ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

Tie Zhu replied with a few casual words. His father tapped the pipe against his palm, then stood and said, “Tie Zhu, you must study well. Next year is the county examination. Whether you’ll have a future depends entirely on that test. Don’t end up like me, spending a whole life stuck in this village… ah.”

“Enough of that. You say the same thing every day. If you ask me, our Tie Zhu will certainly pass.” His mother came out carrying the dishes, setting them on the table in the courtyard, and called the two of them over to eat.

Tie Zhu gave a simple acknowledgment, sat down, and carelessly picked at a few bites. His mother watched him with affection, moving the few precious pieces of meat from her own bowl into his.

“Dad, isn’t Fourth Uncle arriving soon?” Tie Zhu looked up as he spoke.

“By the timing, it should be these few days. Your fourth uncle has made more of himself than I ever did. Ah… Wife, have you wrapped up the mountain herbs for him?” At the mention of his younger brother, the father’s expression carried a trace of wistfulness.

Mother nodded, then sighed softly. “Tie Zhu, your fourth uncle is a good man. These past years, it’s thanks to his help that your father’s carvings could sell for a fair price. When you make something of yourself one day, don’t forget to repay your fourth uncle.”

As they were speaking, the sound of a horse rang out at the gate, followed by the rumble of cart wheels rolling across the ground. A hearty voice called from outside.

“Second Brother, open the door!”

Delighted, Tie Zhu rushed to push open the courtyard gate. There stood a sturdy middle-aged man, eyes sharp and spirited. Catching sight of Tie Zhu, he laughed heartily, reached out to ruffle the boy’s hair, and said with a grin, “Tie Zhu, it’s only been half a year, and you’ve already grown taller.”

...----------------...

铁柱应付了几句，父亲磕了磕烟袋，起身说道：“铁柱啊，你要好好读书，明年就是县里大考了，你以后有没有出息，可就全看这次了，可别跟我一样，这辈子就呆在村子里，唉。”

　　“行了，你天天叨叨，要我说，我们家铁柱一定能考上。”铁柱的母亲，端着饭菜放在院内桌子上，招呼他们父子二人过来吃饭。

　　铁柱哦了一声，坐下后胡乱的拔了几口，母亲慈爱的望着儿子，把不多的几块肉，给他夹过去。

“爹，四叔快来了吧？”铁柱抬头说道。

　　“算算时间，差不多就是这几天了，你四叔比爹有出息，唉，孩儿他娘，给老四准备的山菜都包好了吧？”父亲一提起老四，脸上露出唏嘘之色。

　　母亲点头，感慨道：“铁柱啊，你四叔是个好人，这几年幸亏他帮助，你爹做的木雕才能卖出价钱，你以后要是有出息了，别忘记报答你四叔。”

　　正说着，忽然门外传来马声，接着马车轱辘压地的哗哗声随之而来，一个爽朗的声音在外面响起。

　　“二哥，开门喽。”

　　铁柱惊喜，立刻跑过去把院子大门推开，只见一个精壮的中年汉子，目光炯炯的站在门外，他看到铁柱后哈哈一笑，摸了摸他的脑袋，笑道：“铁柱，这才半年没看到，个子又长高了。”

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