Colorful years

Time flies like a wild horse, and in the blink of an eye, Zhang Cong has been working diligently in the Propaganda Department of the State Party Committee for more than a year.

Zhang Cong's exceptional overall qualities enabled him to adapt to the work in the journalism department with ease.

Meanwhile, his younger brother Zhang Liang was equally dedicated. Zhang Liang was hardworking and diligent, getting up early every day and going to bed late, devoting most of his time to the ocean of knowledge.

Through persistent efforts, Zhang Liang finally achieved outstanding results and successfully entered the top middle school in the prefecture—Xiangxi National Middle School.

Zhang Cong knew that the teaching quality of Zhoumin Middle School was top-notch, especially its elite classes, which were renowned. In the previous year's college entrance examination, the university admission rate of the elite classes was over 70%, a truly remarkable figure.

He thought to himself: as long as his younger brother can maintain his current good study habits and ensure that his grades remain stable and do not decline, getting into university should not be a difficult thing.

Since he doesn't need to worry too much about his younger brother's studies, and he himself is currently struggling to make a breakthrough in his career and officialdom, he might as well shift his focus to his personal emotional life.

From then on, his attitude towards Wang Li became more proactive, and their relationship blossomed rapidly like spring flowers, progressing exceptionally smoothly and reaching a mature stage where they could meet each other's parents.

With the Spring Festival of 1986 fast approaching, the entire prefectural party committee and its subordinate units sprang into action like busy bees.

Everyone discussed a heartwarming plan: to arrange advance leave for unmarried cadres and employees whose parents live in other places, so that they can return to their hometowns in time, reunite with their parents whom they have not seen for a long time, and celebrate the Spring Festival together.

Zhang Cong's parents lived in Baiheping, a distance of 300 kilometers from the prefectural capital, a long and arduous journey; while Wang Li's parents settled in Lanxi Town, Yiyang.

Despite the great distance between the two families, nothing could stop their two hearts, which were deeply in love with each other, from drawing closer.

When Wang Li learned that she could take leave early to go home and celebrate the New Year, her heart was filled with boundless joy and excitement, like fireworks ignited. Unable to contain her excitement, she moved with the lightness of a butterfly, rushing straight towards Zhang Cong's office.

As soon as she stepped into the office, Wang Li's radiant smile, like the warm sunshine of spring, instantly illuminated the entire room.

She walked up to Zhang Cong with a beaming smile and said in a slightly coquettish tone, "Zhang Cong, do you know that we've known each other and been dating for over a year? It's time to let our parents know that we're in a relationship."

"How about this? Since we have this rare opportunity to go home early for the Spring Festival, why don't you come back to Yiyang with me? You can also visit my parents while you're there."

As she spoke, Wang Li's bright, sparkling eyes, like twinkling stars in the night sky, blinked and stared intently at Zhang Cong, her eyes filled with eager anticipation.

Zhang Cong was immediately captivated by Wang Li's fervent and straightforward enthusiasm and her hopeful gaze.

He thought to himself: As the saying goes, even an ugly daughter-in-law has to meet her in-laws eventually. Besides, he had already made up his mind to handle this relationship issue properly, and now that Wang Li had taken the initiative to ask, he might as well go along with her wishes.

Thinking of this, a gentle smile appeared on Zhang Cong's face, and he nodded slightly in agreement.

“I’m really happy to be spending the New Year at your house! But the thought of preparing a gift is making me a little worried. I really don’t know what to bring.” Zhang Cong’s lips curled up slightly, revealing a smile that was a little troubled and conflicted.

Seeing his state, Wang Li quickly comforted him, "Don't worry! Our propaganda department just gave everyone 25 jin of pork! That's 50 jin of pork for the two of us, which is a great gift. Let's ask the leader for leave now, and we can go home together tomorrow."

However, Zhang Cong shook his head after hearing this, a troubled look on his face, and said, "Wouldn't this seem a bit too simple? After all, this is my first time visiting your home for the New Year..."

Wang Li gently patted his shoulder and responded tenderly, "No, that won't happen! Don't forget, you not only have to take care of your parents now, but also bear the cost of your younger brother's schooling. The financial pressure is not small! Every little bit helps. I believe my parents will understand your difficulties."

Zhang Cong listened quietly to Wang Li's sincere and earnest words. It was as if a warm spring breeze had gently caressed his heart, and a feeling of being moved rippled outwards in his heart.

At the same time, the entanglement and unease that had been lingering in his heart gradually dissipated, replaced by an unprecedented sense of relief and ease.

Now that they were no longer worried about buying gifts, Zhang Cong and Wang Li quickly got to work. They first applied for leave to visit their families from their respective supervisors, and then rushed to the bus station to buy tickets.

After a lot of work, they finally managed to buy two bus tickets to Yiyang.

The next morning, as dawn broke, Zhang Cong and Wang Li got up early and prepared to set off.

Zhang Cong carried the heavy 50-pound pork on his back, while Wang Li carried a suitcase. The two of them went to the road together, waved for a human-powered "Slow Travel" tarpaulin cart, and got on.

The car sped towards the long-distance bus station with a creaking and groaning sound. Although the screams of "Manmanyou" carrying heavy loads were somewhat shrill, it did not dampen their eagerness to get home.

Soon, they boarded a long-distance bus bound for Yiyang. After finding their seats, the bus slowly started moving, taking them towards their hometown, a place filled with anticipation and warmth, a place they had longed for.