Winter in Guangxi is truly terrifying; the damp cold feels like countless tiny needles piercing to the bone. I was only wearing a thin shirt, and at night, sitting in the work shed, I was shivering uncontrollably, curled up like a frightened hedgehog, my teeth chattering involuntarily.
I was panicking. What was I going to do? If this continued, I might break down. If I got sick, not only would I be unable to work, but I'd also have to spend money on medicine. What would happen to my family? The more I thought about it, the more anxious I became, but I was truly at a loss.
Just as I was about to lose consciousness from the cold, Old Li, radiating a chilling aura, walked into the work shed. Seeing how pitifully cold I was, he didn't say a word. He turned back to his bunk, pulled out an old cotton-padded coat, and tossed it to me with a "thud," saying, "Qiang, this is what my son left behind. Make do with it for now, don't get too cold."
I quickly caught it. Looking closely, I saw that although the coat was old and had a hole, it was a lifesaver to me. Without a word, I immediately put it on. And wouldn't you know it, as soon as I put it on, a warm current "whooshed" through my body, instantly warming my stiff, frozen frame.
My eyes welled up with tears, and I quickly said to Old Li, "Brother Li, thank you so much! Without you, I really don't know how I would have gotten through tonight." Old Li smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Don't mention it! When we're out on the road, we should look out for each other."
But little did I know, trouble would strike the very next day at the construction site. There was this guy who always liked to cause trouble, and he was always bullying us newcomers because he was a bit strong. When he saw me wearing this old cotton-padded coat, he squinted at me and said in a sarcastic tone, "Hey, Qiang, what are you wearing? You look like a beggar! Where did you find this tattered coat? Aren't you ashamed?"
Upon hearing this, my anger flared up instantly, and I retorted, "Watch your mouth! What's wrong with this coat? It's better than your heart! If you're so tough, why don't you just take off your clothes? All you do is spout nonsense." My retort made his face flush bright red, like a beggar... Enraged, the bull rolled up its sleeves and charged at me, cursing, "You little brat, you dare talk back to me? I'll teach you a lesson today!"
Quickly, Old Li, with lightning reflexes, stepped in front of me and yelled at the guy, "What are you doing! What kind of skill is it to bully the newbie? Come at me if you dare! If you dare lay a finger on A-Qiang, I'm not finished with you!" Old Li was burly and imposing, and the guy froze in place after being yelled at.
Seeing that Old Li was not someone to mess with, the guy's face turned red and then pale. After hesitating for a long time, he finally snorted, glared at us fiercely, and slunk away.
That night, back in the work shed, I sat on my bed, gently touching the hole in my cotton-padded coat, my heart filled with gratitude for Old Li. Although the coat was a bit torn, I felt it was warmer than the thick quilt at home. This wasn't just a cotton-padded coat; it carried Old Li's care and concern for me. It was this kindness that warmed my heart in this unfamiliar place.
I secretly vowed that if Old Li ever needed anything, I would be the first to rush to his aid. A drop of kindness deserves a spring of gratitude in return; I will remember Old Li's kindness. With these thoughts, I wrapped the coat tighter around myself and drifted off to sleep in its warmth. In my dream, Old Li and I worked hard together on the construction site, earning lots of money, and then happily returned home, where everyone was proud of us…