Reborn in 1966

Chapter 195 Turning Point

When Wang Shuying came to the Shen family, she told Liu Yuqian about Grandpa Wang's thoughts. Wang Shuying said, "Yuqian, your grandfather doesn't want to leave the house to Xiaoyuan. In the past few years, Xiaoyuan has been with your grandfather. Your grandfather has taught Xiaoyuan all his things and thinks that Xiaoyuan can be considered his disciple."

Liu Yuqian, afraid that her mother would misunderstand and think she was worried that Zhou Xiaoyuan would get the Wang family's house, smiled and said, "Mom, do you think I'm such a petty person? Besides, the house belongs to Grandpa. He can leave it to whomever he wants. How could I, a married daughter, go back and fight for it?"

Wang Shuying sighed and said, "Qianqian, you never knew that our family and Xiaoyuan's father have known each other for many years."

Wang Shuying then recounted Zhou Dayuan's past. Liu Yuqian felt completely stunned as she listened. Seeing her daughter's incredulous expression, Wang Shuying said, "Back then, I was only six or seven years old. I felt so sorry for this boy. His mother didn't want him anymore, and he was sick. Your maternal grandmother said, 'We have to help him. Such a young child, if no one helps him, he might just die.' At that time, your maternal grandmother cooked, and I would bring him the food. At first, he couldn't eat by himself, so your maternal grandmother and I would feed him together. Later, your maternal grandfather..." We asked for his opinion, but he didn't want to go to the countryside with us to escape the war. Your grandfather gave him a few silver dollars, and we went back to our old home in the countryside. Later, I brought you back. He said that knowing we were back, he wanted to protect us. Even the time when Mom went to report your grandfather, it was because someone else was going to report him. Mom had hidden some precious books outside beforehand. Even so, when your grandfather saw those books being burned, he was so angry that he vomited blood. If it weren't for that arrangement, Qianqian, I don't know if your grandfather would still be alive today.”

After listening, Liu Yuqian remained silent for a long time before saying, "Mom, why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you tell me? I still hate you because of this."

Wang Shuying patted Liu Yuqian's hair and said, "Child, Dayuan said it's better not to tell you. The fewer people who know about this, the better. You're still a child. Back then, the movement was so intense. If people find out, none of us can escape."

With red eyes, Liu Yuqian said, "Mom, I'm an adult now. You must tell me if anything happens at home in the future."

Wang Shuying said, "Okay, I'll definitely tell you if anything happens in the future."

Meng Ruolan had a grandfather, so she invited Aunt Shengquan, Uncle Shengquan, and Mr. and Mrs. Shen to be her maternal relatives. Unexpectedly, in the spring of 1976, Zhou Xiaoyuan and Meng Ruolan's wedding was held in a very low-key manner. The two went to the commune to get their marriage certificate, and several families had a meal at Grandpa Wang's house. Mrs. Shen and Aunt Shengquan, along with Liu Yuqian and Shen Jinhua, spread the prepared bedding on the bed in the new room and pasted two large red "double happiness" characters on the window of the new room. The wedding was thus successfully completed.

After the wedding and everyone had left, Zhou Dayuan called Zhou Xiaoyuan and Meng Ruolan to Old Master Wang's study. After the three of them sat down, Zhou Dayuan said, "Ruolan, please understand that you and Xiaoyuan have handled this important life event so simply."

Meng Ruolan said earnestly, "Dad, it's okay. As long as we have the blessings of elders like you, our wedding will be perfect."

After listening to Meng Ruolan's answer, Zhou Dayuan pondered for a while and said, "Xiaoyuan, Ruolan, you must remember what your father told you today."

Seeing Zhou Dayuan's serious expression, Zhou Xiaoyuan unconsciously straightened her posture and said, "Dad, it's good that you said so. I will definitely keep it in mind."

Zhou Dayuan said softly, "The current situation is very delicate. From now on, you two should stay home with your grandfather except when you are at work. No matter what happens, you must not get involved."

Zhou Xiaoyuan and Meng Ruolan exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes, but they still nodded and said, "Dad, don't worry, we'll remember."

Wang Shuying and Zhou Dayuan also have rooms here, so they stayed here for the night.

Wang Shuying looked at Zhou Dayuan, who was tossing and turning, and asked softly, "Dayuan, what's wrong? Is something on your mind?"

Zhou Dayuan sighed and said, "Xiaoyuan is my only son. I feel really bad that his wedding was so simple."

Wang Shuying said, "Is that all? Isn't that how a lot of things are now? Two teachers at our school move their beds together from their dorm rooms and put their bedding rolls together, and that's considered completing a major life event."

Zhou Dayuan said, "Shuying, I feel like another big mess is about to happen."

Upon hearing this, Wang Shuying was startled. She immediately turned around to face Zhou Dayuan and whispered in a panic, "Dayuan, what happened?"

Seeing Wang Shuying's expression, Zhou Dayuan knew that so many years of political movements had turned the once innocent and carefree person into a frightened bird. He quickly reached out from under the covers and gently patted Wang Shuying's shoulder, saying, "It's okay, it's okay, don't be afraid. This is just my feeling. I feel like something big is about to happen."

Hearing Zhou Dayuan say this, Wang Shuying breathed a sigh of relief and said, "I was so scared! I was really afraid. I don't know when this will end. Living in constant fear is so tiring."

Zhou Dayuan simply pulled Wang Shuying into his arms and said, "Yes, I also want to know when this will end. It's been ten years. So many people have died and so many things have been ruined. How much of the good stuff left by our ancestors is left? If this continues, I really don't know how future history will write about our generation."

When Wang Shuying heard Zhou Dayuan say this, she laughed and said, "Oh my, you're thinking about such profound things? I never would have guessed."

Zhou Dayuan said, "Although my vocabulary is limited, I have to think things through. I've learned a lot from Mr. Wang. Looking at the things and people around me, I feel that something must be wrong. This feeling has been getting stronger these past few days. I feel that something must have happened. Shuying, remember, no matter what happens, I will protect you." Zhou Dayuan has always called his father-in-law "Mr. Wang," a title he used to address Old Master Wang more than 30 years ago. Even after marrying Wang Shuying, Zhou Dayuan has not changed this title. Of course, that's how he addresses him at home. Zhou Dayuan is a man of few words and never mentions family matters in front of outsiders. Outsiders also don't know how this father-in-law and son-in-law address each other.

Wang Shuying was deeply moved by Zhou Dayuan's words. In many people's eyes, her second husband had forced her into marriage, but both Wang Shuying and Zhou Dayuan knew that wasn't the case. Zhou Dayuan had always had feelings for Wang Shuying since childhood. Wang Shuying, after her divorce, returned to her parents' home with her child, and the feeling of loneliness and helplessness almost killed her. Just when she needed someone to rely on the most, Zhou Dayuan came. After spending these years with Zhou Dayuan, Wang Shuying deeply understood one thing: she felt a sense of security and peace with Zhou Dayuan. She and Zhou Dayuan were destined for each other.

1976 was destined to be an extraordinary year.

This year left a very strong mark on later history. Pei Yin had read in her history book that this year was a very important year for the new China. Many things started to get on the right track from this year. The history teacher who taught Pei Yin was one of the first students to take the college entrance examination after the end of the movement. When talking about this period of history, the teacher was very excited. He said that many people's fates took a turn in this year, whether good or bad. It seemed that they all took a turn in this year, and some people even had a 180-degree change.

Pei Yin is experiencing this year as one of the millions of ordinary people.

Having experienced the desolation of spring and the sorrow of autumn, and watching the people around her weeping their hearts out in the torrential rain, Pei Yin felt lost and out of place. She felt so out of place with everyone around her. When the dust finally settled, Pei Yin finally breathed a sigh of relief. The sky had cleared, and everything was about to get back on track.

As the rectification of past wrongs began, many people gradually emerged from their dark dormitories and cold cowsheds. Several elderly professors from Shenjia Village ushered in a new beginning in their lives during the cold winter of 1976.

A military green jeep drove into Shenjia Village and stopped in front of the village's brigade headquarters. Hu Jiming, whose temples were gray, got out of the car.

Looking at the still vigorous old locust tree at the entrance of the village, Hu Jiming couldn't help but let out a long sigh. It had been ten years. Ten years ago, when he brought those old folks here, none of them had imagined that the movement could last for so long.

Ten years! How many decades does a person have in their lifetime? After ten years of trials and tribulations, can a person's energy still be as vigorous as before? After ten years of hardship, do people still have the same spirit of building a new country that they had when the country was first founded?

Hu Jiming sighed and turned to enter the courtyard of the brigade headquarters.

This trip is to bring back several retired professors to Beijing. These professors were all highly accomplished in their respective fields. At the beginning of the movement, the relevant leaders saw things were not going well and wanted to protect these professors. After all, they were national treasures. The far-sighted leaders had already foreseen that the development of the country could not be separated from talent, and teachers who could cultivate talent were rare and hard to find. Hu Jiming and his team's work was to disperse professors from some prestigious universities to various places under difficult conditions, under the guise of labor reform, but in reality, to protect them. Shenjia Village was a location that the relevant leaders decided on after careful consideration.

Secretary Tian was already waiting for Hu Jiming at the brigade headquarters. No one knew the details of the incident better than Secretary Tian. When Hu Jiming saw Secretary Tian, ​​he grasped Secretary Tian's hands with both of them and said excitedly, "Old Tian, ​​thank you so much. You are heroes of the country's construction."

Secretary Tian said, "This is what we should do. Team Leader Hu, let's go inside and talk first."

After the two sat down in the brigade headquarters office, Hu Jiming said, "There are so many things to deal with now, and we have to start all over again. Secretary Tian, ​​everything is fine now."

Secretary Tian nodded and said, "Yes, everything is fine now. The dark clouds over us have all dissipated, and we can see the sun every day from now on."

Hu Jiming said, "I came here to pick up the professors who were sent here initially. Now that teaching in universities is gradually returning to normal, the students are waiting for their teachers to return and impart their knowledge."

Secretary Tian said, "I already told the professors about this when you called a couple of days ago. They were all very excited. Everyone has been busy packing these past two days. How about I take you to see the dormitory first?"