The Red Era: Living in Seclusion in a Siheyuan as a Boss

Chapter 530 The year 83 has arrived!!!

Liu Wu and his colleagues also arrange at least half a day of labor every week, which involves planting vegetables and weeding on the school farm.

As for daily gun cleaning, class meetings, and evening roll calls, there is no shortage of them.

Sunday is the only day of the week that people can do as they please and are allowed to take leave to go out, but the proportion of people going out is controlled at one-third.

There are usually two meals on Sundays, at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., and you can do whatever you want after breakfast.

Students can use this time to read books, write letters home, play poker, chess, etc.

Or three or two people go out together to watch a movie, buy some daily necessities, etc.

Over the past few months, Liu Wu gradually integrated into college life.

The relationship between their classmates and comrades-in-arms is particularly sincere and friendly.

If anyone has any difficulties, everyone will do their best to help.

If anyone is in a bad mood, everyone will take the initiative to ask about him or her. Comrades are sometimes even willing to confide their love affairs and privacy to their comrades.

Liu Wu was a top student among them. In his spare time, he wrote a radio script and sent it to Shishi People’s Radio Station. Later, it was selected for broadcast.

The title is "As Close as Brothers", and the main content is about some small things that comrades-in-arms do to care for each other.

Soon winter came.

One night, Liu Wu and his team were doing night training when it started to snow lightly.

Liu Wu, Sun Xinchun and other students were lying on the ground to carry out "lurking" training. There was snow and mud under them, and their bodies were covered with snow. It was extremely cold and uncomfortable.

Time passed by minute by minute, and it was already late at night. Liu Wu's stomach began to growl.

The teacher kept looking at everyone with a stern gaze, gesturing to everyone to persevere to the end.

During the stealth training, the instructors required the trainees not to make any noise or move around.

At this moment, Li Erniu, who was lying next to Liu Wu, nudged him with his elbow.

Liu Wu looked at him in confusion, and saw Li Erniu quietly handed him something cold.

Because he was not allowed to speak and had to move very carefully, Liu Wu felt around in the dark and found that it was a cold steamed bun that had been gnawed.

Liu Wu's heart warmed up, and he thought: "My good brother is really thoughtful. He actually thought of putting this treasure in his pocket!"

Liu Wu just smeared it and took a quick bite.

In fact, he really wanted to swallow half of the steamed bun, but he soon understood.

But Liu Wu only took a bite, then gently nudged Sun Xinchun on the other side with his elbow and passed the bun, which had been bitten again, to him.

By the end of the training, Liu Wu didn't know who the steamed bun was passed to...

Thinking of this incident, Liu Wu and his classmates were happy. The training at that time was really a mixture of pain and joy.

Although life in a military academy is a little hard and tiring, comrades care about and take care of each other, making life fulfilling!

Speaking of which, the military academy cadets who were around 20 years old, the future officers, wore military uniforms with four pockets, shiny leather shoes, held their heads high and had extraordinary bearing.

Especially during holidays, these young officers walk in large groups on the streets, attracting a lot of attention.

Whenever this happened, Liu Wu would think of the school song he learned at Anti-Japanese University, and would also think of their generation, who had to shoulder the historical responsibility of carrying on the past and ushering in the future.

The captain of the Second Squadron of the Seventh Command Professional Corps is Liu Changhe, an outstanding soldier and a combat hero.

Liu Wu appears to be humble and gentle on the surface, but he is actually arrogant. However, he sincerely admires Captain Liu Changhe.

Whenever they had free time, Liu Wu and his friends liked to talk to Captain Liu.

After a few interactions, Liu Changhe became friends with them in private.

Liu Zhichanghe looked at the curious young people sitting around him, and finally said helplessly: "Well, I will tell you my story, and I hope it can also give you some inspiration and education..."

"My situation when I first joined the army was different from yours. At that time, I really didn't want to join the army..."

six years ago.

"Dad, I don't want to be a soldier!" Liu Changhe shouted with his neck stiffened, feeling a strong urge in his heart.

"Bullshit!" Liu Nanwan slammed the table and glared at his son Liu Changhe murderously, "Serving in the army is a glorious tradition of our Liu family. Your grandfather served in the army, I served in the army, and you have to go too!"

Liu Changhe had just turned 18 that year and his family was extremely poor.

Old Liu's family lives in a small village on the Loess Plateau. There are loess slopes on all sides, and the wind blows the soil all over the sky.

This place suffers from drought every year, and everything planted in the fields dies.

In order to support Liu Changhe's schooling, his parents lived frugally and were reluctant to buy him even a decent piece of clothing.

Liu Changhe knew clearly that joining the army might be his only way out.

But Liu Changhe was unwilling to leave this yellow land, and even more so, he did not want to leave the girl who made him dream about her.

"You are still a child and don't understand much. When you join the army and see the world, you will understand your father's painstaking efforts." The mother advised softly, with tears in her eyes.

Liu Changhe lowered his head, like a wilted eggplant, and said nothing.

But in my heart I had made up my mind to go against my parents.

Early the next morning, Liu Changhe sneaked out of the house and ran straight to the old locust tree at the entrance of the village.

That was the place he and Song Xiaomei had agreed to meet.

Song Xiaomei is a girl from the next village. They grew up together and can be considered childhood sweethearts.

As soon as I arrived under the old locust tree, I saw Song Xiaomei standing there waiting.

She was wearing a red flowered cotton jacket and had two pigtails on her head. From a distance, she looked like a blooming hollyhock flower.

"Liu Changhe, are you really going to join the army?" Song Xiaomei asked him with red eyes and a tearful tone in her voice.

"I don't want to go, but my parents forced me to go." Liu Changhe kicked the pebbles under his feet, looking unhappy.

"Then what should I do if you leave?" Song Xiaomei lowered her head, her voice choked with sobs.

Liu Changhe felt a pang of sadness in his heart, as if someone had pinched him hard.

He grabbed Xiaomei's hand and said, "Xiaomei, wait for me! When I come back from the army, I will marry you!"

Xiaomei raised her head, tears in her eyes: "Do you keep your word?"

"Of course I keep my word! I, Liu Changhe, always keep my word!" Liu Changhe patted his chest and made the promise, but he was still unsure.

When he got home, his parents were as anxious as ants on a hot pot. When Liu Changhe came back, Liu Nanwan picked up a broom and beat him without saying a word.

"Where are you running to, you little brat? We have to look for you so hard!" Liu Nanwan's beard was standing on end with anger.

Liu Changhe hid while shouting, "Dad, I don't want to join the army! I want to stay in the village and marry Xiaomei!"

"Bullshit!" Dad Liu Nanwan was so angry that his face turned red. "How old are you? What do you know about love? Being a soldier is the serious thing!"

My mother stopped my father and turned to Liu Changhe and said, "Changhe, I know you can't bear to leave Xiaomei.

But think about it, when you come back from the army, you can find a good job.

Wouldn't it be more confident to marry Xiaofang then?"

Liu Changhe was stunned. My mother's words were like a basin of cold water, extinguishing the anger in his heart.

He also knew in his heart that what his mother said was right.

But Liu Changhe was unwilling to give up. He ran back to the house without saying a word and locked himself up.

At night, Liu Changhe tossed and turned on the kang, unable to fall asleep.

Suddenly, I heard some noise outside the window.

Liu Changhe quietly got up, opened the window and saw that it was Song Xiaomei.

"Changhe, are you really leaving?" Xiaomei asked with red eyes, her voice as soft as a mosquito's hum.

Liu Changhe sighed: "My parents are right, I have to think about our future. Xiaomei, can you wait for me?"

Xiaomei finally nodded: "I'll wait for you, you must come back safely."

Liu Changhe reached out his hand and gently wiped away the tears on Xiaomei's face: "Don't worry, I will definitely come back."

Early that morning, Liu Changhe stood at the entrance of the village with his luggage on his back.

Everyone in the village came to see him off. His parents stood at the front, their eyes full of reluctance and expectation.

"Son, work hard! Bring honor to our Liu family!" Liu Nanwan patted his son Liu Changhe's shoulder, his voice choked with sobs.

The old mother wiped her tears and stuffed a cloth bag into Liu Changhe's hand: "These are the dumplings that mom made for you. Eat them when you are hungry on the road."

Liu Changhe's nose felt sore and he almost cried. He turned around and looked at Xiaomei in the crowd. She waved to him with reluctance in her eyes.

"Everyone, I'm leaving! Wait for me to come back!" Liu Changhe shouted loudly, and walked towards the unknown distance.

After taking a train for a day and a night, and then taking a car for half a day, Liu Changhe finally arrived at the army.

As soon as I got off the car, I was shocked by the scene in front of me.

The tall barracks, the spacious playground, the neat formations, the majestic military flags, all exude a heroic spirit.

But when Liu Changhe actually entered military life, he realized how difficult it was to be a soldier.

I have to get up before dawn to train every day, I can't eat enough and I can't sleep well.

They train under the scorching sun during the day and stand guard at night.

"I wanted to give up more than once, but every time I thought of my family's expectations and Xiaomei's waiting, I gritted my teeth and persevered.

Gradually, I began to like military life.

I learned to shoot, to drive, and to repair various machines.

I feel like I am making progress every day and growing very fast..." Looking at Liu Wu and others who were listening attentively, Liu Changhe laughed. The period as a new recruit was the most unforgettable.

Liu Wu saw Liu Changhe stop talking here, and hurriedly urged: "Captain, please continue talking, don't stop!" The others said: "Yes, Captain, what happened later, please continue talking!"

Liu Changhe took them in stride and said, "In the past, when we went to a teahouse to listen to stories, the guests would give us some money when we heard the storyteller's wonderful story. How come it's not like this...?"

Liu Wu understood immediately and took out a cigarette and lit one for Liu Changhe.

He originally didn't smoke, but unfortunately he met Sun Xinchun, a heavy smoker.

Li Erniu on the side was even more of a lackey. He immediately picked up the cup in front of Liu Changhe and refilled it with a cup of tea.

"That's more like it!" Liu Changhe smiled and continued his story.

One day, the company commander talked to Liu Changhe: "Liu Changhe, you are a good kid! You learn things quickly and work efficiently. I am optimistic about you and want to recommend you to go to military school. What do you think?"

When Liu Changhe heard this, his heart blossomed with joy.

Who among the soldiers doesn't want to be promoted? Going to military school is a good opportunity!

But on second thought, he hesitated again.

Going to military school means he will have to stay in the army longer, and I wonder if Xiaomei can wait that long.

The company commander saw what was on Liu Changhe's mind and said with a smile, "Boy, is there someone waiting for you at home?
Don't hesitate, for your own future and for your family, you have to seize this opportunity."

Liu Changhe gritted his teeth and nodded in agreement.

During the Spring Festival of the following year, Liu Changhe finally got his home visit leave.

After taking a train for a day and a night, and then sitting in a car for half a day, he finally returned to his hometown after a long absence.

As soon as he got off the car, Liu Changhe was shocked by the scene of his hometown.

The originally bare loess slope was now planted with trees.

The dirt roads in the village were turned into cement roads, and every household built brick houses.

He couldn't believe his eyes.

As soon as he entered the village, he saw Xiaomei waiting for him at the entrance.

She is still as beautiful as ever, but more elegant than before.

She was wearing a bright red sweater and her hair was curled into big waves. From a distance, she looked like a blooming peony.

"Changhe!" Xiaomei called Liu Changhe from afar, ran over and threw herself into his arms.

Liu Changhe hugged her tightly, smelling the familiar scent on her body, his heart filled with happiness.

"Xiaomei, I'm back." Liu Changhe said softly.

Xiaomei raised her head with tears in her eyes: "You are finally back, I have been waiting for you for so long!"

Liu Changhe touched her head and said, "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting for so long. But I have good news for you."

He told Song Xiaomei that he was going to military school.

She was stunned at first, then smiled and said, "That's great! Changhe, I'm proud of you!"

Looking at Xiaomei's brilliant smile, Liu Changhe felt warm in his heart...

When he got home, his parents were overjoyed to see him.

My mother made a pot of dumplings overnight, and my father Liu Nanwan took out the old wine he had collected for many years, and the whole family had a happy reunion dinner.

But the good times did not last long. On the second day of the Chinese New Year, Liu Changhe was accompanying his parents to visit relatives and friends to wish them a happy new year, when he suddenly received a telegram from the company commander: "Return to the team as soon as possible."

Liu Changhe was no rookie. His heart sank, knowing that something big must have happened.

But looking at his parents' expectant eyes, he couldn't bear to tell the truth.

"Dad, Mom, there's something going on in the army, so I have to go back early." Liu Changhe said with a forced smile.

The smiles on my parents' faces froze. My mother said with red eyes, "You're leaving so soon? Can't you stay a few more days?"

Liu Changhe shook his head: "No, the company commander's telegram is urgent."

Liu Nanwan patted his shoulder and said, "Go ahead. A country is the foundation of a family. As the son of the Liu family, you should put state affairs first!"

How could my dad, who was once a veteran, not understand?

Liu Changhe felt a lump in his throat and nodded heavily.

Before leaving, Liu Changhe went to see Xiaomei. When she heard that Liu Changhe was leaving, she couldn't stop crying.

"Changhe, you're leaving just after you come back, I can't bear to let you go!" Xiaomei said sobbing.

Liu Changhe hugged her tightly: "Xiaomei, wait for me a little longer, okay? When I graduate from the military academy, I will come back to marry you!"

Xiaomei wiped away her tears and said firmly: "I will wait for you, I will wait for you all my life!"

In this way, Liu Changhe hurriedly set out on the journey back to the team with his family and Xiaofang's reluctance.

Along the way, Liu Changhe was filled with guilt and worry, wondering if he would be able to see them again when he came back.

Only after returning to the army did Liu Changhe find out what had happened.

It turned out to be southern Xinjiang, and their company was going to the front line.

Seeing Liu Changhe's tired face, the company commander patted him on the shoulder and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Xiao Liu. We are soldiers, and it is our responsibility to defend our country."

Liu Changhe straightened his back and said firmly: "Yes, Captain! I will do my best!"

In the following days, they stationed at the border, vigilant day and night.

Every time he encountered danger, Liu Changhe would think of his family and Xiaomei, which gave him courage and strength.

Half a year later, the situation finally eased.

Their company made great contributions, and Liu Changhe was awarded the second-class individual merit and the title of "Excellent Soldier" for his outstanding performance.

This life-and-death test on the battlefield made Liu Changhe more determined to join the army.

Liu Changhe secretly vowed to study hard and make greater contributions to the country in the future.

In this way, Liu Changhe entered the military academy.

Life in a military academy is even harder than in the army, as every day is filled with courses and training.

But Liu Changhe knew that this was his chance to change his destiny, so he studied hard.

Several years of military school life passed by in a flash.

On the day of graduation, Liu Changhe stood on the playground, looking at the fluttering military flag, his heart filled with pride and gratitude.

After graduation, most of the students were assigned to grassroots units.

Liu Changhe was kept by the college to teach a new group of students.

In a blink of an eye, Liu Changhe has been in the army for six years.

Over the years, he has grown from an ignorant young man into an outstanding officer.

Liu Changhe's parents were very proud of him. Every time he came home to visit, they would invite the whole village to dinner and show off their son.

However, the only thing that made Liu Changhe feel uneasy was Xiaomei.

Over the years, they have maintained correspondence, and every time Liu Changhe received her letter, he would read it over and over again.

However, as time went on, Liu Changhe increasingly felt that the distance between them was widening.

Once when he went home to visit his family, Liu Changhe found that Xiaomei had changed. She was no longer the innocent village girl, but had become a mature woman.

Song Xiaomei found a job in a factory in the town, learned how to put on makeup, and even learned how to dance...

Speaking of this, Liu Changhe's eyes became a little dim, and Liu Wu and the others didn't know what to say.

Finally, Liu Wu said, "Hey, today is Sunday, how about we go to the city for a walk?"

The classmates all knew that Liu Changhe could not be allowed to continue talking, as it might bring up his sad memories.

So they took Liu Changhe to go out and relax together.

As we enter the twelfth lunar month, the festive atmosphere becomes stronger and stronger.

The school’s military service center prepared New Year’s goods for the students. As a new student who had been in school for more than half a year, Liu Wu was extremely excited.

In the school service center, Liu Wu used the allowance he had saved for a long time to buy a pair of black leather shoes with three joints.

Suitcases were fashionable these days, so Liu Wu followed suit and bought a suitcase, as well as some cigarettes, alcohol, and New Year gifts for his family.

Finally the time for vacation has come.

Liu Wu wore a military uniform with four pockets and the school badge that was very popular at that time, and rushed to Shishi Railway Station with large and small bags on his shoulders and in his hands.

He arrived at Shishi Railway Station early. During the Spring Festival travel rush these days, the waiting room was packed with people.

There was no heating and they were in a big greenhouse, so Liu Wu was freezing. But when he thought that he would be able to go home soon, he felt warm inside.

The green train from Shishi to Yanjing arrived at Yanjing Railway Station at around 9: pm after more than two hours of bumpy ride.

As I walked out of the exit, I felt a chill in my face.

Although it was freezing cold, Liu Wu felt warm in his heart.

Before going home, Liu Wu called his mother Gan Ning, but did not dare to contact his father Liu Zhiye. He was very scared.

He didn't have this feeling when he was at home before, but since he went to military school and became a soldier, it has been different when facing his father who is the head of a military region.

Therefore, Liu Wu never takes the initiative to call his father.

At the entrance of the train station, Gan Ning's driver Dong Ping had been waiting for a long time.

After Liu Wu got in the car, he said politely, "Brother Dong, I'm sorry to ask you to pick me up in the middle of the night!"

Dong Ping looked at Liu Wu in surprise and thought to himself, "This kid has really changed a lot since attending military school!"

(End of this chapter)