A week later, Lin Lan returned from her stall. As she reached the courtyard gate, she heard Little Douzi teasing Dahuang inside. Delighted, she pushed open the gate, spread her arms, and called out, "Little Douzi, Mama's home!"
"Mama, I missed you so much!" Little Douzi ran and threw himself into Lin Lan's arms.
"Mama missed you too. You've gotten taller! What did Grandma feed you? You shot up in just a few days." Looking at her son, who was a few shades tanner but even more cheerful and lively, Lin Lan felt that letting him stay at her mother's place for a few days had been the right decision.
"Grandma's house is fun." Little Douzi tugged on her hand and chattered away, telling her all about his time at the Shilian Brigade—how he, his cousin, and his friends went up the mountains and down the gullies, catching fish and playing games.
