In 1952, Liu Huaifu's father returned to his hometown from wounds on the battlefield, but his life in the village was not satisfactory. Due to the disabilities left by the war, he was only able to do simple husbandry work.
What makes him even more sad is that the wife he found seems to have some intellectual problems and is struggling to make ends meet.
One day, Liu's father accidentally slipped while taking water from a deep well in the village, and passed away, leaving Liu Huaifu, who was only 8 years old. Two years later, perhaps due to excessive grief, Liu's mother also died of illness one after another, and Liu Huaifu became a helpless orphan.
At this time, Liu Zhizhong, Liu's father's old comrade-in-arms and good brother, discovered the situation. He looked at the skinny Liu Huaifu, his heart was full of pity, and he decided to take him home to live together.
Although Liu Zhizhong's family is also very poor and he has three children to support, he and his wife always let Liu Huaifu eat and dress well first, fulfilling their parental responsibilities.
Under the care of Liu Zhizhong's family, Liu Huaifu gradually learned to face the difficulties in life, he was sensible and obedient, and added a lot of happiness to the Liu family. The uncles and aunts in the village also took pity on this child, whose parents were both dead, and tried every possible way to supplement him with some food and clothing or pocket money.
While Liu Huaifu was grateful for the care of his adoptive parents and fellow villagers, an idea inexplicably arose - I must study hard, make my adoptive parents happy when I grow up, and make this mountain village that took care of me grow up better.
I had the opportunity to go to university to study Xi
In 1976, there were three university recommendation places in the village, which was a rare opportunity for a young man from a mountain village. Liu Zhizhong encouraged Liu Huaifu to take the exam, and he really passed the preliminary exam.
However, the final quota was occupied by someone privately, and Liu Zhizhong felt very uncomfortable when he saw that the power of recommendation was abused.
A few days later, Liu Zhizhong took out his old qualifications in the army, summoned villagers to sign autographs, and put pressure on the higher-level units. He pointed out that Liu Huaifu is an orphan of a martyr and has good character and learning, and if he does not get a fair chance, this choice will be a mistake.
In the end, with his persistent efforts, Liu Huaifu got the precious opportunity to enroll.
When he was about to get on the bus to go to the provincial capital to study at university, Liu Huaifu was excited and sour in his heart - he knew that this opportunity could have been given to Liu Zhizhong's biological son, but his adoptive father sacrificed himself and passed it on to him selflessly.
He once again felt the fatherly love of this clansman who regarded him as his own, as well as the expectations and instructions of the villagers.
When he went to college, Liu Huaifu worked hard to overcome all kinds of discomfort and insisted on studying hard. At the same time, he has not forgotten his adoptive father's teaching - to be an honest and honest person with clean means.
He was always wary that he could not take shortcuts, knowing that his adoptive father's expectations were the guiding light of his life.
Work hard to serve your hometown
After graduating and returning to the village in 1979, Liu Huaifu was assigned to work in the local water conservancy department. This is a stable and simple job that allows Liu Huaifu to have more time to repay his family and fellow villagers.
He did not choose to be too far away from home or pursue high-ranking officials, but chose to put down roots in his hometown and repay it in his own way. Every Spring Festival and National Day, Liu Huaifu will ride an old-fashioned bicycle home to visit, he knows in his heart that the most hope of his adoptive parents and fellow villagers is that he is safe and healthy, which is their expectation and return to him.
After work, Liu Huaifu lived a frugal life. Although his salary is not high, he will still do his best to send some money and daily necessities to his adoptive parents, hoping to add some comfort to their old age.
The old people in the village also often receive souvenirs brought back by Liu Huaifu, and these small gestures make them very happy - this orphan child has grown up and has not forgotten his roots, and remembers to come back to visit them.
Liu Huaifu worked in a down-to-earth manner and was reused and promoted by the leaders step by step. He kept in mind his adoptive father's teaching to "do his job well" and never sought personal gain, so his work was smooth and his prospects were bright.
He hopes that he can become the pride of the villagers, which is the most sincere vision in his heart.
The family misunderstood and resented
In 2002, Liu Zhizhong's son Huaichun approached Liu Huaifu, hoping that he could help find a good job for his son in terms of relationships. Liu Huaifu was embarrassed and still asked someone to help, but in the end he did not succeed.
Huaichun was very disappointed and thought that Liu Huaifu did not do his best.
A few years later, when Huaichun's daughter and boyfriend were sentenced for a fight, Huaichun turned to Liu Huaifu again, hoping that he would use his work connections to help reduce the sentence or not be prosecuted. This already involves legal and moral issues, and Liu Huaifu could not cross the line to help, so he could only politely decline.
Huaichun's family decided that Liu Huaifu was ungrateful and no longer regarded him as their own. In the days that followed, many people in the village also found Liu Huaifu, hoping that he could take advantage of his power and help them do something illegal.
But Liu Huaifu did not compromise and still adhered to legal and professional principles, which made his evaluation among the villagers plummet.
Faced with misunderstandings from his family and neighbors, Liu Huaifu was bleeding inside. He remembered his adoptive father's teachings, which calmed his heart a little: I didn't do anything wrong, I just acted decently and refused to break the law.
After entering the twilight of life, Liu Huaifu still suffers from misunderstandings from his family and fellow villagers. However, he did not have the slightest resentment, but only with a grateful and forgiving heart.
He understood that he was able to be admitted to university and have the opportunity to change his fate because of the help of his adoptive father Liu Zhizhong and his clansmen. Despite their later success, the foundation of it all remained in their love for the orphan.
Liu Huaifu also understands that in the hearts of his fellow villagers and friends, he has not fully achieved the "repayment" they expected, which is his regret. But he has always acted justly, and there has been no violation of law and discipline, which is already the best memory and reward for his ancestors.
When Liu Huaifu was alone, he couldn't help but shed tears of gratitude. He suddenly felt that obtaining these misunderstandings and complaints was the price that he, a man of luck, had to pay; And what is truly happy is oneself who can be innocent for a lifetime.
He decided to forgive and be grateful for all the injustices that arose in his life. Anyway, living in the world, there will always be times when you can't get what you want and can't do what you want to do. But as long as you are at peace and there are no vanities and regrets in every step you take, this is enough.