Chapter 12

“Alright, here’s your introduction letter.”

It was 1979, a time when reforms were beginning to open up. The Ankang Production Brigade was located relatively close to the commune and not far from the county town.

Some of the more resourceful people in the brigade would catch fish and shrimp from the river, or dig up wild vegetables and mushrooms, or gather eggs to sell in the county.

This year, the number of introduction letters issued by Tan Sanyong had skyrocketed. He was writing them so smoothly now that he could finish one in under two minutes.

He took out the official stamp he carried with him, stamped the letter, and handed it to Gu Beilu.

“Thank you, Captain.”

Gu Beilu looked at the three characters of his name written on the letter and, in a moment of daze, felt as if that had always been his name.

It brought a fated sense of belonging.

“No need to be so polite. Where’s your luggage?” Tan Sanyong waved it off casually.

“I’ll take you to where the male educated youths used to live.”

It wasn’t far, just next to this courtyard.

It used to belong to a rich landlord before the revolution. The house was huge. After being confiscated, it was split into two courtyards — one for male educated youths, one for females.

“Hm?” Gu Beilu was a bit puzzled. “Aren’t I supposed to stay at Uncle Yuanbao’s place?”

“How could anyone live in that house?” Zhang Aizhen cut in, “The roof is too low, and during the flood season every year, water gets inside.”

It was July 8 now, and the flood season was just a few weeks away. Every year around this time, Tan Sanyong would have Gu Yuanbao stay at his place for a while.

“Then I’ll trouble you, Captain.”

Gu Beilu didn’t insist. His leg wasn’t in good shape, so he really couldn’t stay somewhere prone to flooding.

Hearing that Gu Beilu would get to stay in a better house, Song Junjie quickly brought down his luggage.

Aside from clothes, he had a quilt he brought from the army — not much stuff, easily carried by one person.

“Junjie, give me the luggage. You all can head back.”

Over the past few days, Gu Beilu had gone through injury, betrayal, disability, and the revelation of his true background. Saying he wasn’t upset or heartbroken would be a lie.

Luckily, he had his one true brother — Song Junjie — to help him sort things out. But Gu Beilu had his pride and didn’t want to rely on his friend forever.

The road ahead, no matter how hard, he had to walk it alone.

“Beilu, I’ll leave after I get you settled in,” Song Junjie said with concern.

“Junjie, these are things I have to handle myself eventually.” Gu Beilu took his luggage, clearly declining.

Knowing Gu Beilu’s personality, Song Junjie sighed and pulled Song Qianqian toward the car.

“Brother Beilu, at least let Second Brother stay until tomorrow. He can drive you to register your residence and bring you back after.”

Song Qianqian refused to leave. She figured the living conditions here were too poor — after one night, Gu Beilu would surely be put off.

Tomorrow, she could try to persuade him to go back and apologize to Aunt Yan. It might just work.

She still wanted to give herself and Gu Beilu one last chance.

“Captain, can I rent the brigade’s tractor to go to the commune tomorrow?”

At this moment, Leng Xue spoke up.

Her voice was cool and clear, and it involuntarily drew Gu Beilu’s attention. His gaze drifted toward Leng Xue without even realizing it.

“Of course you can. I’ll cover the rental fee. Consider it a celebration of your escape from hardship,” Zhang Aizhen said with a smile.

The brigade’s tractor was public property. Members could use it, but had to pay a fee — thirty cents per use, which went toward fuel.

The back of the tractor could seat five or six people. Split evenly, it would cost each person only five or six cents.

“Thank you, Director Zhang.”

Leng Xue didn’t refuse. She made a mental note to buy something in town tomorrow to give Zhang Aizhen as a thank-you gift.

“Comrade Gu Beilu, since we’re both going to register households, how about we go together?”

Leng Xue had rented the tractor precisely to make things easier for Gu Beilu. If he had to push himself there in a wheelchair, he’d probably pass out from the heat on the way.

Also, she deeply disliked that girl in the red dress calling out “Brother, brother” to Gu Beilu.

Like a hen laying eggs.

Love made people jealous — even though Leng Xue was certain that Gu Beilu wouldn’t like anyone other than herself.

She still couldn’t help but be annoyed at any girl who hung around Gu Beilu with ulterior motives.

To love someone is to want to possess them!

What people call “tolerance” — is just not loving enough!