Chapter 36: Playing the Emotional Card

Early the next morning, Liu Weidong took the manuscript of "Legend of Daqing Mountain" to the Municipal Committee. Zhao Lijun read it very carefully, his facial expressions shifting dramatically as he went.

"This book is of such profound historical significance; it is practically a banner leading the revival of literary thought. Did your wife write this? It truly goes to show that art comes from life. Without having suffered deeply through this movement, one could never write such a poignant piece.

I will hand this over to the Propaganda Department immediately. Not only will it be published by Dongfeng Literary Press, but it will also be serialized in the Binjiang Daily, allowing the masses to view that period of history from a different perspective.

Your wife is studying for the exams at the First High School, right? Personnel from the newspaper and the Propaganda Department may come to interview her. Tell her to prepare and be careful not to let personal sentiments color the work too heavily; that would be ill-advised."

Leaving the Municipal Committee, Liu Weidong felt as if he were dreaming.

At such a sensitive time, did Zhao Lijun’s attitude indicate that policies were shifting subtly and silently? Could it be that the Reform and Opening-up in Binjiang would arrive earlier in this life than in his previous one?

Liu Weidong didn’t dare go straight home. Instead, he went to the First High School and explained the situation to Lou Yanru on the playground. Her palms were sweating.

"Is this really okay? I’m a little scared. Isn't this deceiving the organization? Besides, I’m not ready."

"What is there to prepare for? You are a young writer with ideas, and you were an educated youth sent down to Daqing Mountain. Why do you think I detailed the plot so thoroughly last night? Wasn't it to give you confidence?

No matter who comes to see you—the newspaper, the press, or the Propaganda Department—just say you wanted to describe the complex relationships between people and society during that era from a different angle, to lash out at the darkness and ugliness, and to celebrate love, kindness, and positivity. Do you remember that?"

Lou Yanru wiped the sweat from her forehead and nodded repeatedly.

Liu Weidong stifled a laugh. This was the first time he had seen his wife so nervous; she hadn't even been this flustered when they were swept away by a flash flood.

"Alright, go back to your studies. I have things to attend to. Remember, don’t be nervous."

After leaving the First High School, Liu Weidong went home, grabbed two large roosters and a few strings of hazel mushrooms, and headed to the food factory. He was a man of the land, and even when giving gifts, it was best to keep things grounded; local produce was the most appropriate choice.

As expected, when Section Chief Miao saw Liu Weidong arriving with the roosters and mushrooms, his attitude was incredibly warm.

"Oh, why go to all the trouble of bringing things in this heat? It makes me feel quite embarrassed. I spoke to the factory director about your village's situation. The leadership’s stance is that we should help where we can. The disaster in your area was even in the newspapers."

"Thank you, Brother Miao. You’ve been such a great help. It’s not just about carrying these chickens on the bus—even if I had to walk here, I wouldn't feel tired."

Honest and plain-spoken—Liu Weidong did his best to embody the essence of a humble farmer.

Having secured the promise from Section Chief Miao, Liu Weidong didn't even sit down. He excused himself, saying he shouldn't disturb the leader's work, and left the factory.

Human relationships and social etiquette—an eternal topic, and at least for now, one he couldn't avoid. In the next two days, he still had to visit the heads of the Economic Commission and the Agricultural Research Institute. *Sigh.*

It was impossible for Liu Weidong not to feel annoyed. Before his rebirth, what he despised most was the deeply ingrained network of interpersonal relationships in the North. It was often called "being personable," but in reality, it was a breeding ground for corruption. The slow development of the North was inextricably linked to these social entanglements.

Lou Yanru spent the day on pins and needles, fretting about the newspaper or publishing house people coming to find her. Even with Liu Weidong’s coaching, she wasn't good at lying and feared a slip-up.

In the middle of class, a teacher called her from the doorway. Lou Yanru was startled, bowed her head, and quickly left the classroom. To her surprise, it wasn't someone from a newspaper waiting at the school gate, but Li Hong.

After not seeing her for a few years, Li Hong looked prettier and fuller than when she had first gone to the countryside. She was delighted to see Lou Yanru and waved from a distance.

"Li Hong? Long time no see. How did you know I was studying at the First High School?"

Lou Yanru was astonished. Even the educated youths from the Second Team didn't know where she was studying; how could Li Hong have found her?

"I ran into your Liu Weidong at the commune this morning; he’s the one who told me. How is the studying going? You were always good at your studies back in school, so you shouldn't have any trouble with the college entrance exams this time, especially since you get bonus points as a community-run teacher."

Lou Yanru offered a bitter smile, not knowing how to explain. She only dared to take the exam because Liu Weidong had pushed her. She had a dream of university, but she knew exactly what her current level was.

"Yanru, I haven't eaten yet, and it's noon. Shall I treat you to lunch?"

Li Hong grabbed Lou Yanru’s arm and pulled her toward the East Market. In these times, eating dumplings at a restaurant was the height of luxury. Lou Yanru hadn't expected Li Hong to spend so much. After finishing the dumplings, the two walked along Changsha Street and, before they knew it, arrived at Lou Yanru's front door.

"Come inside and sit for a while. Liu Weidong just bought this house. It’s a bit messy."

Lou Yanru brought Li Hong inside, feeling a slight sense of pride. Before being sent to the countryside, she was the daughter of an official, and her clothes and belongings had been the best at the Second High School. But after her parents were labeled "Rightists," her life had plummeted, and she had even become a target for Red Guard struggles.

Now that she could finally hold her head high, the womanly desire to show off was fully revealed.

"Yanru, you are so lucky to have found a good man. Look at what you’re wearing. I ran into Liu Weidong, and he’s no different than before, still wearing that army uniform. A man who gives the best he has to his woman is a man who truly loves her."

Li Hong looked around the small courtyard and the blue-brick, tile-roofed house, her envy clear on her face.

"I heard Weidong say that all the educated youths will be able to return to the city this year. You've already become a formal community-run teacher, so you should be taken care of when it comes to job placement, right?"

At the mention of this, Li Hong’s expression became awkward. She sat on a small stool, bowing her head in silence.

"You already know? Did Liu Weidong tell you?"

Lou Yanru sighed. "He didn't bring it up to me. I accidentally saw the photos and asked him about them. I really didn't expect Li Baotian to be such a scoundrel."

"I had no choice."

Li Hong lifted her face, her eyes clearly welling with tears.

"I don't have your luck—a mother who was rehabilitated and restored to her post, and a husband who dotes on you. I should have died three years ago. If I had died then, I wouldn't have had to endure so much humiliation. Every man wanted to sleep with me, and I was even photographed by your husband..."

Lou Yanru felt incredibly awkward.

"Li Hong, I'm sorry. Weidong was forced into it at the time. My status as a formal teacher was being held hostage by Li Baotian. I never imagined he would do something like that."

Li Hong sighed. "I really miss our high school days—carefree and innocent. Who could have imagined that overnight, your parents would be labeled Rightists, my father would be forced to commit suicide, and we would become the two most miserable girls in the Second High School? Back then, whenever I was targeted in a struggle session, I would block for you. I still have a scar on my head from that time..."

Lou Yanru felt a pang of sorrow—a shared past, yet vastly different futures.

The once stubborn and fiery Li Hong had actually faced the most humiliating, darkest moments a woman could endure, and she had been photographed in the nude by Liu Weidong.

Li Hong’s eyes reddened, and she grabbed Lou Yanru’s hand. "Yanru, I came to you because I want to get those photos back, including the negatives and the materials I wrote. I’m about to return to the city. I don’t want these things to remain in this world. I want to forget everything from the past and start over..."