Restarting life in Siheyuan

"Xu Damao? He's back?" Zhu Xuefeng was very surprised. He had long forgotten about this person.

"Well, I heard that he went to the street office to report this afternoon and wanted to return to his old house."

Zhu Xuefeng scratched his head, "Godmother, I remember he was in prison for fifteen years, but now it's only six years and he's out?"

Director Wang nodded. When Xu Damao was sentenced, it was she who went to the compound to announce it. "Xu from the subdistrict office told me that he had made significant contributions and his sentence was reduced almost every year."

At this moment, there was a noise at the door, "It should be your Uncle Kong who is back." Director Wang stood up, the door opened, and it was Uncle Kong who came in. Director Wang helped take the bag and put it on the cabinet in the hallway.

"Xiao Feng is here. I was just looking for you. What do you want to talk about?"

"Let's talk about my younger brother and sister going to school." Zhu Xuefeng didn't want to pay attention to Xu Damao's affairs, so he changed the subject.

"Isn't it too early for them to go to school? It will take at least two or three years." Uncle Kong took off his coat and Director Wang helped him hang it up.

"Hurry up and wash your hands first."

"Hmm, it smells so good, dumpling soup. It would be even better if there were two pancakes." Uncle Kong looked at the steaming dumpling soup and washed green onions on the table and suddenly felt hungry.

"You're so beautiful. I just came back a while ago. How can I have time to make pancakes? Eat or not, you'll be hungry if you don't eat." Director Wang scolded him bluntly, and Uncle Kong apologized quietly. "Okay, okay, please save some face in front of Xiaofeng."

"Let's have some together." Uncle Kong saw that there was still a lot in the pot and invited him. Zhu Xuefeng shook his head and said, "I'll eat with the two little guys. You eat yours and don't worry about me."

We are all family, Zhu Xuefeng said. The couple stopped being polite and started chatting while eating. Uncle Kong was also very interested in Zhu Xuefeng's suggestions. He also knew that Zhu Xuefeng had a junior sister who was very good at kung fu. He drank a sip of the dumpling soup and put down the bowl.

"Old Wang, what do you think?"

Director Wang chewed a bite of pickled vegetables and said, "Xiao Feng and I just talked about it. If it's allowed, I have no objection. Going to school is better than staying at home. Besides, neither of us has time to look after them now."

"It seems that there is no requirement in this regard. There are still many students studying abroad. Except for those sent by the government, these people should not come back."

This is what Lao Kong is in charge of. He has some idea in mind. It cannot be said that he has violated the regulations, but he still needs to report it.

"That's right, Hong Kong is still our own territory. This doesn't even count as going abroad." Zhu Xuefeng interrupted with a smile.

The two were also stunned. Indeed, the territory is still in the hands of the white devils, but this is a good statement and there is nothing wrong with it.

Old Kong gave Zhu Xuefeng a strange look and asked, "Who taught you this?"

Zhu Xuefeng just smiled and said, "Uncle Kong, you still need someone to teach you this. This piece of land in Hong Kong was rented out by the foreigners under the unequal treaty. Now we don't even recognize the unequal treaty. Of course this land belongs to us, and we will get it back one day."

Uncle Kong looked at Zhu Xuefeng again, and after a while he reminded him, "There's nothing wrong with what you said, but don't say it outside. Now is not the right time to say this."

Zhu Xuefeng immediately realized that there were indeed many people clamoring to take back Hong Kong now. There were many people who held this view, both in China, in Hong Kong, and even in the world. This was also the cause of the chaos in Hong Kong in June.

"Yeah, I'll pay attention."

Seeing Zhu Xuefeng’s statement, Lao Kong did not pursue the matter any further and turned to Director Wang.

"Old Wang, I'd feel at ease if Xiaofeng were to take care of the child's affairs. If you agree, let's do it." Director Wang was surprised to see Uncle Kong agreed so readily. He picked up the scallion, stirred it in the sauce bowl twice, and took a bite.

"If you, as a father, are willing to do so, I naturally have nothing to say, but you have to think about it carefully. If you send them over so young, it will be difficult for you to see them."

Uncle Kong looked mysterious and smiled, "It's not that difficult. It's difficult for you to see it. I have to go to Hong Kong at least once a year. I will go and see it then, haha."

Director Wang was stunned. It was true. Old Kong could take advantage of his position, but he was the only one who couldn't see the child.

"Hong Kong is not far away. Whenever you want them to come back, I will do it." Zhu Xuefeng took the responsibility. Lao Kong did not doubt that he had the ability to do it. This kid had been to Hong Kong many times.

"But it's still a little early to go there now. They won't start school for another two years. Besides, the school might start teaching again in two years." Seeing that the children decided to go to school outside, Director Wang felt empty and reluctant for a moment. They had just turned four years old and were too young.

"Godmother, the main languages ​​spoken there are English and Cantonese. It's a good time for my brother and sister to go there now. It's easier to learn the language when they are young. Adults may need years to learn. With a language environment, they can learn the language for two years, so they don't have to waste time learning English when they grow up."

Zhu Xuefeng had already thought of a reason. If he left without saying goodbye in the second half of the year, the ones who would be most affected would definitely be his godmother and Lao Kong. It would be impossible to persuade these two people. So he would start with the children first. If they felt sorry for the children, they might agree to leave. If that didn't work out, then we can talk about it later. Zhu Xuefeng would never abandon them.

"Old Wang, what Xiaofeng said makes sense. You said that classes will resume in two years and there will be no outsiders here. Do you believe that? The children cannot be delayed. Let them go with you. It will be very convenient for them to come back every year. It will only take a few naps on the train."

Lao Kong has seen a lot of things and believes that it is not a bad thing for children to go abroad to study, no matter from which level. "Besides, the country now needs a large number of English talents, as you know, and children do learn languages ​​faster than adults. I agree with Xiaofeng's opinion."

Director Wang knows that the international situation has changed and the country needs to have more exchanges and cooperation with the international community. As the main language of international communication, English is becoming increasingly important. In order to adapt to this change, the country has begun to train a large number of English talents to meet the needs of diplomacy and international cooperation.

"That's right, godmother. You know, the plan for foreign language personnel to study abroad was very clear two years ago. English is now a tool for international communication. The country needs it for diplomacy and international cooperation. There is a big gap. This is an opportunity."

"Okay, I can't argue with you two, but...ah." Although her mind told her that sending them to Hong Kong to study would be a good idea, Director Wang still felt reluctant to let them go. She gently called the two confused children over, hugged them tightly in her arms, and said no more.

Seeing this, Old Kong also finished his drink in two gulps, waved to Zhu Xuefeng, and the two of them tiptoed into the study, leaving Director Wang alone hugging his child and feeling sad.

"Xiao Feng, I have something to tell you, just keep it to yourself." "What is it, Uncle Kong? Why are you being so secretive?"

"It was your teacher Guo Jinlan from Beijing University. She was extremely dishonest during the investigation, and she kept making accusations everywhere. She was very stubborn and has been dealt with."

Uncle Kong said it lightly, but Zhu Xuefeng was still shocked. This Teacher Guo was arrogant and had targeted him many times when he was an undergraduate, but he didn't expect that he would be punished this time.

"Don't think too much. It has nothing to do with you. She has a lot of problems. She relied on her brother to do all kinds of bad things. Many people in your school were punished by her. Even two students died. You almost fell into their hands this time. She admitted that she didn't want you to come back alive when she sent you to the farm."

Zhu Xuefeng asked himself, apart from sending her nephew to prison, she deserved it and could not be blamed. He really had never offended her. It was she who was unhappy with him and caused trouble for him again and again.

"Where's her brother? Has he been sentenced?"

"No, her brother is a senior official after all. He is now in prison. A lot of contraband items and wealth of unknown origin were seized from their home. He is still gritting his teeth and refusing to admit it, saying that they were from his ancestors. I am puzzled. How could he have the courage to plunder so many valuables, including several national treasures."

Zhu Xuefeng knew that this was the cleverness of Guo Junjie's father. As long as he confessed, he would most likely be executed. If he didn't speak, he still had a glimmer of hope. At least he hadn't betrayed anyone else, so he wouldn't die for the time being. As long as he didn't die, there was hope.

"You're telling me this just to comfort me?"

"That's right. Don't you know Lao Hao? When he heard someone wanted to kill you, he was furious. He was afraid that you would be wronged."

Zhu Xuefeng remained silent and said nothing, which made Lao Kong a little depressed. Shouldn't he thank the leader for his concern at this time? This kid has registered an appointment there.

Seeing Lao Kong looking at him strangely, Zhu Xuefeng could only smile and said, "I have nothing to complain about. Thank you for your concern."

What else can I say? Guo Jinlan has already been executed, and the grudge is over.

"There is another situation here, I need to tell you." Lao Kong spoke again. Zhu Xuefeng looked up at Lao Kong, a little surprised, is this matter not over yet?
"They have three children. Their two daughters have been dismissed and are under investigation, but their son is missing. The couple is also very stubborn and refuses to confess. But we estimate that he has run away."

"He ran away? Where could he run to? There is a vast sea of ​​people, there is no place for him to escape to."

Lao Kong shook his head. "We found some evidence in his son's room. This guy should have contacted the outside world a few years ago. If nothing unexpected happens, he must have escaped."

Zhu Xuefeng thought about it and it didn't seem strange. The first time he spied on him, he seemed to have heard him ask his two bed partners if they were willing to go out with him.

"You told me this, don't you want me to go on a mission to capture this kid?"

Uncle Kong shook his head. "It would be great if we could catch him, but no one knows where he went. We think his parents must have found a way to send him away, but they probably don't know where he went."

"Uncle Kong, I understand. That is to say, if I know where he is, I will bring him back, right?"

Lao Kong then nodded and said, "You know him, so it's more reliable than relying on photos. You studied abroad and can speak a few foreign languages. If there is a real opportunity, it would be more appropriate for you to come forward. This should be safe for you."

"Okay, I'll go if I get a chance. In fact, don't refuse dangerous missions on my behalf. I'm willing to run."

Lao Kong did not respond to Zhu Xuefeng's words. This kid was not afraid of danger, but he and Lao Hao were. Even a not-so-dangerous task could be made extremely difficult by him. Lao Hao didn't dare to use him recklessly now.

"By the way, Uncle Kong, if there is nothing else, can I not report to the bureau? Although there is nothing for me to do in school right now, I still want to do some research."

Knowing that his leader attached great importance to him, Zhu Xuefeng had some little ideas again. He had to go to the bureau every once in a while. It was too much of a hassle to receive lessons from time to time. If it weren't for the bureau's holding him back, he would be a free man now and could travel around with justification.

Of course, without the care from the bureau, he would have to be treated the same as other teachers in the school, but he chose to ignore this.

Lao Kong lowered his head and thought for a while. "Logically, you are the same as other comrades who are on long-term missions outside. You don't need to come here often. Aren't you in the city of Beijing? Do you still want to hide? Your school's research rooms and laboratories are all closed. Where can you go to do research? What do you want to do?"

I didn't expect Uncle Kong to be quite clear about the situation at Peking University. I ran out of excuses all of a sudden. I just didn't know if he knew about the fact that Professor Lin and others left without saying goodbye. But before he could open his mouth, Uncle Kong told him all of a sudden.

"By the way, the Revolutionary Committee of Beijing University reported that five professors suddenly disappeared with their families. No one knows where they went. If you have nothing to do, why don't you take a few people to investigate?"

Zhu Xuefeng waved his hands repeatedly, "Uncle Kong, I didn't say I'm fine. I can't do the experiment. There are many other things I can do. Besides, if I lead people to investigate, my identity will be completely exposed in school. I won't do this job. Besides, does our bureau care about this kind of thing?"

Old Kong agreed, "If you don't want to go, then don't go. Our bureau doesn't want to get involved, but they have been investigating for several months and have no clues, so they reported it to us. In fact, the bureau is very busy now, so there is no time to deal with such trivial matters."

Zhu Xuefeng also echoed, "That's right, this kind of thing should be handled by the public security system. This is their scope of responsibility. We shouldn't get involved. There are only a few of us. If our bureau has to intervene in this kind of thing, we won't be able to do this job in the future."

Lao Kong agreed with Zhu Xuefeng's words. "That's right. Now there are people hiding in various units. We can't get involved in this mess. If we get involved in this mess, we can't get away from it. It will never end."

When the two men left the study, Director Wang had already coaxed the two little ones to bed. When he saw the two men come out, he asked casually.

"What are you two talking about? What are you two hiding from me? Why don't you find someone?"

Lao Kong smiled and said, "It's nothing. Several professors from Xiaofeng's school are missing, so this is what they are talking about."

"Oh." Director Wang did not continue to ask. In recent years, the number of missing people has increased too much to count. Especially in the past two years, there have been large-scale missing persons across the country, which is impossible to track. Just last year, nearly 1.4 million people suddenly poured into Beijing, wandered around and then dispersed. This is more than one-fifth of the population of Beijing.

Until these people left one after another, the subdistrict office in Beijing was almost busy. The key point is that after they left, countless people in Beijing joined the team of outsiders to visit LIAN. Now the permanent population is basically changing every day, and it is impossible to manage it. (End of this chapter)