Chapter 26: Tan Qiuyue cried so hard that she almost fainted

“What nonsense are you talking? My Haohao is doing well at school.

How could he…” Tan Qiuyue was interrupted by Lin Yirou tugging at her clothes.

“Mom!”

The interruption startled Tan Qiuyue. She almost said something about her son signing up for the countryside.

If Liu Cuiping spread it, she’d be in trouble.  She forced down her anxiety, asking politely, “Cuiping, what did you mean? I don’t understand.”

Liu Cuiping knew Tan Qiuyue didn’t know her son had signed up for the countryside. She was deliberately teasing her. 

She had long disliked Tan Qiuyue’s constant boasting.

“Oh, my mouth is so clumsy. Jianjun said your Yihao signed up for the countryside and is leaving today.”

“What?!” Tan Qiuyue stood up, grabbing Liu Cuiping’s collar, staring fiercely.  “Where is he? Where’s my Haohao?” 

How could he sign up? She had told him countless times, and he had promised.

“Cough… let go!” Liu Cuiping was struggling to breathe.  After breaking free, she gasped for air.  “Tan Qiuyue, you crazy woman, I should’ve kept quiet!”

Tan Qiuyue apologized, her face pale.  “Cuiping, please, tell me, where’s my Yihao?”  She had to find him; he couldn’t go to the countryside! He might never return. 

This was her only son!

Liu Cuiping, having enjoyed her panic, relented. “The train leaves at nine.  If you go now, you might catch him.”

Tan Qiuyue rushed out.

“Mom, wait, I’ll go with you!” Lin Yirou, worried about her mother and brother, ran after her.

—

Beijing Train Station

In the waiting hall, a large group of energetic young people stood in neat lines, proudly accepting red flowers from the cadres.  Although many who went to the countryside in the past two years regretted it, for these young people, everything was new.  They were willing to venture far, experiencing different cultures.

Lin Yihao looked at the red flower on his chest, but his face was dark, as if someone owed him money.

“Lin Yihao, if you don’t want to go, don’t make that face.” Meng Yuting saw his expression.  He said he wanted to go with her, but now he was sulking. Could she really rely on him to take care of her?

Lin Yihao panicked.  “No… no, Yuting, don’t misunderstand, I want to go, I’m just thinking about other things.” 

Lin Yiwan, that useless thing, had stood him up!  Not only did she not give him money or food, but she had disappeared.

He’d gone to the courtyard four days in a row, almost getting bitten by a dog, and almost arrested by the patrol team yesterday.  He was furious.

Meng Yuting clearly didn’t believe him, and turned away.  Lin Yihao panicked, trying to appease her.  Finally, she smiled, and Lin Yihao’s face flushed.

The cadres finished their speech, and the train arrived. Lin Yihao joined the others singing revolutionary songs, queuing to board. Parents, holding their children’s hands, gave instructions and secretly wiped away tears.

“Mom, I know, stop nagging, we’re going to build the countryside, why are you crying?” someone said impatiently.

“Mom, take care, I’ll see you when I have a break.” someone else said.

Lin Yihao was happy to be with his sweetheart.  But as he was about four or five meters from the train, he heard Tan Qiuyue’s heart-wrenching cry.

“Haohao!”

Lin Yihao froze, then quickened his pace.

“Haohao! Don’t go!”  Tan Qiuyue grabbed his arm, her eyes red.

Their commotion drew attention.  Lin Yihao felt embarrassed and pulled away her hand.  “Mom, what are you doing? Let go.”

Tan Qiuyue wouldn’t let go.  If she did, her son would become a country bumpkin.  She had finally settled in the city, found a man.  Him returning to the countryside would kill her.

“Haohao, come back with Mom!” she pleaded.

“Auntie, going to the countryside is an honor. How can you stop Lin Yihao?” Meng Yuting said disdainfully.

Lin Yihao became even more impatient.  “Let go! I’m getting on the train, don’t delay me!”  He struggled.

Tan Qiuyue was no match for a sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy. He pushed her away, and she fell to the ground. Lin Yihao boarded the train.

“Haohao!” Tan Qiuyue cried, unable to get up.

Lin Yirou arrived late, seeing her brother on the train, she felt faint. “Yihao!” She tried to chase the train but was stopped by cadres.

“Comrade, don’t interfere with the youth’s activities.” Lin Yirou was stopped.  She could only watch the train leave.

“Haohao!” Tan Qiuyue almost fainted! How could her Haohao go to the countryside to suffer?