78: Bringing his wife and children to Harbin Institute of Technology

It was past 3 p.m. when I came out of the police station.

The autumn sun felt warm on his body, and Ye Bingwen took a deep breath, feeling that even the air outside was sweet.

"Bingwen, go home and check on the kids first. Lao Cai and I will wait for you in the county town," Ma Kui said understandingly. "We'll discuss the trip to Harbin again tomorrow."

"Thank you, Teacher Ma. Thank you, Teacher Cai," Ye Bingwen said sincerely.

"Alright, don't be so polite," Cai Xun said with a smile. "With your grades, you deserve our kindness. Go on, see you tomorrow."

Ye Bingwen took Zheng Shuyun home, and on the way, Zheng Shuyun recounted the events of the past two days in detail.

"Bingwen, those two teachers were so good to you," Zheng Shuyun said with emotion. "Especially Teacher Ma, who seems to know some very high-ranking officials. He just made one phone call and summoned the local officials."

Ye Bingwen nodded. "Those who could get into university in 1978 were no ordinary people, and those who could become department heads were even more extraordinary. They were willing to help me because I was truly worth the price."

Zheng Shuyun rolled her eyes at him. "Can't you be a little more humble?"

"It's just a matter of being realistic," Ye Bingwen laughed. "My grades are top-notch nationwide. It's normal that they're scrambling to hire me; it would be strange if they weren't."

The couple chatted and laughed, and soon arrived home.

When Mr. and Mrs. Ye saw their son return safely, they were overjoyed. Mrs. Ye hugged her son and cried for a long time, while Mr. Ye stood by with red eyes.

"Dad, Mom, I'm fine," Ye Bingwen comforted her. "It's all over now."

"That damned Li Sanguang!" Ye's mother said through gritted teeth, "You helped him so much, and he actually reported you!"

Ye Bingwen sighed, "Mom, I'll handle this. Don't worry about it."

He first went to check on his daughter, Ye An'an. The little girl was sleeping soundly, her rosy cheeks like a little apple.

Ye Bingwen gently touched his daughter's face, a warm feeling welling up in his heart.

No matter how many storms there are outside, as long as this family is still here, he is not afraid of anything.

"Bingwen, what do you plan to do with Li Sanguang?" Zheng Shuyun asked in a low voice.

Ye Bingwen was silent for a moment, then said, "I'll go talk to him."

"Be careful," Zheng Shuyun said with some concern.

"fine."

Ye Bingwen went out the door and headed straight for Li Sanguang's house.

Li Sanguang's house was located at the east end of the village, and it was the most dilapidated house in the entire village. Ye Bingwen helped him renovate it with a considerable amount of money back then.

Before I even entered the door, I could hear arguing coming from inside.

"What kind of mess have you made!" a woman's sharp voice rang out. "Don't you know how much Ye Bingwen has helped our family? Is this how you repay him?"

"I'm just scared..." Li Sanguang's voice sounded somewhat aggrieved.

"Afraid? Being afraid will get you into trouble?" the woman continued, "I think you're a heartless ingrate!"

Ye Bingwen recognized the voice as that of Li Cuihua, Li Sanguang's wife.

He knocked on the door. "Brother Sanguang, are you home?"

The arguing inside stopped abruptly.

After a while, the door opened, and Li Sanguang stood in the doorway, his face pale.

"Bing...Bingwen..." His voice trembled, "You're out?"

Ye Bingwen looked at him calmly and said, "Brother Sanguang, shall we talk?"

Li Sanguang opened his mouth, but finally dejectedly stepped aside. "Come in."

The room was very simple, with an eight-immortal table, a few benches, and several yellowed newspapers pasted on the wall. Li Cuihua stood to one side, her eyes red.

"Bingwen, I'm sorry..." Li Cuihua spoke first, "Your brother Sanguang is confused, don't take it to heart."

Ye Bingwen waved his hand, "Sister-in-law, don't say anything yet. Let me talk to Brother Sanguang alone."

Li Cuihua hesitated for a moment, then turned and went into the inner room.

Ye Bingwen sat down at the octagonal table and looked at Li Sanguang. "Brother Sanguang, please sit down."

Li Sanguang sat down tremblingly, not daring to look Ye Bingwen in the eye.

"Brother Sanguang, I have a question for you," Ye Bingwen said. "What do you think of the household responsibility system?"

Li Sanguang was taken aback for a moment, "Okay...of course it's good. The fact that everyone has been able to have enough to eat these past two years is all thanks to this."

"Then why did you report me?"

"I..." Li Sanguang lowered his head, "I heard there's going to be a meeting to discuss this at the end of the year, and I'm afraid... I'm afraid the higher-ups won't support it, and then we'll all be finished. I was thinking, if someone steps up, maybe..."

"Can I keep you safe?" Ye Bingwen continued.

Li Sanguang nodded silently.

Ye Bingwen sighed, "Brother Sanguang, do you know what the consequences will be for what you did today?"

Li Sanguang shook his head.

"If I were an ordinary person, hadn't gotten into university, and hadn't met those people willing to help me, I might still be locked up in there," Ye Bingwen said calmly. "What would have happened to my parents? What would have happened to my wife? What would have happened to my daughter?"

Li Sanguang's face grew paler and paler.

"Even if it turns out I'm innocent in the end, I still won't be able to go to school," Ye Bingwen continued. "My whole life has been ruined by you."

"Bingwen, I..." Li Sanguang opened his mouth, but could not utter a word.

"I know you're scared," Ye Bingwen's voice softened a bit. "But have you considered that you're not the only one implementing the household responsibility system? Xiaogang Village in Anhui, Sichuan, Guizhou, and many other places across the country are doing it. This meeting isn't to criticize anyone; it's to summarize experiences and promote this policy nationwide."

Li Sanguang was stunned. "Really...really?"

"Do you think I would lie to you?" Ye Bingwen asked back.

Li Sanguang fell silent.

He knew, of course, that Ye Bingwen wouldn't lie to him. In the past two years working for Ye Bingwen, everything Ye Bingwen had said had come true.

"Brother Sanguang, I'm not here to confront you about anything," Ye Bingwen stood up. "I just want to tell you that you can't just think of yourself. You're afraid of getting into trouble, and so am I, but some things have to be done."

He walked to the door, glanced back, and said, "I've covered this up for you. Secretary Wang of the prefectural committee was going to punish you, but I said it wasn't necessary. But if you do something like this again, I won't help you anymore."

After saying that, Ye Bingwen pushed open the door and walked out.

The sound of Li Sanguang crying came from behind.

"Bingwen, I'm so sorry..."

Ye Bingwen did not turn around.

He knew that Li Sanguang truly regretted it, but some damage cannot be repaired by regret alone.

Back home, Ye Bingwen pulled Zheng Shuyun aside and said, "Let's pack our things. We're going to Harbin tomorrow."

"So fast?" Zheng Shuyun was somewhat surprised.

"The notification letter says the reporting time is in early October, but it's almost the end of the month now," Ye Bingwen said. "Besides, Teacher Cai and Teacher Ma have already arrived, so we can't keep them waiting forever."

Zheng Shuyun nodded. "What about Mom and Dad..."

"I will talk to them."

During dinner, Ye Bingwen told his parents about his trip to Harbin.

After a moment of silence, Ye's father said, "Go on, study hard. Don't worry about things at home."

With tears welling in her eyes, Ye's mother asked, "Your daughter-in-law and child are going too?"

"Yes, Teacher Cai has arranged a job for Shuyun in the school's publicity department," Ye Bingwen said. "Our whole family will go."

"That's good, that's good..." Mother Ye wiped away her tears. "Take good care of yourself while you're away. Write home if anything happens."

"Mom, don't worry." Ye Bingwen held his mother's hand. "Once I'm settled, I'll bring you and Dad over."

Mr. Ye waved his hand, "We're used to living in the countryside, we don't go to the city."

Knowing his father's temper, Ye Bingwen didn't say anything more.

That night, Ye Bingwen lay in bed, looking at the stars outside the window.

"Bingwen, what are you thinking about?" Zheng Shuyun asked softly.

"I'm thinking about the future," Ye Bingwen said. "Once I get to Harbin, I'm going to study hard and try to achieve something as soon as possible. That way, you and An'an can have a better life."

Zheng Shuyun leaned on his shoulder, "As long as you're here, every day is a good day."

Ye Bingwen smiled and hugged his wife tightly.