1977: The beginning of the blind date with the daughter of the king

Chapter 662 1982!

When Li Changhe left the capital, it was the sweltering heat of August, but when he returned, it was already early autumn in October.

Li Changhe was constantly on the go throughout September.

He first went to Japan, then to Europe, and finally to the United States, before returning to Hong Kong Island, essentially traveling around the world.

After his busy schedule, Li Changhe quietly returned to the capital and gave Ah Hu and the others a break.

Of course, Ah Hu and his friends' vacation wasn't very long, only about ten days, and then they had to return to Australia to wait for him, pretending that he was there.

At this time, Beijing, which had just celebrated National Day, was still bustling with activity, and people walking on the streets were still carrying a joyful atmosphere.

In the Summer Palace next to Peking University, Li Changhe parked the car and then helped Zhu Lin out of the car.

At this time, Zhu Lin's pregnant belly was already slightly protruding, but it was not particularly obvious yet.

Taking advantage of the good weather, Li Changhe took her out for a walk.

"Hey, Changhe, look, isn't that Haiwen and Shuanglin?"

After walking around Kunming Lake for a short while, Zhu Lin suddenly pointed to a group of men walking towards them and said something.

Li Changhe looked closely and, sure enough!

At this moment, Haiwen Shuanglin and the others also saw Li Changhe.

"Old Lin, isn't that Changhe and his wife over there?"

Haiwen, who was watching Li Changhe from a distance, spoke to Lin Shuanglin and the others.

The main reason is that there are quite a few people in the Summer Palace now, and Lin Shuanglin is tall, so he can see very clearly.

"That's right, it's just the two of them, what a coincidence!"

The group then quickly walked towards Li Changhe and his wife.

"Changhe, Zhu Lin, I really didn't expect to run into you two here today."

After meeting, Haven said with a smile.

"What's so coincidental? Look at the young people strolling around here, a third of them are from Peking University."

“Look at them, it’s all men and women strolling around, while you guys are just a bunch of men wandering around aimlessly. You’re obviously bachelors.”

Li Changhe bluntly retorted.

Although the school tries its best to prevent students from dating, people can't resist the thrill. If the school doesn't allow it, they date secretly. Instead of wandering around the school, they go to the Summer Palace for a stroll, since the ticket price isn't expensive anyway.

"Okay, okay, but it's obvious you're married, isn't it? Bringing Zhu Lin out here is just making us single guys feel intimidated."

"These guys are responding to the country's call to marry and have children later in life. They're contributing to the country. Unlike you, who got married so early."

Haven, ever quick-witted, retorted without hesitation.

"Haiwen, you don't understand. I think Changhe's attack on us is fake; he's just showing off."

"Comrade Zhu Lin, are you about to become a great mother?"

Lin Shuanglin has a sharp eye; although Zhu Lin was wearing relatively loose clothing, he could still tell at a glance that Zhu Lin's figure had become much rounder.

Adding to the fact that Lin Shuanglin had just seen Li Changhe and Zhu Lin walking from afar, she naturally guessed the reason.

"Shuanglin, how did you figure that out?"

Zhu Lin asked curiously at this moment.

When Lin Shuanglin explained, everyone around him was stunned.

"So you two had a baby secretly without saying a word!"

"No, I'll reserve the position of godfather for the child first."

Haven said this with a cheerful smile.

Lin Shuanglin, who was standing nearby, quickly said, "This is not appropriate. You are about to go abroad. What kind of godfather are you? I will take over!"

"Shuanglin, it's one thing for others to say these things, but how dare you say them yourself?"

"As if you're not going abroad?"

Haiwen glared at Lin Shuanglin and said fiercely.

After hearing this, Li Changhe looked at Lin Shuanglin in surprise: "Shuanglin is also going abroad?"

"He was selected as a government-sponsored student to study abroad next year, also in the United States!"

Haiwen said through gritted teeth, "I also want a government-sponsored scholarship, but unfortunately I'm not qualified."

"Great, Shuanglin, this is wonderful news!"

Upon hearing this, Li Changhe immediately offered his congratulations with a smile.

Lin Shuanglin also said with a smile, "I had originally decided to study for a master's degree under Professor Dai next year, but I didn't expect that the school would select me and let me study in the United States."

"I'll be starting preparatory class in just a few days. The weather's nice today, so I came out for a walk with Haven and the others."

These days, before being sent abroad on a government scholarship, students have to attend a preparatory course for three to six months. This is partly to learn a foreign language and partly to have a dedicated teacher to provide them with information about science and general topics related to studying abroad.

Thirdly, we must strengthen ideological education.

"Perfect timing! Since we've met today, let's have a meal together to celebrate."

"Judging from what you just said, Haven should have received his overseas university admission notice as well."

Li Changhe then said with a smile.

Haven nodded in agreement: "That's right, an acceptance letter from California State University. I'll set off after the New Year."

"By the way, Changhe, I'm afraid I'll have to stay at your home near the Overseas Chinese Apartments for a night in a few days."

Then, fearing that Li Changhe might overthink things, Haiwen quickly explained, "The main reason is that I need to apply for a visa again."

"It's too far from the school to the US embassy. If I take a bus there in the morning, I'm afraid I won't make it in time because there are too many people in line."

“I plan to go there very early in the morning. It’s closer to cycle from your house.”

Haven said softly.

"I'll stay there, but it's not close to the embassy district from the Overseas Chinese Apartments. It's more than ten kilometers by bicycle."

"Okay, on that day, I'll find you a place right next to the embassy district, so it'll be convenient for you to get your visa."

"But you've already received the acceptance letter, haven't you applied for the visa yet?"

Li Changhe owns many courtyard houses in the city center and several in Sanlitun. Giving one of them to Haiwen for one night is not a big deal.

He was just curious: Haden had already received his acceptance letter, so why hadn't he applied for a visa yet?

"I applied for it back in June, but if I had gone there then, I would have been considered a transfer student. Professor Dai's idea was for me to wait six months until I graduated from Peking University, so that I could directly pursue graduate studies in the United States."

"After all, a bachelor's degree from Peking University is recognized in the United States. Otherwise, if I had gone there two months ago, I would have had to start my undergraduate studies again."

“I think what Professor Dai said makes sense, so I applied to California State University for a six-month extension, and they agreed.”

“However, the student visa is only valid for three months. My visa, which I applied for in June, has expired and I have to reapply for it.” “I plan to go to the embassy to reapply in a few days.”

Haiwen then explained it to Li Changhe in detail, and Li Changhe nodded in understanding after listening: "I see."

"Let's go find a place to eat first, and we can talk while we eat!"

Afterwards, Li Changhe led Haiwen and the others to the parking lot. When they saw Li Changhe's black Land Cruiser, a look of shock appeared on their faces.

"You've managed to get on the bus now, kid?"

These days, cars are definitely a standard accessory for officials, especially Li Changhe's car, which is clearly not an ordinary Jeep. Even high-ranking officials probably can't afford a car like this.

"This isn't mine; it belongs to a military unit. Didn't you see it has military license plates? It's just that I'm temporarily using it for this job so I can be there anytime for urgent work."

"But since you guys are leaving, I can't just leave without saying something."

"We'll sponsor you with some foreign exchange when we get back. It's better to be frugal on the road than poor. We can't give you too much, but we can make sure you have some money on the road."

Li Changhe said casually as he drove away.

Haiwen and his friends were among Li Changhe's good friends from university, so it was natural for them to show their appreciation now that he was going out.

"Foreign exchange?"

"Forget it, that's too precious. You should keep it for yourselves."

“I’m going abroad to study on a government scholarship, and the country provides me with a living allowance of fifty US dollars a month, which should be enough.”

Lin Shuanglin shook his head and said softly.

It was precisely because he was going abroad that he realized the value of foreign exchange. Although Li Changhe was not short of money, it was not so easy for him to acquire some foreign exchange.

Lin Shuanglin felt that she couldn't accept it.

Compared to Shuanglin, who rarely left the school, Haiwen knew more.

He had visited Li Changhe's home in the Overseas Chinese Apartment complex, and the house and the appliances inside were enough to demonstrate Li Changhe's wealth.

“I don’t really need much. I’ve told you before that both of my uncles live in Los Angeles. They’re well-off and have offered to cover my tuition. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to go abroad on my own.”

Haiwen's uncle used to be a high-ranking official in the Nationalist government. Later, he went to the island and then to the United States. He came back to visit relatives a couple of years ago and learned that Haiwen had been admitted to Peking University. So he encouraged Haiwen to study abroad and promised to cover all his expenses.

"Alright, stop arguing. I'm not giving you much, just so you won't be too strapped for cash on the road."

"Once you're actually out there, you'll still have to rely on yourselves."

Li Changhe didn't plan to give more; he would give each person a thousand US dollars as a small token of his appreciation.

After all, once they actually arrive abroad, it's unlikely that Li Changhe will have any further contact with them.

"You two, don't refuse. Consider it a small token of our appreciation. Go abroad and study hard, and come back to serve your country. That's the right thing to do."

Zhu Lin then spoke up as well.

She knew her husband's regret. With his abilities, he could have openly studied abroad and returned to serve the country, or he could have entered officialdom as an outstanding student of Peking University and become an excellent cadre who helped the people.

Unfortunately, all of this has now vanished like a bubble. Of course, he can leave the country openly, but under a different identity.

Giving up the identity of Li Changhe is, in effect, giving up another brilliant and splendid chapter in his life.

Although Li Changhe did not regret it, Zhu Lin knew all too well that he might have some regrets in his heart when facing these Peking University classmates.

"Alright, since Zhu Lin has said so, we shall respectfully comply."

Seeing this, Haiwen stopped refusing; to refuse again would be pretentious.

The group had lunch at a restaurant, and before leaving, Li Changhe put two thousand US dollars in an envelope and stuffed it into the arms of Haiwen and Lin Shuanglin respectively.

"Hide all this money well, preferably in separate places, so that if a thief or something steals it, you'll still have some left over."

"I heard that the country is now cooperating with some overseas foundation to help Chinese people who have gone abroad to Europe and America with their difficulties, including legal and economic assistance. You can consult with them when the time comes."

"Finally, I wish you a safe journey, academic success, and a speedy return to serve your country!"

Li Changhe then gave each of Haiwen and the others a big hug.

Four years of friendship have come to an end today. Although our friendship will remain, some of us will go abroad, some will go to work, and we will be scattered all over the world. Who knows when we will be able to get together again?

"Changhe, take care too!"

Haven and the others also spoke with deep emotion.

As the pride of Peking University, they probably had some guesses about Li Changhe's unusual behavior over the past two years.

As a prominent figure who led the 1977 and 1978 classes at Peking University, Li Changhe left the school quietly two years later, becoming shrouded in mystery. Undoubtedly, he must have entered some secret front for the sake of the country and begun to dedicate himself ahead of schedule.

People may not know the inside story, but they do know Li Changhe's special status.

Their low-key behavior will undoubtedly ensure they remain unknown after graduation.

Those seemingly prestigious jobs, like working for the State Council or in prominent national departments, are probably out of Li Changhe's reach. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so low-key as to not even show off to his classmates after his internship was assigned.

That is why everyone knows that this parting may be the last time they see each other.

After driving away from the gate of Peking University, Zhu Lin looked at Li Changhe and said gently, "What's wrong? Are you having second thoughts?"

"I wouldn't say I regret it, I just feel a bit sentimental."

Li Changhe didn't know how many of these students, who were so full of vigor and ambition now, would still be so spirited in a few years.

"Don't worry, I will never regret choosing this path."

After all, compared to the knowledge in his mind, staying in China was the most useless option for him.

"By the way, let's go home tonight and ask our eldest sister how her self-funded study abroad application is going."

"I forgot to ask when I came back last time. I don't know if the school she applied to has sent the acceptance letter yet."

Li Changhe then spoke to Zhu Lin.

He had previously encouraged his older sister to study abroad at her own expense, but he didn't know if the school she applied to had accepted her application.

"It's been accepted. I forgot the name of the school, but my mom told me the other day that I've already received the acceptance letter."

"I'm also applying for a visa; I plan to leave after the New Year."

"By the way, Changhe, did our eldest sister's family really take Nannan out?"

Zhu Lin asked curiously at this moment.

Li Changhe nodded: "Actually, it would be most suitable for her and Chen Aiguo to go out together, but you can't leave Nannan alone in the country."

"Furthermore, since the two of them went abroad together, they might have another child, after all, American universities don't care about things like childbirth."

"Let them go out together, I've already made arrangements."

Li Changhe said with a smile, then drove Zhu Lin home.

Time slips away quietly, and in the blink of an eye, autumn has passed and deep winter has arrived.

The Spring Festival of 1982 has arrived!

(End of this chapter)