The mother of the era is reborn to support her cannon fodder children!

Chapter 420 "This is the hardcore way a big shot expresses their gratitude"

Cheng Li felt as if her heart was being torn apart.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he kept apologizing, unable to offer any explanation.

He couldn't admit that he didn't know his wife and daughters were suffering.

He couldn't say that he had been in one place for several years, unable to leave or write letters.

He couldn't say that he thought his wife and daughter were living a peaceful and stable life in their little home.

……

After leaving the base, Cheng Lin went home immediately. With a mix of excitement and guilt, she knocked on the door, only to be met by an unfamiliar face.

He then learned that his wife and daughter had been persecuted many years ago and their whereabouts had been unknown for many years.

He was almost going crazy.

After investigating the situation—

He swiftly retaliated against those who persecuted his wife and daughters, while simultaneously seeking help from an organization to locate them.

Too much time has passed, and many documents have been destroyed. Back then, some people used a lot of tricks to protect Tian Ruo and Cheng Xiaoxiao, which is why Cheng Li only found his wife and daughter now.

Tian Ruo was originally a gentle and weak woman, but years of living in the countryside made her as tenacious as a weed.

She quickly regained her composure.

She lowered her eyes, looked at her husband, and smiled, "You just got back, didn't you?"

"Mmm." Cheng Li looked at his wife's rough face, his heart aching, and he responded with a choked voice.

"I knew it." If her husband hadn't been powerless, he would have come to her and Xiaoxiao long ago.

Tian Ruo's brows relaxed, and she smiled, "I understand you. After all, I knew what path you were on from the beginning. But... for our Xiaoxiao, you're a failing father. Cheng Li, you need to treat your daughter better from now on."

Cheng Li's eyes burned, and her heart swelled with emotion. She took a deep breath and hurriedly promised, "Yes, I will. For the rest of my life, I will treat you well."

He looked up slightly and saw the girl standing not far away.

The girl wore a patched cotton coat, with two short braids hanging in front of her. Her skin was rough, but her features were delicate. She resembled her mother seven parts, with only her eyebrows and eyes showing traces of her own.

Cheng Li looked at Cheng Xiaoxiao and felt inexplicably nervous.

“Xiaoxiao…” His voice was strained.

Cheng Xiaoxiao's eyes immediately reddened, and she ran to him, hugging her father tightly.

"father!"

"Dad!!" she cried, one call after another.

"Dad, I missed you so much! Why did it take you so long to come find me and Mom?!"

"Dad, someone is bullying me and Mom. They stepped on my hands, and my hands hurt so much."

"Dad, a bad guy pulled Mom's hair and slapped her! Dad, you have to get revenge for Mom and me!"

Cheng Xiaoxiao said while crying.

These words were also the words that the little girl had kept buried in her heart all those years ago, never having had the chance to say them.

Cheng Li's heart felt as if it were being tightened by a net, or like eating an unripe apricot, both sour and astringent.

He responded word by word, “Dad misses you and Mom too. Dad avenged you. The bad guys who bullied you are in jail. My Xiaoxiao suffered. You and Mom persevered until now. Dad is proud of you. I will never let you suffer again.”

In a short time, she cried so hard that Xiaoxiao's beautiful eyes swelled up.

She looked up, her voice trembling with nervousness, and asked, "Dad, can...can Mom and I leave the village?"

Cheng Li felt a pang of pain in her heart. She wiped away her daughter's tears and said, "Yes, you can go wherever you want."

Captain Ye stood in the corner, not daring to speak.

Honestly, the burly man next to Cheng Li kept glaring at him, as if he wanted to skin him alive.

"??"

Captain Ye scratched his head, puzzled.

Tian Ruo noticed the captain's figure, her face flushed red, she pushed her husband away and introduced him, "This is the captain, he's helped me and Xiaoxiao a lot."

She then introduced him to the captain, saying, "Captain, this is my husband. He's here to take us home."

Speaking of this, I feel a lump in my throat again.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Li and the guards protecting him suddenly turned from cold faces to smiles.

"Hello, Captain. I was so rude just now." Cheng Li extended his hand, his previously aloof demeanor melting away like ice and snow, becoming incredibly approachable.

Captain Ye, bewildered, shook hands with the man who looked like a leader.

"No, it's nothing."

How can a person's face change so quickly... it's simply beyond words.

"Are you taking Comrade Tian Ruo and Comrade Cheng Xiaoxiao with you?" he asked.

The captain had heard that some of his brigades had been picked up by vehicles, but he didn't expect that his own brigade would also send people.

“Of course,” Cheng Li said firmly.

As he spoke, he looked at his daughter, "Xiaoxiao, go pack your things, Dad will take you home now."

Tian Ruo tugged at her husband's arm, "Let's go in a couple of days. The brigade has helped me a lot, and I want to thank them. Let's stay a couple of days before leaving."

Cheng Li felt guilty towards his wife, and he agreed to whatever she asked.

"I'll listen to you, but you can't stay here anymore. Come with me to the guesthouse."

Tian Ruo didn't argue with her husband over this matter. After saying goodbye to Qiao Lao and others, with Cheng Li, the mother and daughter, who had lived together for several years, were taken away by the pillar of the family.

She sat in the car, smiling shyly, and dared not move.

Cheng Li felt a pang of tenderness in her heart. "This is a car the organization provided for Dad. Don't be shy, touch it as you like."

Xiaoxiao's eyes brightened slightly. "Okay."

Over the years, Tian Ruo has kept a low profile and has not had much contact with the villagers. She only nodded to the brigade leader and the Gu family, who had helped her a lot, and said that she would visit again tomorrow before getting into her car and leaving.

I watched the car drive away.

The villagers were in an uproar.

"What's going on, Captain?"

"Why did they leave? Are we in big trouble?!"

Seeing their panicked expressions, Captain Ye flicked his sleeve and said, "What bad luck? What terrible bad luck? We haven't done anything to harm anyone. Besides, the organization agreed to let them leave. What are you panicking about? If the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up!"

Tall people...

Everyone looked at Gu Chenghuai in unison.

This man is not only tall, but also holds a high position; he is one of the few in their brigade who holds a high-ranking official position outside the brigade!
"Chenghuai, look... those two bad..." He wanted to say "bad elements," but swallowed the words back and changed his words, "Those two comrades were taken away, won't they cause any trouble?!"

Gu Chenghuai's expression was calm, and his presence alone gave people a sense of security. "No, it's in accordance with policy."

This is different from those years. The college entrance examination has been reinstated, and things are gradually opening up... everything is getting better.

The villagers put their minds at ease.

"Now that you say that, we feel relieved."

"Yes, yes, otherwise I'm always worried that some people will suddenly appear and destroy our village."

"Who can argue with that! It wasn't easy for our village to become what it is today."

……

Lin Zhao withdrew his gaze. Very good. Little Xiaoxiao's fate has completely changed. She survived a great calamity and is sure to have good fortune in the future. That girl's life will be sunny from now on.

She thought of the original story: Xiaoxiao died not long after arriving at the brigade; her mother, devastated by the loss of her daughter, didn't survive the winter... and passed away too...

Ten years later, two men arrived at the brigade. The man in the lead, upon learning that his wife and daughter had been gone for many years, coughed up blood on the spot. He then sat for a whole night in front of two adjacent small mounds. The next morning, the guard noticed that the man's hair had turned completely white! These two nameless men in the book must be Cheng Li and his guard who came today, right?
What must a person feel when looking at two shabby, cold little mounds of earth, filled with anticipation and longing to reunite with his wife and daughter?

They must have been in extreme pain, filled with regret, filled with hatred, and filled with remorse.

The most regrettable thing in the world is not having the chance to say goodbye.

Seeing that his wife hadn't spoken for a long time and her eyes were glazed over, Gu Chenghuai waved his hand in front of Lin Zhao's eyes.

"What are you thinking about?!"

Lin Zhao snapped back to reality, smiled, and said, "I wasn't thinking about anything, I just felt that this was the best of times."

Gu Chenghuai was startled, and his heart suddenly skipped a few beats.

"Yes, this is the best of times."

After Tian Ruo and Xiao Xiao were taken away, the remaining people in the courtyard at the foot of the mountain felt a sense of anticipation.

Ren Wei'an and his wife Wen Xin exchanged a glance, seeing a unique brilliance in each other's eyes.

...They still have the opportunity to return to the classroom, teach and nurture students, and cultivate talent for the country, right?!

When a person has something to look forward to, their spirits and energy are completely transformed.

Old Qiao smiled as he looked at the two university professors who had suddenly become more conscious of their image.

pretty good.

For the first time, Gu's father came to the courtyard at the foot of the mountain without anyone hiding from him, and sat face to face with Old Qiao.

"You've been making headlines these past few days, you must be thrilled," Old Qiao teased his old friend with a smile.

Mr. Gu smiled sheepishly, a smile exactly the same as the one Mr. Qiao had given him when he was in Haicheng, where he could turn the world upside down with a flick of his wrist.

"Yes, I'm overjoyed." He didn't deny it. "Brother Qiao, you know, I have no other hope in this life but that the younger generation in my family can get out and not live the same hard life as me, toiling in the fields. Farmers really suffer. They earn just enough to make ends meet. They can't afford to build a new house or wear new clothes even if they farm their whole lives. Workers are better off. Workers get a monthly salary, and they even have a pension when they get old..."

Old Qiao listened patiently. Having spent several years in the countryside, he knew how hard farmers worked and could better understand Gu Feng's feelings at this moment.

"Now everything's fine." Old Qiao patted Gu's father on the shoulder. "Your children and grandchildren have all made something of themselves! It's time for you to put down your burdens and enjoy your retirement."

Mr. Gu smiled broadly, "Yes, it's time to enjoy life!"

Remembering the important business he had come here for, he said, "I see that Comrade Tian and Xiaoxiao have both left. Can you leave too? I don't know what I can do for you. If there's anything I can help you with, just let me know."

Old Qiao felt a warmth in his heart.

"I appreciate it, you've already helped me."

If it weren't for Gu Feng's family all these years, he would have been reduced to a small mound of earth long ago, and he would never have seen the light at the end of the tunnel.

Mr. Gu's eyes lit up. "You mean?!"

That letter we sent out before!?

Old Qiao nodded. "That's exactly what you think."

With a sly smile on his face, he said casually, "Just as you think, I'll be heading back to the city soon!"

"That's wonderful!" Father Gu was genuinely happy for his great benefactor from his youth.

Old Qiao could sense his sincerity. Gu Feng was the purest person he had ever met. The saying "a friend in need is a friend indeed" was not just empty words.

"Are you interested in moving to Haicheng?" he asked.

Mr. Gu was stunned. "Me? I'm moving to Haicheng?!"

He quickly shook his head, "It's such a big city, I'm afraid I won't be able to adapt. Besides, even a green onion costs money in the city, no thanks."

Old Qiao said, "I'll give you a big house and arrange jobs for you and your family. Will you go?"

This is the kind of hardcore way a big shot expresses their gratitude.

Instead of feeling happy, Gu's father felt terrified.

"No, no. We're not related. You've given me a big house and arranged jobs for us. I'm afraid I'll become cunning. I feel more at ease living in my brick house. You go back. I'll visit you in Haicheng when I have the chance."

Old Qiao guessed that he wouldn't accept it.

This is similar to Gu Feng when he was young.

Be content, have a sense of proportion, and always know how to make choices.

"You, you..." Old Qiao's smile deepened, his tone becoming more intimate, "You'll just stay in your dilapidated brick house until you grow old."

Mr. Gu didn't take it seriously, saying, "My brick house is perfectly fine."

"Alright, alright, everything's fine," Old Qiao said helplessly.

……

The following day, Tian Ruo's family returned to Fengshou Brigade.

Tian Ruo and her daughter were no longer 'sinners,' but the family members of a meritorious scientist riding in a car.

They were wearing new clothes, their hair was neatly combed, they stood tall and proud, and there was no longer any fear in their eyes.

Tian Ruo bought a lot of candy and cookies, and distributed them to the children of the brigade as soon as she arrived.

The children in this brigade never bullied her daughter, which was a great kindness, and she was sincerely grateful.

The children looked at their parents, who nodded before accepting the candy and politely thanking them.

"Thank you, Auntie."

Tian Ruo smiled. Her way of repaying kindness was focused: she gave a gift to each brigade cadre and the last one to the Gu family's old house.

Over the years, Tian Ruo and her daughter have eaten many meals sent by the Gu family, and she has always kept them in mind, wanting to repay them.

Upon learning of the Gu family's care for his wife and daughter, Cheng Li was extremely grateful and prepared a generous gift.

Century-old ginseng, foreign cigarettes, imported chocolate, Moutai liquor...

Mr. Gu was naturally unwilling to accept it and hurriedly refused, saying, "It's just a small favor. I'm doing this to help my benefactor. You don't need to do this."

Tian Ruo said, "Xiaoxiao and I have eaten at the Gu family's house quite a few times. These things are nothing, Uncle Gu, you must accept them, otherwise I will feel bad."

Cheng Li nodded and bowed slightly to Mr. and Mrs. Gu. "Yes, we must accept it. Thank you, Uncle Gu and Aunt Gu, for taking care of my wife and Xiaoxiao. We must repay this kindness."

He and Ruoruo talked for a long time last night.

His wife's situation at the time was really not good. Fortunately, they came to the Harvest Brigade, which was not harsh. If they had gone to a more strict brigade, his wife and daughter would probably have been dead long ago.

Seeing that Cheng Li insisted, Gu's father, who was not good at refusing people, had no choice but to accept the gifts. However, he did not accept them all, only taking a few as a token gesture and returning the rest.

He said to Cheng Li, "I'll take those, but you can take these back. Otherwise, I'll feel bad. Your wife and daughter have suffered a lot, so treat them well and live a good life together."

Cheng Li could tell that Gu's father was really unwilling to accept it, and sighed softly, but in her heart she felt admiration.

"I will," he said solemnly, accepting the woven bag that his father handed him.

Father Gu's expression relaxed slightly.

The Gu family treated Tian Ruo's family to a meal, and Xiao Xiao got to know the Gu family's children, and her smile became more frequent.

Tian Ruo's eyes stung as she watched her daughter laughing and talking with other children her age.

Cheng Li is even more so.

He owes the girl so much.

Fortunately, he can make up for it for the rest of his life.

He and his wife had discussed it and decided that they would only have one child, Xiaoxiao, and everything they had would be left to her.

Two days after Cheng Li's family left, the people who were there to pick up Old Qiao arrived.

Several cars drove into the Fengshou Brigade; even the county's top leaders came.

It was a grand affair.

(End of this chapter)