Chapter 25: Once We Were Filled with Sincerity, Throwing Ourselves Into the Fray

Jia Jinhua, made uneasy by Xu Yuexin's words, tried to twist the facts: "You first smashed me with the Thermos Cup, then I threw the Ink Bottle!"

Xu Yuexin ignored Jia Jinhua, but Guan Factory Director discerned a clue from their conversation.

"In short, it was Fugui who first took the Thermos Flask to smash someone, and you were the first to harass them, right?"

Guan Factory Director pointed at the Thermos Liner shattered into pieces on the ground and asked Jia Jinhua and her son.

Jia Jinhua lowered her head and avoided answering; Ma Fugui, who had just been helped to his feet, showed his timidity and muttered softly: "Anyway, in the end he smashed me…"

Ma Fugui could not answer Guan Factory Director's question directly; he had just, in full view of everyone, picked up the Thermos Flask.

There's no need to mention Jia Jinhua. The workers inside the textile factory have often been troubled by her. Anyone present would not believe that she did not harass Xu Yuexin today.

Seeing the mother and son's behavior, Guan Factory Director confirmed another point: at least regarding the cause of the conflict and who first used the Thermos Flask to smash someone, Jia Jinhua and her son had concealed the truth.

And a single lie often implies lies everywhere.

Combined with Jia Jinhua and her son's usual behavior, Guan Factory Director already formed a bias.

The onlooking female workers kept debating.

"Outsiders who come to our factory to fight should report to the Police Station!"

"Speak with conscience; at least when Fugui took the Thermos Flask to smash him, everyone saw it…"

Someone spoke from Jia Jinhua and her son's perspective, while others couldn't help but reveal the truth.

"Get back to work; do you still want to finish this month's production target or not!"

Guan Factory Director turned his head and scolded the female workers.

The female workers hurried out of the archive room, and soon only Guan Factory Director, Xu Yuexin, and Jia Jinhua and her son remained inside.

"Jia Jinhua, you don't need to argue about who threw first."

Guan Factory Director looked at the mother and son with a sharp gaze and said, "I'll go ask people in a moment to see whether they heard the Ink Bottle shatter first, or heard you cry out in pain first."

This room is flanked by offices, usually very quiet; any loud noise can be heard.

Jia Jinhua understood this and felt it was very tricky.

Cornered, Jia Jinhua tried to persuade Guan Factory Director with her seniority.

"Factory Director, the neighboring office may not have heard clearly. I've been here for decades; I've worked many years in the factory—so why would I deceive you?"

Jia Jinhua spread her hands, trembling the flesh on her face, trying to portray herself as a tearful innocent victim.

"Being so afraid of others asking next door, you must have something hidden in your heart."

Xu Yuexin went straight to the core, giving Jia Jinhua no room to struggle.

"Alright, you mother and child go to the clinic to see a doctor first; I'll talk with this comrade."

Guan Factory Director waved his hand and said, planning how to handle the conflict.

Obviously, Jia Jinhua and Ma Fugui, the mother and son, are in the wrong.

Yet both are hard to deal with, and some workers hope he can protect the people of this factory.

From this, it would be best to ask Xu Yuexin to make a concession, to settle the matter peacefully.

"Alright, Factory Director…"

"Leader, if we're not present, you must uphold justice for us…"

Jia Jinhua and Ma Fugui nodded obediently with their mouths, but their feet felt as if cemented, unwilling to move a step.

"Don't dawdle; the clinic is about to go on lunch break."

"Close the door when you leave."

Only after Guan Factory Director impatiently glared at them and urged, did the mother and son slowly walk away.

"Squeak…"

When the archive room door closed, Guan Factory Director withdrew his gaze from the two and looked at Xu Yuexin.

"Comrade, we just clarified: Jia Jinhua harassed you first, and then her son also acted first."

"However, you beat the workers in our factory like this; shouldn't you also give an explanation?"

"Otherwise, making a big fuss won't be good for you either."

Guan Factory Director furrowed his brows, having figured out why Xu Yuexin seemed familiar.

Just now he recalled that, when he attended a street meeting earlier, he saw a young man get out of a sedan.

That young man was none other than the one standing before him.

"Explanation? I think those who should give an explanation are them."

"My father has come to retrieve files many times, each time blocked by Jia Jinhua."

"The state issued a policy to restore benefits for researchers, yet she took the opportunity to grab cards and demand favors."

"Today is her overdue revenge!"

"As for making a big scene? Ha. Some matters, even if not weighed at four ounces, become a thousand pounds and cannot be suppressed."

"Guess what the higher-ups will think and do when they learn someone disregarded state policy and troubled researchers."

Xu Yuexin spoke righteously, conceding not an inch.

Guan Factory Director felt an immense headache upon hearing it.

He had been transferred here as factory director half a year ago, and had heard that the factory once had a dispatched professor named Xu Qiang.

And today, Guan Factory Director saw Xu Yuexin step down from a sedan with his own eyes.

Someone who can ride in a sedan must have a family background far beyond a mere intellectual, likely backed by a flourishingly large tree.

The most critical thing is that reason is on his side; his words just now were truly irrefutable.

"I can give you the files right now."

After Ma Fugui and the others return, can you give some medical expenses, okay?

"The clinic's treatment won't cost much."

"No, this isn't a matter of money."

Xu Yuexin insisted, "Each time justice yields to injustice, it means the great levee of social morality is eroded, moving closer to collapse."

…

Guan Factory Director was completely speechless.

It seems the only thing left is to spend effort soothing Jia Jinhua and her son, as well as some workers.

The disparity in strength levels between the two sides is too great; there is no possibility of any compromise.

Moreover, Huiqun Textile Factory is not some remote, unreachable place. Once the other side is angered, retaliation will follow in quick succession.

"I'll get the file for you; hurry and leave."

Guan Factory Director, feeling irritated, said, "If anyone in the courtyard asks how you handled it, don't tell them."

…

After a short while, Xu Yuexin, holding the file that Guan Factory Director had retrieved for him, strode into the courtyard, stepping out of Huiqun Textile Factory under the speculative gazes of the workers.

He hailed a taxi to go to Qinghua University to find his father.

When Xu Yuexin stepped out of the taxi, it was the noon break, and the campus was filled only with scattered groups of university students.

Passing a lawn, Xu Yuexin saw many students sitting there, books on their laps as they studied diligently.

Having endured lost years, everyone is redoubling their effort day and night, reclaiming time for themselves and the nation, advancing toward the forefront of the world.

Some are also enthusiastically discussing major national and social affairs.

"In Anhui, there's a Xiaogang Village implementing land parceling and single‑household farming, boosting grain output. Have you heard about it?"

"We've heard; the higher‑ups haven't taken a stance yet, and everyone is guessing whether they'll have bad luck later."

"Ensuring the masses are fed is the greatest principle!"

…

"We won a great battle on the front line; reportedly the army plans to conduct a war of attrition in the border region, wearing down the enemy's strength."

"That's right, keep wearing them down. We have a billion people; they have only 50 million. In the end, they'll be the ones exhausted to death."

"The enemies down south are a pack of ungrateful white‑eyed wolves! Exactly. Didn't 'High Mountain's Flower Wreath' say they received two hundred billion of our aid? Two hundred hundred‑million—raised a foe!"

The scholarly spirit surged, wielding words with vigor.

Xu Yuexin felt a yearning for this youthful, invigorating atmosphere.

Should I start preparing for the College Entrance Exam?

Xu Yuexin passed by a series of young, spirited faces and found Xu Qiang in the Chemical Engineering Department faculty lounge.

The lounge was simply furnished: cement floor, stark white walls, two crude wooden beds, and several stools.

When Xu Yuexin arrived, Xu Qiang was dozing on a bed.

Hearing the door open, Xu Qiang turned his head, saw his son rising from the bed, and said, "Dad, look what this is."

Xu Yuexin presented the file pouch to his father, his voice trembling.

"Finally… I've gotten it back."

Xu Qiang could not believe his eyes.

He shakily took the pouch, tears welling in his eyes.

With this file, he could finally proclaim his innocence completely! The vigor of the First Five‑Year Plan, the article that changed his people's destiny, the years of farm labor…

Ten years—how many decades does a life have?

Countless moments in life piece together, a flood of sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy emotions surge, and the usually steady Xu Qiang shed bean‑sized tears that pattered onto the file pouch.

Only when he realized his son was right there did Xu Qiang quickly raise his hand to wipe the tears, showing concern: "Son, well done."

"Did they give you any trouble? Did you encounter any problems along the way?"

"Everything went smoothly; nothing happened."

Xu Yuexin, not wanting his father to worry, told a kind lie, "Dad, go ahead and cry; it's fine, no one else is here."

"No, no, I shouldn't cry."

Xu Qiang kept wiping his tears, trying to smile, "Having such a good son who solved my problem, I should be happy."

"We'll go to the Party Committee Office right away and hand the file over to them."

After speaking, he and Xu Yuexin hurried out of the Chemical Engineering Department at top speed, heading for the Party Committee Office.

When the two arrived at the Party Committee Office, the staff were eating lunch and resting.

The Party Committee Office was spacious, furnished with ordinary desks and chairs, a bit more refined than the faculty lounge, and housed several potted green plants.

At the farthest workstation, a middle‑aged man saw Xu Yuexin and Xu Qiang approach, looked up and greeted, "Old Xu, is this your son? He's already taller than you."

"Hello, uncle."

"Hey, hello, hello."

Xu Yuexin greeted the middle‑aged man.

"He was already taller than me in high school."

Xu Qiang stepped forward, placed the file pouch before the middle‑aged man, and patted its surface, "Old Gu, here's the file you requested."

"My son got it back for me!"

After speaking, Xu Qiang happily patted Xu Yuexin's shoulder, his face showing an indescribable pride.

"Young man, you're efficient."

"You solved your father's major worry."

Gu Binglin, knowing the difficulties Xu Qiang faced retrieving the file, praised Xu Yuexin's ability endlessly, saying, "Old Xu, wait here; I'll go find someone right away to handle the reinstatement procedures for you."

…

That evening, Xu Yuexin, carrying a heavy Book Bag, returned home with his father to their residence in the Faculty Building.

The Book Bag contains the salary reissued to Xu Qiang according to Second-Grade Professor standards.

"Old Wu, the school has restored my title and benefits."

As soon as he entered the house, Xu Qiang couldn't wait and shouted toward the kitchen.

Xu Yuexin placed the Book Bag on the dining table, opened the zipper and revealed the Great Unity inside.

Wu Yan was cooking in the kitchen; upon hearing the news, she instantly smiled, tossed aside the wok spatula, ran out wearing an apron, and hurried to the table.

"Really? Did Yuexin get the file?"

Wu Yan said with excitement, unable to believe that this day had truly arrived.

"Then what else is false?"

Xu Qiang said as he grabbed the Book Bag, angled its opening toward Wu Yan, "Look, this is the reissued salary."

Wu Yan saw the Book Bag brimming with banknotes, her brows lifting with joy: "Great, that's wonderful. From now on, our family's days can be more comfortable."

When Xu Qiang first had his Lecturer title restored, he received a one-time salary reissue, far less than today's amount; later most of it went to support his parents and siblings back in the rural hometown, leaving the two of them with little savings.

Because the couple both came from the countryside, back then the whole family pooled resources to send one person to study; after they succeeded, they felt obliged to repay their family.

Amid laughter and chatter, Wu Yan lifted the Book Bag, pulled out a stack of banknotes, and placed them on the table in front of Xu Yuexin: "Now that they're talking about a partner, they need some money in hand."

Xu Qiang heard this and his face brightened: "The son is courting? Good, he's grown into an adult."

"Ah, Mom, you already know?"

Xu Yuexin was a little confused; he hadn't mentioned Chen Qiaoqiao to his mother at all.

"One time Qiao Qiao waited for you at the doorstep; the gate guard saw her and later told me."

Wu Yan revealed the answer, nudging the money under Xu Yuexin's eyelids, "Take it quickly. Your dad can repay, and you have a share of the credit inside."

"Alright, I won't be polite then."

Seeing his mother persist, Xu Yuexin had to agree and took the thick stack of banknotes into his hands.

"I didn't know today Old Xu could restore his title, so we didn't buy any good vegetables; we'll make do with a simple dinner tonight. Tomorrow we'll invite Xiao Li and his spouse over for a proper meal together."

Wu Yan finished speaking and walked into the kitchen; soon the sound of stir‑frying resumed.

……

After dinner, the family sat around the table, chatting excitedly.

At that moment, Wu Yan took two letters from her pocket and handed them to Xu Yuexin: "Tonight I went home, saw your letter in front of the mailbox, and took it back."

"I was so happy just now I forgot to tell you."

Xu Yuexin picked up the letters and saw that one was from Wang Chaoyin, while the other bore the sign‑off 'Lost Educated Youth', with Wang Chaoyin's signature note attached.

"Yuexin, this is a letter from a reader of 'High Mountain'. He is an Educated Youth who, taking advantage of a family‑visit leave, rushed to Beijing, gave me the letter, and asked me to deliver it to you."

He traveled specially to Jingcheng just to ensure the letter reached his own hands.

Xu Yuexin felt the reader's sincerity and was somewhat moved.

"Dad, Mom, I'm going back to my room first."

After saying that, Xu Yuexin took the letters and the money his mother gave, returned to his room, counted the money and put it into a drawer, then opened Wang Chaoyin's letter first.

Line after line of thin, flamboyant script leapt into Xu Yuexin's sight.

The letter roughly indicated that the publication of 'Wreaths Under High Mountain' was progressing, expected to be printed and on sale within a month.

At the end of the letter, Wang Chaoyin politely asked whether Xu Yuexin currently had any creative inspiration and when he might be free to chat together.

It turned out to be a commission request.

Xu Yuexin realized the latter part was the key, smiled, set Wang Chaoyin's letter aside, and opened the second letter.

When he saw the sender's name, Xu Yuexin realized the content might be rather negative.

Upon opening it, the words inside indeed moved him.

The writer was an Educated Youth from an intellectual family whose parents died early.

After being sent to the countryside, he responded to the policy call, voluntarily moved his household registration to the village, worked day and night, striving to help build the rural area.

Once a flood occurred; he, in rescuing collective property, fearlessly leapt into the raging river.

The Communist consequently made him a model of active participation in rural construction and re‑education of poor middle peasants, praising him many times.

Who could have known that later others would successively return to the city through the College Entrance Exam, enjoying superior living conditions and better opportunities.

But he, on the contrary, became a fool in everyone's eyes; some began to mock him behind his back, even including villagers he had once helped.

Moreover, during his time in the countryside, when his father was gravely ill, heavy snow blocked the mountain and he couldn't return to see his father's final moments.

When his mother passed away, the Educated Youth again failed to give her a final send‑off due to delayed news.

Under repeated blows, he lost enthusiasm for life, doubting whether his existence was a joke, and several times contemplated suicide.

He wrote this letter to Xu Yuexin hoping to find answers. He firmly believes that anyone capable of writing a novel like 'High Mountain' must possess profound thought, able to illuminate the maze of his soul.

"What a pitiful person, indeed."

After reading the last character of the letter, Xu Yuexin couldn't help muttering to himself.

In this era, people like the Educated Youth in the letter, once full of sincere selflessness and later disillusioned…

There are many.

In youth they were lofty, but grown they became lost; some even turned to self‑destruction.

Replying to the writer could certainly save him. Yet there are countless people like him; can one write letters to each? Better to water their withered souls with one's works.

Xu Yuexin set the letter aside and made a decision.

He opened the drawer, took out the Parker Gold Pen that Chen Yixue had given him, grabbed a stack of Manuscript Paper, and began to write furiously.

(End of Chapter)