Chen the postman rode his bicycle into the educated youth compound and stopped.
The sun was blazing today. More than a dozen young men were lined up working away, while Wang Yan sat in front of them, watching over a small red-clay stove as he drank pot-brewed tea and refurbished the cabinet before him.
The male and female educated youths around them, along with others from the brigade, stood watching and chatting. Outside the courtyard, on the flat open ground, laughter and cheers rose from people lining up to ride bicycles.
He had been delivering mail here for several years now, and he could clearly feel the White Shop Brigade people's vigorous upward drive.
He worked this whole area—how could he not know the White Shop Brigade's situation? He had even ordered a kang table here himself. Their craftsmanship was truly excellent...
Wang Yan accepted the letter and handed Chen the postman a cigarette. "I previously mailed in a report about accepting re-education. Just giving it a try."
"Oh my, then they must have accepted your submission. Otherwise, they might not have written back. Hurry up and see what it says. I've delivered letters and newspapers for so many years, but I've only seen replies from major newspapers like this a few times."
Smiling, Wang Yan nodded, then opened the envelope and pulled out the letter.
"Comrade Wang Yan, greetings. We have received your submission. Your writing is plain and sincere, and your ideological understanding is steadfast..."
Chen the postman read through it alongside Wang Yan, then looked at the amount on the money order. "Oh my, there's even ten yuan?"
By then, the educated youths and villagers who had long since gathered around were too impatient to wait. They took the letter and money order, passing them around for