sitting or you sitting, it’s the same.”
“Same my foot.” Old Woman Li spat at her. “You old hag are sly, treating me like your granddaughter to coax. Shameless, aren’t you?”
“Ahem…” Gu Mu cleared her throat.
Pretending not to hear her old friend’s gripe, she gave her a playful glare. “Look at you. I sat first to test it out for you. When my Cheng Huai gets a car from the troops someday, won’t I call you to ride along?”
That was better.
Old Woman Li thought there was something to it and stared at her. “You said it. When your Cheng Huai gets a troop car, you have to let me ride. I want to be first.”
“Definitely.” Gu Mu said seriously. “You and me, who’s with who?”
Old Woman Li laughed. “Just remember we’re each other’s number one.”
“Got it! Got it!”
The brigade leader shooed away the gawking members, and the area around the jeep instantly cleared.
Once the brigade leader and others left, Leader Ning turned, picked up his old mother, and entered the home door.
The yard was much the same as when he left, just older, more desolate, no longer lively.
Leader Ning, who hadn’t been home in so long, felt an indescribable sour ache in his heart.
“I’m not going inside.” Ning Lao Tai patted her son’s arm lightly, pointing to the lounge chair not far away. “Put me there.”
Leader Ning couldn’t bear to refuse his old mother.
He set her down.
Mao Dan’er pattered off to fetch the thin blanket, draped it over Grandma’s legs, cheeks puffed, brows serious. “Grandma, you can’t catch a chill.”
“Okay, listening to my grandson.” Ning Lao Tai smiled especially brightly.
She was particular—brushed her teeth morning and night, unlike some in the village who’d lost all teeth at her age. Hers were neat and tidy, looking clean and refreshed.
Mao Dan’er went to pour water again.
Doctor Sun sighed. “So sensible.”
Leader Ning’s voice was hoarse. “I’d rather he wasn’t so sensible.”
Without support at this age, which kid wasn’t naughty, didn’t want to play?
“Grandpa Sun, drink water. Guard uncle, drink water…” Mao Dan’er brewed hawthorn water, red-red in the bowl, looking appetizing.
When it came to his biological dad, he got awkward again. “You drink too.”
Their father-son bond was just starting; they weren’t that familiar yet.
Neither knew what to say.
Ning Lao Tai watched the scene and smiled.
“For me?” Leader Ning’s eyes lit up a bit, somewhat flattered. He took the bowl with both hands and gulped several mouthfuls. “Hawthorn water? Where’d it come from?”
The Gu family’s twins ran over to the Ning home without a care, tugging at the persimmon tree branches in the yard.
“Right, hawthorn water.” Heng Bao answered, then proudly said, “My mom made it. Tasty, right? My mom makes the best food!”
“Not bad.” Leader Ning said.
He really liked these Gu family twins.
Earlier in the car, the atmosphere had been so awkward.
Without these two little treasures, he didn’t know when he’d get to say his first words to his son.
No wonder his mother and Mao Dan’er brought them along—they were great at livening things up.
Getting approval from Mao Dan’er’s dad, the twins puffed out their little chests even more.
Heng Bao was full of mischief, sidled up to Mao Dan’er, and whispered.
“Mao Dan’er, go find Wang Yaozu?”
Mao Dan’er looked puzzled. “What for?”
“He laughed at you before.” Heng Bao looked at Mao Dan’er. “He bullied you and mocked you for having no dad or mom. Your dad’s back—let’s go laugh at him.”
Mao Dan’er: “……”
“Maybe not.”
He was older than the twins, more mature, and revenge wasn’t petty for him.
Wang Yaozu had pushed him into the river back then, nearly drowning him. His grandma had been so worried she couldn’t sleep that night.
Mao Dan’er was furious. Once recovered, he borrowed Heng Bao’s slingshot and practiced hard for days.
He found a chance and gave the bad kid a harsh lesson.
Those days, villagers muttered they hadn’t seen Wang family’s Jin Dan around. Some said he was probably guilty, scared of the Ning family chasing compensation, so he didn’t dare show his face…
Heng Bao thought Mao Dan’er was scared of Wang Yaozu and said seriously, “Don’t be afraid. Your dad’s back. He’s so tall, like my dad, fists that big. He can definitely beat Wang Yaozu to a pulp.”
Yu Bao nodded in agreement. “Yeah! My dad says we’re still small, so using any power we can to get back at people is smart.”
Mao Dan’er saw the twins trying to convince him, stayed silent a few seconds, then couldn’t hold back. “……Wang Yaozu didn’t show up in the village for days before. That was me.”
Yu Bao blinked. Ah?
Heng Bao: “!!!”
Mao Dan’er’s words opened a new world for the twins. Both boys reached out and grabbed their good brother’s sleeve.
“Mao Dan’er, how’d you do it?!”
The two little brothers asked in unison.
Mao Dan’er hadn’t expected this reaction. His tense mouth relaxed, corners curving up slightly.
“I borrowed your slingshot, remember?” he asked back.
The two kids nodded vigorously.
“Remember, remember. You hit several sparrows and roasted them for us.” Yu Bao said.
Heng Bao um-ummed. “Mao Dan’er, your roasted sparrow was so good. Let’s go hit some again sometime.”
His last sentence had a little lilt.
Mao Dan’er agreed. “Okay.”
Heng Bao grinned wide.
He’d derailed the topic again, but with Yu Bao there, he pressed on. “Mao Dan’er, go on.”
Mao Dan’er stood on tiptoe, drawing circles on the ground, his face calm and steady. “I hit his leg with the slingshot. His leg got hurt, couldn’t go out for days.”
He didn’t mention he’d hit him many times.
Yu Bao didn’t think Mao Dan’er went too far—Wang Yaozu started it by bullying Mao Dan’er, nearly drowning him.
If Mao Dan’er had drowned, his dad would’ve come back to nothing…
Thinking that, Yu Bao hated Wang Yaozu even more.
Heng Bao’s eyes shone with admiration. “Mao Dan’er, you’re awesome.”
Too bad Dad and Mom wouldn’t let them learn slingshot.
The little friends’ shoulders slumped.
Mao Dan’er hung out with the twins all the time and could guess their thoughts.
Seeing Heng Bao’s disappointment, he comforted, “When you’re seven, I’ll teach you.”
Hearing that, the two little friends’ eyes lit up.
“Promise?” Heng Bao reached out for a pinky swear.
Mao Dan’er smiled and extended his hand.
Yu Bao hesitated a bit, then reluctantly said, “My grandma says you and your grandma are going with your dad. Can we still play together?”
Mao Dan’er’s smile froze, his heart aching a bit.
He didn’t want to part from the twins.
They were his first real friends in all his life.
“I don’t know.”
Yu Bao didn’t want to lose Mao Dan’er either, but he knew kids wanted to be with their mom and dad.
Mao Dan’er’s mom had become a star; he only had his dad left. His dad could protect him—no bad kid like Wang Yaozu would dare bully him!
“Go ahead. We’ll write you letters.” Yu Bao looked at Mao Dan’er seriously. “When Heng Bao and I grow up, we’ll come play with you. You can come find us too.”
Heng Bao grinned like a little sun. “Better if Brother and I come find you. I’ll have a big car then, easier to find you.
We’re two people, not scared of bad guys. If you’re alone and run into bad guys, what then…”
As he spoke, a voice came from behind him.
Li Bao puffed his cheeks unhappily, his little voice full of grievance. “……You’re not taking me.”
