Chapter 51: Heading to Northern Frontier

After He Yuzhu returned to the courtyard house and locked his bicycle outside, he opened the door, entered, put the package on the square table, walked to the kitchen and boiled a pot of water, then after leaving the kitchen he opened the package he had brought back from the Gao family.

Inside the package he saw two bottles of maozi and a pack of Hua Zi cigarettes, which made He Yuzhu extremely happy.

That night passed without incident; the next day He Yuzhu rode his bike to Huaxia University as usual. As soon as he entered the classroom door, he saw Director Liu walking to the doorway to greet him.

He Yuzhu arrived at the doorway and said, "Director Liu, what's up?"

Director Liu looked at He Yuzhu and said, "Zhuzi, you don't have to attend class today; get ready—we're leaving this afternoon."

He Yuzhu heard Director Liu's words and said, "So soon, Director Liu? I haven't even arranged things at home yet."

Director Liu replied, "Then you'd better hurry home, pack up, and be at my office by 1 p. m." After saying that, he left.

He Yuzhu entered the classroom and told Gao Yue, "Xiao Yue, I have to go. When I'm gone, take care of yourself, and if it's convenient, check on Yu Shui."

Gao Yue heard He Yuzhu's words and said, "Let's go, I'll go home with you to pack up." After saying that, she stood up.

He Yuzhu quickly stopped Gao Yue and said, "Don't come with me; I still have to return to school this afternoon and won't leave until 1 p. m. I'll go home first to pack my clothes, then visit my master."

Gao Yue said, "All right, go ahead," without getting up, speaking to He Yuzhu.

After leaving school, He Yuzhu hurried to Wang Youde's house. Upon arrival, Wang Youde, who hadn't gone to work yet, asked, "Zhuzi, you didn't have class today?"

After entering the house, He Yuzhu said, "Master, I have to go on a mission. I don't know how long I'll be gone or where I'm going. While I'm away, please take care of Yu Shui."

Li Lan Ying said, "How can you not know anything? At least tell us where you're going."

He Yuzhu looked at the two and said, "Madam, I asked about it; this mission is classified, so I don't know the destination either. I expect it will take a long time. Take this money, Madam." As he spoke, he took out five hundred yuan from his pocket and handed it to Li Lan Ying.

Seeing Li Lan Ying refuse to accept the money, He Yuzhu said urgently, "Madam, please listen to me; keep this money. I don't know when I'll be able to return, and having cash on hand for any urgent need will keep you from panicking."

Wang Youde saw the two insisting on refusing and said, "Lan Ying, just accept it; if you don't, Zhuzi will feel uneasy."

Li Lan Ying heard Wang Youde's words and said, "All right, I'll hold onto this money for Zhuzi and give it back to him when he returns."

He Yuzhu left his bicycle with Wang Youde, then walked back alone to the courtyard house. Upon arriving, he took out a few sets of spare clothes, thought for a moment, and also took two cotton outfits. He stuffed the Hua Zi cigarettes given by the Gao family into the bag, added his washbasin and toiletries, filled the package completely, placed the key under the corner of the small kitchen wall, and left with the package.

He had already told Gao Yue about the key; when she has free time after school, she will come help clean the place, since He Yuzhu will eventually return to live here, and if it isn't cleaned regularly it could become filthy.

At the alley entrance, He Yuzhu hailed a tricycle and rode straight to Huaxia University.

When He Yuzhu arrived at Director Liu's office with the package, he glanced at his watch—it was already past eleven. Just as he entered the office, Gao Yue walked in carrying a small package.

He Yuzhu took Gao Yue's package, opened it, and found cigarettes, alcohol, sugar, tea—nothing missing—plus two boxes of pastries from Daoxiang Village. He closed the package, looked at Gao Yue's flushed little face, and said, "Tired? Sit down and rest."

Director Liu, seeing this, made an excuse and left. The office was left with just the two of them; they lingered a while, then went to the cafeteria to eat. Since He Yuzhu's bike had been left with Wang Youde, he rode Gao Yue's ladies' bicycle, bringing her to the cafeteria. After they finished eating and just returned upstairs to sit down, they heard the sound of a car coming from downstairs.

He Yuzhu stood up and walked toward the window, seeing two people in military uniforms enter the office building. He told Gao Yue, "I have to go; wait for me to return."

Gao Yue walked over, embraced He Yuzhu, and said, "Don't worry, Zhuzi; I'll wait for you to come back, and I'll also look after Yu Shui for you."

He Yuzhu kissed Gao Yue on the lips, took the two packages, and prepared to leave. As he opened the door, he saw two comrades go upstairs and asked, "Are you here to pick me up?"

The comrade looked at He Yuzhu and asked, "Are you Comrade He Yuzhu?"

"That's right, I am," He Yuzhu said. After telling Gao Yue, "Take care of yourself," he went downstairs.

Once He Yuzhu got into the car and watched Gao Yue go downstairs through the window, he collected his emotions and said, "Comrade, where are we headed now?"

The comrade in the passenger seat replied, "Comrade He Yuzhu, we're going to the train station; the leaders should have already departed."

Soon the car arrived at the train station, but instead of stopping at the entrance it drove straight onto the platform. He Yuzhu got out of the car, and someone asked, "Are you Comrade He Yuzhu?"

He Yuzhu set down his luggage and said, "That's me." He turned to look at the speaker—a young woman in train attendant uniform.

Upon hearing He Yuzhu's words, the young woman took the small package from his hand and said, "Comrade He, please follow me." She then led him into a sleeper car.

After He Yuzhu had stored all his luggage, he saw five or six people also carrying packages board the car. In the crowd he immediately spotted Chen Yun and called out, "Professor Chen, I'm here."

Seeing He Yuzhu, Chen Yun walked over to his side, smiled, and said, "He Yuzhu, you won't blame me, will you?"

He Yuzhu laughed, took Chen Yun's luggage, and said, "Professor Chen, how could I blame you? You're giving me a chance to advance—I couldn't possibly resent you."

After saying that, He Yuzhu placed Chen Yun's luggage on the bunk beside him and said, "Professor Chen, where are we headed on this trip?"

Chen Yun sat on the bunk and said, "Zhuzi, we're going to Northern Frontier; the specific mission will be revealed once we arrive there."

He Yuzhu heard Chen Yun's words and said, "Fine, Professor Chen, as long as you don't sell me out, I'm good—I'll entrust my 100-plus jin to you."

Chen Yun chuckled twice and said, "Rest assured, this mission is very important, but I can tell you there's basically no danger."

As the speaker talked, the train attendant announced, "Leaders, this car is at the rear of the train, and no one else will be admitted to this car. If you need anything, go to the front duty room. The train is about to depart—please get ready."

After the attendant finished speaking, the doors closed with a sound, the train began to move slowly, and at the same time two comrades who had been in the wood storage entered and stood at the entrance of the car.

The train attendant finished speaking and then heard the sound of the doors closing; the train began to move slowly with the sound of the doors closing, and at the same time two comrades from the wooden warehouse entered and stood at the carriage entrance.