Chapter 73: Letter from Haicheng (1)

What good news could possibly involve Grandpa Ruan? Jiang Yiliu remembered that those older generations who had been criticized during the Cultural Revolution didn’t start being rehabilitated until the late 1970s. Now, in 1972, it still seemed far from the time of redress.

This also related to the circumstances of Jiang Yiliu’s previous life. In that life, Ruan Jianguo and Bai Fangqiu hadn’t been sent down to Qingshan Village. Jiang Laida’s main concern back then had been whether the wild boars in the team were getting fat enough and whether the pig grass on the mountain had been cut completely; politics and current affairs were far removed from her life. Beyond the general direction of events, she wasn’t deeply aware of the details.

In fact, as early as 1971, after a certain ambitious figure fled and died, the political situation began to turn. Some of the senior officials who had been criticized in the 1960s gradually returned to work, and they advocated for rectification and the restoration of order.

At the end of 1971 and the beginning of 1972, the central government issued orders allowing returning overseas Chinese to travel freely. In the preceding years, many patriotic overseas Chinese who had returned to contribute to socialist construction had suffered devastating setbacks they were persecuted as class enemies or spies, their children and relatives were implicated, enduring discrimination and humiliation, and a significant number even perished in this ordeal.

To prevent resentment among overseas compatriots from escalating, the authorities in charge of overseas affairs proposed restoring this policy, allowing those wishing to go abroad to do so through legal channels, which also applied to Chinese citizens wishing to travel abroad for family visits or inheritance matters.

However, in the early 1970s, although many old officials had begun returning to work, the mainstream ideology remained extreme. Relations with foreign countries were considered suspicious, and traveling abroad was nearly synonymous with treason. Going abroad was a one-way ticket once the decision was made, there was no turning back.

The letter Mo Dashuan brought was an application sent from Haicheng. Ruan Yuanjiang, Ruan Yanjang’s older brother far away in Gangcheng, upon hearing that this policy had been reinstated, immediately sought ways to bring his suffering brother back to safety. It was said that after the New Year, Ruan Yuanjiang’s nephew would return to China to handle all the procedures for bringing him and Ruanruan abroad.

Huo Wu could also leave. His application would be handled by his eldest senior brother, who, as an orphan, was listed on the household registry as Huo Wu’s elder brother and thus legally considered a relative. Applying to go abroad under the guise of a family visit was allowed. But because Huo Wu had been a soldier, his application review would be more complex, and he would need to pay a substantial price to secure the process.

At this moment, the letter only mentioned Ruan Yuanjiang and Ruanruan; Huo Wu’s application was still pending.

Of course, the ultimate decision rested with Ruan Yuanjiang and Huo Wu. If they chose to stay, no one would prevent them.

Mo Dashuan considered this fantastic news for the grandfather-and-granddaughter pair. Living here in the mountains, Grandpa Ruan, a man of culture, had to do chores like cleaning the livestock shed. Now that Ruan Yuanjiang’s older brother had come to bring them away, they could finally go to Gangcheng and live comfortably.

That very afternoon, Grandpa Ruan and Bai Fangqiu gathered in Grandpa Jiang Cheng’s room to discuss the matter.

“Pfft, pfft, pfft.” After seven years, Grandpa Jiang Cheng pulled out his long tobacco pipe and started puffing anxiously.

“Brother Ruan, I’m not trying to lecture, but why are you so stubborn? There’s such a good opportunity. Go to Gangcheng and all your troubles are gone. With your abilities, don’t you think you can make a name for yourself there?”

Ruan Yuanjiang looked at his puzzled and regretful old companion and smiled wryly. “It’s not that simple.”

Shaking his head, he sighed. “Back when the family was divided, the eldest brother took three-tenths of the family treasures, the second brother took another three-tenths. They left the remaining four-tenths, along with all the property deeds, to me. Why? Precisely so I’d stay and protect the Ruan family’s roots here in China.”

“Now, the ancestors of the Ruan family are still here, as is the ancestral home. If I just leave, I would be a sinner of the Ruan family.”

Ruan Yuanjiang knew it was easy to leave, but hard to return. As long as he remained in China, there was still hope of reclaiming the confiscated assets. Once he departed, the Ruan family would be truly gone.

Perhaps his elder brothers wouldn’t blame him, but he could not forgive himself.

His concern wasn’t wealth, it was for his country, for his mother, and his own helplessness.

“Leaves return to their roots. If the roots are gone, where will the leaves go?”

Bai Fangqiu spoke optimistically, “Don’t be so pessimistic. The senior leaders have sent word many officials sent down like us have returned. I think order will be restored soon enough.”

Qingshan Village was pleasant; far from politics, Bai Fangqiu could fully immerse himself in medical research, though he had too few instruments to fully exercise his abilities, which frustrated him slightly.

Ruan Yuanjiang’s thoughts aligned with Bai Fangqiu’s: everything was moving in a positive direction, and soon they might see the dawn of hope.

Yet, the hopeful ones did not know that it would take another five years before that glimmer of light truly arrived.

“Brother Ruan, have you thought about Ruanruan?”

Bai Fangqiu saw that Ruan Yuanjiang had made his decision and stopped persuading him. But the child, Ruanruan, couldn’t remain here to suffer, could she?

“I’ve decided to have Yuan Qing take Ruanruan to Gangcheng.”

Yuan Qing, the eldest son of Ruan Yuanjiang’s second brother, was also Ruan Yuanjiang’s favorite nephew. He was the one coming to China to bring him back. By now, Yuan Qing was nearly fifty, old enough to be a grandfather himself.

Due to the war, Ruan Yuanjiang had neglected his personal life. It wasn’t until he was forty that he married a clerk introduced by the army. Their marriage was based on political ties rather than personal affection. Because of circumstances, he rarely lived with his wife. Only his eldest son needed to inherit the family line; the others, once they were a bit older, were taken by Ruan Yuanjiang, while the remaining children were left in the care of his wife. This was a source of deep regret and self-reproach for him.

He bore responsibility for the children’s current situation.

“...” Bai Fangqiu hesitated. “Brother Ruan, I don’t doubt you, but Ruanruan is only seven. She has never met your second brother’s family. Leaving her only remaining guardian for a completely unfamiliar place, this may not be in her best interest.”

Ruan Yuanjiang smiled wryly. He knew that well enough.

“My old companion and I can endure. But Ruanruan is so young; I cannot let her suffer with me. The policy has just been restored, and no one knows when it might be revoked. Ruanruan has me as her grandfather. Even children of martyrs face hardships in schooling and work. I cannot gamble her happiness.”

“If anyone were to be blamed, let it be me, her grandfather.”

Ruan Yuanjiang, who had never shed tears even when his children had betrayed him, had tears streaming down his face. His Ruanruan, obedient and sweet since birth, could not endure even a little suffering.

At first, leaving would be painful for her; she would cry and struggle. But in time, she would adapt. She would meet new friends, start a new life, and perhaps forget that across the bay, a grandfather waited for her.

Covering his chest, he wept silently.

“Xiaobao, where will Grandpa send Ruanruan? Ruanruan doesn’t want to leave Grandpa, doesn’t want to leave Xiaobao.”

Ruanruan, confused and hearing the conversation from outside the room, felt her little heart being tugged. Had she done something wrong? Her parents didn’t want her, and now even her grandfather wouldn’t?

Jiang Yiliu felt a pang of guilt. He should have pulled Ruanruan away when he first saw her eavesdropping at the door instead of letting curiosity keep her there.

Seeing the frightened girl, he guided her into the yard and helped calm her rapid breathing by pressing along her back.

“Ruanruan won’t leave. Xiaobao has a way; Ruanruan will stay.” Jiang Yiliu held the little girl tenderly, soothing her over and over.

“Ruanruan won’t go.” The girl buried her head in Jiang Yiliu’s arms, her voice muffled and quivering.

“Ruanruan won’t go, Ruanruan won’t go.” Jiang Yiliu felt both sorrow and heartache, yet beyond comforting her, he had no other solution. Even he hadn’t yet clarified in his own mind whether Grandpa Ruan’s decision was ultimately a blessing or a burden for such a young child.

By the time Ruan Yuanjiang and the others came out of the room after discussing matters, Ruanruan had already cried herself to sleep, held by Jiang Yiliu and carried back inside.

“Grandpa Ruan, we heard everything you just said.” Jiang Yiliu followed Grandpa Ruan into the livestock shed and spoke as Ruan Yuanjiang entered.

“What!” Ruan Yuanjiang was startled. He had planned to take Ruanruan to Haicheng after the New Year, letting the nephew take her while she slept. By the time she woke, she would already be on the other side of the bay. Now, with her alert, she might resist leaving.

“Grandpa Ruan, why must you send Ruanruan away? Can we really trust Uncle Yuan Qing?”

Jiang Yiliu could not gamble on human nature. After over twenty years, who knew what the younger generation of the Ruan family in the mainland felt toward them? Grandpa Ruan’s second brother might care about this brother, but what about the others? Would they care for a little girl like Ruanruan?

“Yuan Qing is the one I’ve watched grow up. He’s talented and upright among the younger generation, he’s the very best. Most importantly, Ruanruan will like him.”

Jiang Yiliu frowned. How could Grandpa Ruan be so sure Ruanruan would like that uncle?

Seeing his curiosity, Ruan Yuanjiang sighed and retrieved a garment from a locked cabinet. From a hidden pocket, he pulled out a yellowed, old photograph.

Jiang Yiliu leaned closer. It was a family portrait. He immediately recognized Grandpa Ruan, then a robust middle-aged man in a sharp suit, seated next to two other middle-aged men. Behind them stood a row of teenage boys around fifteen or sixteen, and several women holding infants.

“This is" Jiang Yiliu’s eyes widened as he pointed to one boy. He had seen this face countless times in Ruanruan’s pocket watch once young, now slightly older, the features almost identical.

Yet by the timeline, Ruanruan’s father had not even been born yet.

Ruan Yuanjiang’s expression mixed nostalgia and sadness. “Looks familiar, doesn’t he? That’s Ruan Yuanqing, Ruanruan’s third uncle, eldest son of my second brother. He resembles Ruanruan’s father about 80%. Not being familiar, one might not notice. Ruanruan only has childhood memories of her father; she will certainly take a liking to Yuan Qing.”

Jiang Yiliu fell silent. Five more years remained before the end of the ordeal. The closer the collapse approached, the more chaotic everything became. Who knew what would happen in those five years? Haicheng was a good place; for Ruanruan, it might mean a new life but new beginnings often came with pain.

“Grandpa Ruan, when you go to Haicheng, take me with you. I have a way to make Ruanruan leave willingly.”

Jiang Yiliu felt despicable, using the trust of a child to do something that would hurt her. Perhaps years later, when they met again, Ruanruan would no longer call him “Brother” sweetly, but angrily call him a deceiver. He smiled bitterly.

Ruan Yuanjiang was initially stunned, then laughed heartily. He had worried about persuading his little granddaughter; with Xiaobao around, he no longer had to. This child was never like other children.

Ruan Yuanjiang clicked his tongue in amazement. How could this family produce such a prodigy? This brain must belong with the Ruan family, for sure.

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Chapter 73: Letter from Haicheng (1)

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