Letter of Introduction

Everyone was somewhat speechless. Why was this guy acting like he was avoiding the plague!?

Jiang Hongmei, already fuming, grew even angrier at his avoidance. After all, Shen Jianan was the one who had caused things between her, Gu Yu, and Zhao Jianguo to turn out like this. Was he feeling guilty now!?

The more she thought about it, the fiercer Jiang Hongmei's rage became. She abruptly flung the stick in her hand with all her strength. "Shen Jianan! You rotten-hearted bastard, you'll get your comeuppance sooner or later! You'll die a horrible death!!!"

Unfortunately, he had already run far away and could not hear her furious roar. Everyone present, however, changed expression at her curse, feeling that there was something wrong with her head.

In an instant, memories flooded back to them. They unconsciously recalled how, when Wang Hongbo returned from work and had not even caught his breath, she had grabbed him and questioned him. "Brother Wang, did you pass along my message? What did Jianguo and Gu Yu say?"

Wang Hongbo had been irritated to begin with. Earlier in the fields, Qin Fengying had given him a thorough dressing-down over this matter, costing him face. On top of that, he had just learned from Gu Yu that this woman was not some rich young lady at all, but the daughter of a servant from the Gu Household, yet she had been putting on airs and swindling people throughout Red Flag Commune.

For a moment, both his attitude and tone worsened considerably. "What could they say? They can't even be bothered to see you, much less get involved with you."

He lifted his eyelids slightly and looked Jiang Hongmei, who was standing there in a daze, up and down with disdain. Then he sneered, "That Zhao Jianguo didn't even react when he heard your name. From start to finish, he didn't say a word, just kept his head down and worked himself to the bone.

His mother, Qin Fengying, was furious, though. She felt her son had been wronged. When she saw me passing along your message, she immediately lost her temper and said she would make me repay the ration grain I owed the production team early..."

The more Wang Hongbo thought about it, the angrier he became. Without caring about anything else, he poured out every last thing that had happened in the fields.

Then, disregarding their former friendship, he continued piling enemies onto Jiang Hongmei while everyone was still stunned. "I reckon everyone else will get dragged into this too. The production team might demand that we repay the ration grain we borrowed early, and all of it is your fault."

Wang Hongbo swept his gaze around. As he had expected, the educated youths who, like him, were in debt all wore ugly expressions. Only then did he feel a little better, and he was about to continue, intending to make her apologize to him.

But Jiang Hongmei did not say a single word of apology. Instead, she suddenly went mad, blaming him for failing to do his job and shouting that she would go find Zhao Jianguo and Gu Yu to get answers.

Everyone immediately panicked, afraid that she would blow the matter up and cause several educated youths from poor families to be pressed for their debts. They quickly softened their attitudes and tried to persuade her nicely.

Who knew Jiang Hongmei would not listen at all? She grabbed a stick and started swinging and smashing it wildly at everyone, to the point that the female educated youths did not dare step forward to stop her.

As for the male educated youths, they were not afraid of taking a couple of blows from her. But whenever anyone got close, she would cry out that they were molesting her. Who would dare touch her after that? They could only stay nearby, patiently trying to reason with her. That was how Shen Jianan had come upon the scene just now.

But after everyone had spent so long persuading her, she still would not listen to reason. She had even come to hate Shen Jianan, so they felt that continuing would only waste their breath and serve no purpose. One after another, they let go and stopped blocking her.

"Looks like you've got plenty of energy. We're going back, then. Do as you please!"

Lu Xiaoyue shot her a disdainful glance, grabbed the already impatient Li Jiaojiao, and strode off without looking back. Seeing that even Lu Xiaoyue, who was closest to her, was leaving her alone, Jiang Bin, Wang Wenwen, Song Yichen, and the others naturally had even less reason to stay.

When Jiang Hongmei saw that they were really leaving, she felt miserable again. With a howl, she plopped down on the ground and began wailing. "You're all so cold-blooded! Why is everyone treating me like this? Sob, sob! You're bullying me too much..."

Seeing her go mad again, Wang Hongbo's head swelled to the size of a bucket. He felt that she was like a lunatic, and he was exhausted. So he decided to smash the jar and be done with it, no longer caring about repaying any debts. When the time came, there would be no ration grain, only his life. At worst, he would lose some face. The production team could not possibly kill them all to settle their debts, could it?

With that thought, he suddenly felt enlightened. Then he asked Jiang Hongmei, "Educated Youth Jiang, are you going back or not?"

What he got in response was wailing that rose louder and louder. He rolled his eyes speechlessly and said coldly, "Cry your fill, then. I'm not keeping you company."

With that, he too quickly left the scene, leaving behind only the softhearted Huang Qimei, standing at a loss and worrying as she watched Jiang Hongmei wail without stopping.

Fortunately, mad as she was, Jiang Hongmei still cared rather well for her own body. Though the sun had set, the ground had been baked all day. After sitting down so suddenly, her backside felt as if it were being used to fry pancakes, and she could not bear it any longer. Only then did she stop crying and plead pitifully to the person beside her, "Qimei, can you help me up?"

"Ah..."

Huang Qimei sighed softly, stepped forward to pick up the stick, and handed it back to her. Only then did she carefully help her to her feet.

"Hongmei, if you ask me, you should stop looking for Zhao Jianguo. Secretary Zhao and Director Qin have already made their attitudes clear. If you keep pestering them, you'll only embarrass yourself. As for Gu Yu..."

She lowered her gaze, hiding the complicated and suppressed emotions in her eyes, and said quietly, "He has already said things to that extent. He definitely has no interest in you.

Besides, his family has already fallen on hard times. If you really marry him, your days ahead will probably be very difficult. Why put yourself through that suffering? If you ask me..."

Her tone shifted as she continued, "You're so beautiful that you could find a man a thousand, ten thousand times better than him with your eyes closed. Why hang yourself from this crooked-necked tree? Don't you think so?"

Jiang Hongmei's body stiffened slightly. The hand Huang Qimei was supporting unconsciously clasped around her wrist instead, gradually tightening.

"Hiss..."

Huang Qimei cried out in pain and frowned at her unhappily. "Hongmei, what are you doing? Why are you squeezing so hard?"

Jiang Hongmei came back to herself at the sound and hurriedly apologized. "I-I'm sorry!"

Her beautiful eyes brimmed with panic and apology. "I, I didn't mean to."

Seeing how pitiful she looked, Huang Qimei could not bear to blame her too much. She smiled and shook her head. "It's fine. I'm not blaming you."

Jiang Hongmei was deeply moved and immediately put on a smiling face. "Qimei, you're such a good person."

Yet something indescribable seemed mixed into that smile covering her face, making Huang Qimei feel strangely uneasy. "Hongmei, why are you acting so oddly?"

"Nothing."

Jiang Hongmei looked at her and smiled even more kindly. "I was just thinking about what happened earlier and suddenly realized that, at the Educated Youth Station, you're the one who treats me best. So I've decided that from now on, I'll treat you as my very best friend."

"Oh! I-is that so?"

Huang Qimei tugged at the corner of her mouth and awkwardly looked away. "Let's go back! Your foot still hasn't fully healed, so don't go looking for Gu Yu and Zhao Jianguo, all right?"

Jiang Hongmei's expression shifted slightly as she unconsciously leaned against her. "All right. My foot does still hurt a little."

Huang Qimei was instantly staggered by her weight and nearly fell, yet she still reached out to steady her.

"Looks like your foot injury is still quite serious. Stop putting yourself through all this."

Huang Qimei released the hand supporting her, stepped forward a few paces, and crouched down halfway. Patting her shoulder, she turned back and looked at her. "I'll carry you!"

Jiang Hongmei did not stand on ceremony. Smiling, she threw herself onto Huang Qimei's back. "Thank you, Qimei."

"Don't mention it! You said it yourself—we're friends!"

Huang Qimei turned her head and smiled, then carried her forward. But a chill had already gradually seeped into those almond-shaped eyes...

Half-Mountain Courtyard.

After Shen Jianan ran home in one breath, he began washing vegetables and cooking. By the time he finished, the sky had gradually darkened. He separated half the prepared food, packed it into a lunch box, and kept it warm in the iron pot.

Only then did he bring the rest to the table and eat alone in silence. Perhaps because Gu Yu was not there, he had felt these past few days that his meals were bland and tasteless, not fragrant at all.

"Ah..."

The youth pursed his lips, forced down a few mouthfuls, then washed and put away the bowls and chopsticks. Afterward, he returned to his room, lit the oil lamp, and sat at the table writing and drawing.

He had told Gu Yu that they needed to prepare early, and he had not merely been talking. These past few days, Gu Yu had been running around outside, but Shen Jianan had not been idle either.

Shen Jianan's way of thinking was direct and simple. Throughout all ages, as long as one had power and money, many things could be resolved as easily as a blade cutting through bamboo.

For the time being, neither he nor Gu Yu had power, but that did not mean they never would. For ordinary people, the most direct path to it was studying.

According to the records, the College Entrance Examination would be reinstated in 1977. That would be their best chance to turn their lives around. So long as he and Gu Yu studied seriously during this period, combined with their solid foundations, getting into a good university would be as easy as turning over one's hand. (In the winter of 1977, 5.7 million candidates across China entered College Entrance Examination halls that had been closed for more than a decade. That year, colleges and universities nationwide admitted 273,000 new students.)

However, Gu Yu's identity was somewhat special. Before then, they had to find an opportunity to change his circumstances and strive to settle the matter once and for all.

Otherwise, when... ended, if his family had still not been politically rehabilitated, it would affect him even if he managed to get into university.

As for money, the fastest way to accumulate wealth was doing business. But the country had not yet developed a private economy, so private business was not allowed.

Still, when policies came from above, countermeasures arose below. If they could not do it openly, they only needed to change their approach.

Shen Jianan stood and walked to the bed. He took out the half packet of milk candies from the cupboard, ruthlessly grabbed a small handful, stuffed them into his pocket, and headed out for Zhao Qiancheng's home.

To his surprise, the person who opened the door was Zhao Jiaming, with Zhao Jianguo behind him. The instant Zhao Jianguo saw him, his face dropped. He asked gruffly, "What are you here for?"

Shen Jianan cursed him as an idiot inwardly, but put on a smile and said ingratiatingly, "I'm here to ask the secretary for a letter of introduction."

As he spoke, he pulled two milk candies from his pocket and, with the speed of lightning, shoved them into Zhao Jiaming's hand. Zhao Jiaming's eyes immediately lit up, and he turned around and shouted, "Dad, Shen is looking for you."

It happened so fast that Zhao Jianguo had no chance to make trouble for Shen Jianan. He could only glare at him through gritted teeth and step aside to make way for Zhao Qiancheng, who had come out upon hearing the call.

Shen Jianan narrowed his eyes and smiled at him, then nodded politely to Zhao Qiancheng, who had just emerged. Only then did he grin. "Secretary, you know that my family sends me letters and things every month, always at the beginning of the month."

Prompted by this, Zhao Qiancheng remembered that at the beginning of every month, the postman would indeed notify Shen Jianan to collect a parcel from town. What a spectacle it was! Every time, it drew a crowd.

After all, in all these years, no educated youth in their production team had a family that sent their child large parcels every month. And the parcels were always filled with precious foods that were difficult to get locally. But this month, he really had not seen the postman notify Shen Jianan to collect anything.

What he did not know was that the Shen Household had already written last time to explain that they were postponing the delivery date.

"Secretary."

Shen Jianan suddenly pursed his lips, his eyes gradually reddening. "It's already the middle of the month, and I still haven't received any notice. So I thought, I thought I'd take advantage of the fact that there isn't much work lately and ask for leave to go see whether the postman was too busy and overlooked it."

The youth's voice grew quieter and quieter. His head was lowered, and his thin shoulders trembled, making him look unbearably pitiful. Yet he did not forget to take out a small handful of milk candies and shakily offer them to Zhao Qiancheng.

"Secretary, I know you've always taken the best care of us educated youths who come from all corners of the country."

Shen Jianan raised his head and looked eagerly at Zhao Qiancheng. The hope filling his eyes softened Zhao Qiancheng's heart. On top of that, Shen Jianan spoke nicely and had brought gifts, so Zhao Qiancheng readily agreed without another word.

"What a small matter! Isn't it just a letter of introduction? Wait here. I'll go to the production team office and write one for you right now."

Smiling, he turned and patted his younger son on the head. "Go get Dad the flashlight."

Zhao Jianguo had not expected his father to agree so easily. He clenched both hands into fists in anger, wishing he could punch Shen Jianan's head apart.

"Okay."

Zhao Jiaming greedily glanced at the milk candies in Shen Jianan's hand, then ran into the house. Less than a minute later, he came out holding an old-fashioned silver metal flashlight and handed it to Zhao Qiancheng.

Shen Jianan tactfully held the candies out toward him. "Little brother Jiaming, hurry and take them. I brought these especially for you."

As soon as he said that, Zhao Qiancheng's expression improved further. He felt that this child had become much more sensible. It was no wonder he thought so. In this era, milk candies were the finest of treats—something one could not necessarily buy even with money and coupons.

What was more, they were expensive. Let alone Zhao Qiancheng, even Zhao Manjiang's family would not be willing to buy them unless there were special circumstances. Yet Shen Jianan had more than twenty candies in his hand!?

Still, given his status, Zhao Qiancheng could not very well reach out and take them. But Shen Jianan's words gave him a good excuse to accept the things.

For a while, Zhao Qiancheng found Shen Jianan even more pleasing to the eye. He could not help adding, "When are you going? It takes quite a while to get from our production team to town. You'd better have a bicycle..."

"Exactly!"

Before he could finish, Shen Jianan cut in with a smiling voice. "That's why I also wanted to borrow a bicycle from you. Is that all right?"

Zhao Qiancheng was utterly speechless and was about to refuse when Zhao Hongjun, who lived next door, happened to come out to pour out his foot-washing water. Hearing the youth's words, he grew curious and casually asked, "Shen, why are you borrowing the secretary's bicycle?"

Shen Jianan sneered inwardly. What a joke. Were his candies really so easy to eat? Especially so many White Rabbit Milk Candies. Did Zhao Qiancheng think a single letter of introduction would settle the score? Dream on!

So he immediately answered, "Good evening, Recorder. I want to go to town tomorrow and see whether there are any letters from home."

His eyes shifted slightly. He cast Zhao Qiancheng, who was about to speak, a grateful look and continued, "Secretary Zhao is kind-hearted. He was afraid I'd get tired walking, and said it would be best to have a bicycle, so..."

Though Shen Jianan left the sentence unfinished, Zhao Hongjun assumed the two had already discussed it. He followed along and said, "Oh! It's quite a long trip to town. Since the secretary is willing to lend you his bicycle, ride it there! Just don't damage it."

"Mm! I understand."

Shen Jianan nodded solemnly, while silently giving him a huge thumbs-up in his heart. Then he looked at Zhao Qiancheng's darkened face, his brows curved in a smile. "Thank you, Secretary."

Zhao Qiancheng felt as though his chest was clogged. Inwardly, he cursed himself for being so loose-lipped and regretted even more agreeing to grant Shen Jianan leave and write him a letter of introduction.

But Zhao Hongjun was still watching. This man was good in every way except that he loved meddling in other people's business. He was upright, too, and he always sang the same tune as the production team leader, Zhao Gang.

If Zhao Qiancheng dared go back on his word now, or claimed that he had never agreed, who knew how those two would gossip about him tomorrow? Would he have any face left then?

Besides, losing face was a small matter. Letting people who did not get along with him seize a weakness was the bigger issue. After weighing the pros and cons, he could only pretend to be generous and nod with a smile. "Jianguo, go wheel out the bicycle for Shen. I'll go to the production team office and write his letter of introduction."

At his words, Zhao Jianguo was so angry he nearly cursed and refused. Shen Jianan and Gu Yu were in the same camp, and a few days ago, he had suffered at Shen Jianan's hands. That had caused him to break with Jiang Hongmei and become a laughingstock among the villagers. If he had not been watched so closely lately, he would have dealt with this guy long ago.

But his father had already agreed to Shen Jianan in front of an outsider, so there was nothing he could do. He could only pull a long face, grit his teeth, and slam the door as he went inside.

Zhao Qiancheng knew his son was angry. His own heart was blocked with frustration as well, so he pretended not to see Zhao Jianguo pulling faces at Shen Jianan. He merely told Shen Jianan to wait at the door, then took the flashlight and headed alone to the production team office.

As for Zhao Jiaming, with the candies in his hands, how could he possibly stay outside? He immediately thanked Shen Jianan and ran noisily back into the house.

Only after everyone had gone did Zhao Hongjun smile and raise his chin at Shen Jianan, who stood in the doorway. He quietly said, "Next time you need to borrow a bicycle, go find the production team leader. He's easier to talk to."

Shen Jianan froze for a moment, then laughed and nodded. "Mm! Thank you, Recorder."

Zhao Hongjun said nothing. He merely cast a meaningful glance behind Shen Jianan before carrying his foot-washing basin quietly back into his house.

Shen Jianan understood instantly. Turning around, he saw Zhao Jianguo wheeling out the bicycle with a face as long as a horse's. Shen Jianan hurried over to greet him enthusiastically. "Oh, oh! Thank you, Comrade Zhao!"

Seeing Shen Jianan grin so widely that the corners of his mouth nearly reached his ears, Zhao Jianguo became even more annoyed. He glared at him furiously, turned, went back inside, and slammed the door hard behind him.

Shen Jianan curled his lips and rolled his eyes at the Zhao Household's front door. Then he wheeled the bicycle to the roadside to wait for Zhao Qiancheng.

Before long, Zhao Qiancheng came over with the flashlight. He handed the letter to Shen Jianan and said expressionlessly, "Go early and come back early."

Then, with his hands clasped behind his back, he went into his home without paying Shen Jianan any further attention. Shen Jianan shrugged indifferently, called out a thank-you to his retreating back, and then happily wheeled the bicycle back to Half-Mountain Courtyard.