Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 12 Reason
Don't underestimate this jar of pickled vegetables; any rural household can make a large jar of it, and it's not worth much money.

But it's a small gift with great meaning. They first rescued me from the water, then let me stay here, lent me rice, and now they're even giving me pickles.

Really, crying!
Seeing Chen Fan's genuine emotions, Captain Yang couldn't help but sigh inwardly. This child had suffered a great injustice, lost his memory, and was penniless. Most people would have been unable to bear it and would have cried their eyes out long ago, but he was still able to hold on. It was truly remarkable.

The slight dissatisfaction she had felt earlier vanished, and she said softly, "Xiao Chen, come and sit down."

Chen Fan quickly came over and sat down.

Captain Yang took a drag of his cigarette and said earnestly, "I told you to keep your distance from Jiang Lili for your own good. You don't know, her parents were originally leaders in the prefectural cotton mill, one was the deputy director and the other was the director. But a few years ago they made a mistake and were sent to the right team as athletes. Not only did they lose their positions, but one of them became a boiler operator and the other became a street sweeper. At that time, Jiang Lili had just graduated from junior high school. She had good grades, but because of this incident, she not only didn't go to high school, but she was also sent down to our production team before the New Year was even over."

Chen Fan was nodding as he listened, thinking to himself, "Looking at Jiang Lili, who looks like a quail, she actually has such a good family background. If her parents are reinstated, she'll be able to take off from here."

Upon hearing the end, he was stunned and looked at Captain Yang in confusion, "Just graduated? Before the New Year was over? Graduated in the winter?"

Captain Yang stared at him blankly for a while before he realized, "How could you forget this? According to the highest instructions, starting in March 1969, all schools across the country started spring semester and graduated in winter. Elementary school lasted 5 years, and junior high and high school lasted 2 years. It wasn't until 1974 that it was changed back to September semester. But only the new students changed; the old students continued to follow the old rules."

The school system also allows local authorities to revert to the old system based on their specific circumstances, so primary school can last four, five, or even six years, and junior and senior high school can last two or three years. You've forgotten all that?

Chen Fan suddenly realized, "So there was this part too? I had no idea."

But she said with a straight face, "I've even forgotten where I came from, so it's normal not to remember this."

Captain Yang was speechless for a moment, then simply tapped the table and said, "Let's get serious."

Captain Yang glared at him, "Don't be so arrogant and think you can take things too seriously. If something really happens, even I can't protect you."

Chen Fan nodded quickly, "Understood, understood, I will definitely pay attention!"

What the hell are you talking about? The college entrance exam will be reinstated at the end of this year, and the route will be determined at the end of next year. Who has time to care about this nonsense?

Captain Yang, fearing his youthful impetuosity, reiterated, "You haven't even figured out your own problems yet. If your family is found, and you're from a respectable family but are close to Jiang Lili, it will affect your family as well. If not, then you need to be even more careful about the impact. Don't you understand the power of public opinion?!"

That's what he said, but in his heart he thought it was unlikely. What right team could raise such a delicate and tender boy? Even when Jiang Lili came down, she was covered in dust and dirt, so it was simply impossible.

Chen Fan knew what had happened, but he put on a sincere face and said, "I will definitely keep the captain's teachings in mind, reflect on myself at all times, and resolutely draw a line between myself and my mistakes."

Captain Yang nodded in satisfaction and then said, "Until we find your family, just stay here and don't worry about your bedding and luggage."

She pointed to the cotton quilt drying outside and said, "This quilt was made recently. Although it's made of old cloth, it was boiled in hot water and then washed with rice water, so it's almost like new cloth. You can use it for now. If it gets cold in a few days and the quilt isn't warm enough, I'll bring you a smaller one."

He looked at Chen Fan's clothes again and grinned, "This jacket belongs to my nephew. It reaches his knees on him, but it's too short for you."

Chen Fan grinned sheepishly, unsure how to respond.

Captain Yang coughed and laughed, "I'll work with Accountant Liu, Warehouse Keeper Huang and I to figure out a way to get you two sets of clothes and make you a cotton-padded jacket. That should be enough for a while, once we find your family."

Chen Fan quickly thanked him again. Captain Yang glanced at the towel and toothbrush on the table. "I really didn't expect these things. Since Jiang Lili lent them to you, just use them for now and return them to her later. I'll get you two new wooden basins for washing up later."

Then, looking at him, she said, "Think about it again, what's still missing?"

Chen Fan didn't stand on ceremony and frowned as he carefully considered the matter.

We have food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities.

Then he shook his head, "It should be all there."

Captain Yang chuckled and said, "It's alright. Once everyone's here, just stay here for now. If you need anyone else, just come find me at the front."

He pointed to the village ahead, "My house is the one on the hilltop. Just ask around when you get there. Our team's headquarters is also in my house. You can come to me for both official and personal matters."

Chen Fan nodded repeatedly, "I'll remember."

"Okay, then you can rest."

Captain Yang tapped his cigarette ash, stood up, put his hands behind his back, and walked out.

Chen Fan quickly followed behind him, escorting him to the gate and watching him leave before entering the courtyard to close the gate.

This door must be closed!

Good grief, I just left the door open and Captain Yang saw me, and he interrogated me like I was a criminal.

He now understood why the walls of the educated youth settlement were so high—being scrutinized all day long must have been incredibly uncomfortable!

But as soon as he bolted the door and returned inside, he heard a knock on the door.

The custodian, Huang, was still shouting at the door, "Open the door! Open the door! Why are you closing the door in broad daylight?"

Chen Fan quickly ran outside, and when he turned around, he saw that Jiang Lili had also run out. He quickly gestured for her to go back to her room.

Jiang Lili nodded hurriedly, turned around and went into the room, but didn't dare to close the door.

Chen Fan strode to the door and opened it. "Coming, coming! Oh, it's Manager Huang. I was airing out the quilts when a gust of wind blew in from the doorway and almost knocked the shelf over, so I closed the door."

The custodian's expression softened a bit. "Then just cover it up. Keeping the door closed in broad daylight makes people think there's something shady going on inside."

Chen Fan's face stiffened. These words were only appropriate now that he was living under someone else's roof; in the past, they might have ended up arguing.

(End of this chapter)