Chapter 105

The person who came was none other than Ping’an’s biological father, Cheng Gang.

Cheng Gang was originally from Nan’an County. In the old society, his family was involved in transporting goods, similar to modern logistics.

When the Japanese invaders arrived and the world fell into chaos, the transport business dwindled. Cheng Gang’s father, Cheng Laohan, went to the city to sell grain. During a Japanese raid in the mountains, he was killed by a stab wound while trying to protect the grain. Cheng Laohan’s wife, devastated, also passed away that night.

Cheng Gang was strong and robust. Having received some education, he could wield a large knife and handle a gun. The devastation wrought by the Japanese left him with nothing to lose. Fueled by rage, he hunted down several Japanese soldiers and then enlisted in the army.

After ten years in the army, starting as a private and gradually rising to the rank of battalion commander and now regimental commander, Cheng Gang returned to his hometown during the liberation to pay respects to his parents. There, he met Li Xiujuan, an orphan, and they fell in love. They married and had a son, Ping’an, the following year.

Although Li Xiujuan was an orphan, she was raised by her uncle and aunt. Cheng Gang and Li Xiujuan treated them as their own parents, and life was good with their son Ping’an. However, when Ping’an was three years old, Li Xiujuan took him to visit the military base. In the brief moment she turned away, Ping’an disappeared…

For years, the couple searched far and wide for their son, going to remote villages and big cities, but found no trace of him. Li Xiujuan was heartbroken and could barely eat or drink, constantly crying, and spent half the year in poor health. When they heard from the Nan’an County police that their abducted son might be found, the couple was so excited they couldn’t sleep for several nights.

When they confirmed the news, Cheng Gang quickly got a letter of introduction, bought train tickets, and they traveled overnight to Yunshui County.

Due to their hasty departure, Li Xiujuan, who had chronic anemia, didn’t have time to take her medicine. By the time they arrived in Yunshui County, she was too weak to walk without support.

With his wife on his left and his son on his right, Cheng Gang first settled Li Xiujuan in a guesthouse before rushing to the police station to find Deputy Director Gu and arrive at the courtyard.

Ping’an was initially overwhelmed and distrustful upon reuniting with his biological father, fearing he might be taken away again. He timidly hid behind Lin Yao, reluctant to show himself.

Dongzi, the mischievous little boy, jumped around to encourage Ping’an.

“Ping’an, don’t be afraid! I’ll help you fight this bad guy!”

Gu Doudou, also eager to help, clenched his little fists and shouted, “Fight the bad guy!”

Dahei and Xiaohei, usually so gentle, bared their teeth, seemingly ready to follow their young master’s command and chase away any intruders.

It seemed Cheng Gang was mistakenly viewed as the bad guy.

“…….”

Zhang Cuilan, seeing the commotion, quickly came over and led the two troublesome children away.

Gu Mancang, following suit, took Dahei and Xiaohei with him.

Lin Yao poured tea for Cheng Gang and offered some refreshments. Gu Shi’an’s attitude was polite yet formal, “Comrade Cheng Gang, you say Ping’an is your long-lost child. Do you have any evidence to prove this?”

As soon as Cheng Gang entered the room, his eyes fell on Ping’an, who was closely following Lin Yao. He took out a photograph from his military uniform pocket, “Comrades Gu and Lin, this is a photo of Ping’an at his third birthday.”

Gu Shi’an took the photo, which showed signs of frequent handling, its edges worn and faded. Despite the photo not being as clear as when it was first developed, the little boy in a small military uniform looked exactly like the younger Ping’an.

Cheng Gang’s eyes were filled with tears. “Ping’an disappeared during a visit when he was three years old. He has a red birthmark behind his left ear, a mark he’s had since birth.”

Ping’an, hiding behind Lin Yao, trembled upon hearing this, tears welling up in his big eyes.

In the past, when begging on the streets, if he didn’t get good food, he was often beaten and scolded, with his ears being grabbed.

They said his red birthmark on his ear meant he was born under an unlucky omen.

Gu Shi’an and Lin Yao exchanged glances. The couple understood that Cheng Gang’s account matched the descriptions given by the human traffickers. Lin Yao gently held Ping’an’s hand and said, “Ping’an, that’s your father.”

“Daddy, are you really my daddy?”

“Yes, Ping’an, I’m your father. I’m so sorry.”

Ping’an burst into tears, throwing himself into Cheng Gang’s arms and sobbing uncontrollably.

“Daddy!”

“Ping’an!”

Father and son embraced, crying together. As the saying goes, ‘A man’s tears are not easily shed, but they flow when his heart is broken.’

Cheng Gang, a tough soldier who had seen many battles and injuries, could only feel deep remorse towards his son. Hearing that Zhang Cuilan had saved Ping’an, he immediately knelt on the ground, bowing deeply to the elderly lady.

“Auntie, if it weren’t for you rescuing Ping’an on the street, we wouldn’t have had this reunion. Your kindness and virtue will always be remembered. I bow to you three times and will consider you as my own mother from now on!”

The three kowtows Cheng Gang made were forceful and loud. The sound of them made Lin Yao anxious, fearing that Cheng Gang might injure himself and end up in the hospital.

Zhang Cuilan, surprised by Cheng Gang’s gesture, was momentarily stunned before she quickly went over to help him up.

“Child, what are you doing? Ping’an is a good child. Meeting him is fate. We live in a new society now, so this kind of thing isn’t necessary. Get up quickly.”

Zhang Cuilan was kind-hearted. She had rescued Ping’an out of a sense of duty, not for any material gain. She told Cheng Gang to take his family to the guest house, so that Ping’an’s mother could see him too. She might be very anxious.

Cheng Gang, grateful for the Gu family’s kindness, left behind a large bag of gifts—malt extract, canned goods, cookies, Cuban candy, and the like. Zhang Cuilan refused to accept them, saying that she hadn’t rescued Ping’an for these things and that they didn’t need them anyway.

As soon as Cheng Gang entered the Gu family home, he saw the family’s well-furnished house and the shiny-coated black dogs in the yard. He realized that the Gu family lived comfortably. Even though they had more than enough, he wasn’t going to take advantage of their kindness.

Ping’an, understanding the situation, encouraged his grandmother to accept the gifts.

Zhang Cuilan, unable to refuse, accepted them. Cheng Gang then took his son to the supply and marketing cooperative, and the family of three was reunited.

Gu Doudou held his mother’s hand and looked at Ping’an leaving with the unfamiliar “bad uncle.” Tilting his little head, he asked, “Mommy, Brother Ping’an is leaving?”

“Yes, Brother Ping’an is going back to find his mother.”

“Oh.”

The little chubby boy nodded and, seeing his father collecting water in the yard, rushed over with his little arms outstretched, shouting, “Daddy, ride the big horse, let’s ride the big horse.”

Deputy Director Gu picked up his chubby grandson and placed him on his shoulder. Gu Doudou happily directed his father around, enjoying the ride.

Dahei and Xiaohei, the two dogs, excitedly ran around the yard, weaving in and out.

Dongzi had not made his bed that morning and was being scolded by Zhang Cuilan, while Gu Mancang tried to mediate.

The big courtyard was as lively and chaotic as ever.

Lin Yao smiled faintly and returned to the kitchen to continue her work.

That evening, after dinner, Cheng Gang’s family visited. Li Xiujuan, with her delicate and elegant demeanor reminiscent of a Jiangnan beauty, appeared somewhat frail. The family’s eyes were red, and it was clear that they had been crying at the guesthouse. But crying was a part of the process, and after it, life would improve.

Cheng Gang kowtowed to Zhang Cuilan first, and then the couple bowed to the Gu family to express their gratitude after entering the house.

Cheng Gang brought with him a fat hen and a large bag of pastries, saying that he had bought train tickets for the next day to return to Nan’an County. They wanted to take Ping’an home to show the elderly relatives, who had been eagerly awaiting his return.

Lin Yao packed a small bundle for Ping’an, including his school bag, books, and a few outfits she had prepared for him. She had planned to make autumn clothes for the three boys in the family, but now that Ping’an had found his parents, she just wrapped the fabric and the little clothes she had made for him. She also packed some of Ping’an’s favorite milk candies and snacks.

Cheng Gang and his wife were deeply touched by the Gu family’s kindness and would remember it forever.

The three little ones were tearful and reluctant to part.

Ping’an looked back several times as he followed his parents out of the courtyard.

With the absence of the little one, Zhang Cuilan felt somewhat disoriented. Lin Yao prepared some snacks, and Gu Mancang, while carving wooden toys for his grandsons, unconsciously made three. It was only when he realized that Ping’an was no longer at home that he remembered the child had left.

Gu Doudou, calling out for Ping’an with no response, and even the usually carefree Gu Shidong felt sad looking at the empty small bed.

Gu Shi’an noticed this and, the next day, quietly brought a letter from Ping’an, who had sent it from Yunshui County. The little one had just learned pinyin and could barely write. The letter was penned by Cheng Gang, and the whole family eagerly read it. Knowing that Ping’an was well, they felt relieved.

In August, the weather was scorching hot. During the female soldiers’ training in the county, several of them fainted from heatstroke. For the safety of the female soldiers, the training was temporarily suspended.

That evening, Gu Shi’an came home carrying a bamboo basket. Lin Yao, in a good mood, looked up and smiled, “Home from work?”

Gu Shi’an nodded, set the basket down, glanced at the little bed where their chubby son was sleeping soundly after a good meal, and then removed his hat and jacket. His tall, lean figure was particularly pleasing to the eye.

He had bought some glutinous rice cakes on the way home, and his long, slender fingers tapped on them.

“What’s in the basket?”

“Glutinous rice cakes.”

“Glutinous rice cakes! I haven’t had those in a long time. Give me a piece.”

Lin Yao happily enjoyed the glutinous rice cakes. During the day she had them, and in the evening, Vice Director Gu enjoyed her company…

In the autumn of 1960, a new round of movements swept across the country.