Chapter 508: News

Chen Hong's old home, Chen Family Village.

Now life in Chen Family Village isn't much better than before, even though there are machine wells, agricultural technology stations, and high-yield grain varieties.

But the population has also increased.

Those with many children have to endure famine every year.

But now it's a new country; in the old society, starving to death would be a normal phenomenon.

Your population means your work points aren't enough; the production brigade lets you go into debt.

In the old society, even without selling children or daughters, starving to death a few would be considered normal.

Zhao Ruoyun counted the days in her hand, calculating that ten years had passed.

I also don't know how Honghong is doing.

Although she had long prepared to be a married woman, like water poured out, everything now depends on fate.

But after all, she is still my own daughter.

Gangdao is so far away; can we see each other again in this lifetime?

Chen Feng is in Zhengzhou, but he works at the archives bureau.

I understand Chen Feng's specific reasons, so he has little resistance; he has already held this position for several years.

His wife is a local of Zhengzhou, of the petite and lovely type, named Zhou Lin, working at the Women's Federation.

Both of their jobs are quite leisurely, the pay is not small, and they are content.

One could say their life is complete.

Chen Feng spends his days either reading newspapers or studying, and he has also practiced calligraphy with a brush.

Zhou Lin is also idle enough to be smug; she either knits sweaters or does embroidery.

On the pillowcases, pillow covers, quilts, and towels at home, there are traces of her embroidery.

The couple now also have two children, both attending elementary school.

Chen Feng has actually been secretly paying attention to overseas news, hoping to see news of his sister and brother-in-law, but that is really slim.

That day, a guest came to the house.

He was from the Xinhui Agricultural Machinery Factory.

Yan Sheqi came on the orders of Factory Director He to visit relatives.

He entered Chen Feng's home, an ordinary courtyard, not much different from a farmhouse courtyard.

The man is about thirty years old; the female host has a fresh and lovely air, like a petite and lovely lady.

Chen Feng was puzzled.

"Comrade, what is this?"

Yan Sheqi took out a letter and some local specialties from his bag.

These specialties, Chen Feng recognized; his brother-in-law had once mailed them to them.

"It's Factory Director He Xin who sent me to visit relatives."

"This is the letter he asked me to bring you, and also to convey his greetings to Ms. Zhao Ruoyun."

Chen Feng initially thought this person had come to the wrong person.

Upon hearing his own mother's name, he knew they hadn't made a mistake.

"Comrade, may I know your surname? I want to see the letter. Factory Director He should be looking for my mother, but my mother isn't in Zhengzhou."

"It's fine; Factory Director He said you haven't been in touch for a long time, and he only recently found out about your news."

Zhou Lin greeted the guest and had him sit, then served tea and water.

Afterward, Yan Sheqi began inquiring about Zhao Ruoyun's situation; this was Factory Director He's request, so he couldn't take it lightly.

Zhou Lin briefly described the household situation.

Chen Feng also finished reading the letter.

Factory Director He's letter is no different from an ordinary person's letter.

They are just some greetings, also saying that the family is doing well, and telling Chen Feng to let him know if he encounters any difficulties.

But Chen Feng noticed some differences; it spoke of things like 'the wind blowing grass low, revealing cattle and sheep,' 'the red sunset filling the sky,' 'bustling and prosperous, good days.'

Moreover, thinking of the specialties and that everything at home is fine, if there are any difficulties, just let him know.

Moreover, he also knows that I am Chen Feng.

This is probably news from my brother-in-law.

Chen Feng's heart settled at once.

I don't know how many years he has worried, nor how many days and nights his mother has worried.

Their not speaking doesn't mean they don't want to.

After Yan Sheqi had a meal at the Chen family's home, he left.

After the person left, Zhou Lin then asked Chen Feng which relative of his family this was.

Chen Feng hesitated a moment, but then voiced his guess.

Zhou Lin first felt joy, then a wave of worry.

"Don't tell anyone about this."

"As long as we know in our hearts, that's enough."

"Just treat He Xin, Factory Director He, as a contact of an uncle's generation."

"If others ask, just say it's from my mother's side."

"Take some time to go back and tell my mother in person."

"Match the statements."

It's not that she's worrying unnecessarily; it's just that now, you can never be too careful.

Chen Feng nodded in agreement.

"Listen to your wife—I'll head back in a couple of days."

"These specialties, take some back tomorrow for Mom and Dad to try."

Zhou Lin shook her head in refusal.

"Forget it—we're not welcome anyway, and my mom's a blabbermouth while my dad has plenty of issues; don't let them stir things up."

"We'll just keep living the way we do."

Chen Feng pictured his mother‑in‑law and father‑in‑law, and thought his wife was right.

It's better to keep the good things for yourself—giving them to them won't earn gratitude and might even invite complaints.

Which mother‑in‑law? Never mind—in this day and age, son preference is widespread.

They've raised their daughter‑in-law this far and even sent her to school—I have no grounds to criticize them.

When Chen Feng returned to Chen Family Village and voiced his guess, Zhao Ruoyun's tears spilled over.

"This unfilial wretch still remembers me?"

Chen Feng pleaded for a long while.

"Mom, why not come live with us in the city?"

"Our wages are plenty now—we can support you."

Zhao Ruoyun shook her head, her stance firm.

"Your father's here, your grandparents are here too; how could I leave? If I go, who'll look after them?"

"I earn work points here—my grain is free."

"Going with you to the city just to waste money every day?"

"Nobody would dare stab me in the back."

"I'm doing great in Chen Family Gully—you don't need to worry about me."

Chen Feng reflected that everyone in Chen Family Gully is like one family, looked after by relatives, and his mother really is doing well there.

The village head still keeps an eye on everyone's martial arts practice each day.

In the village there's also a bunch of folks who play and chat.

In the city you have nothing—everywhere you look are strangers, and life turns out much the same.

"If you have something to say, let's call each other once a month."

"Don't hold back—eat what you need to, spend what you need to."

"We'll come visit whenever we have time."

Zhao Ruoyun gave repeated assurances, and only then was the matter settled.

By the time Yang Qing received the news, it was already the end of the year.

January 1975.

Qi Dezong first pledged 30% of Harmony Record International's shares at Great Song Bank, raising two hundred million yuan.

He aimed to keep propping up Harmony Record, this tottering giant.

Because Harmony Record is saddled with huge debt, his stake is now worthless.

Furthermore, large portions of Harmony Record's other assets have also been pledged.

He simply couldn't move—otherwise he wouldn't have pledged Harmony Record International's shares too.

Next, Yang Qing launched a takeover bid for Whampoa Dockyard.

Qi Dezong realized he had fallen into Yang Qing's poisonous plot.

Saving Whampoa Dockyard would put Harmony Record International's shares in jeopardy.

"If Harmony Record disappears, what's the point of saving Whampoa Dockyard—would there even be any money left?"

If Whampoa Dockyard isn't saved, Harmony Record will lose its prime assets, become an empty shell, and likely collapse.

"Yang Qing, Yang Qing…"

He practically wanted to beat Yang Qing to death.