The glorious China, with a history of 5,000 years, has left us with a lot of historical and cultural heritage. Some things have been passed down through the bloodline, such as the generosity and grace that is embedded in our bones.
For example, nowadays, although the flood situation is becoming more and more severe, with the Yangtze River's water level rising higher and higher, Feng Yiping can only see the tip of the tassel on the reeds in the distance outside the window. The waves are also getting more and more turbulent, and there is not a single boat on the river. At this time, only large ships dare to sail on the river.
Many experts have predicted that this is another once-in-a-century flood, and it is reported in the news every day. The water levels at monitoring stations are approaching or exceeding their historical highs. It is possible that the next moment, the surging river water will break through the levees and flood into the city.
In Europe and the United States, it is estimated that the roads out of the city will be packed with fleeing vehicles at this time. However, here, there is not the slightest sign of worry.
Today is the weekend, and it's a fine sunny day. Clothes are drying on everyone's balconies, and residents in the city, where the water has been flooding for nearly half a month, are also pumping out the water on their own initiative.
These things are nothing. These days, I haven't taken them out to have any fun, so today Feng Yiping takes Huang Jingping and Zhang Qiuling to the mountain where they went to the river together last time, to enjoy the spectacular view of the Yangtze River during the flood season.
When they reached the bottom of the mountain, they realised that there were so many people here to see the view that they couldn't even drive on the mountain road.
'Why are everyone acting like it's a holiday? Aren't they worried at all?' Zhang Qiuling asked, looking at the family of seven people of all ages walking in front of them.
'Haha, this is the optimistic and fearless spirit we inherited from our ancestors,' Feng Yiping said with a smile.
'To put it bluntly, it's a spirit of not fearing death!' Zhang Qiuling always wants to compete with Feng Yiping in conversation.
'What you said is also good, but it just exudes a sense of helplessness.'
Whether it's because they've seen so many things like this, or because they really don't care, or because they have great confidence in the country and the government, in short, the stone flat on top of the mountain is bustling with people who have come to see the Yangtze River. Trying to take a picture like Huang Jingping did last time is an impossible task.
It has to be said that the raging Yangtze is more attractive and more impressive than the calm one. Those who had squeezed next to the stone platform were all 'wow' and 'wow' in admiration as they looked at the turbulent Yangtze below. Perhaps the temperament of modern people is more in line with being fierce and impatient.
'Come on, take a picture of us quickly,' Zhang Qiuling said to Feng Yiping, pulling Huang Jingping along, 'make sure you get the Yangtze in the background!'
'Okay, one, two, three,' he counted to three, and the two girls in front immediately showed their smiling faces, with their hands in scissors – this pose was still quite fashionable for taking photos.
Back at home, Zhang Qiuling went to the balcony and stood there for a while, still unable to forget, "Standing high to look at the scenery really makes a difference.'
While Huang Jingping was busy in the kitchen, Feng Yiping called Zhang Qiuling into the study, "When you go back tomorrow, you should go to Huang Jingping's house first,'
Zhang Qiuling nodded, 'Aren't you going?'
Feng Yiping shook his head, "How can I go now?" "So I want to ask you a favour. When the time comes, tell her parents that I told Jingping to come to the city because I said I had found her a job with a higher income and better prospects than at the primary school.'
Zhang Qiuling knew the whole story behind Huang Jingping's departure. "Why did you do that?'
'Jingping's escape is mainly because of me. I don't want her parents to blame her for this. If they want to blame someone, let them blame me.'
'But I already told her parents about you and Jingping. She came to you of her own accord.'
'That's why I want you to say something like this. If you say something like this, whether it's true or not, won't her parents feel much better? If her parents are happy, won't they be less likely to blame Jingping?'
This is not just covering one's ears and stealing a bell. Most of the time, we choose to believe the version that is favourable to us. If we don't say this, Huang Jingping's parents will always feel a little embarrassed in front of Zhang Qiuling, who knows the inside story. This embarrassment may be transferred to Huang Jingping.
'Just give her parents a way out,' Zhang Qiuling said directly. Feng Yiping looked at her helplessly, wondering whether she should be described as clever or heartless.
'Don't look at me like that. I know what to say. You're finally taking some responsibility, and it's not in vain that Jingping has done so much for you.'
The next day, after breakfast, Zhang Qiuling went back out onto the balcony. 'I really don't want to go back!'
'Then don't go. Jingping is going back, so you can stay and we can have some time alone.'
'Like hell we will. Jingping, you know, he's a real womaniser.'
Huang Jingping was tidying up the tableware on the table and laughed at this, 'Haha, I don't mind!'
The further they walked uphill, the further they walked towards their hometown, the clearer the weather became. Unlike the city, which had been damp and gloomy for the past few days, there were no signs of hidden worries in the city. Although the big and small rivers had also entered the flood season, there was no sign of flooding.
Feng Yiping took the two of them to the town bus station. Huang Jingping did not invite him to her home, knowing that it would be awkward for Feng Yiping to go to her home at this time. 'Let's find a place to eat with you!'
'No, I'll go to the county and find the two of them. You stay at home for a few days, and then go directly to the technical secondary school. I've taken care of everything there.'
'Okay, I'll go as soon as possible. Be careful on the road!'
'Okay, they're all gone. Hurry up and go. I'm hungry.'
Huang's mother saw her eldest daughter and Zhang Qiuling walking towards her from the direction of the shop, carrying suitcases. She smiled and greeted them as if nothing had happened. 'You're back. I thought you were going to stay out for a few more days,' she said.
Zhang Qiuling said loudly, 'It wasn't fun the past two days. It kept raining, and there were floods everywhere. It's still comfortable at home.'
'It's good you're back then. Fang, you keep an eye on the shop for me!' Huang's mother said to the middle-aged woman who owned the shop next door.
Back at home, Huang Jingping called out 'Mom' before lowering her head, looking as if she was ready to be scolded.
'Auntie, don't blame Jingping. Here's what happened,' Zhang Qiuling told her the story of Feng Yiping's argument.
Huang's mother immediately accepted the story, her eyes shining. 'No wonder, I was saying, how could Jingping do such a thing.'
'Auntie, wasn't Jingping afraid you wouldn't agree? Afraid you'd think that a job in the school was a sure thing?'
'There are no more iron rice bowls nowadays. But Jingping, in the future, no matter what happens, you must discuss it with your father and me first. We are not closed-minded people, remember?' Huang's mother said to her eldest daughter.
'Qiuling, look, this is really embarrassing, you have made me the butt of jokes these past few days,' Huang's mother said to Zhang Qiuling with a hint of sarcasm.
'Not at all, auntie, I'm envious, if I had this opportunity, I wouldn't want the school job either,'
On the third day of their return, as Huang Jingping had said, she invited the neighbours and some colleagues from work to dinner, and four tables were set up.
During the meal, someone asked, 'What's wrong, Lao Huang? I heard that Jingping isn't going to work at Fangjiaping Primary School?'
Huang Chengzhong took out the employment letter and said, 'Well, there's no way around it. Didn't they go to the provincial capital for fun a couple of days ago? Jingping applied for a job at a big company there on the way and was asked to be in charge of training the graduates from our county's vocational school and technical school.
Jingping discussed it with me and said she didn't want to work at a school. I thought, let the child go and try her luck. She's still young, and we don't expect her to support the family now.'
'Oh, that's really good, and the certificate is really beautiful.' Everyone circulated it while being polite, "That's right, it's a big company, I heard that it has already recruited 60 or 70 people in the county.'
'Really, so what's the pay like?" People nowadays are so direct when asking questions.
Huang Chengzhong still answered for his daughter, 'Not counting bonuses and subsidies, the basic salary is about 1,000 yuan a month!'
'Gee, Huang, your daughter's monthly salary is equivalent to your two-month salary!'
'Haha, Jingping is really a good kid.'
The second week, the child who was studying in the vocational school in the town came back and said that Huang Jingping was indeed training the fifty trainees in the vocational school. No one mentioned the rumours anymore.
Huang Jingping was a little embarrassed when she went to the training class for the first time. She recognised several familiar faces at once. They were all graduates of Liangjiahe Middle School in the 95th year. Among them was Hu Junting, who had originally been in the same class as her.