1979: Reopening Wenhao Road from the Village

Chapter 52 Farewell

After confirming the departure time with Wang Jianshui for tomorrow, Chen Weidong returned home and continued tidying up the various pieces of furniture with Su Man.

The two were busy until evening before they finished packing everything they needed to take back—three large packages in total. And that was without pots and pans; otherwise, they might not have been able to carry two or three more.

"I'll go and deliver these things to Ermaita and the others."

"Alright, I'll start cooking now. After you've finished delivering, call Fu Xiao and the others over so we can have a meal together."

Su Man gave an order, then took out the last of the pork, cabbage, and flour in the house, intending to make a stew.

Chen Weidong first went to Er Maitai's house, but did not see him.

"Uncle Yang, where's Erhu?"

"He went to work in the county town. Weidong, come in and sit down."

Yang Shuiwang said enthusiastically.

"Uncle, I'm just going back to the city. I can't take all this furniture with me. If you don't mind, you can keep it all."

Chen Weidong put down the basket. If it were in the past when he came to the house, Yang Shuiwang would not have been so nice. He always felt that he had corrupted Ermaitai.

"If you don't mind, then thank you very much."

Looking at the plates and bowls inside, Yang Shuiwang said with a smile, "These are all good things." They're not chipped or damaged, and after washing, they can be used for several more years.

After chatting with Yang Shuiwang for a bit, Chen Weidong went to Li Fugui's house, where Li was home this time.

"Brother Dong, did you need something?"

"I'm going back to the city tomorrow, and there are still some things left at home that I can't take with me, so I'll leave them to you."

"Returning to the city?! Congratulations, Dong-ge!"

Li Fugui offered his congratulations, then looked somewhat somber. Ermaitai had gone to the county town, and now even Chen Weidong was going home.

"If you and Ermaitai ever have time to go to Yanjing in the future, remember to come to my house to find me."

Chen Weidong left Li Fugui his address in Yanjing, showing how much he valued their friendship. However, given the current transportation situation, it would probably be years before they met again.

"Haha, that's great, Dong-ge. If we go, we'll definitely come over for a drink."

Li Fugui was saddened quickly, but recovered just as quickly. He was even somewhat happy, feeling that Chen Weidong valued them and remembered their brotherhood.

"Then I won't chat with you anymore, I still need to get home and tidy up."

"Then I'll come and take it to you tomorrow."

"No need, you go to work first. I don't want too many people to know that I'm returning to the city."

"Understood. Farewell, Dong-ge."

Chen Weidong nearly twisted his leg. "That's called 'have a safe journey,' and 'may you rest in peace' is a way of saying the deceased should rest in peace!"

"Oh, I see."

Li Fugui was a little embarrassed; he had finally learned a word, but he hadn't quite grasped it yet.

"Alright, I'm going home now."

Chen Weidong turned his back, waved his hand, and then went to He Yan's house.

"Brother Yan, come to my house for dinner tonight."

"Why are you suddenly thinking about eating at this time of year?"

He Yan asked, somewhat puzzled.

You'll see when you get there.

"Then I'll put on a coat."

The two then went to inform Fu Xiao and Lin Xi.

"Come in quickly, the food will be ready soon."

Su Man took out a few wooden stakes from the side. There weren't enough stools at home, so He Yan and Chen Weidong had to sit on these.

"Wow, you two are done for? Why did you cut so much meat?"

Lin Xi saw the slices of meat with alternating layers of fat and lean meat in the pot; there was more meat than in the stewed pork.

"We're preparing to return to the city tomorrow, so we invited everyone over for a meal and a chat."

Chen Weidong set out the bowls and chopsticks.

"Are you going back to Yanjing?"

He Yan looked at Chen Weidong in surprise.

"Yes, we also want to thank the three of you. You're all preparing for the college entrance exam. The brigade thought we two were lazy, so after some discussion, they let us go back first."

"Congratulations."

Fu Xiao was the first to offer her congratulations, followed closely by He Yan.

"The brigade gave you the spots because you are outstanding and meet the requirements to go back."

Besides, the college entrance exam is our own decision, there's no question of whether or not to give in. But congratulations on finally being able to go back home.

Lin Xi shook her head.

"Would you like to have a drink together?"

Chen Weidong took out a bottle of bulk liquor and looked at Fu Xiao and the other two.

"Give us each a little bit, please."

Su Man glanced at Fu Xiao and Lin Xi, and neither of them objected.

"Cheers!"

The five of them touched each other lightly.

"Cheers!"

Chen Xiaosui was about to lift the bowl, which was bigger than her face, when Chen Weidong quickly nudged her, preventing her from lifting it and breaking it.

Which universities are you all planning to apply to?

Upon hearing Chen Weidong's words, He Yan unconsciously glanced at Lin Xi, and could tell at a glance that he had not yet asked about the other party's feelings.

She looks like a henpecked husband.

"I plan to go to Fudan University."

Fu Xiao said directly that she herself is from Shanghai, and Fudan University is one of the top universities in the country, and it is also close to home.

"I haven't decided yet."

Lin Xi, who is usually straightforward and frank, did not give a definite answer this time, but glanced at He Yan out of the corner of her eye.

No one else noticed, but Chen Weidong happened to see it.

"Comrade Lin Xi, if you haven't decided on a university yet, you can try applying to universities in Yenching. After all, it's the capital and the center of our country, and it will definitely develop better and better in the future."

"Yes, there are many top universities there, and there are many opportunities in the future."

He Yan immediately nodded in agreement, giving Chen Weidong a grateful look. He was indeed his good friend and brother, proving his reliability in this crucial moment.

"Let me think about it some more."

Lin Xi did not give a definite answer, but the lack of an answer meant there was a chance.

"Okay, let's eat first, or it'll get cold."

Su Man glanced at He Yan and Chen Weidong, and at that moment she knew exactly what they meant.

"Dad, I've finished eating."

"Are you full? Do you want to eat more?"

"Now that we're here, we can still eat some more meat."

Chen Xiaosui gestured to her chest and pointed to the pork in the pot.

"I'll give you two more slices, but you can't eat any more."

Chen Weidong got up and put two more slices of meat on Chen Xiaosui's plate. Chen Xiaosui had already eaten quite a bit, and it wouldn't be good for her to eat too much at her young age.

"Uh-huh."

Chen Xiaohui nodded obediently, then lowered her head and continued eating. In her opinion, not eating when there was food was just idle chatter.

……

The next morning, Chen Weidong and Su Man got up early and packed up the quilts and mattresses. These things couldn't be thrown away; they would need to continue using them when they got back. Otherwise, they wouldn't have enough quilts at home and would have to make new ones.

We could scrape together enough money, but cloth coupons were a problem.

As soon as he stepped outside, he saw He Yan, Fu Xiao, and Lin Xi had already arrived. He had told them yesterday not to see him off, but the three of them still came.

"Brother Yan, here's the key. There are some other things inside; you three can keep whatever you can use. There are also some potatoes and cabbages in the cellar; take them and eat them."

Once everything is settled, just hand the keys over to the team leader.

……