When she reached the entrance of the village, a pail of water in hand, she overheard some villagers talking about Liu Hao's homecoming. The talk was, he had struck gold and was going to bring his parents to the city.
Changsheng's mother quickly set the pail down and bolted for Liu Hao's house. She wanted to ask Liu Hao if he knew whether her son would be coming back too. But when she arrived, the door was shut and bolted. She banged on the door for a while, and went back glumly when no one answered.
Meanwhile, inside Liu Hao's house, Liu Fang was staring outside through the creak of the door.
"She's gone, Mom."
"Good," said Liu Fang's mother. She crossed her legs and draped a blanket over herself.
"Was it Changsheng's mother?" asked Liu Hao. It sounded like her.
