Chapter 103: Clearing the Clouds, Seeing the Sun

The morning sun was just peeking, and the thin mist had not yet cleared.

Lu Qingshan and Zhang Yuanchao stood again before the tightly shut door of Fuqiang Hutong 23 Courtyard, its iron lock still cold.

Just past eight in the morning, Fuqiang Hutong already carried faint voices and the aroma of breakfast.

Lu Qingshan's heart sank completely, and the last shred of hope vanished.

His gaze was hollow as he stared at the door, as if trying to see his former home through it; his throat tightened and he could not utter a word.

The fatigue of days of travel and the present despair almost crushed him.

"Brother Lu, let's… go to the hutong for a bowl of tofu pudding to fill our stomachs."

Zhang Yuanchao suggested softly, his tone carrying cautious comfort.

Lu Qingshan nodded silently, his turn as he moved appearing somewhat stiff.

At that moment, an elderly woman carrying fried dough sticks and soy milk, about sixty years old, her hair speckled white yet neatly combed, dressed in a plain blue cloth, walked slowly from the hutong entrance.

The old woman's face was kind, her eyes bright.

Zhang Yuanchao's eyes lit up, and he stepped forward a few paces, politely asking, "Grandma, hello, may I ask you something? Do you know the Lu Family who originally lived in this 23 Courtyard? The head of household was Lu Hua."

He pointed to the courtyard behind Lu Qingshan.

The old woman halted at the sound, her gaze shifting between Zhang Yuanchao and Lu Qingshan; when she heard the name 'Lu Hua', her brows furrowed slightly, and a barely perceptible ripple passed through her eyes.

She looked at Lu Qingshan and retorted, "Lu Hua? What relation are you to Lu Hua?"

Lu Qingshan snapped back to his senses, a flash of light sparking in his dim eyes, his voice trembling, "Grandma, I… I am his son, Lu Qingshan!"

The old woman stared at him for a few seconds, her expression complex—surprise, appraisal, and a hint of emotion others could not read.

She sighed softly, "Ah, so it's Lu Qingshan who has returned. Just call me Grandma Li. Child, come with me and speak inside."

Speaking, the old woman turned toward the courtyard door beside 23 Courtyard, took out a key and opened it.

Lu Qingshan was stunned; wasn't this the house he had knocked on for half a day a few days ago with no answer?

Following Grandma Li into the courtyard and then the main hall, Lu Qingshan and Zhang Yuanchao felt somewhat restrained.

The furnishings in the house were modest yet the hardwood tables and chairs shone, a few nameless green plants sat on the windowsill, and several calligraphy paintings hung on the walls, exuding a calm, elegant atmosphere.

A woman in a crisp shirt, about fifty, emerged from the inner room and respectfully called to the old woman, "Li Jie, breakfast is ready."

She seemed to be the household's servant.

Zhang Yuanchao subtly nudged Lu Qingshan's arm; both understood that this family was not ordinary.

"Xiao Liu, add two more sets of bowls and chopsticks, and prepare some eggs and pastries."

Grandma Li instructed, then beckoned them to sit, "Don't stand, sit."

As soon as the words fell, a curtain in the inner room lifted, and a similarly sixty-year-old, slightly slender yet spry elder emerged, holding a newspaper, wearing reading glasses, exuding a scholarly air.

His gaze gently swept over Lu Qingshan and Zhang Yuanchao.

When Zhang Yuanchao saw the elder's face clearly, he seemed frozen by a binding spell, his complexion changing abruptly, mouth slightly open, wanting to speak but swallowing it back, fine sweat beading at his temples, his eyes full of shock and a hint of panic.

He tried several times to signal Lu Qingshan, yet didn't know how to start, anxiously scratching his ears and cheek.

"Guests have arrived?" Grandpa's voice was gentle, with a smile.

"Old Hu, this is… this is Lu Hua's son, Qing Shan, who has returned from the Northeast to see his parents."

"Qing Shan, this is your Grandpa Hu. My husband." Grandma Li introduced.

Grandpa Hu pushed his glasses, examined Lu Qingshan closely, and a kindly smile appeared on his face: "Oh? You're Lu Hua's child, sit quickly, sit quickly. Child, you've had a hard journey."

Facing such a figure, Lu Qingshan felt a bit at a loss, but thinking of his parents, he gathered courage and recounted his years of experience—how he went down to the countryside, how he could not return to the city because of his background, his plan to hunt in Shanwan and lead the villagers to prosperity, how his parents became separated, and the decade of silence—telling it all in detail, his voice choked with emotion as he reached the moving parts.

Grandma Li had the servant bring breakfast: steaming egg soup, two refreshing salty dishes, and freshly fried large fried dough sticks.

The atmosphere, warmed by the host's hospitality, felt somewhat cozy, yet Lu Qingshan and Zhang Yuanchao sat like on a bed of needles, especially Zhang Yuanchao, who barely dared to look up at Grandpa Hu.

Grandpa Hu listened quietly, occasionally nodding, his eyes showing sympathy and approval.

When Lu Qingshan finished, he slowly spoke, "Child, you have suffered. In the countryside you have led the villagers to find a way, developing planting and breeding, seeking ways to become prosperous; that's a good thing, truly remarkable. Your affection for the Northeastern land and your ideas for local development show great insight. Even more rare is this filial devotion; it's not easy."

He then shifted his tone, with a hint of solemnity, "Now the nation is setting things right, correcting many wrongful and unjust cases. Your parents' matter will receive an explanation."

Lu Qingshan's heart pounded, nervously watching Grandpa Hu.

Grandpa Hu smiled faintly, setting down his chopsticks, "As far as I know, Comrade Lu Hua and Comrade Wang Guilan are both still alive. Don't be impatient, and stop flailing about like a headless fly. Return calmly to the Northeast, take good care of your wife and children, and wait steadily for news. Trust me, it won't take long before there's a result."

"Alive?!"

Lu Qingshan felt a surge of heat rise from his core, rushing through his limbs; his vision dimmed, the overwhelming joy leaving him almost speechless, his lips trembling as he repeated, "They… they're all okay?"

"Hmm, they're all fine."

Grandpa Hu nodded affirmatively.

During breakfast, Lu Qingshan ate in a daze, his mind filled with the words "parents alive."

After saying farewell to Grandpa Hu and Grandma Li, Zhang Yuanchao practically pushed him out of the courtyard gate.

Once back in the hutong, Lu Qingshan still stood stunned at the gate; Zhang Yuanchao finally exhaled a long breath, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and lowered his voice to Lu Qingshan, "Brother Lu, do you know who that Grandpa Hu was just now? If I'm not mistaken, he… he must be that Hu… Secretary Hu! My God, my calf is still cramping!"

Lu Qingshan felt as if struck by lightning, frozen on the spot.

"Secretary Hu?"

Only then did he connect that kindly elder with the name he had only ever heard on the radio.

No wonder… no wonder Grandma Li's home was so grand, no wonder Grandpa Hu's single sentence made him feel reborn!

So the clue to his parents came from such an important figure!

Immense gratitude and excitement struck his heart; the iron‑willed man now couldn't help his eyes reddening, tears silently slipping down.

Father and mother are still alive, they're still alive!

There is hope now, everything has hope!

Before departing, Lu Qingshan insisted on going to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, where in Daoxiang Village he bought four boxes of assorted pastries and also purchased a bottle of sorghum liquor.

Zhang Yuanchao took the bus, escorting Lu Qingshan all the way to the train station, even buying a platform ticket and holding a bottle of wine with him onto the platform.

"Brother Lu, go back and wait for news carefully; if I have any progress here, I'll send you a telegram at once!"

Zhang Yuanchao gave Lu Qingshan's shoulder a firm pat.

"Brother Yuanchao, this time… thank you so much."

Lu Qingshan clenched his hand tightly, and all the words he could have said turned into this simple gratitude.

"No need to be so formal with me! Keep in touch from now on!"

The whistle blared, and the green‑skin train started to move slowly.

Lu Qingshan stood at the carriage connection, watching the platform receding outside the window and Zhang Yuanchao waving vigorously; in his heart there was deep reluctance toward this brother‑in‑adversity, and also boundless yearning for the future and eager anticipation.

"Father, mother, I'll be able to see you soon!"

"Yue E, Xiao Xue, I'm back!"

The train sped toward the distance, and Lu Qingshan's heart flew toward the far Northeast, toward the home that haunts his soul.