Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 568 Cousin
Tuesday, October 5th.

Although it was only mid-April in the lunar calendar, the weather in Jiangnan was already gradually getting warmer.

Chen Fan drove the car, rolled down the window, and the cool morning breeze blew into the car, making it much more comfortable.

Zhou Yali sat in the passenger seat, looking around curiously at the street scene outside the car. "Little brother, where does this city rank in the country?"

Chen Fan blew a light breath, and without turning his head, said with a fake smile, "Just call me Xiao Fan. Are you referring to the scale of urban construction or economic strength? I don't know the exact ranking of the provincial capital, but as an important city along the Yangtze River, it's not bad."

Zhou Yali turned to look at him and smiled, "You don't seem to like me calling you 'little brother'? Besides, I've never heard you call me 'sister' even once."

Chen Fan gave a fake grin and said, "Hehe."

Then he kept silent.

Zhou Yali pouted, not caring, turned to look out of the car, and grinned, "It's okay, anyway I'm your sister and you're my brother, that fact can't be changed."

He then looked up and laughed heartily, "I have a younger brother now, that's great!"

Chen Fan pursed his lips helplessly, feeling a bit of a headache.

I wish I could just expose my chatterbox cousin myself.

He sighed and turned to look at her. "Doesn't your aunt have any peers?"

Zhou Yali shrugged. "Yes, but they're all older than me. My mom is the youngest in that area, and because she went to university and got a master's degree, she got married very late. So I don't have any younger brothers or sisters, only older brothers and sisters."

He turned to look at Chen Fan, his smile revealing his back teeth, "But now you have him, from now on you're my little brother. When you have time to visit America, I'll take care of you there."

罩？
Chen Fan turned and glanced at her. "Who did you learn that from?"

Zhou Yali's face froze for a moment, she gave an awkward laugh, then realized what he meant and looked at him in surprise, "You know what that means?"

Chen Fan hummed twice, "This word should be a slang term from Hong Kong. It's not common in Cantonese and it means protection and support."

I know there's a large Chinatown at the southern end of Manhattan, New York. The residents are mainly from Guangdong and Fujian, but there are also many Hong Kong immigrants who have settled there. So you should go to Manhattan's Chinatown often and learn from the people there, right?

Currently, the largest Chinatown in the Western Hemisphere is San Francisco's Chinatown, but in two years, by the early 80s, Manhattan's Chinatown will take its place as the largest Chinese community in the Western Hemisphere.

Zhou Yali's eyes widened. "You know that?"

She paused for a moment, then asked curiously, "Isn't it said that the mainland is very closed off? How do you know so much?"

Chen Fan naturally had to argue, "It's not so much that it's closed off, it's just that the channels for obtaining information are limited."

He then explained, “Ordinary people don’t have easy access to foreign newspapers and magazines, so they naturally don’t know much about the outside world. But I have a way of seeing these things, and my understanding of Manhattan comes from foreign newspapers.”

Both Jiangnan University and the Department of Culture have foreign-related newspapers and periodicals as well as foreign language materials. You need to meet certain conditions to be eligible to borrow these items.

However, it was all easy for Chen Fan. As for which specific picture introduced Hong Kong slang and Manhattan's Chinatown?

How could he remember all that he'd seen? Go find it yourself if you're so capable!

Anyway, now that he has his uncle backing him up, as long as it's not a matter of principle, who would dare to touch him?

Besides, my cousin wouldn't just tell anyone this.

Zhou Yali didn't seem to care, and nodded in realization, "I almost forgot, you're not only a great writer, but also a high-ranking official."

Then he clapped his hands and exclaimed, "As expected of my little brother, you're truly outstanding!"

Chen Fan's lips twitched slightly; even someone as outstanding as him didn't know how to respond.

At this moment, Zhou Yali changed the subject and explained, "My dad didn't explain it clearly yesterday. Actually, although our family has moved to a predominantly white neighborhood for work, the Zhou family's ancestral home is still in Chinatown, which is where my grandfather and his family stayed when they first arrived in New York."

The reason I settled there was twofold. Firstly, there were many Chinese people there, mainly from the south, but they were all Chinese. Secondly, there were also northerners living there, just fewer. Living there meant I wouldn't feel too lonely.

As she spoke, she turned to look at Chen Fan and smiled, "Actually, we go back to our old house almost every week for the weekend, just so we won't forget our homeland."

Chen Fan nodded in agreement, "That's good."

He then asked, "And on the other hand?"

Zhou Yali shrugged. "On the other hand, there's education. Back then, that was the only place in all of New York with a Chinese school. The textbooks they used were all brought from China, and there were even teachers sent by the Republic of China. The school taught Chinese and Chinese characters, with geography and history being the main focus, all to educate the new generation of Chinese people not to forget their roots."

My dad and aunt studied at the Chinese school there, and I also attended that school until high school before moving to a regular school.

Chen Fan nodded unconsciously. "That's good."

At that moment, he suddenly understood why his mother—well, Chen Fan's mother—had resolutely returned to China.

An example will make it clear.

Overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia all know this, but before Mr. Sun Yat-sen, these Chinese were not recognized by the Qing government. Emperor Qianlong even regarded them as "abandoned subjects of the Celestial Empire".

It was this group of "abandoned people" who, through Mr. Sun's tireless efforts and appeals, reawakened their national consciousness, established "overseas Chinese schools," and inherited Chinese culture.

At that time, someone published a statement in the newspaper, saying, "To abandon the education of one's own country's masters and instead accept the education of another country's slaves is to be courting death! Overseas Chinese must receive overseas Chinese education, be fluent in Chinese, know Chinese, and establish their identity as overseas Chinese."

Before and after the Xinhai Revolution, the number of overseas Chinese schools in Southeast Asia grew from zero to hundreds, and then flourished everywhere. In Malaysia (including Singapore) alone, there were 15 students in overseas Chinese schools, and in Indonesia, there were more than 5. In the entire Southeast Asia region, there were more than 2500 overseas Chinese schools.

Through overseas Chinese schools, not only are the children of overseas Chinese nurtured and Chinese culture inherited, but these students also understand where their "roots" are, and thus pay attention to the motherland which is in crisis, and learn and master the skills to serve the country.

These people, who can be called "second-generation overseas Chinese," "third-generation overseas Chinese," or even "Nth-generation overseas Chinese," some of whom have never even set foot on the land of their motherland, let alone their own overseas Chinese students, consider themselves Chinese, regard their motherland as their hometown, and themselves as descendants of Yan and Huang.

It was against this backdrop that, after the outbreak of the War of Resistance against Japan, overseas Chinese not only donated money and supplies, but also actively "donated people".

During the war, a total of more than 4 overseas Chinese returned to China to participate in the war. The vast majority of them were overseas Chinese from Southeast Asia, numbering more than 4, while there were more than 1000 overseas Chinese from the Americas and Australia.

Among them, the "Mechanics Returning to China Service Corps" of 3200 overseas Chinese from Southeast Asia is a well-known example.

Most of these people have never set foot on their homeland and don't even know what their homeland looks like, but they responded to the call, the youngest of whom is not even 13 years old.

In December 1935, the anti-Japanese drama "Song of Spring Return" premiered in Shanghai, telling the story of the active participation of overseas Chinese in the anti-Japanese national salvation movement during this period.

Among them, the interlude "Farewell to Nanyang," a collaboration between Tian Han and Nie Er, brought tears to the eyes of countless people.

Farewell, Nanyang!
Your sea waves are green,

The sea and clouds are long,
You are our second hometown.

The blood and sweat of our nation,
It was scattered across these hundreds of desolate islands.

Farewell, Nanyang!

You're a fat coconut,

Cardamom scent,
You are nourished by the abundance of nature.
However, under the exploitation of imperialism,
Millions of people are oppressed and suffering from famine.

……

Farewell, Nanyang!

Don't you see the corpses lying across Changbai Mountain?
Blood flowed in the Heilongjiang River. This was a matter of life and death for the Chinese nation.
Farewell, my second hometown.

We must strive for this glimmer of hope.

……

Therefore, if the Zhou family's children received their education in overseas Chinese schools from a young age, it would be entirely reasonable for them to have deep feelings for their motherland and return to serve it.

It's just that he might have returned a little late, or his abilities might have been a little lacking, and he missed the opportunity to plant mushrooms; otherwise, he wouldn't have suffered the misfortune that followed.

It may be remote, but it's relatively safe.

However, it's hard to say. Going there wouldn't be without danger, just different kinds of danger. Also, even if the person is still alive, Zhou Zhengdong and his team might not be able to find them.

Chen Fan chatted as he drove. The Yangtze River Hotel wasn't far from the Writers' Association office, and with all that chatting, time flew by, and he arrived at his workplace in the blink of an eye.

As I drove into the compound, I glanced at the guardhouse and saw a young man, whose name I didn't know, writing at his desk. He was probably filling in for Grandpa Xiang.

Without asking any further questions, he drove the car in and parked it, then led Zhou Yali inside.

As soon as I arrived at the government building, wow, there were people peeking out of the doors of every office.

Chen Fan stopped in his tracks, looking up and shouting, "What's so interesting about this? Even though they're foreign guests, they're still Chinese."

Most people immediately shrank back and whispered among themselves in the office.

Although they are all Chinese and look similar, their outfits are completely different. They look so good together that you want to look at them a few more times.

Not everyone retreated inside. Two people of similar rank to Chen Fan, but with skin several times thicker, actually walked over directly.

"What nonsense! We just came out to say hello to your relatives."

Then he stopped three meters away and waved from a distance, saying, "Hello, young comrade."

Comrade?

Zhou Yali felt it was a novel experience and waved with a smile, "Hello, comrade."

A few black lines appeared on Chen Fan's forehead. "This is Director Zhong Chengzhe of the Creative Liaison Department, and this is Deputy Director Wang Zibo of the Creative Research Department. You can just call them Director Zhong and Deputy Director Wang."

Wang Zibo asked curiously, "Is this your older sister or your younger sister?"

Chen Fan smiled and said, "Brother."

After saying that, leave.

Zhong Chengzhe and Wang Zibo were left looking at each other in confusion. Everyone knew she was a cousin, but was she the older or younger cousin?

Then, on second thought, it was probably her older cousin; otherwise, why wouldn't she tell? So the two of them chuckled to themselves, knowing they'd have more fun to tease each other about later.

Zhou Yali had just finished greeting him when she saw him turn and go up the stairs. She quickly followed behind and whispered, "The people at your workplace are so friendly. What does 'lao bai' mean? Does it mean cousin?"

Chen Fan hummed twice, then said, "Being friendly depends on who you're dealing with. I'm usually quite nice to people in my own unit, but it's hard to say about outsiders."

It's not that they're arrogant; the tail end of the typhoon is still lingering, and they won't develop arrogance so quickly. On the contrary, they're even more cautious in their words and actions, avoiding contact with others as much as possible to prevent trouble.

However, there was no need to explain these things to Zhou Yali. After leading her into the office, Chen Fan began to pack his things.

Zhou Zhengdong brought his family here, not just to see him. He would definitely visit his sister and brother-in-law to pay respects, and it was also proper to go back to his ancestral home in Northeast China to worship his ancestors.

He reserved half a month for this trip, which was quite ample time.

As the protagonist of this search for relatives, Chen Fan should naturally accompany the entire process.

Even if he is not willing, the leader hopes that he is willing.

That's why he had to come back to ask for leave, and he also had to take some of his work with him so that he could handle it promptly.

His most urgent task right now is to provide acupuncture for veterans who need surgery, but after communicating with relevant departments and the Provincial Military Region General Hospital, Director Gong said there is no rush.

These veterans have endured for over twenty years, so what's another half month? Besides, it will take them time to gather everyone together, so it's not too late to do it when Chen Fan returns.

Secondly, regarding his studies, Professor Xu approved the leave without hesitation after hearing the details, without even offering any further advice.

He gave Chen Fan a year's worth of books, but in just over a month, Chen Fan has already read almost all of them and mastered them. How can he give him any more advice?
Now, Professor Xu often advises Chen Fan not to work too hard, but to pay attention to physical exercise while studying, so that he can do better in his studies.

After Chen Fan humbly accepted the offer, only the Writers' Association matter remained.

Fortunately, the Writers Association's main focus is on correspondence courses. Textbooks and learning materials have been sent out one after another, and only the first face-to-face class is about to begin.

He had already arranged all these tasks and left some notes for Bian Huifang. In addition, He Qingsheng was stationed at the unit, so it didn't matter whether he was there or not.

He went back to his workplace today to retrieve the design plans for the Taoist temple.

After a week of hard work, the design was mostly completed. Master Zhang didn't dare to delay, so he simply carried the drawings with him and would sketch them whenever he had free time. Even if time was tight, he could finish them within half a month.

I'll give it to him in person in the capital when I see my uncle's family off.

Currently, there are no regular air routes between mainland China and the United States, and travel between the two places requires Tokyo as a transit point.

Because on September 29, 1974, a fixed direct flight route from Beijing to Tokyo was opened. This route connects the four cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Osaka and Tokyo into a hook line. That is, the plane departs from Beijing, lands in Shanghai, flies to Japan, lands in Osaka, and finally stops in Tokyo.

Tokyo naturally has flights to many cities in the United States, which makes things much more convenient.

Before this route opened, there was only one way to go abroad: go to Guangzhou first, enter Hong Kong by land, and then transfer at Hong Kong Airport.

In that case, Zhou Zhengdong's holiday would be wasted for two more days.

Zhou Yali watched Chen Fan pack his things, then walked over and asked, "Do you need any help?"

Chen Fan rolled up the drawings and put them into a drawing tube. He then put a lot of white paper into another drawing tube and shook his head, saying, "No need, it will be done soon."

Zhou Yali raised her eyebrows and looked around curiously. "Your office is so clean."

Chen Fan looked up and smiled, "You mean why I don't even have a bookshelf here?"

Zhou Yali turned around, grinned, and said, "Brother, you're a great writer, where are your works? Aren't you going to send me a couple?"

Chen Fan slung the painting tube over his shoulder and looked at her, saying, "Don't tell me you didn't buy my book?"

Zhou Yali: "I did buy it, but it wasn't signed. Besides, the book I bought and the book you gave me have completely different meanings, okay?"

Chen Fan thought for a moment, then took out several sets of "Yunhu Love" and several booklets of "A Brief Discussion on Hard-Pen Calligraphy" from the drawer. He pulled out a chair, sat down, picked up a fountain pen from the pen holder, and signed his name in a few quick strokes.

Zhou Yali jumped to his side and said excitedly, "Little brother, write a few more words, just write 'For the most beautiful sister'."

Chen Fan rolled his eyes and threw the signed book in front of her. "Take it or leave it."

(End of this chapter)