Chapter 76: Red Lights Shine, the Home Has a New Voice

As he neared the village entrance, the sky had already grown dark.

From a distance, Lu Qingshan saw a faint, warm, yellowish light seeping from the low earthen-walled house of his own.

In the cold winter night, that light was like an ever‑burning beacon, guiding him home.

He involuntarily quickened his steps, his heart full of anticipation.

"Dad! Dad's back!"

Before he could reach the courtyard gate, a tiny figure shot out from behind the threshold like a small cannonball, bursting forth with a cheerful shout.

It was Xiao Xue!

The little girl, sharp‑eyed as a squirrel that has caught the scent of pine nuts, lunged forward, clinging tightly to his thigh and rubbing her small head vigorously against his cold‑dusted pant leg.

"Go slow, go slow, watch your step, don't fall."

Lu Qingshan set down what he carried on his back, feeling his daughter's clinginess, his heart softening.

He smiled, ruffling her fluffy head, and lifted her into his arms.

Lin Yue'e also heard the voice and came out from the house, wearing a mended but clean apron.

Her gaze first fell on Lu Qingshan; seeing him return safely, the worry in her eyes visibly eased.

Immediately, her attention was drawn to the square wooden box wrapped in coarse cloth on the ground.

The box was neither big nor small, exuding a sense of novelty; through the coarse wrapping one could faintly see the wood's outline, carrying a faint smell of fresh lacquer—something she had never seen before.

"Qing Shan, what… what is this you've brought back on your back?"

She asked softly, her tone tinged with curiosity, a hint of nervousness, and anticipation.

Lu Qingshan first carried the rice and flour inside, setting them neatly in the corner of the wall.

Then, as if holding a precious treasure, he reverently lifted the wooden box and carefully placed it on the kang table.

Xiao Xue also wriggled free from Lu Qingshan's embrace, tiptoed, stretched her little neck, her big, shiny eyes filled with pure curiosity and longing, unblinking as she stared at the mysterious "big box".

"I bought you two a new gadget; I guarantee you'll like it."

Lu Qingshan deliberately kept it a secret, a gentle smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

He reached out, and under the expectant gazes of his wife and daughter, he slowly peeled away the coarse cloth wrapped around the wooden box, layer by layer.

A bright red, glossy wooden case shone with captivating luster in the dim oil‑lamp light, finally revealing its true appearance.

The red lacquer was smooth and warm to the touch, yet cool as ice; on its front sat several round, shiny knobs, looking exceedingly delicate.

"Wow—!"

Xiao Xue let out a small, delighted gasp.

Her little hand involuntarily reached out, wanting to touch yet afraid to; her fingertip lightly tapped the smooth, icy lacquer, then jerked back as if shocked, her eyes wide open.

"Could… could this be… a radio?"

Lin Yue'e also widened her eyes, covering her mouth, her voice full of incredulous delight.

"A radio! She had only ever seen such a rarity from afar in the most conspicuous display window of the town's Supply and Marketing Cooperative, hearing that only the homes of high‑ranking city officials possessed such precious items—something ordinary families dare not even dream of."

She never imagined that this man would actually bring such a thing home.

"Exactly! It's a radio! A Shanghai Red Lamp brand, the latest model!"

Lu Qingshan's face bore an unrestrained smile of pride and satisfaction, his voice a notch louder than usual.

"From now on we can listen to the news, to national affairs; Yue'e, you can listen to opera to relieve boredom; Xiao Xue, you can hear stories and children's songs!"

He pulled from his pocket several newly bought "Forward" brand large batteries, tore open the wrapping paper, and heard a soft "hiss".

Then he skillfully opened the radio's back cover, inserted the batteries one by one observing polarity, and with a soft "click" they snapped into place.

"Dad, Dad, will this red box really talk? Are there little people hidden inside its belly?"

Xiao Xue looked up with a rosy little face, her eyes full of innocent anticipation and curiosity, her small hand tightly gripping Lu Qingshan's cuff.

"Of course it will! It not only talks, it sings—and it sounds wonderful!"

Lu Qingshan laughed, flicked her little nose, and began gently turning one of the largest tuning knobs on the radio's panel.

"Zzz… hiss… zzz‑la‑la…"

From the radio first came a burst of static, like countless tiny insects whispering inside, or like the rustle of wind through a pine grove.

Xiao Xue jumped at the sudden sound, her little body darting behind Lin Yue'e, only peeking out with eyes that were curious yet a little frightened.

Lu Qingshan patiently made a fine adjustment to the knob.

Suddenly, a clear, resonant song burst forth from the red wooden box without warning, filling the humble hut.

"The five‑star red flag flutters in the wind, how triumphant the song of victory! Singing our beloved motherland, from now on marching toward prosperity and strength…"

The song rang out, bright and stirring, brimming with vigorous strength and boundless hope for the future.

"It's sounding! It's sounding! Dad, it's really singing! It really can sing!"

Xiao Xue shot out from behind Lin Yue'e in an instant, all her fear instantly replaced by great delight.

She widened her eyes in delight, her mouth forming an "O", then burst into a clear, bell‑like laugh.

She clapped her hands excitedly, hopping and jumping around the radio on the kang table like a joyful little bird.

Her little face glowed with excitement and wonder, her big, shiny eyes brighter than the stars outside the window.

"Are there really lots of little people inside singing? How did they get in?"

The little girl crept closer to the radio, head tilted, trying to see what lay within the dense tiny holes, as if a wondrous new world hid inside.

Lin Yue'e was utterly stunned.

She reached out, her fingertips trembling slightly, and lightly touched the smooth, warm red lacquer casing, feeling the faint vibrations and song emanating from within.

"A radio…"

This was truly something she had never dared to dream of before.

She lowered her head, not wanting Lu Qingshan to see her present loss of composure, yet the corner of her mouth involuntarily lifted, forming a shallow, gentle dimple.

The lilting music and the announcer's clear, standard Mandarin slowly streamed out from that brand‑new red‑label radio.

It echoed in this simple yet immeasurably warm little mud‑brick house, warmed by love, and also echoed in the hearts of the three‑person family.