Chapter 40: The Prejudices of the Times

Zhao Shuxian's face took on a look of reminiscence as she spoke. "Back then, everything was in ruins and in need of rebuilding. His father, as well as everyone in the family, was facing hardships. So, the family made a plan: some would go to Hong Kong, while others would stay behind. At the time, considering the two of us—me and our child, one so young and the other so weak—his father decided to go first, intending to bring us over once things were settled. Now, years have passed. Your aunt is now a performer in the cultural troupe, and her father sends over two hundred foreign exchange certificates every month. So, we have no worries about food or drink."

"In that case, it really is worth considering reuniting as a family. No matter when or where, being together is always best," Xiao Weiguo said earnestly, thinking about the years ahead.

"In his latest letter, he mentioned he's run into some trouble over there, and for the next few months, he won't be able to send the foreign exchange certificates. I'm very worried. Things are better here—if you have a job, you don't have to worry about anything, and it's so safe now. In fact, I was thinking about asking him to come back," Zhao Shuxian continued.

Hearing this, Xiao Weiguo could only hold his tongue and wait to see how things developed.

"I miss my dad too. My classmates see their fathers every day," Quan Linglan chimed in.

"Linglan, how old are you now? Are you in junior high or high school?" Xiao Weiguo suddenly realized he hadn't asked her age earlier.

"She's fifteen this year, in her second year of junior high. She'll take the high school entrance exam next year, though I don't know how seriously she's studying," Zhao Shuxian said, then turned to Xiao Weiguo. "How about you, Weiguo? How old are you, and how come you're already working?"

"Auntie, I'm sixteen, a year older than Linglan. I grew up in the countryside. I finished elementary school but didn't continue. I got this job as a procurement officer because the city is undergoing major construction, and the factory gave me a chance," Xiao Weiguo replied.

"You only finished elementary school? How do you know so much?" Quan Linglan was surprised, gesturing animatedly with her hands.

"Learning is a lifelong journey. It doesn't matter what degree you have—as long as you have the desire to learn, you can keep learning no matter how old you are," Xiao Weiguo told her.

At that moment, they suddenly heard the sound of something hitting the windows on the first and second floors. Xiao Weiguo listened carefully and heard a group of children outside shouting, "Look out, pampered young lady from a rich family! See what our stones can do!"

Just then, a stone crashed through the first-floor window and flew toward the dining table. Quan Linglan cried out in fright. Xiao Weiguo quickly stepped forward and, using his mental energy, blocked the stone and the shards of glass, letting them settle gently on the floor.

"Are you both alright?" Xiao Weiguo asked the mother and daughter.

Before they could reply, another voice came from outside: "Ha! Even the pampered young lady knows fear!" Then, the group of children ran off into the distance.

Zhao Shuxian's face was ashen, and Quan Linglan looked as if she might burst into tears—truly a pitiful sight.

"Weiguo, I'm truly sorry you had to witness such a scene today. In a few days, I'll take you out for a proper meal," Zhao Shuxian said in a low voice.

"It's alright, Auntie. I've had a good meal today. Does this kind of thing happen often? Do you have spare glass? I can help you replace it," Xiao Weiguo said, looking at the broken window.

"We always keep spare glass at home. This sort of thing happens a few times a year, so we stay prepared," Zhao Shuxian replied as she started cleaning up the mess on the floor and the table.

"That's good," Xiao Weiguo said, pitching in to help. Quan Linglan joined as well, and the three of them quickly put everything back in order. Xiao Weiguo took the glass and replaced the window swiftly, then prepared to take his leave.

"Auntie, Linglan, it's getting late. I should head back. I'll be going out to the countryside for procurement soon, but when I return, I'll come visit you again," Xiao Weiguo said.

"I promised to treat you well today, but I didn't do enough. Next time, I'll make it up to you. Take these supplies home for your family. The two of us can't finish them all," Zhao Shuxian said, handing him a prepared bag.

Xiao Weiguo quickly declined, "Auntie, I can't possibly accept this. It's not proper to take so much after eating."

"Take it. We have plenty at home. If you don't, Auntie will be upset," Zhao Shuxian insisted.

"That's right. If you don't take it, I won't be happy either," Quan Linglan added, backing her mother up.

"Alright then, I'll graciously accept. Next time I come back from the countryside, I'll bring you some local specialties," Xiao Weiguo agreed, figuring there would be chances to repay them in the future.

"Comrade Weiguo, next time let's discuss 'How Steel Is Tempered' and Paul again, alright? Don't forget!" Quan Linglan said cheerfully as he was leaving.

"Of course, I won't forget!" Xiao Weiguo replied, looking at the girl in the doorway, feeling a soft spot in his heart stirred once more.

When he had cycled about two hundred meters away, Xiao Weiguo stopped, turned to look back, and was filled with complicated thoughts. Getting involved with the Quan family now was far from wise, and their decision to stay here wasn't rational either.

As for love and marriage, reason told Xiao Weiguo that Quan Linglan was not an ideal choice. The woman he would marry in the future must have a good family background—which, in his mind, meant her family must be poor.

Oh well, Xiao Weiguo sighed inwardly. Time would tell. After all, he was only fifteen or sixteen; there was still plenty of time ahead.

When he returned to the siheyuan, it was already around eight in the evening, and most families had turned off their lights and gone to bed. Why did every household have so many children in this era? It's simple: with no entertainment, couples could only find ways to amuse themselves at night.

Xiao Weiguo's return caught the attention of many residents in Courtyard 98. Some quietly lifted their door curtains to peek out. Seeing an unfamiliar young man, they grew tense—who was he? But no one dared confront him alone; everyone waited for someone else to speak first.

As he passed through the middle courtyard, Aunt Tian Guixiang, who lived in the west wing, came out to stop him. "Young man, whose family are you from? I've never seen you before."

"Hello, Auntie. I just moved in this morning. I'm Xiao Weiguo, a procurement officer at the textile factory, living in the back courtyard," he explained.

He had no choice but to explain. In those days, society was close-knit and everyone knew each other. If he tried to barge in without a word, the residents might very well call the police.

Back then, most criminals were caught thanks to the sharp eyes of the people. Even in later years, the power of the local elders remained formidable—the "Chaoyang Masses" were not to be underestimated.