Chapter 10: Class Reunion

A little past twelve, Su Xinghui and Guo Suhua returned one after the other. They were both nearing fifty, but in Su Xinghui’s memories, they were already septuagenarians, frail and aged. Seeing his parents still in their middle years, he couldn't help but feel a wave of emotion.

As soon as Guo Suhua saw Su Xinghui, she beamed and said, "Xinghui is back! It’s only Saturday today, why are you on break?"

Su Xinghui replied, "Our Party Secretary Chen sent me to Jiangcheng to handle some matters and told me to take a couple of days off while I was at it. He said I hadn't been home in a long time."

Guo Suhua said, "That’s right, you haven't been back in three weeks. I’ve been keeping count."

Su Wenjun said sternly, "Xinghui has work to do; how can he keep coming back? Once or twice a month is enough."

Guo Suhua frowned, "If I’d known, I never should have let Xinghui go to that Meng Hu Ling. Old Su, you know plenty of people, why couldn't you keep him in the county seat? Now it’s not easy for him to come back, and I don't even know if he’s suffering out there in Meng Hu Ling."

Guo Suhua looked Su Xinghui over carefully, then nodded, "You don't look like you’ve lost weight, but Old Su, you should find someone to get Xinghui transferred back."

Su Wenjun’s brow furrowed deeply, "How can I go asking for favors for something like this? Wouldn't that be making me commit a mistake?"

Guo Suhua glared, "So only you have integrity? You don't feel bad for your son suffering?"

Seeing that things were taking a turn, Su Xinghui quickly interjected, "Let’s eat, or the food will get cold."

In truth, in such hot weather, there was no risk of the food getting cold. But Su Wenjun and Guo Suhua listened to Su Xinghui and sat down at the table.

Looking at the dishes on the table, which were a feast for the eyes and nose, Guo Suhua said happily, "Xinghui, you’ve been away at school for a few years, and it seems your cooking has improved. Let me try this... Mmm, delicious! Your skills have surpassed mine!"

Su Wenjun also took a bite, nodding repeatedly as he ate, clearly in agreement with his wife.

Su Xinghui said, "Mom, if it’s good, eat more. Actually, I’m doing quite well in Meng Hu Ling, and my life there is fine too. Don’t worry about me; the leadership thinks highly of me now." ===== CHAPTER 19 =====

Guo Suhua nodded, "That’s good then."

Su Wenjun paused with his chopsticks and asked, "By the way, what business did your Party Secretary Chen send you to Jiangcheng for?"

Su Xinghui told his parents about the task he had to handle in Jiangcheng. Guo Suhua asked in surprise, "You have connections like that in Jiangcheng?"

Su Xinghui nodded, "I spent four years there; some of my classmates still have connections through their families."

Su Wenjun said, "Your line of thinking is sound. If this can be pulled off, it will be very beneficial for the farmers and can increase their income. You should go to your aunt’s house; your second cousin sells fish and has relationships with quite a few restaurants. He should have the right connections."

Su Xinghui’s uncle was Yu Maode, the husband of Su Wenjun’s older sister. Su Wenjun was from Jiangcheng and had come to work in Xinhe County in the sixties, but the two families remained close. During his childhood summer breaks, Su Xinghui often stayed at his uncle’s house. Yu Maode was an old Physician. Su Wenjun had lost his parents at a young age and lived with the Yu family for several years; his interest in medicine was influenced by him. Yu Maode also possessed martial arts skills, and his eldest son, Yu Gaoping, was a well-known local martial arts practitioner. Su Xinghui had learned some medicine and martial arts from Yu Maode as well.

Yu Maode had three sons and two daughters. His second son, Yu Gaoshan, was currently selling fish and was among the first generation of individual business owners. His third son, Yu Gaofeng, followed in his father’s footsteps and was currently practicing medicine alongside Yu Maode.

Su Xinghui nodded, "I was planning to look for my second cousin when I go to Jiangcheng this time."

Su Wenjun said, "Good, work hard!"

Su Xinghui said, "By the way, Dad, Mom, I won't be eating at home this afternoon; there’s a class reunion."

Su Wenjun and Guo Suhua both nodded in agreement. Guo Suhua even reached for her wallet, saying, "Xinghui, you must be out of money, right? Here, take some more. You’ll need money for a class reunion."

Su Xinghui quickly waved his hand, "No need, Mom. It’s already been decided that someone is treating. Besides, I’ll be getting my salary soon, so I won't need to ask you for money anymore."

Guo Suhua asked, "You really don't need money?"

Su Xinghui nodded quickly. Guo Suhua sighed with emotion, "It seems my son has truly grown up."

Su Xinghui thought to himself, *Of course he has grown up. In my past life, I was a disappointment and caused you worry. In this life, I will never let you worry like that again. I will be your pride.*

That afternoon, after his parents left for work, Su Xinghui looked through the items from his youth in his room. Because so much time had passed, he didn't remember what he had kept.

He rummaged through his boxes and cabinets and found that they were mostly filled with childhood collections, such as stamps, matchbox labels, and cigarette boxes. There were also hundreds of comic books he had read as a child, filling an entire cabinet. Among them were complete sets of *Journey to the West* and *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*, along with many volumes of *Water Margin*. He remembered buying them one by one with his pocket money and the money he made from collecting and selling scrap. He had been so happy when he completed the sets, though unfortunately, many items were lost when the old house was demolished later.

Come to think of it, these things would be treasures in ten or twenty years and quite valuable. He would have to keep them safe from now on and not throw them away.

Just past four in the afternoon, Zhang Cheng arrived, carrying a bag. Su Xinghui asked, "It’s not even time to get off work yet, why are you here so early?"

Zhang Cheng said nonchalantly, "Hey, isn't that how it is working in a government office? It’s usually like this in the afternoon; everyone leaves especially early. Some people don't even come in the afternoon at all. I’m actually leaving late. Let’s go, to the People’s Restaurant."

What Zhang Cheng said was the truth, and Su Xinghui was well aware of this situation. He knew it wasn't something he or Zhang Cheng could change for the time being, so he didn't say much and went out with him.

On the way, Zhang Cheng said excitedly that he had notified almost all their high school classmates in the county seat. He expected a good turnout and had brought a few bottles of Moutai from home; they were going to have a good drink today.

In fact, Su Xinghui knew that out of the sixty-plus students in their senior class, over thirty had been admitted to technical schools or universities—a quite high success rate. They had attended the Xinhe High School, a provincial key high school. The vast majority of those thirty-plus students hadn't returned to work in the county. If their families had any means, who wouldn't want them working in a bigger city?

As for the remaining thirty or so students, some were working in the townships below. Therefore, it was impossible for everyone to attend the reunion tonight. Of course, if twenty or thirty people showed up, that wouldn't be a small number.

Upon arriving at the People’s Restaurant, Zhang Cheng spoke to the waiter, who led him and Su Xinghui into a large private room. The room could accommodate two large dining tables, so thirty people wouldn't feel crowded. Zhang Cheng and Su Xinghui waited there for the others.

Su Xinghui said, "Zhang Cheng, with such a big room, how many people are you planning to treat today? It must cost a lot of money."

Zhang Cheng waved his hand, "Don't worry about the money. I spend my salary on myself, and I don't need to contribute to the household. Besides, the benefits at the Finance Bureau are quite good. Today will cost at most two or three hundred; it’s nothing."

Su Xinghui nodded. The benefits at the Finance Bureau were indeed good, so he didn't need to worry for Zhang Cheng.

Next, Zhang Cheng told Su Xinghui about the recent status of their classmates in the county—who was working where, and who was dating whom. He knew it all. When Su Xinghui asked if he was dating anyone, he shook his head and said it was still too early; he wanted to play around for a few more years.

Su Xinghui knew that Zhang Cheng would get married in three years. His wife would be a teacher at the Experimental Primary School, a few years younger than them. They probably didn't know each other yet.

As they were chatting, a man and a woman walked in. This was the couple Zhang Cheng had mentioned. The boy was Wu Yuansheng, and the girl was Luo Xiaomei. Both had graduated from the regional teachers' college and were now teaching at the Chengguan Middle School.

As soon as Wu Yuansheng saw Su Xinghui, he smiled, "Xinghui, haven't seen you in a long time."

Su Xinghui stood up and hugged him, "Yuansheng, you’re quite capable, picking the flower of our class."

Luo Xiaomei spat, "Su Xinghui, how did you become so glib after a few years of college?"

Su Xinghui laughed, "When is the wedding? I’m looking forward to the celebration!"

Wu Yuansheng said, "Still early, probably next year."

Su Xinghui said, "Then make sure to notify me when the time comes."

Two minutes later, Xu Xiaoguang and Wu Jun arrived together. Both were Su Xinghui’s best friends. Neither had passed the college entrance exam, but Xu Xiaoguang was a "second-generation rich kid." His father, Xu Haimin, was one of the first construction bosses in Xinhe County and now owned a construction company, so he was quite well-off. After graduating high school, Xu Xiaoguang went to help at his father’s company, so he didn't have to worry about work.

Wu Jun’s parents were both middle school teachers, highly respected in Xinhe County. Their other two sons were graduates of prestigious universities; only this youngest son hadn't passed the exam and refused to repeat the year. For his sake, they had worried a lot and begged many people to get Wu Jun into the Public Security Bureau, where he was now a police officer in the Public Order Brigade.

When these two best friends arrived, there was naturally a warm reunion with Su Xinghui. Xu Xiaoguang had been in society for four years and was much more mature than before. He hugged Su Xinghui, "Big talent, we have to drink well today. I brought a few bottles of Wuliangye."

Wu Jun also smiled and gave Su Xinghui a light hug. His personality was more introverted, and that hadn't changed at all. ===== CHAPTER 20 =====