Chapter 1 Nanjing 1 This Friday morning, Xinmei did nothing. The semester was over, and the Water Port Department was going to hold a teaching achievement review meeting in the afternoon. Mathematics teachers Zhao Ping and Situ Qing were busy writing speeches in the faculty lounge.Xin Mei teaches English and also writes a report on her experience, but every time she writes a pen, there are always students rushing in to say goodbye.The last group were two male students from Changsha. Before leaving, they said repeatedly: Teacher Xin, you must call us when you come to Changsha. We will guide you and go to Shaoshan!

sure! She agreed with all her mouth, and sent them out of the teachers' lounge with a smile, waving and saying: "Bon voyage!"Turning around, his eyes met the envious expressions of the two colleagues. Xiao Xin, your revolutionary teacher-student relationship is very harmonious! After Zhao Ping praised, she put down her pen, grabbed a paper fan on the table and waved it.She bit the word "revolution" very hard, but she smiled with a calm expression on her face.Zhao Ping, who was in her early forties, came to teach at East China Institute of Water Conservancy immediately after graduating from university. Her working experience was as long as that of her school years.

where!where! Although Xin Mei was modest, she couldn't restrain the smile in her heart, and she couldn't close her mouth when she walked back to her seat.Most of these students are also students of the two of them, and they also greet them like a ceremony, but it is true that they talk and laugh with Xin Mei. I just love the students, she said, young people are so vibrant, it's a joy to see them. When Situ Qing heard this, he smiled faintly, threw a pen, took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead, and at the same time said calmly: It doesn't matter if you are happy now, the sports will come in the future, just don't give you big-character posters flying all over the sky!

It's not just flying all over the sky, Xin Mei said indifferently, when the time comes, Mount Tai will be overwhelmed, and I will stretch my neck anyway. She said it easily and freely, but her heart was a little hairy, as if bitten by a bug, numb and uncomfortable.Situ is a graduate and stayed in school to teach. After the Cultural Revolution rebellion, his mouth was sharpened extremely sharp.In the later period of the Cultural Revolution, he didn't get an official position, so he became mean when he spoke.Only 30 years old, already old-fashioned, loves to pour cold water on people's happiness, making people dumbfounded.Xin Mei knew his temper very well, and also knew that his words were not fabricated out of thin air, so it sounded particularly harsh.

Since the Cultural Revolution, the relationship between teachers and students has been unprecedentedly tense, and it has become the mantra of teachers that students should not be provoked.Before classes started in the winter of 1971, the teachers had all been mobilized and encouraged by the leaders, but they were still trembling, ready to be bombarded off the podium, or stretched their necks to wait for the next exercise to be criticized.Apart from Xin Mei's four years as a tutor for middle school students in college, this is the first time in her life to teach college students.She has no experience, and relies entirely on her enthusiasm. The so-called newborn calf is not afraid of tigers, and everything is calm.Guo Yingsheng, a colleague in the foreign language teaching and research group, can't do it.He was frightened by the students in the previous campaigns, and this time he came to the podium again, he held up Mao Zedong's quotations, bowed ninety degrees, criticized himself, and spoke passionately.When I finished my grades and opened my textbook to teach ABC, the bell rang for the end of class.The students scolded him as formalism and warned him not to mislead his children again.Whenever Xin Mei thinks about this incident, she can't help shaking her head and sighing.

Don't be nervous, Zhao Ping comforted her.At that time, everyone will have big-character posters, so as long as there are no major mistakes, and you have a thick skin, you will get through it if you stand up. After finishing speaking, Zhao Ping glanced at Situ.The latter was looking down at the manuscript, just avoiding her eyes. Xin Mei suddenly remembered that Situ used to be Teacher Zhao's student, and was very active in the school before. It is said that all the teachers who taught him posted big-character posters.She suddenly realized that because of Situ's personal experience, now that he is promoted to be a human teacher, he can't help but wait for others to post his big-character posters fatalistically.

Are you really ready to go to Changsha? Zhao Ping changed the topic and asked Xin Mei, with some doubts in her tone. Just wait for the above approval to buy tickets.Xin Mei said. Xinmei's husband Tao Xinsheng and some teachers from his mechanics teaching and research group were sent to Hunan by the school to learn from the experience and absorb the experience of other schools to explore the first-hand information of the combination of theory and practice. They are currently in Changsha.They have been there for more than half a year, and the return date is far away.Recently, freshmen's home letters have become shorter and shorter, and the intervals are getting longer and longer, Xin Mei is a little worried.It just so happened that the central government announced that the students would have a one-month summer vacation. She wanted to take advantage of this gap to go to Changsha, visit her husband, and pay homage to the Shaoshan Holy Land, so she typed a leave request and submitted it.It's been a week and no response yet.Originally, she thought it was a private matter, and she could leave as long as she bought a ticket, but the prudent and experienced Zhao Ping quietly persuaded her to ask for leave.

The central government clearly ordered the students to have a one-month holiday, but it did not say that the teachers also had a holiday.Zhao Ping explained to her: Although the teacher does not teach classes, theoretically they rest at home.If you want to travel far, you still have to ask for leave. Xin Mei didn't understand the reason behind it; however, Zhao Ping was an old teacher, kind-hearted, and always took good care of herself, so she followed her advice, handed over a leave note, and asked for two weeks' leave.Unexpectedly, the plan of visiting Changsha spread like wildfire, and quickly spread among the teachers and students.Several students from Hunan immediately warmly invited her to play, and even students from Jiujiang and Wuhan also left their addresses and invited her to get off the boat and play for a day or two.It has been six years since she came to China, and she has not been kicked off the platform in the first year of teaching, and she is very touched by the enthusiasm of the students.She regretted not taking a few more days off so that she could visit the students in her class along the way.

Xiao Xin, Situ Qing suddenly thought of asking her to do something. Last time Li Yongzhong wrote to say that it was difficult to buy Daqianmen cigarettes in Hunan.You can really go to Changsha, can you bring me a few bags for him? Of course, as long as you can buy it, a few big front doors will be brought to you! Li Yongzhong was the captain of Tao Xinsheng's scientific research team, and he was famous for his heavy smoking habit.When leading the rebellion in the 1960s, it was said that as long as there was a cigarette to smoke, one could stay awake for several nights.He and Situ were classmates in the upper and lower classes, and they shared a room in the single dormitory. During the Cultural Revolution, they were in the same faction, but they often disagreed and argued endlessly, but it didn't hurt the peace afterwards.In order to save money and prevent lung cancer, Situ resolutely does not smoke, but he still thinks about bringing cigarettes to his friends, which is really friendly.

I really deserve to go to Changsha Xin Mei chewed on Situ's words again and again, and couldn't help frowning slightly. Why, he thought I couldn't go to Changsha alone?After thinking about it, she felt a little unconvinced.Situ underestimated people, she thought, from Taiwan to the United States, I circled the world and came to the mainland. I have traveled thousands of mountains and rivers, so I can’t go to just Changsha? Teacher Xin. Hearing someone calling her, Xin Mei looked back.Lao Liang, secretary of the Party branch of the Water Port Department, was standing at the door.

are you free?I want to talk to you about something.He asked politely, while nodding to the other two teachers with a smile. OK. She guessed it was a matter of asking for leave, so she happily followed Lao Liang into the office dedicated to department leaders. Please sit down, please sit down. Lao Liang straightened a chair in front of Xin Mei's desk, and sat down behind the desk.He took out a handkerchief from his trouser pocket, wiped his brow, which was not sweating, and then took off his glasses to wipe the lenses. Lao Tao often comes back with letters, right?How are both children?He started to greet.Why is your boss called Tao Tao? Tao Lian.The second child is Tao Ye.Xin Mei simply reported it all. Ah, yes!right!Lao Liang cried out apologetically, forgot to wipe his glasses, and flicked his bald head with his fingers to show his forgetfulness.Come to think of it, you are all metallurgical nouns.Well, how is your nanny?Still competent? Nanny is good.Everybody is fine. Seeing that he was so polite, Xin Mei couldn't help feeling puzzled.Lao Liang has a Cantonese temper, and has always been straightforward. He usually calls her Xiao Xin when he sees her, but today he actually called her Teacher Xin, and he looked uncertain. He is an old party member and lecturer in the department, and has become a pillar since the Cultural Revolution.Initially called for a three-in-one revolutionary committee composed of the People's Liberation Army, revolutionary cadres, and revolutionary masses, and Lao Liang represented the revolutionary cadres.Afterwards, the masses were kicked out, and the content of the three-in-one party was changed to become a three-in-one party member of old, middle-aged and young age, and Lao Liang led the Department of Revolutionary Committee with veteran cadres.The reason why he has not failed is that he is knowledgeable and has no airs, so he is naturally popular.When Xin Mei handed him the leave note back then, he agreed without hesitation, as if the approval was just a formality and there was absolutely no problem. I asked for leave, has the above approved it? Seeing that he was hesitant to speak, Xin Mei had no choice but to bring it up by herself. Hey, I just came to talk to you about asking for leave. After the topic was opened, Liang Zhishu put on his glasses again with relief, opened the drawer, took out a piece of paper and handed it to Xin Mei.She took it over and saw that it was her request for leave. Because my lover Tao Xinsheng has been on a business trip to Hunan with the water conservancy research team for eight months, and I want to visit during the summer vacation, and pay homage to Shaoshan, the sacred place of revolution, to receive revolutionary education, so I ask for a two-week leave.Sincerely, Office of Revolutionary Committee Xin Mei, a foreign language teacher July 20, 1972 There was no instruction on the leave slip, and Xin Mei looked at Party Secretary Liang in puzzlement. This is the meaning of Chief of Staff Zhang, the representative of the army in the courtyard, and Liang Zhishu hurriedly declared.Originally, it is also good to go out for a walk during the summer vacation, to see the great rivers and mountains of the motherland!Shaoshan, I have never been to Shaoshan during the period of the Great Revolution. The courtyard felt that in July, in the dog days, it was extremely hot. It might be inconvenient for you to travel alone with your children. When she heard that it was only about the convenience of traveling, she felt relieved. I only took the eldest, and she immediately explained that a five-year-old boy would not take too much trouble. No trouble, yes, no trouble.He agreed with Xin Mei's words, but with one hand he nervously picked up a few short, thin hairs hanging on top of his head.However, the courtyard is worried that long-distance travel is not safe not safe?Xin Mei was baffled when she heard it.This is the first time a cadre has been heard admitting that there are security problems in domestic travel.However, the trains and ships are still overcrowded, and I have never heard of anyone who dared not go out because of fear of safety.Just as he was about to open his mouth to defend himself, when he thought about it, it was clearly an excuse, and it was useless to say it. The chief of staff is afraid that you will travel long distances, the weather will be hot, and your diet may be unhygienic The more she listened, the more absurd she became, and Xin Mei's face darkened. Of course, this is all the chief of staff's concern for you, for fear that something will happen to you on the way Lao Liang spoke very hard and began to stammer. I think, this summer, you should rest in Nanjing.In the future, I will see if there is any opportunity. Tao Xinsheng and the others may return to Nanjing soon.Shaoshan is a holy land of revolution, I believe there will be opportunities The whole answer was completely beyond her expectation, apart from disappointment and anger, she didn't know anything else.She leaked her emotions, so she pursed her lips tightly and didn't speak.Lao Liang talked for a while, seeing that she couldn't listen to it, and felt bored, so he closed his mouth, and there was only an awkward silence between them. Xin Mei finally stood up. Therefore, the chief of staff thinks that I should not leave Nanjing It was so sad, and her voice was weak and trembling, and she couldn't go on. It means chief of staff. Liang Zhishu nodded, spread his hands, and made an expression of helplessness.She got up and walked her to the door. Xiao Xin, don't be sad, I will speak for you again when I have a chance. Thanks. Only two rooms away is the faculty lounge.It was only a few steps away, but she was walking up and down, with great difficulty; her mind was blank, her heart was empty, her body seemed to have lost its center of gravity, and it was unbalanced.It was a sunny day outside the aisle, and the sunlight made everything white and dazzling.Xin Mei lowered her head, not daring to look directly at it. Seeing the expression on her back, the two colleagues stared at her with concern, not daring to ask.She didn't want to tell them, but felt that she couldn't bear any setbacks, and she was childish, so she sat down, collected herself, and said calmly: The hospital did not allow me to go to Changsha, because the weather was hot and the road was not safe. Really. Zhao Ping's tone was full of sympathy, but there was no trace of surprise on her face. Situ cleared his throat and suggested kindly: You don't need to go to Changsha.In fact, Hangzhou and Shanghai are more fun, there are many places of interest and historical sites, and the food is even more varied. Hunan has nothing to eat except chili peppers. Seeing their calm attitude, Xin Mei guessed that they already knew that she would not leave.With this realization, the slightly suppressed emotions became excited again.As if she had been fooled, she became ashamed and annoyed. What is the difference between Changsha and Hangzhou? She asked Situ provocatively, her eyes fixed on the latter's face. If you can go to Hangzhou and Shanghai, why can't you go to Changsha?It's all Chinese land!Isn't Shaoshan said to be the holy land of world revolution?Foreigners can go, why can't I go? Situ was overwhelmed by the question, so he had to avoid her eyes and looked at Zhao Ping for help.Zhao Ping also only looked at Xin Mei pityingly, shook her head slightly, but couldn't say a word of comfort. It's so unfair!She couldn't control her emotions more and more, so she just spit it out.I have worked so hard to teach for a semester, but I can't ask for two weeks off!Others have three or four teachers teaching a class of students together, but I teach three classes by myself, with 90 students under my care, without a single teacher to help.If there is no English teacher in the next school year, I won't work so hard! After being silent for a long while, Situ said persuasively: Don't blame Lao Liang, Lao Liang has encountered a few setbacks, so he dared to inform you. Xin Mei thought about it, it was not good to blame Lao Liang.She could also imagine his embarrassment.Since Mao Zedong ordered the People's Liberation Army to carry out military training in universities in 1967, and sent workers Mao Zedong Thought Propaganda Teams to the universities the following year, most of the original cadres stood aside.And in the collective leadership of the representatives of the military and industrial propaganda teams, the guns are often overwhelmed by the guns, and the soldiers have the final say.Staff Officer Zhang is a veteran soldier who has been in the army for a quarter of a century. He manages the School of Water Conservancy just like managing a barracks. She fell silent, looking at the papers spread out on the table, except for one topic of teaching experience, it was a blank sheet of paper.Picking up the pen, I realized that my hands were shaking, where could I write?I had no choice but to slam my pen, grab the paper, crumple it into a ball, and throw it into the wastebasket beside the table. Xiao Xin, I really want to go out to play, why not go to Shanghai?Zhao Ping persuaded her. Not going, Xin Mei replied bitterly, not going anywhere, just die of old age in Nanjing! Don't say that, there are plenty of opportunities. Zhao Ping comforted her softly, but looked at Xin Mei meaningfully, apparently warning her to be careful. Seeing this look, Xin Mei felt even more wronged.After venting a few words, I immediately had to hold back, which made me feel even more uncomfortable.She grabbed a freshman English textbook on the table, stuffed it into the black plastic bag she carried, and stood up. gone?Situ asked her. go!After waving at them, she walked towards the door. Take it easy, Xiaoxin. A well-meaning advice from Zhao Ping sounded behind her, but she didn't answer it, she just went out and walked towards the stairs.When I went downstairs, I realized that my legs were weak and I had to walk on the railing.She found a bicycle at the gate of the building, and she could only push it on foot. A large number of students have left to catch trains and ships, and the campus is much calmer than usual.Although it was almost noon, the loudspeaker for getting off work hadn't sounded yet, and no one was walking on the road.The sun was high above the sky, and it poured straight waves of heat on the asphalt road, forcing the shade of the sycamore trees on both sides to shrink inward.The short-sleeved blouse that Xinmei wears is light gray and cool material.Once this kind of nylon cloth is baked in the sun, it immediately sticks to the body with sweat. It is stuffy and airtight, making people feel short of breath. Go to the intersection, which is the traffic center of the school.Several teaching buildings and laboratories are nearby. You can go out of the school gate to the east, and you can go to the playground to the west. The north and south are connected to the teachers and student dormitories. Therefore, everyone calls this cross area Xiaoxin Jiekou.A three-meter-high monument of quotations was erected in the middle of the road. Compared with the Xinjiekou Square in the city center, there is only a statue of Mao Zedong missing.Xin Mei turned to the east, passed the Water Conservancy Museum, and saw Qingliang Mountain, which was densely populated with pines and cypresses. Go up the mountain, her heart moved.Thinking about it, he parked the car at the foot of the hill, then took his bag, and walked up the stone steps up the hill slowly. She couldn't remember how many times she went to Qingliang Mountain alone.Whenever she was depressed, she would come alone and wander around the mountains aimlessly for a while.When no one is looking around, you can still shout a few times, and the depression in your chest seems to disappear in the pine forest.Fortunately, there is such a large forest, otherwise the school and dormitory would be crowded, and there would be no park nearby, so there would be no place for a walk.There is no shortage of bosom friends in this mountain forest. In the school section, many students come up to talk.There are even young men and women hiding here to say love, and the ageless green pines are all inclusive, bearing their surnames and years on their trunks, silently witnessing. Halfway up the hill, she turned into a path she was familiar with.After only two steps, I found someone talking under a pine tree in the distance.Listening carefully, it was my students Lin Weidong and Ye Xiuchun, who were talking enthusiastically with their heads lowered, their shoulders almost touching each other.Before they noticed, she quickly retracted and walked up the steps paved with stone slabs.When she reached the end of the stone road, she was already drenched in sweat, so she hurriedly sat down on a stone slab, threw the plastic bag by the side of the road, and took out a handkerchief from her blue trouser pocket to wipe the sweat. Although it is the middle of the day and there is no wind in the forest, there is a shady and cool air, which can refresh the mind and relieve the heat.Beside her was a piece of thick green, covering the sky and the sun.Only a line of blue sky can be glimpsed occasionally on the winding stone steps; the sun is like an overturned white paint bucket, smearing a piece here and there on the stone steps, dazzling white.Afraid of the white light, Xin Mei held her head in her hands, lowered her eyes, and thought about her own thoughts. Why can't I go to Changsha?Thinking about it is also the problem. The answer is actually very simple. The moment Liang Zhishu told her, she had already realized it, but subconsciously refused to accept it.The weather was hot and the road was hard, these were all excuses.All the students from other places went home, even those as far away as Heilongjiang and Hainan Island happily went on the road; the teachers and staff whose families were not in Nanjing had already gone to visit their relatives.The chief of staff just turned a blind eye to them, and only cared about Xin Mei alone?No matter how stupid she is, she can tell that it's not about caring about herself, but worrying about herself.For a Taiwanese like her who studied in the United States and then came to China, according to the party's consistent strategy, she will always be questioned.Since the Cultural Revolution, political standards have been raised, and this background is first of all complicated overseas relations.Although he came from a family of farm laborers who turned into self-employed farmers, under the dogmatic propaganda, the people of Taiwan are living a life of selling their children. Who would believe that the children of poor farmers can go to college and study abroad?Out of political vigilance, the chief of staff is of course worried about letting her go to the mainland, maybe he still suspects that Xin Mei has some ulterior motives when she goes out, right? It's so unfair!Xin Mei thought indignantly. It has been six years since Xinxin and himself defected to the motherland, and the earth-shaking Cultural Revolution has come. They have dug coal in the Qinglong Mountains, picked soil from the banks of the Huaihe River, opened up wasteland and built farms in northern Jiangsu, and eat and wear the same as everyone else. identify with people in the country.Many colleagues said that she had no taste of drinking foreign water, and the farmers even praised her as a good daughter of the farm family, all of which gave her an illusion; she was accepted by the collective.However, a trip to Changsha shattered this dream. After all, six years is still short, she said to herself, she was afraid that she would never be recognized in this life! As soon as this thought sprouted, she was so startled that she couldn't sit still, and her whole body stiffened.She looked up and saw a faint line of blue sky, but the light was so bright that she couldn't open her eyes.Only the pine trees beside me have thick trunks and dense branches and leaves stretch out like umbrellas, as if welcoming them with open arms.She stood up abruptly, reached out and grabbed a handful of pine branches, holding them tightly in her hands.Opening her mouth slightly, she wanted to shout loudly: You should believe me! But before the words came out, footsteps could be heard in the distance.Xin Mei followed the prestige and saw two students, a man and a woman, emerged from the pine tree, but she didn't recognize them.They knew about Xin Mei, so they blushed, nodded at her in bewilderment, and rushed down the mountain.Less than a year after the start of the school year, the school has repeatedly issued five orders not to allow students to fall in love. It seems that they have all done nothing.The young people didn't even bother to go home when they were on vacation, so they went to the mountains to talk about love first.Even Lin Weidong, his favorite student, tops the whole school in grades and morals, proving that school rules are no match for human nature. With this interruption, Xin Mei also calmed down, and helplessly let the pine branch in her hand bounce back slowly.She knew it was getting late, and the nanny and children were waiting, so she had to pick up the plastic bag and follow her down the mountain. Under the tyranny of the scorching heat, the crickets stopped chirping, the wind held their breath, and everything was still except for the steaming heat.She rode all the way to the school gate. There was no one else on the road, but the gardener Lao Ma and his son were taking a nap on a straw mat under the locust tree by the roadside.The old horse covered his face with a straw hat, and was still holding a hoe in his hand when he was asleep.The pony has a pair of big feet hanging on the handle of the hoe, the blue cloth trousers are rolled up to the knees, a book is resting on the head, the hands are crossed on the head, sweat is dripping from the long, thin and flat face like a knife, the eyebrows and eyes are closed, as if Sleeping soundly. Xiao Ma is Xin Mei's best friend among the janitors. He is only in his early twenties, and he still keeps his hands on the book while working, so he is called a bookworm.He is very friendly to Xin Mei, and every time we meet, he will have a chat with her.Today Xin Mei was in a bad mood, and seeing him taking a nap, she didn't want to disturb her.Unexpectedly, when she rode close, the pony suddenly jumped up and greeted her with a grin.She had to jump out of the car.Xiao Ma picked up the book on the pillow and handed it to Xin Mei. It was Ding Ling's sun shining on the Sanggan River.She has already seen it, but she is grateful for Xiao Ma's kindness, and she is bored when she is stuck at home during the summer vacation, so she is happy to watch it again.So after thanking you in a low voice, I put it in a plastic bag. Teacher Xin, when are you going to Changsha?he asked quietly. Don't go!Xin Mei replied angrily. Seeing her sullen expression, Xiao Ma wanted to inquire about the details.Afraid of waking up his father by talking, he made a gesture and walked slowly towards the school gate with Xin Mei.Xin Mei told the truth about the chief of staff not allowing leave.Xiao Ma raised his two thick eyebrows from time to time, but there was no expression of injustice on his red face.Xin Mei was even more discouraged. What a pity to be a Taiwanese!She couldn't help whining.Be a second class citizen everywhere! Don't be so angry.After finishing speaking, he looked around, and then advised her in a low voice: The status of Taiwan compatriots will definitely rise in the future, and it will depend on me!Now busy with internal affairs and foreign affairs, how can I care about you Taiwan.But, you see, once the Taiwan issue is brought up on the agenda, you will be a first-class citizen. Believe it or not, when the need for the United Front comes, the people of Taiwan will become special citizens! Having said that, they have already approached the statue of Mao Zedong at the school gate.The pony grinned again, beckoned instead of goodbye, and walked back alone. Xin Mei got into the car, the seat cushion was as hot as a soldering iron, she gritted her teeth before stepping on the car.A large iron gate was opened, and in the middle of the road inside the gate was a full-body statue of Mao Zedong, with a pedestal as high as twelve meters, waving his hand to indicate the direction.Xin Mei walked around the marble pedestal of the statue and looked back habitually.Perhaps the scorching sun was scorching fiercely, and there were no bustling crowds around to set it off. Mao Zedong's stretched arms did not have the majestic and majestic posture of the past.The rising sun cast a shadow on his face, making him look gloomy and desolate, with an unexpectedly lonely expression.She turned her head and let out a breath.Stepping on the pedal hard, he rushed out of the iron gate with a whoosh. In the afternoon, after the teaching review meeting, it was almost four o'clock.On the way home, Xin Mei went to pick up Tao Lian from the kindergarten as usual. Teacher Xin!When the childcare worker saw her, she came out immediately.It's summer vacation, I heard you're going to Changsha? I can't go! She couldn't help sighing in her heart, a private matter was made known to everyone, and the collective way of life really made it impossible for people to have privacy at all. real?There was joy that couldn't be concealed in the nurse's surprise.Then can you keep Tao Lian at home for a month, and send him to kindergarten after school starts in September? What, is the kindergarten going to close? Xin Mei looked at Tao Lian who was sitting on the floor, the building blocks were building vigorously, and she was reluctant to let go when her mother came. That's right, the childcare workers complained that since the Cultural Revolution, kindergartens have always been open, and we childcare workers have never had a holiday.There have been no classes for several years, and the teachers either joined forces with the revolution or went to Wuqi Farm. We have been watching the children.After the summer vacation, we want to combine the children into one big class, assign a teacher to watch, and the others take turns to rest.If you have an elderly person in your family, we recommend keeping the children at home.There is no way for other children. Parents either work as dual workers or work on farms. We have to accept them. At this moment, Tao Lian dropped the toy and came to his mother.Come home, Mom! At the age of less than five years old, he is not small.He has thick eyebrows and big eyes, and his head is so big that the protruding forehead takes up half of his face.At such a young age, he has already put on glasses, which slightly dilutes the childishness on his face.He couldn't be idle for a moment, seeing his mother not leaving, he immediately grabbed the door and started playing.The white shorts in the morning are now dirty and wrinkled. Seeing his mischievous appearance, Xin Mei couldn't stop moving.Thinking about the old grandmother at home, especially the old hepatitis patients living downstairs, who have been recuperating at home for many years, and hate their children making noise the most. It would be really embarrassing to keep the two boys at home.However, it is true that the childcare workers are working hard, and they feel sorry for not letting them rest. Okay, I won't come tomorrow, I will send it after school starts.She readily agreed. The childcare worker was very happy, and immediately sent out Tao Lian's teacup and towel all at once.Xin Mei pressed the things on the back seat bag rack, asked the child to sit reclined on the crossbar in front, and rode all the way back to the dormitory on Hankou Road. Mom, I want to play with the goose. Once at the gate of the dormitory.Tao Lian yelled, and before Xin Mei could stop the bicycle, she jumped off by herself. Near dusk, the collective dormitory became lively.The shade of the trees and the shadows of the eaves stretched out. Children, big and small, came out of their nests. Even the flocks of chickens were active, shuttling between the children's feet. One family even raised two big white geese, which stalked in the big yard all day long. It has long been a pet for children.Tao Lian's greatest hobby is chasing white geese to play.At this time, two geese were wandering around the reception room inside the gate, and many children had already gathered beside them, pointing and pointing.Tao Lian happily joined them.Xin Mei pushed the car home alone. The dormitory assigned to her by the school is a suite unit with two rooms facing south on the upper floor of the third building.Looking out of the window, most of the view is blocked by the first building that is close at hand, facing all the toilets and kitchens, bottles and cans are listed on the window, and a mop that is often dripping is hung.However, looking up, the scenery changed again. The dormitory building of Nanjing Normal University towered under the blue sky, as if it was within reach.This is a very common four-story gray concrete building, but in order to match the carved beams and painted buildings left by the former Jinling Women's University on the campus, cornice decorations were added to the roof and four corners, which looked neither Chinese nor Western, giving people A far-fetched impression.Fortunately, next to Nanshi is the slope of Qingliang Mountain. There are many trees on the mountain, covering a few sparse white bungalows. There are some white spots in the emerald green bushes. Xiao Xin is back? She had just dropped the plastic bag and was about to pick up her second child, Xiaoye, to kiss her when she heard the voice of her neighbor, Dr. He. I'm home!Come play, come play! She and grandma greeted them at the same time.Grandma was washing vegetables, her hands were wet, and she quickly pulled the corner of the apron to wipe dry. Dr. He stood at the door with a smile, followed by his youngest son, three-year-old Mao Mao. Come in and sit down, Dr. He. Xinmei gave up her neighbor's mother and child to her room in Xitou.Her room is not small, with an area of ​​nine square meters, but there is a table and chairs in one corner near the window, a double bed in the other corner, and a chest of drawers in the corner of the inner wall, so there is not much space left.A mosquito net was placed on the bed, which blocked the air circulation, making the room feel crowded and stuffy with more than one person standing. Come, Maomao, go play with building blocks with Xiaoye. With that said, grandma led Maomao into the house.She took out a box of fruit-patterned building blocks from under Xinmei's bed, and let the two children sit on the floor to play before going back to the kitchen.Maomao was more than a year older than Xiaoye, and was no longer interested in this kind of simple building blocks, so he took out a handful of marbles from the pocket of his shorts, pushed away the building blocks, and played marbles with Xiaoye on the floor. Xin Mei pulled the guest to the desk and sat down, poured her a cup of cold boiled water from the water tank on the chest of drawers, and went to the bed mat to pick up a big cattail fan and handed it to her, then she sat on the edge of the bed to accompany her. Dr. He, are you not at work today? No, I'm on the night shift.Dr. He took a sip of water as he spoke, put down his glass, and then started to shake his fan.I was so busy last night in the emergency room that I was almost exhausted!I didn't bother to eat when I came back, and I didn't get up until three o'clock.I just made dinner, and when I hear you come back, I'll come over here to have a chat.It's hot and I just don't want to eat. In this large dormitory area where more than 300 families live together, Xin Mei is really lucky to have Dr. He living next to her.They were about the same age, both in their early thirties.Dr. He has a more straightforward temperament than Xin Mei. He is from Hunan, has the same interests as Tao Xinsheng, and loves chili very much.She also has two boys. The eldest is not in elementary school, and was sent to live with her grandmother in Hunan last year;Tao Ye is a premature baby with a weak constitution. He was born with bronchial asthma. Thanks to Dr. He who is by his side, he often comes for consultations and injections, which solves many of Xinmei's difficulties.In both families, the men are away all year round, and the women have to work and do housework.Xinmei has a nanny who lives at home and she can rely on her for everything.Dr. He didn't ask anyone for help. Sooner or later, when he couldn't handle it, his grandma would go over and help him. This is the only way the Tao family can repay others. Dr. He is addicted to spicy food, and has a slightly spicy temperament.She is outspoken, sometimes unforgiving, but kind-hearted, and always responsive to others' difficulties.There are also several doctors and nurses in the dormitory, some are school doctors, some are family members of employees, but she is the only one who is famous for voluntary medical consultations.Sometimes when she just came home from the night shift, she was too tired to open her eyes, and the neighbors came to the door with their children in their arms. She still carefully examined them and never turned anyone away.When Xiaoye's asthma attacks in winter and spring, it's extremely dangerous. Dr. He always comes to make rounds every night, as concerned as his own son's illness. Xin Mei and grandma are grateful to her from the bottom of their hearts. When to buy a ticket to Changsha?Doctor He suddenly asked. Blow it! Xin Mei sighed, and repeated to her what Party Secretary Liang had said in the morning. It's really unreasonable! Dr. He scolded immediately, shaking the cattail fan vigorously in his hand, wishing to blow away the injustice immediately.When he realized that his voice was too loud, he quickly stretched out his other hand to cover his mouth. What's so great about Changsha that I can't go there?She barely lowered her voice, but still said indignantly.So what about Shaoshan?It's not a national defense secret! You have a great mentor in Hunan Province. When the great commander said this, Xin Mei suddenly realized that this was Lin Biao's flattery that caused disaster, and she quickly covered her mouth.In short, I am worth a hundred times, and I, an overseas islander, shouldn't go out there if I have nothing to do. have to!have to!Don't make fun of us in Hunan. Dr. He has a round face, when he gets angry, his eyes roll round, and the corners of his mouth turn up in disdain, pulling his face into an oval shape.Suddenly, she covered half of her face with a cattail fan, leaned her upper body towards Xin Mei, and asked in a low voice: "Hey, you are in Taiwan, can you travel freely?" Of course, as long as you have money, you can go anywhere!Xin Mei answered loudly. Doctor He opened a pair of small eyeballs, and blinked at Xin Mei twice, half-believing, but he didn't dare to ask any more questions. Taiwan is usually advertised in the dark in China, and Xin Mei really wants to take this opportunity to give a fair and objective account.But thinking about the family background of the He family, coupled with the fact that he was angry, if he went too far, they would not be beautiful to each other.She sighed and changed the subject. How is your hospital busy?Have there been many suicides recently? Dr. He works in the internal medicine department of the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers Hospital.She graduated from Shanghai Medical College. She has good medical skills and is very serious about her work. She is very popular in internal medicine.Xin Mei also had the desire to study medicine to help the world back then, but unfortunately she couldn't understand mathematics, physics and chemistry, so she had to sigh at the gate of National Taiwan University School of Medicine.Although my wishes were contrary to my wishes, my interest in medical care is still the same as before, and I like to listen to what happened in the hospital. The orgasm was long overdue, thank goodness!Doctor He let out a sigh of relief.We doctors, like you teachers, are also afraid of political movements.Every time I exercise, it's really an internal and external attack.In addition to working eight hours a day, I also have to study and hold meetings. I either rack my brains to write exposing materials, or brazenly conduct self-criticism, which is harder than seeing a doctor!The emergency room was even busier. Suicides were brought in one by one, some jumped off a building and broke their arms, smashed their heads, or swallowed such and such medicines, making a mess of their stomachs!Alas, if you fail to commit suicide, you are actually suffering! no!Xin Mei felt the same way.Even if he succeeds in committing suicide, he will be exterminated by the people, and the crime will be punished even more.It's just suffering after death. Anyway, I don't know it, and my family is unlucky. Suicide is totally irresponsible.Doctor He condemned loudly. Xin Mei was noncommittal.It seemed undeniable that suicide was an act of escape, but she was at a loss after seeing too many examples of suicide.Thinking of those who were censored during the movement, they were isolated for a year and a half. Compared with the embarrassment of mental torture and suicide, the latter can only be regarded as a passive protest, or even permanent liberation. Xiaoye, look at me! Maomao showed Xiaoye playing marbles, causing Xiaoye to crawl around on the floor and under the bed, chasing the rolling beads. Where did you get the marbles?Xin Mei asked curiously.There have been no marbles on the market for several years. 他爸爸托人捎來的，一定是在小鎮上或鄉村的供銷社裏買的。 提到毛毛的父親，辛梅連忙問候起來：老何好嗎？有信沒有？ 何醫生的丈夫也姓何，是本校力學系水力組的講師，目前在農場養豬。 馬馬虎虎吧，也好久沒有信了。上次來信說胃口不好，吃東西不香，加上天熱，特別容易疲倦。我勸他去縣人民醫院檢查一下身體，還不是當耳邊風！這麼怕看醫生，他總有一天要吃苦頭的！ 辛梅笑了。有你這個醫生在家，他自然不想看別的醫生了。 何醫生跟著笑，臉像一朵盛開的牡丹花，寬闊明艷。 秋天總該回來了，辛梅預測著。他們教研組還沒有編好教材，明年春天二年級上課就要用，再不趕就要遲了。老何是數一數二的資深教師，編教材哪能缺他！ 誰知道，管他呢！ 何醫生嘴裏硬著，臉上卻罩上了陰影，笑容也跟著憔悴枯萎下來。 何老師在五七農場已經快兩年了，除了每兩個月例休五天回南京外，學校一直沒調他上來。 他是清華畢業的，喜歡做研究，帶學生做實驗最受歡迎，是系裏做得極有成績的一位，在文化革命以前是屬於高精尖的教師之一。可惜出身國民黨家庭，解放前夕，父母隨著國民黨逃到臺灣去；做兒子的早同他們劃清了界線，二十年來，彼此不通音訊，但是出身和成分上卻永遠背了親屬在臺灣的黑鍋。又不知哪個多事的教員在例行的檢舉揭發場合裏說，像他這種年紀四十歲上下的人都有參加三民主義青年團的質疑。於是，在文革後期清理階級隊伍期間，家庭背景和三青團籍便成了專案審查的焦點。 審查工作前後拖了一年，同事不敢跟他多說話，學生更是翻臉不認人，弄得何老師灰溜溜的，在學校和宿舍間獨來獨往，低了頭走路，不敢和人打招呼。其間，他只上臺被鬥過一次，純粹是吃了童言無忌的虧。原來他在一打多的檢討書中，屢次表白自己最愛毛主席的書，到了廢寢忘食的地步。他的大兒子非非當時正在幼兒園。有一次保育員問非非：你爸爸讀毛主席的書嗎？孩子說：他一拿起毛選，看一眼就睡著了。保育員立刻反映上去，全校譁然。馬上開鬥爭大會，把他拉上臺，叫他對著毛澤東像下跪請罪，指著他鼻子謾罵了一頓才了事。 非非因為說了真話，給父親招來一場禍，又被母親暗地裏狠狠訓戒了一頓，小小心靈受了傷害，性情竟變得陰沉易怒，他不願跟小朋友玩了。何醫生看看不是辦法，去年找個藉口，親自把他送去外婆家上學，希望換下環境會使他活潑正常起來。 農場下一次輪休快到了吧？說著，辛梅瞄一眼掛在牆上得月曆牌。 八月五號。何醫生衝口而出，顯然是朝思暮想著丈夫得歸期。 你家老何最是細心體貼，這次回家說不定給你捎回來幾個西瓜。一到三伏天，南京的西瓜就供不應求。昨天我下班晚，陰陽營的西瓜全賣光了，陶煉吃不到，吵了一晚！ 我們醫院福利社有德州的西瓜，你要不要？ 聽說是山東的西瓜，辛梅便搖頭。 這種西瓜中看不中吃，個子大，瓜瓤紅，就是不甜。不像南京的陵園瓜，個兒雖小，倒是很甜。噯，最好的西瓜還在臺灣。我們老家的瓜，又大又好，有紅瓤，有黃瓤，全是又沙又甜。賣瓜的興叫包開，付錢以前先挖個洞嚐嚐，不甜不買。而且夏天沒到便吃起，一直可以吃到冬天來。聽過人家說圍著火爐吃西瓜嗎？ 何醫生含糊地嗯了一聲，並不搭腔。 辛梅只顧吹噓故鄉的西瓜，聲大氣宏，竟忘了臺灣的話題是何家最大的禁忌，最怕人家大聲說起。我今天怎麼昏頭啦！她在心裏罵自己，簡直在做臺灣的廣播。 這幾年，臺灣這兩個字，除了逢年過節的政治口號我們一定要解放臺灣外，便是避之唯恐不及的詞。記得剛到北京時，她和新生興頭十足，最愛去廣場和酒店逛逛，同老工人和紅衛兵交談。人家問起她的籍貫，她總是驕傲地回答：臺灣！對方不是禮貌地點點頭，顧左右而言他，便是一板正經地盤問她的來歷，似乎臺灣人出現在北京是不尋常的事，非查清底細不可。到六八年清隊階段，臺灣兩個字常出現在大字報上，總是跟國民黨餘孽，潛伏的特務等牽連在一起。那時候，辛梅提到自己的省籍時，竟失去往常的傲氣，而對方一聽，也噤若寒蟬。新生就勸她暫時別提老家，改稱福建人算了。那年冬天，她每天早上去東四一個小公園裏學太極拳。畢業時，教拳的老師傅與她閒談，又問起她的籍貫。她想了想，終於說：福建。當時，她慚愧得低下了頭，只在心裏辯解著：我沒有說謊，三代以前，我的祖先確是來自福建！ 與那段時期相比，臺灣的身價現在是看漲了。尼克森訪華不久，便傳出和平解放臺灣的論調。小報參考消息也偶而登些臺灣的消息，盡是些民不聊生的例行報導，辛梅卻奉為至寶，總想透過字裏行間去捕捉臺灣真正的現狀。如今，她在同事間說起臺灣，他們也不再板起一副木頭面孔，倒是何家因為有公婆在臺灣，公共場合絕不提臺灣兩字。 I want!I want! 毛毛和小冶搶著打彈珠，小冶搶不過，便張開兩隻小手，大聲喊叫起來。 for you! 毛毛把一粒彈珠彈到小冶跟前，小冶抓住了，高興得蹬腳。 小冶，別蹬腳！辛梅立刻喝住他。 話聲未落，她腳下的地板已經響起篤篤篤的敲擊聲。樓下的同事嫌吵，又用掃把棍子敲天花板來警告了。 真是不近情理！何醫生直搖頭。毛毛，走，回家吃飯去。 再坐會兒吧。辛梅苦笑著留客。 不坐了，人家已經替你下逐客令咧！再坐下去，地板不被敲穿才怪！ 真是抱歉 辛梅帶著一臉的歉意把她們母子送出房門。 走啦，何醫生？毛毛，再來玩喲！ 奶奶嘴裏送著客，手中正在翻炒菠菜，鏟子敲著鍋底，咯咯作響。廚房正對著走道和敞開的大門，南北穿堂風一吹，爆香的大蒜味直飄向門口。 辛梅回到房裏，抱起小冶站在窗口向外閒眺。對面宿舍的一排廚房，這時人頭攢動，鍋鏟飛舞，家家都在忙著做飯。小冶餓了，把食指吮吸得吱吱作響。 吃手不衛生呀，乖乖。她哄著，把他手指拉出嘴外。馬上吃飯了。 這時，樓梯間響起沉重而陌生的腳步聲。 哪家是辛梅？有人在門口喊。 辛梅放下小冶，趕忙走過來，一看是郵務員。 辛梅電報！簽名或蓋章也行。 telegraph!她聽說是電報，一顆心先莫名其妙地跳起來，以為新生出了什麼意外。匆匆簽收了，她拿到桌前，迫不及待地拆開看。 電報內容，只有短短一行： 我們在武漢華師方正 武漢，華師中華師範，方正方正！ 哎呀，方正！ 她驚叫了一聲，立刻把電報揣在胸口，似乎只有貼著心才能證實它可信。 方正回來了！亞男回來了！ 她喜得大嚷著，人就在原地打轉轉。 奶奶先聽到電報，但沒空理會。這時聞聲趕出來，手裏還抓著一把大菜刀。 who?誰回來？ 方正！方正和柳亞男！辛梅急著找人分享她的驚喜和快樂，馬上快聲回答。 奶奶已是六十出頭的人，聽覺不靈，當下不知道她在說誰，只瞪著辛梅發傻。 是我們的朋友辛梅發覺一時說不清，只好搖頭了。等下再告訴你！ 奶奶聽那口氣，知道不是陶新生要回來，已興味索然。又瞧她抱著一張紙條不放，興奮得像個小孩子，跟中午回家那份愁眉苦臉相，簡直判若兩人，只感到好笑。Tsk!一聲，她自己又踅回廚房去。 辛梅吃奶奶這一笑，也發現自己失態，但毫不在乎。她在床桌榻之間的小小空地上來回走動，嘴裏喃喃念著：回來了，回來了。一張電報攤開又合上，看了七八遍，務必把它看透似的。 他們真回來了！盯著電報，她知道這是千真萬確的事。六年了，他們的名字已經被埋進記憶的最底層，現在又活生生地跳躍出來。本來是天天盼著他倆回來，以後又不希望他們回來，最後就斷定他們不會回來了。如今呢，卻突然回來了！她不禁感嘆，愛國是一條單行道，只要有心，遲早會走到盡頭。 辛梅立刻盤算到武漢的事。長沙探親是不准了，到武漢訪友能行嗎？想到請假，她眉頭先深深鎖上個結。據她所知，一向只有探親請假的事，尚無訪友請假的例子可援。但武漢是非去不可的這個意念，早在披讀電文時就生根萌芽了再不准假，她只有偷跑一途。但目前當務之急是同方正他們連絡上。寫信太慢了，不如也發個電報去，別的都不說，只告訴他們此地的宿舍公用電話號碼就行了。 主意一定，辛梅急不可待，拿了塑料包就要走。 奶奶已把飯菜端上飯桌，熱氣蒸騰的，菠菜還散發一股誘人的黃酒香。小飯桌就放在廚房與大門、東房和西房之間的十字路口上，不用時挨著廁所的牆貼緊，吃飯時拉出來些人落了座，所有的通路全堵死了。兩個房間，擺了必需的家具就沒剩下多少地盤，因此，住這種套房的人家全把飯桌擱在過道上，辛梅家也不例外。 奶奶正在給小冶擦手，見了辛梅，立刻問她：你去陰陽營買陵園瓜嗎？剛才我在窗口望見好些人買了回來。你要沒空，給我一點錢，我等會兒排隊去，也拎它幾個來家，給孩子解解饞！ What?辛梅一句也沒聽進去。What did you say? 這時，院裏的廣播響起。 鐵梅啊例行的紅燈記插曲，不用看時鐘，家家都知道是六點整。 買瓜呀！ 老太太扯直了喉嚨喊。她耳重，說話嗓門一向就大，現在被這高音喇叭一逼，唯恐辛梅再聽不見，只得張大了嘴吼叫。 給我點錢！我排隊買瓜去！ 哦，給你錢。辛梅說著直點頭答應。 money!老太太的喊叫像平地一聲雷，提醒辛梅保存的銀行存摺。她丟了塑料包，回轉身，彎下腰脆在地板上，伸手從床底下拉出一隻皮箱來。看見上了鎖，她又跳起來，打開書桌抽屜，翻出一串鑰匙，試了幾下，終於把箱子打開。在棉襖毛衣下面，她翻出了一隻信封，打開張了一眼，便咧開嘴笑了。接著小心翼翼地把它收進塑料包裏。 奶奶拉著小冶在旁邊看得呆掉。她想不通，怎麼要點西瓜錢竟讓辛老師翻箱倒櫃起來，最後也只找到一隻信封，偏又只張了一眼。 西瓜是不買？she asked stubbornly. purchase!purchase! 辛梅飛快地把箱子上了鎖，又塞進床底下，這才從塑料包裏掏出錢包來，笑嘻嘻地整個塞給老太太。 買西瓜哪要這麼些錢！ 奶奶接了錢包，莫名其妙地瞧瞧它，又瞧瞧辛梅。辛老師怎麼回事呢？老人家心裏直嘀咕，中午回家吃不下飯，哭喪著臉，空著肚子上班去。現在又眉開眼笑，歡喜得錢都數不清似的。就是一張電報惹出來的。 飯菜全好了，我下去喊陶煉，你們先吃，我買瓜去。 說著，奶奶掏出一張兩元票子自己留著，把錢包又還給辛梅。 不，不，你們先吃。我要上街打電報。 老太太看她抓了塑料包奪門而走的模樣，大不以為然。 中飯沒好好吃上一頓，晚飯就吃了再出去不行嗎？ 給我留些飯吧！ 辛梅說著，回頭歉意地含笑招手，腳步早到樓梯口了。