Chapter 69 Farewell

Five days later, Tao Shouxin took Tao Nanfeng away from Xiufengshan Farm.

Tao Nanfeng's departure is far more sad than Qiao Yadong's.

Li Huilan and Ye Qin cried and said, "We didn't expect you to go to college. There will be one less person in the dormitory. We can't bear to let you go."

Xiao Aiyun cried until she was out of breath, and held Tao Nanfeng's hand reluctantly: "You must come back during the winter vacation, we will wait for you to return to the farm for the New Year."

Boys like Chen Zhilu and Wei Min did not shed tears.

Hu Huanxin was a little worried: "Chief Tao, what should I do if you leave? What should our infrastructure department do after the hospital is built?"

Chen Zhilu sighed, "Once squad leader Qiao leaves, you have to leave too. The educated youth camp is becoming increasingly deserted."

Wei Min and Li Huilan were in love at the time, so they didn't feel too sad about parting. They grinned and said, "After the hospital is built, I will go back to Jiangcheng to escort the medical equipment. I will come to visit you then."

Also coming to see them off were Li Minli, Yang Xianyong, Liang Yinzhen...

Mao Peng drove the car, accompanied by Xiang Bei, and directly sent Tao Shouxin and his daughter home. In addition to luggage, the trunk was also filled with various local specialties.

Three large pots of tea oil, one hundred kilograms of rice, a basket of wild kiwis, two large jars of farm eggs... and various handicrafts.

Xiang Yongfu wove an exquisite glasses case out of bamboo strips, and Liang Yinzhen hand-sewed two cotton knee pads, both as a token of their love for Tao Shouxin. Because Mei Yudong said that people with weak spleen and stomach should avoid catching cold and going hungry, he also packed a large bag of easy-to-handle ingredients such as dried radish, dried bamboo shoots, dried lettuce, black fungus, and shiitake mushrooms.

Liang Yinzhen hugged Tao Nanfeng and was reluctant to let go.

My younger sister Liang Yinzhu was the same back then. She wanted to see a bigger world and build a better country. Even though her parents begged her, she still did not hesitate.

"Can't you be like other girls in the village, get married, have children, farm and take care of the kids?"

"cannot."

"It's so dangerous, why do you want to go?"

"Because I want to break this corrupt world and wake up all the sleeping people!"

Liang Yinzhen didn't understand, but she felt that the light in her sister's eyes was as bright as the autumn sun, so bright that she couldn't open her eyes.

Even though she was trembling with fear and even though she didn't understand what revolution was, Liang Yinzhen sent Xiangdong, who had just turned sixteen, to Liang Yinzhu without any regrets.

"Your aunt is the only educated person in our family, and you are the smartest child in our family. Go help her and protect her."

"How can I help?"

"You do whatever your aunt tells you to do."

"How to protect?"

"Do your best."

Xiangdong is filial and obedient, and takes everything his parents say to heart. It was not until two years later that Liang Yinzhu sent back a letter with only one sentence in it.

"Before Xiangdong died, he said that he had fulfilled all his promises."

Liang Yinzhen felt as if her heart was being dug out. She didn't eat or drink for several days and lay in bed waiting to die. Xiangnan died at the age of six and Xiangqian died at the age of three, and only one child, Xiangdong, survived among the three.

But Xiangdong also sacrificed himself for the revolution that Liang Yinzhu mentioned.

Four days later, someone knocked on the door in the middle of the night and brought a baby and a red cloth bag containing a silver bracelet and a letter written in blood.

"Sister, if Xiangdong dies, I will give you a child. Now the situation has changed, and I have been imprisoned. I am in a dangerous situation and my life or death is uncertain... If something unfortunate happens, please stay away from this chaos and do not mention Muyang and me again. Don't spoil the child. Simple clothes and plain food are enough."

Looking at the baby sleeping soundly, Liang Yinzhen finally came to life. He got up overnight and moved with Xiang Yongfu to the remote Xiufeng Mountain, where he found a quiet place in Xiangjia Village.

Now, New China has been established and the old system has been overthrown, but the dreams and passion of young people remain unchanged.

Tao Nanfeng, who was as filial and considerate as a daughter, was leaving again. Liang Yinzhen's tears were like water that had been opened from a floodgate and could no longer be stopped.

"Child, I won't hinder your future. Remember to come back, come back..."

Xiang Yongfu saw his wife crying so sadly, so he held her and comforted her: "Don't be sad, she is just studying, it's not like she will never come back, she will definitely be back in the New Year."

He looked at Tao Shouxin, his eyes full of pleading: "Professor Tao, if you have nothing to do during the New Year, bring Nanfeng to Xiufeng Mountain to eat the pig-killing meal. Stewed potatoes with cured pig's trotters and stewed pig's stomach with rice to nourish the spleen and stomach."

Looking at the enthusiastic and reluctant people in front of him, Tao Shouxin felt a warm feeling in his heart.

My daughter has dedicated three years of her youth to this farm. Everyone remembers her and loves her. This is the greatest reward.

"Okay, okay, this year Nanfeng and I will come back to celebrate the New Year together."

After receiving Professor Tao's promise, everyone cheered and the scene became much more relaxed and cheerful.

As long as Tao Nanfeng is willing to come back, that would be a good thing.

It took two days to drive from the farm. Mao Peng and Xiang Bei took turns driving, and finally drove the jeep into the professorial building of Jiangcheng University of Architecture on the afternoon of the third day.

Seeing two strange men unloading a pile of things from the car, the neighbors were secretly amazed.

"Oh, Professor Tao, where have you been? You brought back so many things."

"Ah, Nanfeng is back? Are you coming back to the farm?"

"Rice, oil, dry goods... these are all good things."

Professor Ouyang Cheng, who lived next door, walked out of the house, followed by his wife Zhou Hongying and second son Ouyang Minxing.

Ouyang Minxing works in the municipal government and is resting at home today on the weekend. He had known Tao Nanfeng since childhood, and he ran out as soon as he heard that she had returned.

Ouyang Minxing raised his hand and greeted Tao Nanfeng: "Hi~ Nanfeng, you're back?"

Zhou Hongying pushed her son behind her and greeted him with a fake smile: "Nanfeng, you're back again? You're comfortable as an educated youth. You can go home in a few years, which is much better than other kids who went to the countryside to work in the production team."

Mao Peng was walking towards the yard carrying a bag of rice. Hearing these words, he thought they did not sound nice, so he snorted and turned around. The bag of rice on his shoulder made a whooshing sound and hit Zhou Hongying.

Zhou Hongying backed away repeatedly, slapping the place where she was hit and cursing: "Where did this savage come from? He didn't even apologize after hitting someone!"

Tao Shouxin said to Ouyang Cheng with a cold face, "Professor Ouyang, our two houses are next door to each other. Nanfeng went to the countryside for three years and worked hard without you saying a word of sympathy. Now that he has come back, why are you saying such sarcastic words?"

Ouyang Cheng hurriedly pulled Zhou Hongying and said, "If you can't speak, just keep quiet."

Zhou Hongying glared at him and said unhappily, "You are a bad talker. Do you want everyone to be like you? I am not wrong. It is true. Which educated youth goes home to visit relatives all day long?"

Seeing his father's grim expression, Tao Nanfeng hurriedly pulled him aside and said loudly, "Aunt Zhou, your two sons did not respond to the call to join the production team, and you directly arranged for them to work in the municipal government. Do you want to talk about this?"

Zhou Hongying felt guilty and quickly avoided the question: "It was different back then... Anyway, we are all here according to the policy. I'm glad you're back. Welcome, welcome."

She dragged her son away quickly, mumbling, "You were so cute when you were little, but now you're getting more and more talkative. You've become vulgar after being a farmer for so long."

Ouyang Minxing thought that Tao Nanfeng's change was good. While waving goodbye to her, he smiled and said to his mother: "Tao Nanfeng used to look like a sawed-mouthed gourd and was not cute at all. Now he has become a little hot pepper, which is quite interesting."

Zhou Hongying glanced at her son warily and warned him, "Don't even think about it! Tao Nanfeng's mother is from a landlord family, and she is also the eldest daughter of a widow. You must never marry her."

Ouyang Minxing laughed in silence: "Mom, what are you thinking? We are just neighbors, and we have rarely spoken to each other. Why are you thinking about marrying a wife?"

He looked north with a slightly lowered gaze, feeling slightly disappointed with this place where so many intellectuals gathered.

Although life on the farm is hard and not as full of scholars as in universities, everyone speaks their mind directly. They argue when they should and scold when they should, without beating around the bush or using sarcasm.

Xiangbei walked to Tao Nanfeng and whispered in her ear: "Well done, you should fight back directly in the future. The more roundabout they are, the more direct you should be. This kind of people are most afraid of others confronting them seriously."

Tao Nanfeng burst into laughter: "Okay."

Tao Shouxin had a stern face, but there was a smile in his eyes: "I was wondering why Nanfeng has become so sharp-tongued now, it turns out you taught him that!"

Xiangbei didn't dare to joke with Tao Shouxin, he just smiled and said nothing.

He bent down slightly, exerted force on his waist, and lifted two large pots of tea oil from the car. Tao Nanfeng wanted to help, but was stopped by Tao Shouxin: "You are a girl, it is not your turn to do heavy work."

Mao Peng had just put a bag of rice at the door. Hearing this, he laughed out loud: "Tao Nanfeng is very strong. Professor Tao doesn't know this, right?"

Tao Shouxin glared at Mao Peng and said, "No matter how strong Nanfeng is, she is still a girl."

Mao Peng laughed even more happily, shook his head and sighed: "Professor Tao is so biased..." He looked at Xiang Bei, who was working honestly, with sympathy and observed a second of silence for him.

Xiangbei didn't think Tao Shouxin was biased. He said to Tao Nanfeng, "Stand away. There's a lot of dust on the car. Don't get your clothes dirty."

Tao Shouxin opened the door and drew aside the curtains, and the room suddenly became bright.

Xiangbei and Mao Peng worked together to move all the luggage and belongings into the house, then walked to the entrance, took the slippers handed to them by Tao Nanfeng, put them on, and walked into the house.

There are three bedrooms and two living rooms. The living room, kitchen and bathroom are all covered with blue-gray tiles. The back of the fabric sofa is decorated with white lace. There is a glass coffee table, mahogany furniture, gray curtains, and the tea sets and tableware in the cupboard are obviously a set, looking exquisite and gorgeous.

Mao Peng opened his mouth wide: "My goodness, Professor Tao's house is so beautiful."

Xiangbei's heart was also greatly shocked.

He knew that Tao Nanfeng was the daughter of a professor and had been spoiled since childhood, but he did not expect that she had grown up in such a superior environment.

This house is located in Jiangcheng, and is estimated to be about 120 square meters. It is more upscale than the most luxurious expert building on the farm. The concave earth pattern tiles and the tableware in the cupboards are worth a lot of money, not to mention the crystal chandelier in the center of the living room, the Western phonograph on the flower stand, and the four Hunan embroidery hanging on the wall...

Unheard of, unseen.

For some reason, Xiangbei's first reaction was not shame for himself, but pity for Tao Nanfeng.

Tao Nanfeng lives in a large dormitory, drinks mountain spring water, and does physical work at Xiufengshan Farm. Despite such a huge difference in job conditions, she works silently without complaining or feeling tired. She is really very sensible.

"Come in, what are you standing there for?" Along the way, Mao Peng and Xiang Bei took turns driving and arranging food and lodging. Tao Shouxin became more and more familiar with them and quickly invited them to come in and rest.

Xiangbei and Mao Peng were a little hesitant to sit on the sofa cover because of its beautiful white color. They took the hot tea prepared by Tao Nanfeng and sat on the chairs in the dining room.

The aroma of tea and the elegant orchid scent hit your nose, and then you see three tea buds standing upright, and you know that this is top-quality tea.

Thinking back to the first time Tao Nanfeng came to visit me at Xiufeng Mountain, I made a cup of farm tea for him, which seemed a lot shabby in comparison. At that time, Tao Nanfeng smiled, took a sip, and praised the tea as good.

Xiangbei felt a little distressed again.

Others say it is easy to go from simple to luxurious but difficult to go from luxurious to simple, but Tao Nanfeng is different. After drinking such good tea at home, he was willing to praise the farm tea for being delicious. Tao Nanfeng is really well-educated, considerate and attentive.

Such a good girl deserves the best treatment.

Now Xiangbei understands Tao Shouxin's feelings very well. When a girl who was raised by her father falls in love with a farmer's son, the father must consider it carefully and investigate it attentively.

The aroma of tea filled the air, and Xiangbei made a decision at this moment.

——I will never let Tao Nanfeng suffer the same hardship again and I will turn the farm into her perfect rear base.

The author has something to say:

In the letter Liang Yinzhu wrote in blood to entrust her son to her care, she mentioned, "The child should not be spoiled. Coarse clothes and simple meals are enough." This is a quote from the suicide note of martyr Jiang Zhuyun.