In the summer of 1989, it was so hot and humid that it was breathless. The crops in our village are wilted, like cucumber seedlings that have been wilted by the sun. At that time, I had just graduated from technical school and was working as an apprentice in a machine factory in the county seat.
I remember that it was a weekend, and I rode my bicycle back to my hometown from the county seat. As I passed through a forest on the way, I suddenly heard someone sobbing. I looked for it, and I saw a girl curled up under a big tree by the side of the road, dirty, with messy hair, and looking pitiful.
I sighed in my heart, don't meet any bad people in this wilderness. I quickly stopped the car and boldly asked, "Girl, what's wrong with you?" What's wrong?
The girl looked up, and her little face was crying. She sobbed and said, "I... I'm lost... Can't find your way home...
I breathed a sigh of relief, but fortunately I didn't meet some bad guys. I crouched down and asked softly, "Where is your home?" I'll send you back.
The girl shook her head, tears welling up again: "I... I do not know... I'm from out of town... Right now... There's nowhere to go now...
As soon as I heard it, it was a problem. This girl looks like she is seventeen or eighteen years old, and she is alone, which is terrible. A few thoughts swirled through my mind, and finally I gritted my teeth and said, "Or... You can go home with me first. My mother is at home, you stay for a few days to recuperate, and then we will find a way. "
The girl looked up and looked at me with her big, swollen red eyes, with a little vigilance and gratitude. I quickly waved my hand and said, "Don't get me wrong, I don't have any bad intentions. I just see that you're not safe here alone, and I want to help you. "
The girl hesitated for a moment, then nodded. I put her on the back of the bike and rode slowly home. Along the way, I could feel her clutching at my clothes, her body trembling slightly.
When I got home, my mom was choosing vegetables in the yard. Seeing that I brought a girl back, I was stunned for a moment, and then showed a meaningful smile: "Yo, son, is this the object you brought back?"
I hurriedly explained: No, no, Mom, this is what I met on the road, and she encountered some difficulties, so I brought her back.
After hearing the ins and outs, my mother immediately felt distressed: "Oh, poor doll, come into the house, I'll go boil water and let you wash it."
The girl stood cramped in the courtyard, bowing her head and not daring to speak. My mother took her hand and said kindly, "Don't be afraid, just treat this as your own home." Come, eat something first, pad your stomach.
My mom neatly put together a table of scrambled eggs, stewed beans, and a steaming bowl of chicken soup. The girl looked at the food on the table and tears fell again. My mother hurriedly comforted her: "Oh, don't cry, don't cry, eat quickly, only when you are full will you have the strength to find a way."
After eating, my mother cleaned up the room for the girl. The girl took a shower and changed into my mother's old clothes, and the whole person suddenly felt a lot more energetic. She timidly said to my mother, "Auntie, thank you... My name is Xiaolan.
My mother smiled and said, "Xiaolan, what a name." You can stay in peace and wait for you to figure out what to do next, and then we will help you.
In this way, Xiaolan stayed at my house. In the first few days, she was always cautious for fear of disturbing us. Slowly, she started to help my mom with household chores, such as doing laundry and choosing vegetables. My mother was so happy that she praised Xiaolan for her diligence whenever she met people.
I have to go to work during the day, and when I come back at night, I can always see Xiaolan and my mother talking and laughing in the yard. Sometimes I will join their chats, only to know that Xiaolan is from a neighboring province, and her family conditions are not good, so she has encountered some trouble when she comes out to work.
Gradually, the gloom on Xiaolan's face also dissipated, and she became smiling. Every time I came home, she would take the initiative to help me with something and sometimes pour me a glass of water. I feel happy in my heart, I feel that there is an extra Xiaolan in the house, and the whole yard is bright.
After more than half a month, one night, Xiaolan found me and said, "Big brother... I... I want to go.
I chuckled in my heart, a little lost, but I still pretended to be generous and said, "Oh, that... Have you figured out where to go?"
Xiaolan nodded: I heard that the textile factory in the west of the county is recruiting, and I want to try it.
I hurriedly said: That's good, do you want me to accompany you?
Xiaolan shook her head and said with a smile: "No need, I'll just go by myself." Big brother, auntie, thank you for taking care of me during this time, I will never forget it.
Early the next morning, Xiaolan packed up her things and left. My mom also wrapped a few eggs for her and stuffed some money. Looking at Xiaolan's back as she gradually faded away, my heart was empty, like an old locust tree in the yard that had been blown off a leaf by the wind.
Life is back to the way it was, I go to work every day, get off work, and come home on weekends to help with farm work. But I always felt that something was missing, and even my mother said that I had been listless lately.
Just like that, another month passed, I was working in the factory, and suddenly someone called me: "Lao Wang, someone is looking for me at the door!"
I wiped the sweat from my face and walked out of the workshop quickly. As soon as I looked up, I was stunned - it was Xiaolan! She was dressed in a neat overalls, with her hair tied in a ponytail and a big smile on her face.
"Big brother!" Xiaolan waved at me excitedly.
I haven't reacted yet: "Xiaolan? You... Why are you here?"
Xiaolan smiled and said, "I got a job in a textile factory!" I came to see you today, and I want to go to see my aunt at home.
It was as if I had been struck by something, sweet and sour. I scratched my head embarrassedly: "That... That's great. I'll go home with you to see my mom after work, she misses you.
Xiaolan nodded, her eyes shining: "Okay!" I miss my aunt too. By the way, big brother, I still have something to discuss with you.
My heart tightened: "What's the matter?"
Xiaolan said with a little twist: "It's just... I met a boy in the factory... He's fine... We've got the object... I would like to ask you and my aunt to help me with the staff officers.
I chuckled in my heart, a little lost, but still squeezed out a smile: "Oops, that's a good thing!" Don't worry, my mother and I will help you check the gates.
Looking at Xiaolan's happy appearance, I had mixed feelings in my heart. Only then did I realize that I had long regarded Xiaolan as a special person. However, I am happy for her, after all, she has found her own happiness.
That night, we went back to our hometown together. When my mother saw Xiaolan, she was so happy that tears came out. We sat in the courtyard and listened to Xiaolan talk about the experience of the month, how she worked hard and how she met new people. Seeing Xiaolan's confident and happy appearance, my mother and I were sincerely happy for her.
Now, years later, when I think back to that summer, I am filled with emotion. Life is like a winding path, and you never know who you'll meet at the next turn and what will happen. It is important to keep a good heart and hope in life.
Xiaolan later married the boy and settled in the county seat. Although we didn't have many opportunities to see each other, every Spring Festival, she would bring her family to visit me and my mother. Looking at her happy appearance, I felt that I had made the right choice.
Sometimes I wonder what her life would have been like if she hadn't brought her home in the first place. And will my life be missing such a precious memory?
Every choice in life can affect our future. But with good intentions, there will always be good results. As my mom used to say, "Plant melons and get melons, sow beans and get beans." Good intentions will always be rewarded. "
Now, whenever I see someone in need, I think of that summer Xiaolan. I will not hesitate to lend a hand, knowing that it is this unreserved kindness that the world needs.