Winter goes to spring, leaves and flowers bloom, and in a blink of an eye it is April 1970. After lunch that day, Zheng Wenshu received a guest at her home: Feng Shuhua, the director of the town's anti-speculation office, who was about to stay in Aunt Ma's house.

Feng Shuhua's family moved to Yahou Street two months ago. Since both of them have to go to work, they can't spare much time to take care of it, so they can only entrust relatives to decorate the room and move the furniture, and as for themselves, they may occasionally come to have a look.

When a new neighbor came, Zheng Wenshu naturally came forward to talk to him, and thought that he could help do something. It's just that because the renovation is carried out intermittently, and the new owner rarely shows up, she can't intervene even if she wants to help. But she didn't expect that after only a few visits in the yard, the new tenant would take the initiative to visit, which made her feel a little sudden, and she felt that the other party might be a person who was not difficult to get along with.

What Zheng Wenshu thinks is not in Feng Shuhua's thoughts. When she came to visit the Cen family, it was just another attempt to follow her father's usual teachings and to conduct an indispensable investigation and understanding of the environment in which she was to be placed. Although she had heard that it was a livable place before she moved to Yahou Street, it was only after she actually stepped into this neighborhood that she felt this way.

Indeed, it was a very different place from where she had lived in the past.

If nothing else, the granite-paved lanes, the old-fashioned courtyard made of blue bricks, the large camphor trees with shade in the courtyard, the colorful flowers and plants, etc., were all things she had never seen in the commune cadres' dormitories all year round. Especially the bauhinia trees against the courtyard wall, the leaves are large and flowery, purple and red, and the shape is like colorful butterflies, dense layers, and the courtyard is particularly spiritual. She immediately liked the place, and if there was anything to lose, it was that it was a bit deserted, not as lively as the commune compound.

But in terms of understanding Yahou Street, Feng Shuhua's husband Gui Qinglin has different views from her.

In Gui Qinglin, although he also admits that the environment here is good, the impression in his mind is more established by Cai Limin, especially Pan Yanping's description: although the houses in Yahou Street are comfortable to live in, the residents are of all religions and nine streams, and a few people are hooligans, and they cannot relax their due vigilance, let alone interact easily.

Out of the need to maintain family harmony, Feng Shuhua did not comment on her husband's different opinions, but she still believed in her own eyes. Don't talk about others, let's talk about Zheng Wenshu, who lives in the same compound as herself, when she first met this housewife, she felt that the other party was a very good person. Because this woman is very patient and has such a kind attitude. Although before this, there was a wind blowing into her ears, and the other party's husband was born as a capitalist, and he also had overseas connections, and he was being examined at the moment, Yunyun.

In this way, with a different view from her husband, Feng Shuhua moved her family into Yahou Street and became neighbors with Zheng Wenshu. In this regard, although Gui Qinglin felt that she was a little in a hurry, she could only agree. And the reason for this is that in addition to the fact that the dormitories for the families of the organs they transferred to are full and there is no vacant house to arrange for a while, there is another point, that is, this family has always been the wife's final say. However, after observing for a period of time, Gui Qinglin gradually agreed with his wife's judgment.

Since moving into this courtyard, the family has been taken care of by Zheng Wenshu, who either helps them put away their clothes to dry in the compound when it is about to rain, or helps take care of their son who comes home from school to do his homework, and receives newspapers and mails on their behalf, which makes them feel the friendship between people on the spot. Especially when I knew that the other party's husband had been the principal of the People's Primary School for many years, and the two sons were very good at reading, it added a good feeling. Finally one day, Gui Qinglin said to Feng Shuhua: "This family is a good person, I think you can go to the door when you have time, after all, you will be neighbors for a long time in the future." ”

"Figured it out?" Feng Shuhua squinted at him and snorted, "It won't affect us?"

"What are you talking about!" Hearing her tease like this, Gui Qinglin was a little unhappy, but because he knew that his wife had always been a knife mouth and a tofu heart, he didn't take it to heart.

In this way, Feng Shuhua came uninvited and took the initiative to walk into Zheng Wenshu's house.

As soon as he entered the house, Feng Shuhua had a good impression: the house was not very big and the furniture was very simple, but it looked very tidy, especially the bedding of the hostess's mother-in-law, Mrs. Cen, which was cleanly washed. Before moving here, she and Gui Qinglin had visited Cai Limin and Pan Yanping's homes. Now that I think about it, although it is much more spacious than the Cen family, it is always hard to get rid of the cheesy, but here, it is refreshing and refreshing, which makes people feel very comfortable and comfortable.

Watching the new neighbor look around with interest at her simple home, Zheng Wenshu also developed a little curiosity about her. Although from Jiang Yizhen's mouth, she already knew that this woman was the daughter of a retired old Red Army, and her husband was the new director of the Revolutionary Committee of the County People's Bank, but she didn't know what her personality was, whether she would be as cold and arrogant as Pan Yanling, and it would be difficult to get along.

What Zheng Wenshu was thinking, Feng Shuhua, who was more than twenty years younger than her, didn't seem to pay attention, and her attention was all on the other party's room. When she toured the modest two-bedroom apartment, her eyes finally fell on the photograph hanging on the wall.

"Aunt Zheng, this is a family photo of your family. Feng Shuhua walked over and looked at it.

"Yes. Zheng Wenshu followed her gaze and glanced at the photo and replied.

"This is Principal Cen and your mother-in-law," Feng Shuhua identified them one by one, "There are four more, all of them are your children." ”

"Yes, they are my two daughters and two sons. ”

"Two sons and two daughters, what a blessing. Feng Shuhua praised. What she said was from her heart: although the conditions of her family were good in all aspects, but the people were not very prosperous, her parents only had one daughter, so that she worked outside, and her parents lived in the countryside and felt very lonely, although it was a very good residence built by the county according to the requirements of the superiors for the retired old Red Army.

"Thank you for the compliment. Zheng Wenshu didn't know what she meant, and it was difficult to ask, so she could only smile shallowly.

"This is your eldest son, and here is the younger son," Feng Shuhua looked at the photo carefully, "By the way, what's his name?"

"It's called Cen Xinrui. Zheng Wenshu took a closer look at the little son pointed by the other party and said.

"True spirit. Feng Shuhua stared at the boy in the photo and praised again. In her opinion, although the four children of the Cen family are very thoughtful, and the eldest daughter is even very beautiful, but the most eye-catching is the youngest son. She felt that although he was not very old in the photo, there was a heroic spirit between his eyebrows and eyes.

"Comrade Feng, sit down. Seeing her subconsciously wipe her feet, Zheng Wenshu invited.

"Okay. Feng Shuhua didn't shirk either, sat down on the chair at the square table in the room, and then said, "You're welcome, call me Feng Shuhua, or you can call Xiao Feng." ”

"Then I'm really welcome. Jung Wenshu smiled.

"I'm not thirsty, don't be busy," Seeing Zheng Wenshu stretching out his hand to the tea tray on the table, Feng Shuhua hurriedly said, "Just sit down and talk." ”

"It's okay, drink if you're thirsty, and put it here if you're not thirsty. Zheng Wenshu poured tea and sat down on the other side of the square table.

"Thank you. Seeing this, Feng Shuhua's heart moved, and he felt that the other party was so polite about hospitality, and he was obviously a good talker. So I asked a question I had wanted to ask for a long time: "I heard that many people who lived in this courtyard have moved away?"

"Yes. Zheng Wenshu replied cautiously.

"This place is very good, why do you want to move away?" Feng Shuhua was puzzled.

"This-" Zheng Wenshu found it difficult to answer such a question, but looking at the other party obviously waiting for his answer, "they have all been delegated." ”

Suddenly, Feng Shuhua seemed puzzled, but this was just a momentary thing, and he immediately remembered it.

Before she was transferred to Chengguan Township, she heard from her husband that at the beginning of this year, after most of the middle and high school graduates who had been backlogged for three years were sent to the countryside, many residents who had lived in the county town migrated to the countryside. As for the first to put forward the motion, it was Hong Daxuan, former deputy director of the office of the county party committee and now head of the office of the county revolutionary committee. Hong's statement is that he was inspired by the practices of Huining County, Gansu Province.

Just when she didn't think about whether to ask the other party about who had been sent down, a call came from outside the courtyard gate—

"Director Feng, is Director Feng Shuhua here?"

"Who, are you calling me?" Feng Shuhua heard the sound, stood up and looked out the door.

"It's me, Xiao Tan of the office team. With the sound of footsteps outside, a lean young man walked in, and said to her anxiously: "The executive team has caught a big guy, and Team Leader Yu is waiting for you to go back and deal with it." ”

"Okay. Hearing this, Feng Shuhua nodded at the young man, turned to Zheng Wenshu and said, "Aunt Zheng, thank you for your reception, I am in a bit of a hurry, so I will leave for the time being, and I will come to you for advice in the future." ”

"You have something to do, get busy first. Seeing Feng Shuhua get up, Zheng Wenshu agreed in her mouth, and her body also got up from the chair and accompanied the other party to the outside of the house.

Feng Shuhua left in a hurry, talking to Xiao Tan as he walked.

Looking at her back as she gradually moved away, Zheng Wenshu stood at the door and did not move for a long time. Since Aunt Ma and Aunt Chao in the same courtyard moved away, this courtyard has welcomed new tenants for the first time. Although judging from the contact situation, this cadre surnamed Feng is not a difficult person to get along with, she still misses her old neighbor who has been with her for more than ten years very much, so much so that she has not been able to let go.

Last winter, at the end of the second year after Xinrui, Hao Zhijia, Shao Yishan, and Ma Ping were sent to the countryside, another group of residents were sent to the county. In the face of the sudden situation, those who are not on the list of decentralization are relieved after seeing the list of neighborhood committees, but those who are on the list can no longer live in peace, and they have no choice but to leave Yahou Street, where they have lived for many years or even several lifetimes.

Aunt Ma was the first to be urged to leave in Yahou Street. Although she was shocked by the county's decision, after learning that the decision was irresistible, she calmed down and did not show a little more resistance, but begged the relevant departments to allow her to delay for two days.

"Why, if you leave early, if you leave late, you will go?" The people in the town urging her to move could not understand her request.

"I'm definitely going to walk, but I have a leg disease and can't walk, so I can only wait for someone to pick me up. Aunt Ma begged. After a pause, he said, "I have already taken the letter, and the person who will pick me up will be here in two days." ”

"Really?" the urger disagreed.

"She really has a sick leg. Seeing this situation, Zheng Wenshu spoke for Aunt Ma on the side, although she had been worried about the fate of her family.

"Yes. Hearing Zheng Wenshu say this, the urger finally relented: "Okay, I'll give you two more days." ”

Hearing this, Aunt Ma didn't squeak, but just cast her eyes on Zheng Wenshu with gratitude. From that silent exchange, Zheng Wenshu felt her sorrow.

Sure enough, in the early morning two days later, Aunt Ma left. She walked quietly, and Zheng Wenshu, who lived in a hospital, did not notice. It was only later that I heard that she was picked up by two adult men, one carrying her on her back and the other carrying a load of her daily necessities. As for a few simple pieces of furniture, it was a long time before a few strange-faced people took her keys and opened the door and moved away.

On the third day after Aunt Ma left, Vice Chairman Shang's family in the courtyard next door also left.

"Alas, doesn't he have a job, and besides, his family is not old enough to be decentralized?" Watching Vice Chairman Shang's family move their belongings from the courtyard to the alleyway and load them into the hired cart, some onlookers asked questions. The document promulgated by the county is clear to everyone: as long as they are regular employees, regardless of the national or collective nature, they and their immediate family members can not be delegated, except for voluntary ones.

"You don't know, he's been fired!" whispered an insider.

"Expulsion?" Hearing this, everyone was shocked, "When?"

"It was a while ago. ”

I see! When it comes to this, there is nothing else to say, so everyone can only silently watch the Shang family tidy up there with their heads down, and they have a little compassion in their hearts. Of course, there are also feelings that are different. Like Zhou Bajin, Qin Deli, and Wei Wuliu, when they saw that many people from their hometowns came to help when the Shang family moved, they shouted that they couldn't understand.

What the onlookers are talking about, Vice Chairman Shang knows if he doesn't listen. Although he looks fat, fat, and simple, he has a clear heart. When the townspeople came to urge, he, like Aunt Ma, had the same tame attitude that even the urging people were surprised. It's just that these urgers didn't expect that this good old man recognized by Yahou Street was actually very sad in his heart!

However, there are also those who are unwilling to be driven down like this. Among them, Ma Ping's mother Wu Wangxia was extremely angry. She loudly questioned Zhou Bajin and Qin Deli, Wei Wuliu and the others he brought-

"Why do you want us to decentralize, who is in the way of us living here for generations?"

"Don't tell me this, I'm only responsible for urging you. Wu Wangxia's questioning made Zhou Bajin speechless, so he was very annoyed, "I don't reason with you!"

"Why don't you urge the Shang family?" Seeing that the other party did not pick up the stubble, Wu Wangxia gave another reason why she couldn't go.

"People are already packing up their things and leaving tomorrow, unlike you. Zhou Bajin mocked her. He was wearing a suit of clothes that he had gotten out of nowhere, and because he had not washed them for a long time, he had an extremely unpleasant smell of sweat on them.

"What about Zheng Wenshu?" Wu Wangxia thought of another one.

"I don't know, I know and I don't have the obligation to answer you!" Hearing her mention one household after another, Zhou Bajin was very annoyed, "You just take care of yourself, what do you care about others?"

In fact, Zhou Bajin knew some inside information about the fact that Zheng Wenshu's family was not included in the decentralized roster, but he didn't want to tell her out of disgust for Wu Wangxia. In addition, there is another point that many people have never thought, that is, although he hates and hates many people in Yahou Street, including Wu Wangxia in front of him, Hong Daxuan, who is hypocritical, and Cai Limin, Pan Yanping, etc., who moved later, Cen Huanian and Zheng Wenshu are exceptions.

In his consciousness, in Yahou Street, these two are the few elders who can look at him squarely and not give him a face. He can't know that. Thinking of this, he said extremely meanly: "Tell you, your good days are over!"

"You fart!" was ridiculed and scolded by Zhou Bajin like this, Wu Wangxia exploded, her fat chest rose and fell, "What qualifications do you have to say such things, what are you, what kind of contribution have you made to Yahou Street? Our Ma family has lived here for generations, and we have built a few houses, isn't it more qualified than you bastard?"

Hearing this, the residents on the side felt that it was indeed reasonable. But they didn't dare to speak out, at most they only cast sympathetic eyes on Wu Wangxia.

"I'll fart, what can you do?" Looking at the other party's bloated face distorted and deformed by pain and anger, Zhou Bajin was very happy: You stinky woman also have today, think about the past, how many times have you looked at me? Decentralize this matter, don't talk about how much Lao Tzu really doesn't know, even if he knows, he won't tell you!

After a moment of silence, everything dispersed. It's just that they didn't expect that just nearby, there was a person standing at the corner of the alley near Wu Wangxia's house, and he didn't move for a long time. And this person is Zheng Wenshu, who has never liked to listen to gossip and does not provoke right and wrong.

Because she lived not far from Wu's house, and the interlocutor's voice was very loud, Wu Wangxia's crying naturally reached Zheng Wenshu's ears, making her unconsciously walk out of the house. She didn't find it strange that this woman, who always likes to gossip, wants to talk about others. What she didn't understand was why there was no family of her own in the decentralized list, so she wanted to hear how Zhou Bajin answered.

She also heard that Yang Qionghua had gone to the neighborhood committee and the town many times to make trouble, and strongly asked to drive her family to the countryside, just like taking away Aunt Ma, Vice Chairman Shang and Li Xiaobai on the other side. But as soon as the list was announced, there was no name of his own, which is strange! To be honest, Zheng Wenshu was very worried about going to the countryside. She was not for herself, but for her mother-in-law and Limin. They are old, old, young, and young, and which production team is willing to accept them? Even if they do, what can they do in the countryside? If they can't work and have no work, how can they live?

Now, the craze has finally stopped. After the courtyard was empty for a few months, some new residents moved into the slaughtered Yahou Street one after another, and they gradually became a little more vibrant. It's just that when looking at these unfamiliar faces, Zheng Wenshu felt like a world away. She didn't know how to get along with the new residents.

Alas-

Thinking of this, Zheng Wenshu could only sigh. She knew that she couldn't adapt to this huge change all of a sudden, so she could only face it silently. After thinking about it, she felt that her old neighbor who had been thrown out of the countryside was lucky, even though her two sons had been taken away from their two houses on the grounds that they had left their original homes. At least, it's better than Wu Wangxia and her wife. Since the last time they had a quarrel with Zhou Bajin, the husband and wife have disappeared quietly, so that today, they are still missing, so that the town police station can't cancel their households, and they can't cancel their accounts, and they have an unsolved case.

Let's live like this, Zheng Wenshu thought, I hope that my husband can pass the review and be liberated as soon as possible, naturally, I hope that my youngest son Xinrui can be healthy and healthy in the countryside, and there will be no accidents, if there is still a chance to study, it will be a great blessing.