Chapter Fifteen: The Father-in-Law

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After riding an intercity bus for more than an hour and then walking several miles along a mountain road, Liu Weidong and Lou Yanru finally arrived at Red Star Farm.

Although the May Seventh Cadre School was also a labor-reform farm, the slogans on its walls were not about turning over a new leaf and becoming a better person. Instead, they read: “Take class struggle as the key link” and “Sweep away all monsters and demons.”

The entrance to the cadre school was distinctive as well. Three red flags fluttered above the gate, while two five-pointed stars had been painted on the pitch-black iron doors.

Lou Yanru’s face was pale, and her palms were slick with sweat. She was so nervous that her whole body trembled.

“Don’t be afraid. Wait here while I go arrange the visiting procedures.”

Liu Weidong pulled several packs of good cigarettes from his bag and walked to the guardroom.

The political movement had already passed, and the May Seventh Cadre School was no longer as strict as it had been during the extraordinary years. The guards’ attitude toward the inmates had also changed considerably.

When Liu Weidong said he wanted to see Lou Nan, the police officer at the reception desk looked him up and down twice.

“Lou Nan has only two daughters. What are you to him? Visitors who aren’t immediate family aren’t allowed.”

Liu Weidong hurriedly slipped two packs of Da Shen cigarettes through the small window.

“I’m his son-in-law. His daughter is standing right there beneath the tree, isn’t she? We’ve been married for two years, and this is my first time coming to see my father-in-law. Please, comrade, show us some kindness and let us meet him.”

Only then did the officer allow Liu Weidong to add Lou Yanru’s name to the visitor list and open the iron gate.

Inside were two rows of bungalows that appeared to be administrative offices. The officer told the two of them to wait in the reception room, then went to summon Lou Nan.

Only then did Liu Weidong begin looking around.

The reception room at the cadre school did not resemble a prison at all. It looked much like an ordinary office.

Lou Yanru placed the pastries and cigarettes they had brought on the table, her face clouded with worry.

“Yanru, does your father know that you married a farmer? Do you think he’ll react as strongly as your mother did?”

Lou Yanru shook her head. “The last time I came to see my father was just after we got married. The guards wouldn’t let me see him then; they only took the things I brought.

“My father is more reasonable than my mother. Even if he disapproves of our marriage, he won’t humiliate you in public the way she did.”

They were still talking when they heard movement at the doorway.

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A man with graying hair and glasses appeared at the door. He wore a shabby cadre uniform.

“Family visits are limited to ten minutes. Watch what you say…”

After issuing the warning, the guard left.

“Dad…”

Tears streamed down Lou Yanru’s face as she rushed forward and threw her arms around the man.

Only then did Liu Weidong take a careful look at his father-in-law.

The man’s hair was disheveled, and he had not shaved in several days. He had apparently changed into clean clothes to receive his daughter, but his dark-gray cadre uniform had been washed until it was faded, and the cuffs were fraying. Mud covered his trousers and yellow rubber shoes, and he even smelled faintly of cow manure.

Yet despite his miserable, disheveled appearance, Lou Nan’s refined and gracious bearing remained impossible to conceal. Behind his black-rimmed glasses, his eyes shone with intelligence and wisdom.

“You must be Little Liu, aren’t you? Song Qian came to see me and told me that Yanru had gotten married.”

As he stroked Lou Yanru’s braided pigtail, Lou Nan turned his gaze toward Liu Weidong.

Liu Weidong hurried forward and bowed deeply.

“Dad, I’ve been afraid to come see you. I married Yanru despite being only a farmer…”

Lou Nan smiled. “How could a young man like you think that way? Workers, peasants, and soldiers are all masters of the country. What distinction is there between high and low? We simply have different jobs. Don’t take your mother-in-law’s attitude to heart. She only hates to see Yanru suffer in the countryside; she doesn’t look down on farmers.”

Lou Nan truly had the air of a seasoned leader. Every word was measured, and at the very least he had spared Liu Weidong any embarrassment. That alone left Liu Weidong deeply satisfied.

He helped Lou Nan to a seat, then hurriedly took pastries and prepared foods from his bag. When he saw the transistor radio, Lou Nan could not help pausing.

That radio cost nineteen yuan—nearly a month’s wages for an ordinary worker.

Then Liu Weidong took out the Da Shen cigarettes, and Lou Nan’s expression grew even more solemn.

“Little Liu, although I’m undergoing reform at this farm, I’m not completely cut off from what’s happening outside. The neighboring counties suffered floods this year, didn’t they? I’m glad you and Yanru came to see me, but are we really so formal with one another as a family? One pack of these cigarettes costs more than a yuan. That could buy more than ten pounds of cornmeal.”

Before Liu Weidong could answer, Lou Yanru hurriedly lit a cigarette for her father.

“Dad, Weidong isn’t trying to make himself look richer than he is. He helped the oil-processing plant overcome a technical problem and received a bonus. He even used part of it to buy ten thousand pounds of grain for the second production team.”

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“Oh? Is Weidong a worker-peasant-soldier university student?”

Liu Weidong quickly shook his head. “Dad, I never attended university. Everything I know came from teaching myself. I also have something to discuss with you. I’ve already helped Yanru transfer to a position as a substitute teacher, and I want her to take this year’s college entrance examination. But when we went to the Xinhua Bookstore just now, all the textbooks were sold out…”

“You want Yanru to attend university? If she gets into college, her household registration will be transferred away. Have you really thought this through?”

“Dad, I may be a farmer, but I’m not narrow-minded. As long as Yanru is happy, I’ll respect every choice she makes.”

After only a few brief exchanges, Lou Nan’s gaze toward Liu Weidong had changed.

“Tell me carefully about the oil-processing plant. I never imagined Yanru would turn misfortune into good fortune and marry such a capable man.”

As he examined the castor-bean cultivation agreement Liu Weidong had signed with the oil-processing plant and listened to his explanation of the principles and technical advantages of polymerization and separation, Lou Nan’s eyes filled with bewilderment.

“Weidong, I truly can’t see through you anymore. Even university students would have difficulty developing what you’ve described. You taught yourself, yet not only designed the formula, but the machinery as well? It’s unbelievable.

“I’ll give you a few telephone numbers. Someone at the agricultural research institute should be able to help with selecting castor-bean seeds, and with your production team’s plan to grow early-maturing corn next year, Secretary Zhang may be able to assist as well. As for Yanru’s preparations, the principal of No. 1 Middle School, Sun, should be able to help. Since you’ve already come to the city, didn’t you go see your mother?”

Liu Weidong looked embarrassed and glanced at Lou Yanru.

With a bitter expression, she said, “How could we possibly face my mother? The last time she saw Weidong, she cursed him mercilessly and insisted that we divorce.”

Lou Nan sighed. “Those two years she spent in the cowshed were wasted. Why is she still such a hothead? Can’t she consider things from the children’s point of view? Perhaps it’s better to let her calm down first. How can she force her child to get divorced?”

Although the regulations limited family visits to ten minutes, the guards did not come to call them away until Liu Weidong and Lou Yanru had been there for half an hour.

As they were leaving, Liu Weidong leaned close to Lou Nan’s ear and whispered, “Dad, you won’t be stuck here much longer before your name is cleared. If you need me to find someone, just tell me. These days, there’s nothing that can’t be done.”

Lou Nan glanced toward the doorway and lowered his voice.

“Deputy Party Secretary Zhao Lijun of the municipal committee used to be my superior. If you need anything, you can go to him. But Secretary Zhao is an upright man, so don’t use those underhanded methods people rely on out in society…”

After leaving the cadre school, Liu Weidong looked back at the tightly closed iron gate, a faint smile appearing on his face.

The trip to Red Star Farm had certainly not been in vain. Not only had he won his father-in-law’s approval, but he had also taken the opportunity to reconnect with his father-in-law’s former associates.

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