Six

No matter what Min Lanzhen and Jiang Yizhen think, they still have to live. In the blink of an eye, it was the second half of 1964. At this moment, in Yahou Street, in addition to the official spread of the "Four Qings" that have been rumored by various organs and units in the society, the people living here have more things to talk about, and there are a few things that they have been discussing for a while: First, Yan Ling, the sister of the Yang family who is very energetic in studying, was admitted to Tsinghua University, and then Jiang Yizhen's eldest son Jia Shan was assigned to the Chinese Academy of Sciences after graduation.

Coincidentally, Yang Yanling's admission letter was also sent by Lao Liu. It is precisely for this reason that not only the residents of Yahou Street think that he is a lucky star, but also he himself thinks that since the mail route is so smooth, it may be able to get some blessings from the Wenqu stars, so that his son, who will be in high school next semester, can also be admitted to university in the future. However, these are all digressions, and the excitement of the residents of Yahou Street is still focused on the title of the Yanling Gold List. That afternoon, when the neighbors present saw Yang Yanling running out of the cramped residence amid Lao Liu's good news, they were excited to accept the admission letter, especially when they saw the words "Tsinghua University" printed on the letter in her hand, they all cheered. You know, this is the first time that someone in this neighborhood has been admitted to a top university in China! When everyone read the notice, although Yang Yanling's sister-in-law could still keep calm, her brother Yang Yunruo, who worked as a school worker in No. 2 Middle School, was so happy that his eyes were so moist that he couldn't help himself when the neighbors came forward to congratulate him. In his own words, he was finally able to give an explanation to his father and mother who died at an early age.

"Yun Ruo, I really want to congratulate you, you can be regarded as having survived. When Yang Yanling received the admission letter, Jiang Yizhen happened to be there. She was very happy to see her deceased's child admitted to Tsinghua University, just like her own child was in high school. She said to Yang Yunruo very emotionally: "It's not easy for you, treat your sister like this, it's rare to find a few in the entire Lichuan County!"

"yes, yes. Hearing this, everyone echoed one after another. The parents of the Yang family died early, and Yanling was raised by her brother. In order to support her in school, Yun Ruo has never dared to have children after getting married. It's also this girl's good life, not only does she have a good brother, but she also meets a good sister-in-law. The latter not only had no complaints about supporting her sister-in-law to go to school, but also followed her husband to cut back on food and clothing, treating her closer than her mother's sister.

"If Yanling has any difficulties in going to school, tell the neighborhood committee, and everyone will help solve it. Jiang Yizhen told Yang Yunruo, "The emergence of Tsinghua students on Yahou Street is the glory of all our residents. ”

"Thank you, thank you. Hearing this, Yang Yunruo and his wife were very moved, and as for Yang Yanling, her handsome little face was even more red with excitement. Over the years, their brothers and sisters have not received help from their neighbors, especially Jiang Yizhen and Zheng Wenshu, who regard their affairs as their own affairs. Not to mention anything else, just in terms of study, the two brothers of the Jia family and the Cen family are Yang Yanling's perennial off-campus tutoring, especially the eldest of the Jia family, even if she goes to college, as long as she goes home and meets Yang Yanling, she will ask her about her study and tell her how to solve equations and how to write essays.

"Team Leader Jiang, Yun Ruo's family really lost you," Seeing this situation, someone in the neighborhood said, "If you do this good deed, you will be rewarded." ”

Hearing this, everyone agreed, even Zheng Wenshu, who has never believed in karma, also felt that things should be like this. Therefore, she said to everyone: "It is indeed a good intention, the big guy may not know, the eldest son of Team Leader Jiang wrote yesterday, saying that he graduated from university and was assigned to the Institute of Mechanics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences." ”

Hearing this, the neighbors became excited again, turned around and congratulated Jiang Yizhen. Think about it, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, that's not an ordinary unit, and being able to work there is enough to prove that you are capable.

"Thank you, thank you. Hearing everyone's congratulations, Jiang Yizhen was naturally very happy, but she knew that she was not the protagonist today, and the topic should be Yang Yanling's high school. She said very modestly: "Although the eldest of my family has entered the Academy of Sciences, what he does is ordinary work, if you really want to say that it is amazing, it is still Yanling." You know, she is only a seventeen-year-old girl, and her family conditions are not very good, so she can be admitted to Tsinghua University - hey, how can this school come about?"

"China's highest university. Someone handed over a message from the side.

"Yes, it is truly remarkable to be admitted to the highest university in our country. ”

"Yes, yes. The crowd agreed. But then someone raised the old question that had been raised more than once: "I said, big guy, tell me, why are there so many people in our Yahou Street who are admitted to universities every year, especially those who can be admitted to famous universities such as Tsinghua University, Fudan University, and Nankai University?"

"Why, the children are ambitious and willing to be ruthless. ”

"Parents are also supportive. ”

"I met a good teacher. ”

Hearing such a question, everyone began to talk about it.

"If you want me to see, the pulse here is still good. Listening to everyone's discussions, Aunt Chao, who had been unable to interject, spoke, "If you want to talk about the ruthlessness of children and the support of parents, it is the same in other streets, but why can't they pass the test here? She was so sure that no one could question it.

"Yes, yes. As soon as Aunt Chao's words fell, Wu Wangxia, the loudest woman in Yahou Street, shouted out. Not only that, but she also took out an envelope sent from a mailbox in Beijing and showed it to everyone-

"Yahou Street is really a place to produce talents, no, the eldest of my family not only went to the Beijing Institute of Technology, but also was assigned to the army, and he did confidential work. ”

"Beijing Institute of Technology, what kind of university is that?" Some neighbors don't know very well, "It won't be better than Tsinghua University and Fudan University, right?"

"Ah, I heard that it is a military student, and it takes a high score to get in. "Some of the neighbors seem to know something.

"Yo, I'm really working in the army," someone took the photo from Wu Wangxia, and sighed while looking at it, "Look, isn't this wearing a military uniform, top spirit." ”。

Listening to such discussions, Wu Wangxia needless to say that she was very proud. She pointed to the photo and said to everyone: "See, the one bar and two stars on the epaulette are lieutenants, which are the symbols of company-level cadres." ”

"Ma's mother, you are so blessed. Looking at Wu Wangxia's eyes that looked around, obviously looking for a response, the residents of Yahou Street were rarely unreasonable, so the people who did not hesitate to congratulate them. It's just that people who really know the inside story sneered in their hearts: this is the second letter sent back by Ma Fang after seven years away from home. This is not only because the composition of the Ma family is capitalists, and since the daughter has entered the army, she must draw a clear line, but also Wu Wangxia, as a stepmother, used to be very mean to her husband's ex-wife's daughter, and the two sides could not talk about the relationship between mother and daughter at all.

Needless to say, although sports are starting again, there are still happy events in Yahou Street, and as long as there are happy events, the residents here will discuss and share the happiness of the people involved. It's just that what many neighbors didn't expect was that although there were happy events, Cen Huanian, who was recognized by everyone, was not having a good time. Although he has always believed in a sentence: He is not afraid of shadows, but since the launch of the "Four Clearances," the Chengguan Town Party Committee, especially the "Four Cleans" work team stationed in the town, has ignored the different opinions of the county education bureau and has wanted to treat him as one of the "Four Clearances" The subject of the review, not only to continue to do the work, but also to endlessly accept the aggressive conversations of the team members, and even suspected that he had financial problems, and transferred a lot of people to check the accounts, so that for a period of time, many teachers and staff of the school did not dare to take the initiative to talk to him, especially Yang Qionghua, who had nothing to say in the past, looked like he was afraid of it.

"Hua Nian, are you okay. Seeing that her husband was talking less and less day by day, Zheng Wenshu was a little worried.

"It's fine. Cen Huanian comforted his wife.

Seeing her husband smiling reluctantly, Zheng Wenshu knew that he was comforting herself, so she was a little distressed. She thought for a while and said to him: "Otherwise, you can propose to the organization, this principal will not do it, so that people will always worry about it." ”

"I have already proposed it to the county education bureau and the town party committee, but they have never agreed, and I don't know what they think. Listening to his wife's suggestion, Cen Huanian shook his head helplessly. In the eyes of those who know him, the reason why he will be rubbed whenever he encounters political movements is because of his bad background and "overseas connections", but only he knows that in addition to these reasons, there is another driving force, that is, Vice President Yao Xianxian. Although this person doesn't understand business, he is the secretary of the school's party branch, and he is very unconvinced by the word "deputy" on the title, and always wants to replace it. To be honest, he didn't want to be the principal for a long time, and he told the leaders many times, but every three years, the county education bureau would always send him a letter of appointment from the county people's committee, which made him not know what to do. He is full of affection for this primary school, not only because it was built by his father with half of his life's hard work and all the family business, but also because many people in Lichuan County, especially Yahou Street, have developed and grown up here. It is not an exaggeration to say that it continues the educational tradition of the ancient county school and the poor school of the Republic of China. People often say that Yahou Street is the context of Lichuan County, and in his opinion, it is the context of Yahou Street. It's just that when the people's power was established and he donated it free of charge, he felt that he could no longer talk about being closely related to it, let alone grasping its fate, even if he had been the principal ever since. Not only that, but he even felt that his fate was becoming more and more out of his control.

"Hua Nian, who is coming?"

On Sunday, while he was sitting at his desk in the room, very distressed and revising the ideological examination that had been revised several times in order to meet the working group's demand to "dig deep into the ideological roots and thoroughly communicate with the organization," Zheng Wenshu called out in the courtyard.

Cen Huanian felt a little strange: who else would come to visit him, who had been declared a "target of censorship" by the task force during a sensitive period. But before he could stand up, a familiar voice came—

"Brother Hua Nian, it's me. ”

"Oops, what kind of wind is blowing you here. Cen Huanian couldn't help but be very happy when he saw that the person who came was his friend Shen Jiayan.

"What the wind, I miss you. Shen Jiayan walked over and grabbed Cen Huanian's hand and shook it vigorously.

"I miss you too. Cen Huanian said as he gave up the chair he was sitting on to his friend.

"What are you writing?" Shen Jiayan put down the bag in his hand, sat down, and glanced at the manuscript paper that Cen Huanian was laying out on the desk, "Thought check?"

Cen Huanian, who was sitting on the square stool at the table, smiled bitterly.

Shen Jiayan stared at him, as if he wanted to say something, but he didn't squeak for a long time. After a long while, Fang said, "I already know what happened to you. ”

"How do you know?" Cen Huanian felt a little strange.

"Shangguan is telling me. ”

Shangguan Zheng, how did he know? Cen Huanian felt incredible. Since the last time Wen Shu took Xinrui to stay at his house, the two families have not been in touch for a long time, and except for Niu Houhuai, he doesn't seem to have any acquaintances in Lichuan County.

Ah, by the way, it was Niu Houhuai who told him. As soon as he thought of Niu Houhuai, Cen Huanian immediately realized how Shangguan Zheng knew about this. Since he was declared the subject of review by the working group, the son-in-law has never been to the house, and sometimes when he meets Zheng Wenshu on the street, he is also very cold, and he leaves in a hurry after a few simple words.

"Hua Nian, you don't need to worry about this matter, you want me to watch it, but like before, it's not a big deal to go through the motions again. Seeing that Cen Huanian's eyebrows were not spreading, Shen Jiayan comforted.

"That's what I thought, too. Zheng Wenshu happened to bring the brewed tea to the guest, and when she heard him say this, she interjected.

"I knew I didn't make any mistakes, but every time I had to be tossed around for no reason, it was uncomfortable. Cen Huanian said what was in his heart.

"It's not comfortable for anyone to have this on their heads, but what can you do and expect those who fix you to be kind? Shen Jiayan continued to comfort, "Look at me, haven't you had troubles, but I feel that my life is no worse than others." ”

Also, hearing his old friend say this, Cen Huanian felt that it made sense, and couldn't help but feel relieved. As soon as Shen Jiayan entered the door today, he understood the intention of his old friend, and he was very moved. He knew that his old friend's life was very difficult for a while, but not for politics, but for his wife and children. In Shen Jiayan's own words, it is not an external trouble, but an internal worry.

In fact, Shen Jiayan's original life was still good: he worked in the Qingjiang City Center for Disease Control and Prevention with a job that paid no more and no less, and raised two very obedient children, especially his wife. But this woman, after more than ten years of peace and stability with the Shen family, suddenly had an affair with the new head of the unit, and it was in an uproar and everyone knew about it. Suddenly encountering such an incident, Shen Jiayan can be described as extremely painful. He couldn't figure out how his wife and he could bear to suffer such a hurt even though they had been introduced by a friend, but they had been in love with each other since they got married. However, Shen Jiayan is Shen Jiayan, after learning from the pain, he resolutely broke up with her, no matter how she regretted it, no matter how much her children begged and did not change their decision, even in the face of the persuasion of old friends such as Cen Huanian and Shangguan Zheng, he was unmoved. When he broke up, he insisted that the children should be taken care of by himself, as for the reason, on the surface, it was for his wife to have no burden and facilitate remarriage, but in private he thought that she was of bad moral character and would hinder the healthy growth of the children.

"Old Shen, have a cup of lunch today?" Zheng Wenshu walked in after working in the stove for a while. She knew he had a hobby, albeit not in small amounts.

"You have wine at home? When Shen Jiayan heard this, he looked at her inquiringly. He knew that Cen Huanian didn't drink alcohol.

"Oh, last year, on Lao Cen's birthday, Hui Min brought two bottles of wine, saying that drinking a little can soften the blood vessels. ”

"Huimin is so filial, but I'm not used to drinking fruit wine. Shen Jiayan smiled, lowered his head and took out a bottle of Qingjiang Daqu in two halves from the bag he brought with him, "It's still enjoyable." ”

"You are really, when you come to my house, why do you have to bring wine and vegetables?" Seeing that Shen Jiayan took out a package of braised beef in addition to the wine, Zheng Wenshu felt that he was a little surprised.

"This is a good drink," Shen Jiayan said with a grin, and squeezed his eyes at Cen Huanian as if amused, "I bought it on the street, don't you mind." ”

Looking at him like that, Cen Huanian couldn't help but laugh a little. He was very grateful to Shen Jiayan for visiting him, so he felt that the friendship of friends was so precious.

"Oh, there is also a West Lake Longjing here, which is to honor my aunt. Shen Jiayan took out another tea leaf from the bag and put it on Cen Huanian's desk.

"Look at you, just come and talk, what kind of gifts do you bring?" Cen Huanian knew that Longjing was very expensive, but he didn't care.

"It's not a special purchase, it's my nephew who works in Hangzhou who came back to visit relatives and sent me. Shen Jiayan waved his hand, "You know that I don't know how to taste tea, and it's ruined when I leave it there, what is this called-ah, by the way, it's called a tyrannical thing." ”

"You!" Cen Huanian didn't know what to say for a while.

"You talk a little longer, and the meal will be good in a while. Seeing this, Zheng Wenshu turned around and walked towards the stove. But at this moment, a string of bicycle bells came to mind outside the hospital, and then a familiar voice came -

"Zheng Wenshu, No. 25 Yahou Street, letter!"

When Zheng Wenshu heard this, she hurriedly walked towards the gate of the courtyard.

Sure enough, a thick letter was handed to her by Lao Liu.

"I'm sorry to trouble you on Sunday," Zheng Wenshu took the letter and thanked him, "Why don't you come in for a cup of tea and rest?"

"No, these letters in my bag will be sent out this morning, and I will talk to Principal Cen when I have time later. Lao Liu grinned, got into the car and drove away.

"That's fine. Zheng Wenshu watched Lao Liu go away, and then looked down at the envelope. This didn't matter if he didn't care, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he shouted into the house: "Lao Cen, it's a pragmatic letter—oh, and photos." She found that the back of the envelope had the words "Inside is a photograph, do not fold it."

"Really?" Cen Huanian heard this, stood up, and took the letter from Zheng Wenshu, who walked into the room quickly. Sure enough, the handwriting is pragmatic, but the sending address is not Fudan University, but a garrison somewhere in East China.

How did this kid go to the army? Cen Huanian was a little puzzled. He hurriedly opened the envelope and took out the full-written letter and looked at it. After seeing it, I realized that my son was not at school at the moment because the relevant departments believed that college students should carry out the relevant instructions of the central authorities and study engineering, agriculture, and the army. Therefore, they were arranged to train as soldiers in the company for a quarter. When this kid sent this letter, he had been in the army with his classmates for nearly a month.

Looking at the letter, and then looking at the pragmatic uniforms, Cen Huanian found that his son seemed to have lost some weight, but his spirit was very good, and the gun posing in the company's honor room had the meaning of a soldier, although he still had a strong student spirit from his expression to his figure.

He handed the letter and photo to Zheng Wenshu, and after a while, he took it from her hand and handed it to Shen Jiayan, who had been looking at him.

Shen Jiayan received the pragmatic letter very solemnly. Although he and Cen Huanian have been good friends for many years, they still feel that this is the other party's greatest trust in him. He first carefully examined the pragmatic photographs, then carefully read the pragmatic report to his parents, and kept bowing his head as he looked at them, until finally he carefully folded the letters and returned them to Shum Huanian together with the photographs.

Cen Huanian held his son's photo and letter in his hand, but his eyes were looking at his old friend.

"Brother Hua Nian, if you have a son like this, what more can you ask for?" Shen Jiayan said in a small voice but with great certainty as he met Cen Huanian's inquiring gaze.

Hearing his old friend say this, Cen Huanian was very happy and excited. At that moment, he suddenly felt much more relaxed, and even had a feeling of sweeping away the mental burden he had carried since the "Four Cleansing" movement. He thought, even if I was deducted from the hat of "four unclear", what could I do? It was a big deal that I couldn't teach, as long as I was pragmatic and cutting-edge, it didn't matter if I advanced or retreated. Thinking of pragmatism, he couldn't help but think of Xinrui again. Since entering No. 1 Middle School, this child's learning has improved by leaps and bounds, not only is the report card of the weekend test of each subject brought back by the students every week almost full score, but also has won good rankings in many competitions held by the school, which is really happy. I don't think I had the opportunity to read more books back then, and now I don't lose my long-cherished wish to realize this long-cherished wish as a fake child.

"It's time to eat. In Cen Huanian's reverie, Zheng Wenshu had already set up a table in the hall, and greeted the two while serving food. Seeing that Cen Huanian and Shen Jiayan were in a much better mood after talking, she was very happy.

"It's so exquisite, and you can feast on it again today. Shen Jiayan walked to the table and sat down, facing the dishes handled by Zheng Wenshu, his eyes were appreciative, and his mouth was praised.

"A few side dishes, not a tribute. Cen Huanian was humble.

"You can't say that," Shen Jiayan couldn't agree, "It's not that I'm complimenting, even if the ingredients are ordinary, they all taste very good after being conditioned by my sister-in-law's skillful hands." ”

"Old Shen, you are exalting me too much," listening to the visitor's praise, Zheng Wenshu was very useful. She took the cup, poured him more than half a glass of Qingjiang Daqu, and poured Cen Huanian a small half glass of red wine.

Shen Jiayan picked up the wine glass, and as soon as he brought it to his lips, he put it down: "What about Aunt and Limin? I didn't see them as soon as I entered the door today." ”

Niu Houhuai was on a business trip for a while, and early this morning, they were picked up by Huimin. Zheng Wenshu said.

So that's the case, Shen Jiayan nodded, but when he picked up the wine glass again, he stopped again.

Cen Huanian and Zheng Wenshu knew that he still had something to say.

Seeing that his old friend and wife were waiting for him to speak, Shen Jiayan was a little embarrassed.

"Just say it. Cen Huanian said with a smile.

"Ah, that's right," after a while, the Shen family Yan Fang said, "I came this time, and I want to ask you to write a few words." ”

"Writing?"

"Yes. After the words were spoken, Shen Jiayan calmed down, "Brother Hua Nian, although I don't know calligraphy, I can still read it." In my opinion, many people who are famous for books nowadays are actually not as good as you. I'm going to take advantage of your eyesight and wrist strength to write a few words and hang them at home, so that others can see that I also have a very capable friend. ”

"Alas, Jia Yan, I really can't bear what you say. Hearing his old friend say this, Cen Huanian felt a little embarrassed. However, in the end, he happily agreed to the other party's request, because he knew that his old friend was a way to express his affirmation and support for him. Therefore, he said: "Since you think my handwriting is okay, after this while, I will practice seriously and write you a few pictures." ”

"Okay, drink. Hearing this, Shen Jiayan slapped his thigh with joy. He picked up the wine glass and touched the cup in Cen Huanian's hand, tilted his head, and a large sip of wine went into his throat.

"Eat vegetables, eat vegetables, don't drink too hard. Zheng Wenshu hurriedly served a few dishes to his bowl.

"Okay, it's better to be respectful than to obey. Shen Jiayan smiled.

The lunch was enjoyable, and the conversation and laughter never stopped. After drinking tea for a while after the meal, the Shen family said goodbye to the master and went to his home in Qingjiang City.

Standing at the mouth of the lane, looking at the sturdy back of his old friend swaying and drifting away, Cen Huanian was very emotional. He is very glad that he has this old friend, whether it is his mother's hospitalization or Huimin's birth, he can get his help every time he is at a critical juncture. He came today, obviously to comfort himself and remind himself not to be too melancholy, which is something that only he wants.

"Hua Nian!" Seeing that Shen Jiayan was still standing there for a long time after Shen Jiayan left, Zheng Wenshu called him. As soon as she finished working on the stove, she knitted her sweater again.

"Something?" Cen Hua Nianxiang followed her into the house.

"I also forgot a lot, yesterday Xinruituo's classmates who came home this week sent a school notice, and I put it in the book on your desk. ”

Cen Huanian flipped through the books on the desk. Sure enough, there was a notice from Lichuan No. 1 Middle School in it.

"What are you talking about?" asked Jung.

Cen Huanian looked at the letter without squeaking.

Zheng Wenshu was a little puzzled. She walked over and took the letter from her husband's hand, and after reading two lines, she understood: it was a notice calling for the payment of boarding fees.

Cen Huanian was a little helpless: pragmatic studying in Fudan, only applying for a third-class stipend of three yuan per month, Xinrui studying in No. 1 Middle School, tuition and miscellaneous fees plus boarding fees, the first phase is 54 yuan, and can only be paid in two installments. He only has a salary of fifty-two yuan and five cents a month, even if he adds Wen Shu's ten yuan, it is only more than sixty yuan, but in addition to the life of the husband and wife, he also has to support his mother and youngest daughter, and in addition, the youngest daughter also needs money to study. It's really hard for Wen Shu, I don't know how she has calculated it over the years.

"I'll invite a meeting, we'll take the first round, and then pay it back month by month. Zheng Wenshu put the notice on the table and looked at Cen Huanian.

It can only be like this, looking at his wife's eyes discussed, Cen Huanian nodded speechlessly. Looking at the sweater she was knitting in her hand, he had mixed feelings. He didn't know who the owner of the sweater was, but he knew that his wife had spent a lot of energy on knitting a sweater, and she could only get two or three yuan at most for knitting one. People often say that "a man has no wife and no owner, and a daughter has no husband and no body to rely on." What about her own family? Wen Shu is obviously a good leader, but is she her most reliable backer? When he thought that Wen Shu had not only not lived a comfortable life with him since he got married, but on the contrary, he was frightened and frightened by the impact of political movements from time to time, and he felt that he owed her a lot, and his heart was difficult to feel at ease.

What Cen Huanian is thinking at the moment, Zheng Wenshu doesn't know. But she knew that he was definitely not in such a good mood at the moment. She didn't ask, nor did she intend to ask, but walked over, holding the sweater she was knitting with one hand, holding his hand with the other, and shaking it gently.

Cen Huanian naturally knew what his wife meant, but he still didn't squeak, but when his wife looked up at him, Fang sighed softly.

People all know their son Mo Ruo's father, but at home, they know their husband Mo Ruo's wife! Cen Huanian sighed with emotion. When he thought of Zheng Wenshu's dedication to himself and the family, he felt how right it was for him to obey his father's arrangement and choose her as his lifelong partner, although she was almost not favored by all the friends who heard about it at that time, even his old mother, who was not so in favor of it at first.

At this moment, in the swallow's nest under the eaves outside the window, two newly-born chicks cried. Listening to the hurried and cheerful voice, it was probably my mother who had come back to feed.

Listening to the birds' calls, Cen Huanian's heart moved. At this moment, he suddenly felt that he and his wife were like feeding swallows, doing everything for the chicks, but he didn't know if the children would grow up smoothly in the future. Although they are all talented and study hard, it is really hard to say that their own political conditions are much worse than others, especially the political movements one after another!