Chapter 53

Chapter 53

Ji Yunshu took the telegram and scanned the words as fast as she could. "Why was it flagged? Didn't the family property already get handed over? The Subdistrict Office sent people to inventory everything for months—even the calligraphy and paintings on the walls were registered. How could there still be hidden property?"

Ji Yunshu found it hard to believe. She had been back home and knew that Meng Guangze and Wang Wanru were honest people. Everything that should have been turned over had been. Even the staff from the cultural relics protection office had moved in to keep watch.

"The telegram only says someone reported hidden private property—the specifics aren't clear yet. But your eldest brother secretly stashed some gold and silver, not a large amount, buried under the ginkgo tree in the courtyard. After the report, the search team went straight to that spot and dug it up." Pei Yufeng's voice was low, his speech slower than usual, his tone cautious and careful. "Once the items were unearthed, a lot of people seized on it, saying the Meng family's earlier surrender of property was all an act, and who knows how much more they'd hidden. They pressured your father into bringing out the family account books for verification."

Ji Yunshu's fingers clenched suddenly. "Eldest brother hid things without Mom and Dad even knowing?"

"The telegram doesn't say, but given your father's character, if he'd known your brother had hidden anything, he would never have let it stay." Pei Yufeng said.

Ji Yunshu nodded. Right—if her parents had known Meng Chongwen had hidden property in the house, they would have made him turn it in. They had stopped the fixed-interest payments without hesitation, handed over all the cultural relics and ancient books, and had no reason to drag the whole family into trouble over a bit of money.

Ji Yunshu released her grip on Pei Yufeng's fingers, buried her face in her palms, and took a deep breath. Meng Chongwen—her eldest brother, who had been cold to her when she returned to Su City, who had given her the silent treatment for days over the fixed-interest payments being stopped—had secretly hidden a stash of gold and silver behind the whole family's back. What was he thinking when he hid it? Did he think his parents were too foolish and naive to hand everything over without leaving a fallback? Or did he think that once the storm passed, he could dig it up and give his children a life of comfort? But had he ever considered that once these things were discovered, all the family's efforts would be seen as an outright deception? The Meng family would only be judged even more harshly!

So in the end, Meng Chongwen still hadn't listened to her or Wang Wanru. His wishful thinking had ultimately harmed both himself and the family.

"Where is eldest brother now?" Ji Yunshu pulled her hands away from her face, her voice already calm again.

"He's been taken away. Your sister-in-law was so shocked she had to be hospitalized. The child hadn't been born when the telegram was sent, so we don't know the situation yet." Pei Yufeng's palm rested on her back, patting her back gently to soothe her. "Don't panic. I've already asked people in Su City to help look into it. If they can get in touch with the hospital, they'll let us know right away."

Ji Yunshu closed her eyes. Gan Tang was lying in a hospital bed right now, her husband taken away before her child was even born. She couldn't bear to imagine how Gan Tang was doing, let alone what that unborn child would face in the future.

"Does the telegram say who reported it?" Ji Yunshu opened her eyes and looked at Pei Yufeng.

"No. It only says the report letter was extremely detailed—the informant knew the Meng family's situation very well, even the exact hiding spot, so the search team could dig it up the moment they arrived."

Ji Yunshu's fingers slowly curled on her knees. Extremely detailed, familiar with the Meng family's situation, knowing the exact hiding spot... A suspicion was slowly forming in Ji Yunshu's mind, but she was reluctant to assume the worst about anyone.

Two days later, a second urgent telegram arrived, even briefer than the first. It said Meng Chongwen had been taken away for public criticism, Gan Tang had a difficult labor but had safely given birth to a daughter. Wang Wanru and Meng Guangze, thanks to their cooperative attitude in admitting fault, were temporarily fine and had been allowed to go home. Meng Chongwen's fate wasn't decided yet, but since he'd been made an example in the criticism sessions, punishment was certain.

After reading the telegram and seeing that Wang Wanru and Meng Guangze were safe, Ji Yunshu let out a long breath, but her heart was still heavy.

That afternoon, Ji Yunshu went to call Wang Wanru.

The operator tried several times before getting the line through. At first, a neighbor of the Meng family answered—an elderly woman surnamed Yuan. She said Wang Wanru and Meng Guangze had just gotten back from the subdistrict office and were tidying up at home, and asked her to hold on. About ten minutes later, Wang Wanru's voice came through—hoarse and weary, but still trying to keep her usual restraint and composure.

"Mom, I got the telegram. How are sister-in-law and the baby?" Ji Yunshu asked quickly.

Wang Wanru was silent for a moment, then said softly: "Xiaotang gave birth—a girl. There were some complications during delivery, but both are safe. We named her Xiaosu... hoping she'll be calm and peaceful, safe and healthy. But Xiaotang was so frightened that her milk hasn't come in, so the baby can only have rice water."

"And eldest brother?" Ji Yunshu gripped the receiver tightly, genuinely worried about Gan Tang.

"Chongwen is being sent to the northwest countryside for reeducation through labor. Xiaotang has to go with him. Chongwen leaves tomorrow; Xiaotang can wait until she's finished her month of postpartum rest. Xiaosu... Mom wants to keep Xiaosu here." Wang Wanru's voice grew more choked as she spoke, tears flowing uncontrollably. "Mom talked it over with your father. The baby is too small. The northwest—with all the sandstorms and harsh conditions—how could a newborn survive? And Xiaotang is weak now and doesn't have enough milk. Taking the baby on the road might put both mother and child in danger. Mom wants to keep the child at home—after all, the baby's innocent."

"Did the subdistrict office and the others agree?" Ji Yunshu asked cautiously.

"The subdistrict office said it's up to our attitude." A strength Ji Yunshu had never heard from her mother before crept into Wang Wanru's voice. "Mom has already decided. Your father and I have submitted a written ideological self-criticism to the subdistrict office, stating that we've broken ideologically from Meng Chongwen, cut off all financial ties, and will have no further correspondence. The child was born after all this happened—she can't be influenced by parents whose thinking has gone off track. The child is still a blank slate. We've written that we hope to keep her at home to be raised by her grandparents. Your father and I will keep actively participating in collective labor and political study, voluntarily help those in need, and prove our stance through long-term practical action. We'll stop sending money and supplies to Chongwen and Xiaotang, and cut off all contact."

Ji Yunshu held the receiver, her breath catching in her throat. She could imagine how much pain Wang Wanru was in as she said these words—that was her son, born of her own body, the child she'd raised. Now she had to voluntarily declare that she was cutting ties with him.

Ji Yunshu didn't know how many tears Wang Wanru and Meng Guangze had shed in private, but she also knew this was the only way Meng Xiaosu could stay. Only by completely cutting ties with convicted parents could this newborn have at least a chance to stay home and be properly cared for.

"Did the subdistrict office approve?" Ji Yunshu asked.

"They did." Wang Wanru's voice softened, tinged with deep gratitude. "The neighbors helped a lot—Granny Chen, Aunt Zhang, and Old Liu from the end of the alley. They all spoke up for us. They said the baby was so small and newborn, better kept at home to be raised properly, that your father's and my thinking was sound, and everyone had seen our performance over the past year. The subdistrict office finally approved."

"At first... those with red armbands disagreed, saying children of parents with problematic thinking should also go for reform. But fortunately, someone vouched for your father and me..." Wang Wanru's voice was almost tearful now. "It was a highly respected military officer comrade—I heard he was a commander or chief from the Eastern Military Region... He said he was Xiao Pei's father's brother. Since Xiao Pei's parents had passed, we were now his parents too. The chief was looking out for your father and me out of consideration for Xiao Pei... After hearing that, they didn't make things difficult for us anymore. They just said your eldest brother and sister-in-law should reform well..."

Ji Yunshu's heart stirred. She tried to keep her voice steady: "Mom, this was never your or Dad's fault. It was eldest brother's muddled thinking, and the informant's dark heart. Don't dwell on it—take good care of Xiaosu..."

"I know, Xiaoshu... Thank Xiao Pei for me. Without him, your father and I would have..." Wang Wanru's voice trailed off, the unspoken words making Ji Yunshu's heart ache even more.

After hanging up, Ji Yunshu went home, finally able to catch her breath.

Pei Yufeng had already returned from the camp and was standing in the kitchen boiling water. Hearing the courtyard gate, he turned around, his gaze resting on her face for a moment. Then he set down the kettle on the stove and walked toward her. "What did Mom say?"

"Sister-in-law gave birth—a girl, named Meng Xiaosu. Eldest brother is being sent to the northwest countryside, and sister-in-law must go with him. The child is staying. Mom and Dad voluntarily severed ties with eldest brother, the neighbors all spoke up for them, and the subdistrict office approved." Ji Yunshu relayed Wang Wanru's words. When she finished, she realized her voice was calm—so calm it surprised even herself. She thought she would cry, but she didn't. Maybe because these things were too heavy—so heavy that tears couldn't come.

Pei Yufeng listened in silence for a moment, then reached out and pulled her into his arms, his chin resting on top of her head. He didn't say "don't be sad" or "it'll get better." He just held her quietly, his fingers patting her back rhythmically, comforting her with his embrace.

"There's one more thing." His voice came from above her head, low and restrained, like something he was reluctant to mention but had to tell her. "Ji Yunting called today. Yesterday's capital newspaper published a public statement."

"What statement?"

"Meng Li sent a letter to the newspaper, declaring she had completely severed ties with her adoptive parents Meng Guangze and Wang Wanru, drawing a clear line with the Meng family. She said she was only fostered by the Meng family, had no blood relation to them, that her biological father was a military cadre with impeccable credentials, her biological mother was working class, and she herself had no connection to capitalists. She also expressed hope that the Meng family would reform soon and not affect the neighbors."

Kicking someone when they're down.

That was exactly what this was!

Ji Yunshu couldn't bear to imagine how devastated Wang Wanru and Meng Guangze must be—they had just severed ties with Meng Chongwen, and now the daughter they'd raised for nineteen years had publicly disowned them in the newspaper.

Ji Yunshu could understand people worried about how family background affected their prospects. But Meng Guangze and Wang Wanru had never treated Meng Li poorly. The Meng family had been well-off, and Wang Wanru and Meng Guangze had always treated every child fairly. What right did she have!

But what saddened Ji Yunshu even more was: "So she's the one who reported the Meng family."

The question had been circling in her mind for days, and now it finally settled. Meng Li had also known about that dream, and perhaps through it had learned about eldest brother's hidden stash. Or maybe she'd known about it while still living with the Meng family. Then she'd waited for the movement to arrive, for the political winds to shift, and to curry favor with the He family, she'd used that report letter to crush the Meng family completely.

She had dyed her letter of allegiance with her eldest brother's blood, pulling herself completely out of the mire of the Meng family. She and He Jianjun had been married less than six months—newlyweds—and the He family was a military household with impeccable credentials. She probably thought she could finally shed the burden of the Meng family entirely. But she wasn't satisfied with quietly slipping away—she wanted everyone to see how firmly she'd drawn the line with the capitalist family.

What she wanted wasn't to leave the Meng family—it was to sacrifice the Meng family to pave her own future!

"Brother Pei." Ji Yunshu looked up at him, the moist mist in her eyes replaced by a clear, resolute light. "I only have one sister—Meng Yunzhen. What Meng Li owes the Meng family, I'll remember for them."

The next afternoon, Ji Yunshu was in the kitchen boiling chicken breast for Huajuan and Shenshen when the postal clerk knocked on the courtyard gate. The clerk handed her a long-distance call notice, saying it was from the capital, and she should go to the post office to return the call when convenient.

Ji Yunshu tucked the notice into her pocket, fished out the cooked chicken breast, let it cool, shredded it into strips, and mixed it into the cat food. She refilled both cats' water bowls, then rode her bicycle to the post office.

After the operator connected the line, He Qiuxia's voice came through. Her tone was different from her usual calls—carrying a rare, heavy weariness. She first asked as usual about Ji Yunshu's health, whether the island was hot, whether she'd had any anemia flare-ups recently, and whether Pei Yufeng was busy. Ji Yunshu answered each question—health was fine, the island summer was hot but bearable, Pei Yufeng had a lot going on at the camp but came home for dinner every day. After a few exchanges of pleasantries, He Qiuxia was silent for a moment, then let out a soft sigh.

"Xiaoshu, did you see the newspaper from a few days ago? Lizi published a statement severing ties with the Meng family, drawing a line with her adoptive parents. The newspaper spelled it out clearly—she said she was only fostered by the Meng family, had no blood relation, and no connection to capitalists. Mom read it and couldn't describe the feeling... Why did she have to do it? The Meng family raised her for nineteen years. Even without blood ties, they were the ones who brought her up. Your birth mother sent her jade jewelry, which she accepted, and then she turns around and publishes a statement saying she has nothing to do with them. Mom understands her difficulties—the He family is a military household, and she wanted to marry in and clear up any issues with her family background. Mom can understand that. But if she wanted to cut ties, she could just stop contacting them privately—why publish it in the newspaper? Publishing it means going all the way, trampling your birth parents' dignity into the ground... Has your birth mother seen it? Is she doing alright?" He Qiuxia asked with a sigh.

Ji Yunshu lowered her head, her long lashes hiding the emotions in her eyes. She switched the receiver to her other hand, opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.

Ji Yunshu knew He Qiuxia deeply sympathized with Wang Wanru and Meng Guangze. As a parent herself, He Qiuxia could probably imagine how heartbroken she'd be if a child she'd raised for nineteen years did something like this. But what was done was done—there was nothing He Qiuxia could do about it now, only vent to her.

"She knows." Ji Yunshu said softly. "There's been a lot going on at home recently. Eldest brother was sent away, sister-in-law just gave birth and is still in the hospital. Mom and Dad are busy dealing with eldest brother's situation. They probably saw Lizi's statement, but they didn't mention it to me. Maybe they're too busy, or maybe they don't want me worrying."

He Qiuxia was silent for a moment on the other end, then sighed again. "Your birth mother—I've only met her a few times, but from what you've written in your letters, she's someone who can shoulder burdens. That's a good quality, but people who can shoulder burdens also tend to endure silently. She won't say anything about Lizi's matter, but she's hurting inside. Write to her more often. No need to mention Lizi—just talk about your life on the island, about the mischievous things Huajuan and Shenshen have done. Let her see your handwriting, know you're doing well. That'll comfort her."

"I know, Mom. I wrote to her a few days ago—told her about the beach combing during Spring Festival, and that Huajuan had gotten another size rounder. She wrote back telling me to feed him less, or he won't be able to jump onto the courtyard wall anymore." Ji Yunshu's lips curved slightly, then she thought of Meng Li's eagerness to curry favor with the He family and couldn't help asking, "Mom, how does the He family treat Meng Li?"

"The He family? They treat her very well right now." He Qiuxia's tone carried a hint of helpless sarcasm, but it quickly faded. "He Jianjun has a sweet tongue and knows how to please people. His mother treats her like a daughter. After she published that statement, He's mother was even more triumphant. If she hadn't come to me with the newspaper, I wouldn't have known about it—otherwise I would have stopped her. If the He family truly understood right from wrong, they wouldn't have let her do it. Forget it, let's not talk about her. It's the path she chose—nothing anyone says will change that."

"Yeah, let's not talk about her." Ji Yunshu sighed softly too, her grip on the receiver loosening.

He Qiuxia cleared her throat on the other end, as if trying to clear away all the unpleasant topics, and her voice became brisk again: "Xiaoshu, Mom called to ask—you've been away from home for almost a year now. Are you and Xiao Pei coming back this year to visit? Your father's been mentioning you lately, and your grandmother misses you too. Last time I read her your letter, she was so happy to hear you two are doing well. Your brother can't come back from the military this year, so it's just me and your father at home—it's gotten quite quiet."

He Qiuxia told Ji Yunshu lots of news from the compound: "The daughter of Cadre Zhang in our compound—the one who was your elementary school classmate—got married last month too. They originally planned to hold a wedding, but with the Great Movement (the political campaign) going on now, everything was kept simple. Aunt Wang's daughter is pregnant, and she's gone to take care of her, so now there's no one in the compound to even go grocery shopping with me. If you can come back, I'll make all your favorite dishes... This year's grapes have come in, and in a while there should be fresh raisins. You can't get fresh grapes on the island, so when you come back, you can bring some raisins with you..."

Ji Yunshu listened as He Qiuxia chattered on about everyday household matters—about the pomegranate tree in the compound being pecked at by birds, about Grandma putting on her reading glasses to look at photos, about pickling garlic in new vinegar... These little mundane details, spoken in He Qiuxia's casual tone, made her feel choked up more than any direct expression of longing could have.

Ji Yunshu suddenly realized how fast time had flown—she had already been away from home for eight months. Life on the island had been so pleasant that she had completely lost track of time.

"I'll have to ask Brother Pei about that," Ji Yunshu said immediately. "He hasn't used his leave to visit home yet this year, so I'm not sure if it'll be approved. He's been busy at the camp lately—I'll ask him tonight and call you as soon as I know. If he doesn't have time, we'll wait until he's free to go back."

He Qiuxia laughed on the other end, a warm, familiar laugh full of maternal affection: "Alright, alright, ask him. If he's busy, don't push it. Given the current situation, it's better for you two to stay on the island anyway—the people there are mostly honest and down-to-earth. Come back whenever you have the time. Your father and I have nothing going on, and your room is still kept for you. Grandma is doing well too—tell Xiao Pei not to worry."

After hanging up, Ji Yunshu went home to find Pei Yufeng already back from work. He had changed into casual clothes and was squatting in the yard trimming Huajuan's nails. Huajuan was flipped over and held against his knee, all four paws pointing at the sky, meowing with a look of utter resignation. Shenshen crouched nearby watching the spectacle, a glint of mischief in her green eyes, occasionally pawing at Pei Yufeng's pant leg.

"Mom called," Ji Yunshu said, sitting down on the stone stool beside him and summarizing what He Qiuxia had said, then resting her chin on both hands as she looked at him. "She asked if we're planning to visit this year. I counted—I've been away from home for almost a year now. Do you have time? If you do, we could go back and visit Mom, Dad, and Grandma."

"I haven't used my leave to visit home this year, that's true," Pei Yufeng said, sweeping the nail clippings into the trash can and looking up at Ji Yunshu. "But even if I apply now, with approval and boat scheduling, the earliest we could leave would be August. And August and September are expected to have a lot of typhoons—those months are always the peak typhoon season. Last year was relatively calm, but when a typhoon hits, all boats stop running—sometimes for two or three days, sometimes for a week. No one can predict it in advance. If a typhoon hits right around when we're supposed to leave, we won't be able to go."

Ji Yunshu nodded. "So if we can't leave in August, we wait until typhoon season is over? But when does it end?"

"Usually around October. If we leave in mid-October, we'd arrive back in the capital city right in autumn." Pei Yufeng wiped his hands clean and pulled her onto his lap. "If you're willing, we can wait until typhoon season passes. With thirty days of leave to visit home, we'd have more time to stay."

"Alright, we'll go back in autumn then. No need to rush your leave application—don't take risks during typhoon season; safety comes first. I'll call Mom tomorrow to let her know not to worry, that we'll come back after October, and I'll bring her some coconut candy and dried squid from the island," Ji Yunshu said.

Author's note:

Thank you for reading. Sorry I've been busy with hospital visits lately—if I ever fail to update on time, I'll compensate with red envelope bonuses (a Chinese tradition of giving money in red envelopes), and this chapter's comments will be compensated too. Also, subscribers can now claim red envelopes on the cover page—don't forget to claim yours after subscribing!