At that time, I was a vigorous young man in the camp, and the cook Lao Li had an indissoluble bond with me. Lao Li is good, and his cooking is also the most popular in the camp, but I just don't like his promotion. Not jealousy, but other plans.
That day, the camp announced that it was going to send a group of people to reclaim the wasteland, and my eyes lit up, and I thought this was an opportunity. I found Lao Li and said, "Brother Li, this reclamation is a chore, why don't you apply, not only to exercise, but also to let everyone remember your craft." ”
Lao Li's eyes widened, and he asked suspiciously: "Xiao Zhang, I'm so old, and I still go to reclamation?" Aren't you hurting me? I smiled and said, "Brother Li, you misunderstood." I think you have unlimited potential, and you will definitely be able to make great achievements in reclamation. ”
We were talking when we suddenly heard someone shouting: "Lao Li, your food is our spiritual pillar, you can't go!" When Lao Li heard this, his face showed a look of pride. I'm secretly anxious, this is not going to work, I have to find a way.
A few days later, the opportunity came. The camp leader talked to me and asked me if I would like to go to the wasteland. I was secretly happy in my heart, but on the surface, I pretended to be embarrassed and said: "Leader, of course I am willing to contribute to the camp, but I am reluctant to Lao Li's craftsmanship." ”
The leader frowned and said, "We have already considered this issue and decided to let Lao Li stay." However, since you have proposed it, let you go to the reclamation together. I feigned surprise, and happily agreed.
Before leaving, Lao Li said to me: "Xiao Zhang, why are you suffering? We have a good life in the camp, and we have to go to the wilderness to suffer. I patted him on the shoulder and said, "Brother Li, believe me, this trip to reclamation will definitely benefit you a lot." ”
When we arrived at the wasteland, we toiled hard during the day and sat around the campfire at night, telling stories. Lao Li's craftsmanship is getting better and better, and everyone eats with relish, and even forgets to be tired.
One day, we found a deserted land with fertile soil and abundant water. I said excitedly to Lao Li: "Brother Li, this is simply a paradise, we will build a new camp here, and you will be the cooking squad leader of this camp." ”
Lao Li's eyes widened and he said excitedly: "Xiao Zhang, what you said is true?" I nodded heavily.
And just like that, we set up a new camp on this deserted land. Lao Li became the leader of the cooking squad, and his craft attracted more and more people to join us. And I, because of my exploits in reclamation, became a respected member of the camp.
Recalling the incident of obstructing Lao Li's promotion and sending him to reclaim the wasteland, I was secretly glad. It was this decision that allowed us to find a new home and also allowed Lao Li to realize his value. Sometimes, life is like this, a casual choice can change fate.
As the days passed on the wilderness, our new camp gradually took on a new look. Lao Li's cooking class has become the most popular place here, not only because of his craftsmanship, but also because of the warmth and kindness that exudes from it.
One day, when I was helping Lao Li chop wood, he suddenly stopped what he was doing, looked at me deeply, and said, "Xiao Zhang, I know why you had to pull me to reclaim the wasteland, you want to give me a chance to regain my value here." ”
I was stunned for a moment, I didn't expect Lao Li to suddenly mention this stubble, so I replied with a smile: "Brother Li, where are you, I just think you can better play your strengths here." ”
He patted me on the shoulder, his eyes full of gratitude: "I know that you are a kind heart, this love, my Lao Li wrote down." It's a pity that although this place is good, one day you will want to go back to the original place. ”
I shook my head: "Brother Li, there are you and everyone here, I have found my home." After Lao Li heard this, he just smiled slightly and didn't speak again.
Although the days of reclamation were hard, everyone's hearts were full of hope. That day, while working in the fields, we found a strange stone with symbols carved on it that we couldn't read. I excitedly showed it to Lao Li: "Brother Li, do you think this will be the treasure of our land?" ”
Lao Li took the stone, frowned and studied it for a long time, and finally shook his head: "I don't understand either, but this stone looks unusual." We should find someone who understands it. ”
Not long after, an old man came to the camp, he looked at the stone, and a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes: "This is a totem in ancient times, representing a good harvest and hope. The fact that you can find it here shows that this land is spiritual. ”
After listening to this, everyone felt excited. We began to hold various festivals on the land to pray for a good harvest and peace. Lao Li played an important role in the sacrifice, he worshiped the land with food, and that piety infected everyone.
One night, I sat alone by the campfire, staring at the stars in a daze. Lao Li came over and handed me a glass of hot wine: "Xiao Zhang, something on your mind?" I took the wine glass and sighed softly: "Brother Li, I'm thinking, what are we working so hard for?" ”
Lao Li sat down next to me and said lightly: "For survival, for hope, and for future generations to remember that we fought here." After a pause, he continued, "Everyone's life has its meaning, and we are just trying to find our own meaning in this land." ”
I listened to Lao Li's words, and my heart suddenly brightened. Yes, aren't we here to find our own meaning? I raised my head and looked at Lao Li, my heart full of gratitude.
In this way, we continue to explore and grow in the process of reclamation. Lao Li became the most respected elder in the camp, and I also found my way in this land. Although we come from different places, here we have found a common home.
As time went on, our new camp prospered. Sacrifices have become an integral part of our lives, and each sacrifice brings our hearts closer together. Lao Li's figure became more and more tall around the bonfire, and his words were like the wisdom of this land, deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.
Early one morning, I was woken up by a cacophony of noises. When we went out, it turned out to be a group of strangers who had come to our camp. Their leader was a middle-aged man who seemed shrewd and capable. He stepped forward and said to Lao Li and me, "I heard that you have found ancient totems here, and we want to cooperate with you to jointly develop this land." ”
Lao Li and I glanced at each other, and we both saw the vigilance in each other's eyes. I stepped forward and politely asked, "I don't know how you want to cooperate?" This land means a lot to us. ”
"We can provide the technology and money to help you develop this land better and make it more prosperous," the leader said. ”
Lao Li shook his head: "We don't lack hard-working hands, but we're just worried that you will change everything here when you come." ”
The leader smiled and assured: "We respect your way of life and just want to bring more opportunities." Together, we can plan to make this a place for everyone. ”
After some heated discussions, we finally decided to accept their offer, but only if they respected our traditions and customs. The leader agreed to our terms, and a new cooperation began.
As the cooperation deepened, our camp really became more and more modern, but Lao Li always insisted on cooking in the traditional way, he said: "No matter how it changes, we must not forget our roots." ”
One day, I met Lao Li next to the newly built farmland, who was squatting on the ground, holding a freshly unearthed seedling in his hand, and his eyes were full of love. I walked over and said with a smile, "Brother Li, you see, we made the right choice at the beginning, and this place has become so good. ”
Lao Li raised his head and looked far-reaching: "Xiao Zhang, the goodness here is not only because of our efforts, but also because of the gift of this land." We just have the privilege of being its guardians. ”
I nodded, my heart filled with awe for the land. I looked at Lao Li, who I once just wanted to help, but became the most important mentor in my life.
Over time, our new camp has attracted more and more people. Lao Li's cooking class is no longer the only lively place, but his status has never wavered. In his own way, he taught everyone to respect the land and cherish food.
And here I am, too, have found my place. I was no longer the energetic boy, but a planner in the camp, helping the land to grow better.
It's a place where everyone's life takes on a new meaning. We are no longer wandering travelers, but children of this land, writing our own stories with our hands.
As the days passed, our new camp became busier. With the advancement of modernization, people's lives are also quietly changing. Although our way of life has changed, Lao Li has always adhered to the traditional way of cooking, and he uses food to convey awe and gratitude for the land.
One day, I was flipping through books in the camp's newly built library when Lao Li walked in. He sat across from me, looked at me, smiled and said, "Xiao Zhang, you see, our original decision was right. Now it has been transformed into a vibrant place. ”
I put down the book in my hand and said with emotion: "Yes, Brother Li, we have found a new life and new hope here. ”
Lao Li nodded, then took out a small bag from his pocket and handed it to me. I opened the bag and it was a seed. Lao Li said: "This is what I found in the field, and I think it can represent our struggle and hope here." ”
I took the seed, and a warm current welled up in my heart. I looked at Lao Li, who I used to just want to help, but became the most important friend in my life.
As we worked hard, the new camp gradually became the center of the surrounding area. Our farmland is abundant, our camps are thriving, and our lives are full of hope. However, with the development of modernization, we also face new challenges.
One day, I was discussing with Lao Li how to better protect our land, when a young man walked in. He looked at us and said with some hesitation, "I heard that you have found ancient totems here, and I want to see them." ”
I looked at the young man with some doubts in my heart. Lao Li smiled and said, "Of course, we welcome everyone to learn about our land." ”
The young man looked at us with a flash of gratitude in his eyes. He told us that he was a graduate student at a nearby university and was studying ancient civilizations. He was full of curiosity about our land and also admired our awe and gratitude for it.
In the days that followed, young people often came to our camp to study the land with Lao Li and discuss with me how to better protect our land. He told us that our land is the site of an ancient civilization and has great historical value.
I looked at the young man and my heart was filled with emotion. Our land is not only the place where we live, but also a witness to history. I looked at Lao Li, who I used to just want to help, but became the most important friend in my life.
Here, we have not only found a new life, but also a new hope. With our hands, we write our own stories and the history of this land.