Heaven did not respond
In 1962, He Zhonghua, 52, who had given everything for the war, the Party and the country, lived a simple life with his wife Huo Yao and their two children in a small house on the outskirts of Shanghai, a life that many of his former acquaintances considered the most modest.
As he grew older and his circumstances changed, he eventually bowed to reality, gradually becoming calm and collected, no longer the arrogant and spirited young master he once was.
Elizabeth, in order to expand her business empire, came to Shanghai to meet Jiang Xiaoxiao at her invitation. She arrived in China three days earlier than the agreed time and took the opportunity to meet He Zhonghua as well.
Thirty years later, after half a lifetime, they meet again. Elizabeth is still alone, guarding her ever-growing business empire. Time has left no trace on her face; she still looks the same as she did thirty years ago at Cambridge University.
Elizabeth was chatting with He Zhonghua in his living room when Huo Yao went out to make them tea.
Elizabeth made no attempt to conceal her presence as she surveyed He Zhonghua's home, which was simple, unpretentious, and subtly understated.
He is completely different from the young master who grew up in luxury many years ago.
Elizabeth's gaze was intense, carrying a strong Western aggressiveness, yet her tone was calm as she asked, "Do you admit defeat?"
He Zhonghua followed her gaze and looked around his somewhat empty home, finally fixing his eyes on the bright five-star red flag outside the door.
A gentle breeze blows, and the red flag flutters in the wind, symbolizing the vibrant new beginnings of countless people.
When he spoke again, his tone was firm:
"Socialism saved the whole of China."
"Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth."
After lunch, Elizabeth got up to say goodbye, and He Zhonghua got up to see her to the door.
Huo Yao stood with her youngest daughter under the covered walkway outside the main hall, gazing into the distance.
Having heard about this person's identity from He Zhonghua before, Huo Yao had prepared the highest level of hospitality for her in their current lives. However, Elizabeth politely ate a few bites before putting down her chopsticks.
When He Zhonghua returned, he first reached out and picked up his daughter, and then noticed Huo Yao's somewhat unnatural expression.
Following her gaze, I looked towards the main gate, which was tightly closed, and there was no one else in sight.
But after spending more than 20 years together, He Zhonghua knew exactly what she was thinking without even having to guess.
"She was spoiled since she was a child and is very particular about what she eats. You know, that's how British people are."
He Zhonghua looked up at the sky outside, which was gloomy and looked like it was about to rain. He took Huo Yao's hand and led her into the main room, saying as they walked, "If she's unhappy, let Jiang Xiaoxiao suffer. Anyway, it's not us who are going to talk to Elizabeth about cooperation."
After entering the main room, He Zhonghua sat on the sofa with his little daughter in his arms, coaxing her. His son ran out of the study, seemingly confused by some famous quote, and went to ask He Zhonghua about it.
With his wife and children by his side, Huo Yao often saw the happiness and contentment of family life on He Zhonghua's face during the more than 20 years they lived together.
However, there were several people who studied at Cambridge together that year, and some of them knew about He Zhonghua and Elizabeth's past. Huo Yao had also heard about it sporadically.
Many fragments pieced together make up a complete story.
So over the years, I have never heard He Zhonghua mention those three or four years in the past, nor have I ever seen him express even the slightest regret about that period.
Huo Yao sometimes wondered whether what outsiders said was true.
Only now, when she finally meets the person others have described as "the person He Zhonghua liked in his youth," does she truly believe what they have been saying.
When facing Elizabeth, He Zhonghua would inadvertently reveal a hint of youthful spirit. Even though the two were discussing ideals and national affairs, He Zhonghua's eyes still retained the liveliness of his youth.
That was something Huo Yao had never seen in him before, since she had only known him for a short time.
That youthful spirit has gradually faded when he faces Ji Yuxing and Zheng Mingzhe.
Ultimately, urged on by circumstances and age, they grew into the most rigid and conventional adults.
But Elizabeth's appearance still allowed him to easily find his original self again, a fact that perhaps even He Zhonghua himself did not realize.
So how could there be no regrets?
Three days later, Elizabeth and Jiang Xiaoxiao met at the Peace Hotel in Shanghai.
Both parties approached this collaboration with utmost sincerity, avoiding any awkwardness between them, and the contract was signed very smoothly.
Afterwards, Jiang Xiaoxiao treated Elizabeth to a very authentic Shanghai meal.
It was Elizabeth's first time in China and her first time eating Shanghainese cuisine, but for some reason she really liked it and ended up eating more than she wanted.
After a few rounds of drinks, both of them had a slight hint of drunkenness in their eyes.
Jiang Xiaoxiao looked at her, recalling the gossip and anecdotes about He Zhonghua and her that she had heard before, and asked with a smile, "Do you plan to meet He Zhonghua this time you come to China?"
Due to her personality, Elizabeth spoke and acted very freely, not caring about any roundabout ways, and said: "I went to see him the day before yesterday."
Jiang Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow: "The day before yesterday?"
“I arrived three days early to familiarize myself with the environment in Shanghai.” Elizabeth nodded and said, “I must say, Shanghai is really developing well.”
Jiang Xiaoxiao smiled and nodded in agreement, "Yes, we can come and visit often if we have the chance."
“Okay,” Elizabeth replied, then added, “Definitely.”
“I met He Zhonghua at Cambridge University and we went through a bumpy youth together.” Seeing a hint of inquiry in Jiang Xiaoxiao’s eyes, Elizabeth sighed softly and said, “It’s a pity that He Zhonghua was wholeheartedly devoted to the country and the people and firmly believed that socialism was the only truth.”
Jiang Xiaoxiao remained silent. He Zhonghua, Ji Yuxing, along with Gong Jingyi and Ruan Jin, were all like Zhang Chenglin. Regardless of peace or chaos, they would choose to give everything for the country and the people without hesitation.
When the smoke of war rises, they are on the front lines, risking their lives and shedding their blood.
In a time of peace and prosperity, with the founding of the People's Republic of China, the country needed economic support for development. When the country adjusted its capital market, He Zhonghua contributed almost all of his assets, including the Puyu Chamber of Commerce, without hesitation.
“My father is the biggest capitalist in the British royal family, and like my father, I believe in capitalism. We went our separate ways when we graduated.”
Elizabeth sighed again, and then heard Jiang Xiaoxiao ask, "Has the outcome been decided?"
“Capitalism saved me and gave me everything I wanted.” Elizabeth said earnestly, holding a glass of red wine and swirling it gently. “He said that socialism saved China, which was the ending he wanted most.”
After finishing her drink, Elizabeth parted her thin lips and delivered her final conclusion: "This is a game with no winners or losers."
*
After signing the contract with Elizabeth, the European market was officially opened up, and the Jiang family took their position at an even higher level, building on their existing leadership in the Chinese economy. Jiang Xiaoxiao once again truly became the most successful female entrepreneur in China.
He was specifically praised by Premier Lu Xiaoran at the China Enterprise Development Federation meeting.
After the meeting, Jiang Xiaoxiao and Jiang Guanyu returned to the Jiang family home together.
After Jiang Yuanxing passed away, according to custom, they should have divided the inheritance. However, Jiang Xuyin still lived in the Jiang family home, Jiang Guanyu did not remarry after Lu Yuecheng's death, Jiang Xiaoxiao has been single for many years, and Jiang Qingju and Xu Wenwan have never had children.
The family has continued to live together for decades, and it's nice that they live a lively and happy life together.
Zhang Qizhong still lives in Beijing with Dai Zining, but he would occasionally return to the Jiang family home for a while.
Jiang Xiaoxiao's personality is like that; even at sixty years old, she still acts like a child. Just like her answer to Zhang Qizhong ten years ago, she and Zhang Qizhong have now become "very good" friends.
After returning home, Jiang Guanyu went to talk to Jiang Qingju about the situation at the joint meeting that day, while Jiang Xiaoxiao went straight to her study to organize some recent contracts and unfinished matters.
After the food was ready in the kitchen, Xu Wenwan came to call her to eat.
After knocking on the door and hearing the "come in," she gently pushed it open. Inside, Jiang Xiaoxiao was sitting behind her desk. When she looked up and saw it was her, she even stopped putting the letter down in her hand.
Xu Wenwan approached and saw what she was holding.
It was that unsigned letter, from 1945, 17 years ago.
It lists all of Yan Jiangshang's contributions to the Party and the country.
Over the years, Jiang Xiaoxiao has read that letter countless times, and each time she reads it, she has a different feeling.
Even though they were very close friends, Xu Wenwan didn't dare to comment on what happened back then. But she always felt that Jiang Xiaoxiao's words "it was all good" and "no regrets" weren't very credible.
So, seventeen years later, Xu Wenwan stared at the blank envelope and asked Jiang Xiaoxiao very seriously, "Are you really not disappointed?"
Jiang Xiaoxiao continued to smile, a carefree smile, and asked her in return, "Isn't this the best ending?"
Yan Jiangshang chose social sciences in college, which destined him to live his life for the country and the people.
Therefore, his ultimate sacrifice for the country and the people fulfilled his greatest wish.
Jiang Xiaoxiao was always clear-headed about that she would one day inherit Jiang Yuanxing's mantle and carry on the Jiang family's banner of standing tall in Shanghai and China. So what did she have to do with personal feelings?
Recalling her time at Shanghai University of Chinese Literature in her youth, Xu Wenwan couldn't help but ask, "And you? Are you happy?"
When Jiang Xiaoxiao heard her question, she pouted and said, "You're talking to a capitalist about a very new issue."
Hearing her slightly flippant tone, Xu Wenwan didn't reply, but stared at her with her beautiful eyes, as if she wouldn't give up until she got an answer.
"I'm scared of you." In the end, Jiang Xiaoxiao gave in first, murmuring, "In 1937, at Shanghai Chinese Literature University, I prayed for a happy life."
"Heaven did not respond."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
