A few days later, news came from the public security brigade that the entire Gao family had been sent to a labor reform farm and would probably not be able to return for three to five years.
The Gao family's children suddenly became a hot potato.
These days, no family is rich, so no one would help raise other people's children, especially so many. Fortunately, the family isn't completely destitute; the children are all grown up and can work on their own. With occasional help from the village, they can still manage to survive.
The only worry is Gao Laosan's youngest son, Gui'er. He's been waiting for this son for many years, but without an adult by his side, I don't know if he can survive.
However, a few days later, people from Gao Laosan's wife's family came and took the child away, saying they were going to give him to a family in their area where the man had no male heir. Whether they really gave him away or not, no one knows.
Later, Captain Gao even went to look for him, but he didn't say anything when he came back, so there probably wasn't a problem.
The three children of the Gao family had always been pampered and spoiled. Now that their parents were gone, they felt like the sky was falling. Not only did they have to do everything themselves, but their food was also not as good as before. They cried and made a fuss, but it was no use. They could only accept their fate, because life still had to go on.
On the other hand, Gao Laosan's three sisters felt that now that it was bright, they didn't have to work as much as before, they didn't have to be scolded, and they could eat their fill. Their complexions were better, and they smiled more and more.
Every time Xing Zhaozhao saw them, she would give them something, sometimes money, sometimes food, sometimes household items. It wasn't much, just enough to help them improve their lives and to do her part.
On the very night that Lao Gao's family was sent to a labor camp, Wang Xiaofa came over again under the cover of darkness to bring Xing Zhaozhao some small yellow croakers.
Xing Zhaozhao brought up the Gao family's matter: "Your brother deliberately became sworn brothers with Gao Mingzhi just for this? Isn't that unnecessary? It's a waste of money and time."
The main concern is the cost.
“Not entirely,” Wang Xiaofa said. “Recently, because of your two batches of goods, Sister Xing, we’ve made a lot of money, which has blocked some people’s path to wealth. They’re looking for an opportunity to deal with my brother, so my brother just gave them some leverage to shut them up. It’s also a good opportunity to make the tributes we’ve given to our superiors transparent.”
Xing Zhaozhao understood and stopped worrying about it.
The Lunar New Year is just around the corner, so Xing Zhaozhao took her three children to town to play and buy New Year's goods.
At this time, many people had some spare money and were willing to spend it, so long queues had already formed outside the supply and marketing cooperative.
It's a rare treat to be out and about, and the two children were overjoyed, looking around with wide eyes, unable to take it all in.
"Watch where you're going, don't bump into anyone." Xing Zhaozhao held Xiao Hongling in her arms, her eyes fixed on the two boys who were holding hands and skipping ahead of her.
"Okay." Hongyu agreed verbally, but then he turned around and bumped into someone coming from the opposite direction with a "thud".
Hongyu was knocked backward and stumbled, then fell to the ground with a thud. Hongfei, who had been holding his hand, was also affected and fell to the ground as well.
Xing Zhaozhao pursed her lips speechlessly: "I told you to be careful."
As he spoke, he went over to help the two little ones up.
The person who was hit had already picked them up, one in each arm: "Are you alright?"
Xing Zhaozhao quickly went over: "It's okay, it's okay, they're tough."
"Excuse me, I bumped into you." She looked up apologetically at the person, but was surprised to be stunned when she saw their appearance.
Isn't this Professor Li Jian? He's just younger than that.
What's he doing here? Did he come to visit Professor Zhou and Professor Yang during the Chinese New Year?
Seeing the surprised expression on Xing Zhaozhao's face, Li Jian's eyes flickered: "You know me?"
Xing Zhaozhao quickly came to her senses and shook her head: "No, no, it's just that you look familiar, like I've seen you somewhere before."
"Were you from Nancheng before? My husband's unit was stationed there," she asked deliberately.
Li Jian shook his head: "I have never been to Nancheng."
"Oh, I see. Then I made a mistake," Xing Zhaozhao said, embarrassed.
After saying that, she patted the two little ones beside her: "Hurry up and apologize to your uncle, you just bumped into him."
"We're sorry, Uncle, we were wrong," the two little ones said in unison.
Li Jian smiled dismissively and patted their heads: "It's alright, just be more careful next time."
Xing Zhaozhao left with the two children.
Li Jian frowned, watching Xing Zhaozhao leave with the child, his eyes fixed on her for a long time.
I have a feeling that she wasn't telling the truth.
Just then, someone patted him on the shoulder: "What's wrong, Li Jian?"
Li Jian turned to look behind him, where he saw his two companions who had come with him: Zheng Ye and Fu Donghua.
"It's nothing." He shook his head.
"Let's hurry up, we still need to go to Xiaogaozhuang later," Zheng Ye said.
"Mm." Li Jian nodded.
Zheng Ye turned and left, with Li Jian following closely behind, and Fu Donghua beside him.
Fu Donghua glanced at Li Jian questioningly.
Li Jian shook his head.
Fu Donghua did not ask any further questions.
The group first went to the Revolutionary Committee, and then, led by the staff of the Revolutionary Committee, went straight to Xiaogaozhuang.
When Xing Zhaozhao returned home with her three children and carrying large and small bags, she saw a crowd gathered at the door. Besides some villagers who were obviously there to watch the commotion, there was Captain Gao, Zhang Wenming whose face was still bruised from injuries, Aunt Hao and her daughter Hao Xiuning, who looked worried, Li Jian, and some strangers she had never seen before.
"Sister-in-law." Hao Xiuning greeted Xing Zhaozhao immediately upon seeing her.
Xing Zhaozhao was somewhat bewildered by the large scene before her: "What's going on?"
“They’re from the town’s Revolutionary Committee, and…” Hao Xiuning glanced timidly at Li Jian and the others, and said nervously, “They’re investigators from Beijing.”
Xing Zhaozhao was taken aback: "An investigator from Beijing? What are they investigating about me?"
"I don't know." Hao Xiuning shook her head and glared at Zhang Wenming resentfully. "It must have all been Zhang Wenming's doing."
"I'm sorry, sister-in-law. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have gotten into all this trouble." Hao Xiuning said apologetically to Xing Zhaozhao, her eyes filled with tears.
"It's none of your business." Xing Zhaozhao patted her reassuringly and handed the child in her arms to her. "Hold Xiao Hongling for me."
Hao Xiuning nodded and reached out to take it.
Xing Zhaozhao walked straight to Captain Gao: "What's going on, Captain?"
"These are comrades from the town's Revolutionary Committee, and these three are investigators from Beijing: Li Jian, Zheng Ye, and Fu Donghua." Captain Gao pointed to the people and introduced them to her one by one. Looking at her with concern in his eyes, he said, "They have something to discuss with you."
Xing Zhaozhao nodded in understanding, looked at Li Jian, and smiled, "What a coincidence, we meet again."
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