It was already past five o'clock when Xuemei got home. When she walked into the yard, she saw Liu's father picking peppers in the vegetable garden.
"Dad, you are alone at home. Where are mom and my two brothers?"
"Xuemei, why are you back today? It's not time for the holiday yet. Your mother took your two younger brothers to the mountains to pick chestnuts. They will be back soon." Father Liu said as he walked out of the vegetable garden.
"Dad, I'll tell you later. I'll go inside and drink some water first."
Father Liu quickly put the vegetable basket by the well and took Xuemei's backpack.
After Xuemei finished drinking the water and sat down, Father Liu asked, "Xuemei, what happened at school? Why did you come back today? Why did you bring your quilt with you?"
"Dad, our school is closed because everyone's so enthusiastic about the revolution right now. Most of our classmates are going to participate in the Third Great Linkup. More and more people are being reported in the county, including our Russian teacher. The teachers at school are also being very cautious lately. We haven't had any new lessons in a long time. We've been studying the Little Red Book."
"Xuemei, why don't you go? You're not just coming back to put something away, are you?"
"Dad, don't worry. I won't go. I think the authorities' intention in asking us students to participate in the Cultural Revolution is excellent and has great significance. It's to help us students understand what the country is doing and what we should do in the future to make our country better and better. It's to help us understand this and then come back to tell our parents, relatives, and friends, so that everyone can understand the country's development guidelines and policies."
Xuemei took another sip of water and continued, "But now it's being exploited by some people with ulterior motives. They're getting many ignorant students who don't truly understand the purpose of this revolution to participate. They even want them to become the leaders of this movement so they can achieve their goals."
"Xuemei, aren't you also a child? Why weren't you misled? Don't you have any other thoughts in your mind?" Father Liu asked deliberately.
"Dad, when the college entrance exam was first canceled, I was a little resentful. I thought it was all the fault of the Cultural Revolution. But after reading a lot of relevant newspapers and rereading the Little Red Book many times, I truly understood the country's intentions. It's a pity that such a good starting point has now been exploited by some premeditated groups, some groups trying to split our country. Many monsters and demons have come out to cause trouble. Moreover, many powerful people are hiding this phenomenon from the leaders, blocking their vision."
"I believe that once the country's true leaders have uncovered the true facts, their superiors will gradually regain the initiative and defeat these illegal groups one by one. The chaos and turmoil of this period will gradually subside."
"I don't have enough strength right now, so I can only do what I can and remind my family and friends not to get caught up in this vortex of chaos. When I have the energy to spare, I will help those good people who are truly suffering and framed by villains within my ability. In fact, I think our family should just stay together now. We need to get through this period of time peacefully. Not causing trouble for the country is the best way to help it. Only when our own families are at peace can the country be stable. How can we clean up the world if we can't clean up our own house?"
"Xuemei, it's a pity that you can't go to college for the time being." Father Liu said regretfully.
"Dad, it's not a pity! Now that the country has abolished universities, it means that the country currently needs enough college graduates. Now the country's development requires other talents. Didn't you say that gold will always shine? I believe that as long as I persist in learning and keep improving, I can shine no matter where I am. Besides, as long as I keep studying, I can take the college entrance examination immediately when the country resumes it."
"Xuemei, you're right. You've also helped me resolve some of the problems I've been having lately. It seems I need to study and read more in the future. Dad will definitely learn from you."
"Dad, by the way, there's one more thing I want to discuss with you. Many of the junior high students in our school are also going to join the revolution. I want you to let Qingya take a break from school. I think their classes will be suspended soon. Ruirui and Feifei should also take a break from school! Ruirui is very strong, and I'm afraid others will take advantage of him at school. And there are Mingwu, Shengnan, Yanan, Sitong and the others."
"Rui Rui and Fei Fei are also on leave from school. Why don't we wait and see?"
"Dad, Qingya and the other two are still young. They can't discern many things and are easily misled by others. We must persuade them properly. First, we need to get them out of that unstable environment and make them more controllable. Then we can slowly teach them the right way to do things. I can teach them when they come back. If the suspension is long, I can ask Ruirui and Feifei to skip a grade later."
"Okay, I'll discuss it with your mother."
Xuemei told Liu's father what happened in the county town.
"Village chief, village chief... There's a call for you in the office, go answer it quickly." Accountant Li shouted outside the yard.
"Dad, can you answer the phone first?"
…
After Liu's father went to answer the phone, Xuemei took out the beef jerky from the space and packed up the things in the backpack.
After Xuemei cooked the meal, Liu's father, mother and two younger brothers came back.
"Mom, Ruirui and Feifei, you are back too."
"Well, Xuemei, your father just told me that you're back, but I don't believe it."
"Sister, sister, it's your holiday now." Feifei asked.
"Well, our school has been suspended recently, so there shouldn't be any classes this semester."
"Why doesn't our school suspend classes? I want to stay at home too." Ruirui came over after washing his hands and said.
"Don't worry, even if you attend class, I will call you at home. You still have to study and do your homework."
"Big sister~~" Ruirui's mouth suddenly pouts.
"Xuemei, why did you buy so many things again?" Liu's mother said when she saw the canned food, bones, etc. on the table in the main hall.
Ruirui and Feifei ran into the main room as soon as they heard that Xuemei had bought something.
"Mom, I thought I wouldn't be going to the county town for the next few months, so I bought a little more. That beef jerky was given to me by Luo Yao. You can put it away and eat it together when Qing Ya comes back."
"Dad, who called you just now?"
"Your third uncle, here's the good news. Your third aunt gave birth to a little sister?"
"That's great! My third uncle and aunt finally got what they wanted."
"By the way, Xuemei, I'll discuss what you just told me with your mother tonight. Don't worry."
"Okay, Dad."
The next day, Liu's father and mother went to the commune hospital to see their newborn niece, and then went to the commune to bring Qingya and her two siblings back.
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