Chapter Eleven: Passion Across Time

Liu Weidong was reborn in 1978. Naturally, he knew what kinds of work would be profitable after ’78, and he was even clearer on what was feasible and what wasn’t.

He wanted Lou Yanru to attend university—not only because he owed his wife this from their previous life, but also because, although policies had been loudly proclaimed in recent years, their implementation was a slow process. The real turning point for economic transformation would come in 1984.

During these six years, he could only exploit policy loopholes to make modest gains. Lou Yanru could take advantage of this time to fulfill her dream of attending university.

Small-scale ventures could still be profitable, but private enterprises could not be openly operated. To accomplish anything, one had to work under the umbrella of an existing organization.

Hence, he couldn’t leave the Struggle Team Two.

When he returned to Team Two, it was already dinnertime. Before entering the village, he saw tendrils of smoke curling into the sky.

Liu Weidong parked his bicycle and stood at the village entrance with Wang Jianguo, watching quietly for a long while.

“Weidong, this is the smoke of human life. Only with such signs of daily living is there warmth among people. From birth to the end of life, isn’t it all for this food?

“Uncle is just an old farmer, neither educated nor well-informed. I hope you can leave this mountain valley, see the city, live in tall buildings, eat fine food. But those capable have already left; what about the rest of us villagers?

“Just because you bought that cartload of cornmeal, at this very moment, every household is gathered around their cooking pots, smelling the aroma of pancakes. You have given hope back to the members of Team Two.”

Wang Jianguo’s words made Liu Weidong’s nose tingle with emotion.

“Uncle Jianguo, don’t say that. Aren’t the policies improving all the time? Once the disaster passes, we’ll organize the members to repair irrigation, convert dry lands to paddy fields. The saying ‘man can conquer nature’ will never go out of style.”

Pushing his bicycle toward the village committee, Liu Weidong noticed that the members who had been loitering on the street with arms crossed were nowhere to be seen—probably all at home eating.

At Liu Weidong’s doorstep, Wang Jianguo took the bicycle from him.

“Weidong, you go home and eat first. Afterward, come to the team office; we’ll discuss tomorrow’s plowing. That brat Li Baotian has left; you have to work hard. The future of Team Two depends on you.”

From Wang Jianguo’s retreating figure, Liu Weidong sensed a trace of melancholy and helplessness.

Wang Jianguo was fifty-two; by rights, he should have retired to enjoy his twilight years, but reality would not permit it. Perhaps he saw a glimmer of hope in himself.

But could Liu Weidong truly devote all his energy to Team Two?

As soon as he entered the courtyard, Liu Weidong smelled the fragrance of cornmeal pancakes.

The open door let out warm steam.

“Weidong, you’re back! Did Director Ma agree to the land matter?”

Lou Yanru dusted the dirt off Liu Weidong with a feather duster and scooped water from the jar for him to wash his hands.

“Director Ma agreed, and he even cleared my name. Digging ginseng doesn’t count as undermining socialism. He also transferred Li Baotian back to the commune’s youth office.

“Also, there’s progress on your appointment as a private teacher. These days, while the city is signing contracts, I’ll accompany you to the bookstore to buy textbooks. You must study hard.”

Mentioning studying and the college entrance exam, Lou Yanru looked troubled.

“Weidong, I’ve neglected high school studies for so many years. Is one month of catch-up enough?”

Liu Weidong smiled.

“Are you silly? Now we have money. Won’t you go to the key school’s cram classes? Everyone starts the college entrance exam at the same baseline. If you’re behind, so is everyone else. I believe my wife will definitely get into university.”

Lou Yanru gazed at Liu Weidong with unwavering eyes, full of contentment.

Golden pancakes and vibrant spinach soup—Liu Weidong ate until he burped. Before he could put down his bowl, Wang Jianguo's voice boomed through the loudspeaker outside.

“All squad leaders, finish eating quickly and come to the team office to arrange post-disaster recovery work...”

Liu Weidong put down his bowl, grabbed a pack of cigarettes, and hurried to the village committee.

Several squad leaders were already there, smoking on a bench, their faces smiling.

Food is the foundation of strength; truly, after a good meal, spirits are lifted.

Since the meeting was about restoring production, they naturally first discussed securing grain output. After calculations, the maize fields spared from destruction could barely cover the grain tax.

That meant from now until the next autumn, Team Two’s members would have no food to eat.

The room fell into gloom once more.

“Flooded fields can only be replanted with potatoes and Chinese cabbage, but autumn vegetables sold to the supply and marketing cooperative fetch little money. I think we have to rely on the castor bean contract in Weidong’s hands for funds.”

As soon as Wang Jianguo said this, all eyes turned to Liu Weidong.

Liu Weidong handed out cigarettes to everyone, then cleared his throat and spoke.

“You’ve all seen the castor bean procurement plan from the oil factory. The factory’s demand is huge, but except for experimental fields at the school, the flood-damaged lands planted with castor beans don’t get approval from the commune leaders.

“Let’s first cultivate the hundred-plus acres at Qingshanzi. I’ll calculate the yield and then discuss with the oil factory how much to plant. For now, I dare not make any promises.”

Although Liu Weidong said this, the hopeful looks from Wang Jianguo and the squad leaders showed they believed in him.

After the meeting, back at home, Lou Yanru already had the foot-soaking water ready.

She squatted to wash Liu Weidong’s feet, but he pulled her up and started removing her shoes and socks.

“Ay, what are you doing? How can I let you wash my feet?”

Liu Weidong looked up at Lou Yanru.

“Wife, you’ve borne hardships with me all these years. From today on, I’ll wash your feet every night. Once you’re in university, it might be years before I get the chance again.”

Lou Yanru blushed, watching him gently massage her feet. A tingling warmth spread through her, and her body relaxed completely.

When Lou Yanru married Liu Weidong, it was considered a step down.

Though she had responded to the call for re-education among poor and lower-middle peasants, as a child of a cadre and a city dweller, an ingrained sense of superiority ran deep in her bones.

But the harshness of life after being sent to the countryside, and the brutal reality, shattered Lou Yanru’s princess-like airs, especially when her parents were denounced, dropping her from the clouds to the abyss.

At that time, she was cautious in every step, like a frightened rabbit, while Liu Weidong was like a fierce watchdog, baring his teeth at anyone who came near her.

Their marriage was not born of love, but more a resignation to fate. Lou Yanru’s mother pressured her to divorce; she had wavering moments. What kept her holding on was not love, but conscience and responsibility.

Without Liu Weidong’s protection these years, she might have jumped into the river to end it all.

Yet now, Liu Weidong felt completely renewed.

Though still a bit rough and unkempt, he was like old wine in a new bottle, becoming ever more intriguing.

During the first moment of intimacy with his wife after rebirth, Liu Weidong relived the fiery passion of revolution decades ago.

It was still that small room plastered with newspapers, drafty in every corner, still that small earthen kang bed, but for Liu Weidong, this moment felt like a lifetime apart...