Chapter 12: The Reason
Don't underestimate that jar of pickled vegetables. Any rural household could make a whole jar, it's not worth much.
But it's the thought that counts. They saved me from the river, let me stay here, lent me rice, and now they're sending pickled vegetables.
I could cry.
Seeing Chen Fan's sincere emotions, Captain Yang couldn't help but sigh. This boy has suffered a great loss, lost his memory, and he's penniless. He must be feeling very wronged. If it were an ordinary person, they wouldn't be able to bear it, they would have already cried their eyes out. But he's still holding strong. It's really not easy.
The slight displeasure he had just felt disappeared. He spoke softly, "Little Chen, come sit down."
Chen Fan quickly came over and sat down.
Captain Yang took a puff of his pipe and said earnestly, "The reason I told you to keep your distance from Jiang Lili is for your own good. You don’t know, her parents were both leaders in the Prefectural Committee Cotton Textile Factory. One was Deputy Factory Director, and the other was Director. But they made mistakes a few years ago and were demoted to right-wing athletes. They lost their positions and one of them became a boiler worker, and the other became a street sweeper. Jiang Lili was just graduating from junior high at the time. Her grades were excellent, but because of this incident, she couldn't go to high school. She just got her diploma, and before the New Year was over, she was sent down to our production team."
Chen Fan listened and nodded along, thinking to himself, looking at Jiang Lili, who was as timid as a quail, she actually comes from such a good family. If her parents get their positions back, she'll take off!
But then he was stunned and looked at Captain Yang in confusion, "Just graduated? Before the New Year? They graduate in winter?"
Captain Yang looked at him blankly. After a while, he reacted, "Why did you forget even this? According to the highest directive, starting from March 1969, all schools across the country would have spring enrollment and winter graduation. Elementary school was 5 years, and junior high and high school were both 2 years. It wasn't until 1974 that they changed back to the old system, with enrollment in September. But only the new students changed, the old students still followed the old method.
The school system also allowed local areas to revert to the old system based on their actual situation. So, some elementary schools have four years, five years, or six years, and some junior high and high schools have two years or three years. You forgot all this?"
Chen Fan suddenly realized. There was this bit too? I have no idea.
But he still said confidently, "I don't even remember where I came from, it’s normal for me not to remember this."
Captain Yang was taken aback and speechless. He simply tapped the table, "Let's talk about the serious stuff."
Captain Yang glared at him, "You kid, don't be ignorant and don't take it lightly. If something happens, even I can’t protect you."
Chen Fan quickly nodded, "Understood, understood. I’ll definitely pay attention, definitely!"
Pay attention to what? The college entrance exams are going to resume at the end of this year, and the route is going to be decided at the end of next year. Who has time for these messy things.
Captain Yang was afraid that he was too young and proud, so he reminded him again, "You haven’t figured out your own situation yet. If you find your family, and you’re from a good background, but you get close to Jiang Lili, even your family will be affected. If not, then you need to be even more careful about the impact. Do you understand the truth that a good reputation is worth more than gold?!"
He said this, but he thought that this was unlikely. What kind of right-wing family could raise such a delicate boy? Even when Jiang Lili came down, she was covered in dust. So, it's simply impossible.
Chen Fan knew his own business, but he put on a sincere face and said, "I will keep Captain's teachings in mind, I will reflect on myself all the time, and I will resolutely distance myself from mistakes."
Captain Yang finally nodded in satisfaction, then said, "Before you find your family, just stay here peacefully. Don't worry about bedding and luggage."
He pointed to the blanket drying outside, "This blanket was made recently. Although it's old cloth, it’s been boiled with hot water and washed with rice water, it's almost like new cloth. You can use it for now. If it gets colder in a few days, and the blanket isn’t warm enough, I'll get another small one for you."
He looked at Chen Fan's clothes, grinned and said, "This jacket is from my nephew. It reaches his knees, but it's short on you."
Chen Fan grinned foolishly and didn’t know how to respond.
Captain Yang coughed and said with a smile, "Later, Accountant Liu and Keeper Huang will come up with a plan to get you two sets of clothes, and a padded jacket. That should hold you over for a while, until you find your family."
Chen Fan quickly thanked him again.
Captain Yang looked at the towels and toothbrushes on the table, "I really didn't think about these things. Since Jiang Lili lent them to you, just use them for now. I'll bring you two new wooden basins for washing later."
Then he looked at him, "Think about it, what else do you need?"
Chen Fan was not shy, he frowned and thought carefully.
I have food, clothes, shelter, and necessities.
Then he shook his head, "I think I have everything."
Captain Yang chuckled, "It's okay, if you have everything, then just stay here for now. If you need anything, come to me at the front."
He pointed to the village in front, "My house is on the top of the hill. Just ask anyone, they'll know. Our team headquarters is also at my place. You can come to me for both personal and official matters."
Chen Fan nodded repeatedly, "Got it."
"Alright, you rest."
Captain Yang tapped his pipe ashes, stood up and walked out with his hands behind his back.
Chen Fan quickly followed him, walked him to the door, watched him go before entering the yard to close the door.
The door must be closed!
Goodness, it was just because I didn't close the door that Captain Yang saw me, and interrogated me like a criminal.
Now I understand why the walls of the educated youth dormitory are so high. If you're scrutinized like this all day long, how uncomfortable would that be?!
But after he inserted the door latch and just got back to the room, he heard a knock on the door.
Keeper Huang was shouting at the door, "Open the door, open the door. Why are you closing the door in broad daylight."
Chen Fan quickly ran out and looked back. Jiang Lili also ran out, and he quickly gestured to her to go back to her room.
Jiang Lili quickly nodded and turned back into the room, but she didn’t dare close the door.
Chen Fan strode to the door and opened it, "Coming, coming. Oh, it's Keeper Huang. I'm just drying my blankets. There was a gust of wind blowing in from the door, and it almost blew the stand over, so I closed the door."
Keeper Huang's expression softened slightly, "You can just leave it half-open, it's broad daylight, you're closing the door. If someone doesn't know, they’ll think there's something shady going on inside."
Chen Fan's face stiffened. He didn't know how to answer this. He was only a guest here, otherwise, I might have argued with him.
(End of Chapter)
«PREVIOUS»
«NEXT»
Comments
Post a Comment