Chapter Eight: We Begin Anew

Page (1/3)

In black and white, stamped with a bright red official seal, Wang Jianguo was certainly not like Li Baotian, who couldn’t read a single character. After scanning through the purchase and sales agreement with the oil factory, his eyes nearly popped out.

“Weidong, are you really that close with the oil factory’s leadership? Why would they let you benefit so much like this?”

Liu Weidong lit a cigarette for Wang Jianguo before smiling and saying, “This isn’t taking advantage of anyone. We have the land, and the oil factory needs to promote castor planting. This is a win-win cooperation.

“Uncle Jianguo, my plan is to arrange for tractors to plow that piece of land tomorrow, and at the same time, re-measure it. The village will handle the paperwork to transfer the land to Qingshan Primary School. Once the experimental field is planted, it will be easier to arrange for Yanru’s transition to a private teacher.”

Wang Jianguo held the agreement, looking it over from left to right.

“You’ve really thought this through step by step, huh? Using ten thousand jin of cornmeal to secure tens of mu of village land, and on top of that, you’re building Yanru’s reputation. How come I never realized you were so scheming?”

Liu Weidong quickly raised his hand.

“Uncle Jianguo, you’re misunderstanding me. What kind of scheming is it to deal with our village land? I told everyone openly that Qingshan Primary School’s teachers’ salaries and the students’ lunches won’t be a burden on the village anymore. Do you know how much money that saves the village every year?”

Wang Jianguo lowered his head, thought for a moment, then nodded.

“Even if collective land is transferred to the school, all members must agree. The grain you brought back will be put to good use. I don’t want to know how you earned it, but there’s an old saying: don’t let money leak out. Do you know how many people in the village envy you now?”

After a full meal and some drinks, when Wang Jianguo was about to leave, Lou Yanru insisted on stuffing a box of traditional cakes into his hands.

“Weidong, can planting castor really make money? If something goes wrong with such a big matter, we can’t afford to compensate.”

Old Liu Lian looked worried. Although he couldn’t read, if Wang Jianguo recognized something as real, he trusted it.

“Dad, don’t worry. Weidong showed his face today. I think he’ll definitely succeed.”

Lou Yanru set a bowl of sweet potato porridge on the table, trying to reassure Old Liu, her eyes almost melting as she looked at Liu Weidong.

“Yanru, once the land is allocated to the school, I’ll ask Uncle Jianguo to take me to see Director Ma. We’ll try to get your private teacher status approved this month, then you can start intensive studying. I believe you can definitely get into university this year.”

Old Liu nearly choked on his sweet potato porridge.

Lou Yanru hurriedly patted his back, complaining to Liu Weidong, “Weidong, let’s put the university entrance exam aside for now. Dad’s illness…”

Liu Weidong shook his head. “I know you’re worried about me and Dad. Now that we have money, what’s there to fear? If it doesn’t work out, Dad can go to the city hospital.

“Going to university has always been your dream. Neither Dad nor I will hold you back. Once the village matters are settled, you’ll come with me to see your father. I have some agricultural things to discuss with him.”

Page (2/3)

Liu Weidong clearly understood why Old Liu was coughing—his father feared that Lou Yanru wouldn’t come back after going to university.

Lou Yanru’s decision not to pursue university was also out of consideration for her father’s feelings.

But in his past life, he owed Lou Yanru his life. After being reborn, he had resolved to make it up to her. Helping his wife realize her university dream was just the first step.

He didn’t believe Lou Yanru would change her heart because he would show her a different version of himself.

After the meal, Liu Weidong sat on the well platform smoking. Lou Yanru came out carrying a washbasin, squeezing water to wash clothes. Liu Weidong suddenly grabbed his wife’s hand.

Lou Yanru’s hands were rough, like a man’s—completely different from when they first married.

“This year, the educated youth should be returning to the city. Do you really have no regrets about marrying me?”

Lou Yanru smiled, a trace of helplessness in her expression.

“Weidong, don’t you know why I married you in the first place? Because of my background, I was marginalized in the Second Team. You gave me hope to live on.

“I never expected my mother to be vindicated, nor that the educated youth would return to the city. But life doesn’t restart, and neither does living. People have to take responsibility for their choices, right?

“Before yesterday, my reluctance was maybe a way to compensate for your protection. As for how far our marriage can go, I dared not think. But now it’s different. You’ve shown me hope.”

Liu Weidong rubbed her hand against his cheek, tears silently streaming down.

He knew very well how deeply he had hurt Lou Yanru in his previous life.

“Let’s start over, Yanru. I will love you with my life, just like Paul did for Lida.”

Lou Yanru touched his face, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

“Aren’t you afraid I’m Tonya?”

Liu Weidong smiled. “You’re definitely not. If you were Tonya, you’d have left me long ago…”

Early the next morning, Liu Weidong finished breakfast and went to the village committee.

Entering the room, he saw Li Baotian sitting there, flanked by two militia men clad in military armbands.

Wang Jianguo sat with a dark expression, puffing silently on a cigarette. An enamel cup had been smashed on the floor. The atmosphere in the room was extremely tense.

Liu Weidong picked up the teacup and sat down opposite Li Baotian.

Page (3/3)

“Director Li, did you rush to the commune last night to report me for not bringing grain? Were you just waiting to catch me? Why make such a fuss? I, Liu Weidong, swear on my spit—I’ll bring the grain back. If I can’t, I’ll go with you to the commune myself. No need to mobilize everyone. Aren’t you afraid I’ll really bring the grain back?”

Li Baotian spat disdainfully.

“Still slick-talking when death is near? Your words only fool Secretary Wang. I’ve already reported to Director Ma at the commune. Director Ma clearly instructed that your secret sale of wild ginseng is profiteering. You can just wait to rot in jail.”

Bang!

Wang Jianguo slammed the teacup down on the table with force.

“Twisting facts, Li Baotian, you really stoop to any means to frame people. I told you that ginseng is with me. Why slander Weidong? Do you think everyone’s like you, hoarding all the good stuff for yourself?

“I’m telling you, Li Baotian, times have changed. You can’t just pick a fight with whoever you want anymore. If you keep this up, I’ll report you to the commune.”

Li Baotian stood up, his face grim.

“Wang Jianguo, you’re making a mistake. Better the grass of socialism than the good things of capitalism. I’ll report your words to Director Ma at the commune.”

Wang Jianguo stood up angrily, about to curse, but Liu Weidong pressed him back into his seat.

“Li Baotian, your political awareness is high, but do you need evidence to arrest someone? What proof do you have that I earned money selling ginseng?

“Besides, even if I sold the ginseng, using the money to buy grain for the villagers is still taking from the people to serve the people, right? When did I start down the capitalist path? Does the commune leadership not allow buying grain for the villagers?”

Li Baotian sneered coldly.

“Excuses. Liu Weidong, you’re just good with your mouth. You tricked the beautiful educated youth Lou Yanru to get her, and now you want to fool Secretary Wang. You think a few drinks and a box of pastries can corrupt a leader? I’m not swallowing your sugar-coated bullets.”

Liu Weidong curled his lip.

“You might want to eat them, but I’m afraid they’d give you diarrhea. Do whatever you want—I really don’t believe you still dare to twist facts these days.”

Li Baotian turned pale with anger. Just as he was about to order the militia to arrest someone, a villager burst in, out of breath.

“Secretary Wang, Director Li, a big Liberation truck just drove in from outside the village. It’s parked right in front of Old Liu’s house, and it’s loaded with sacks of flour—an entire truckload…”