Volume One, Chapter 17: So You Came Here Seeking Credit

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Those words made Gao Yuemin’s face flush with embarrassment. Indeed, he had shown too little concern for his younger brother. He recalled how it was actually his own daughter who first responded to the call and voluntarily requested to be sent to the remote northern frontier. The third brother had been so worried about Xiaoya going alone to such a desolate place that he had registered her with the local street office without even informing anyone.

Over the past four years, it was really the third brother who had been acting as a father figure, protecting Xiaoya diligently. In this respect, Gao Yuemin felt he owed his brother a great debt of gratitude. Just as he was about to apologize, Zhang Xuemei spoke first.

“Second Brother, you’ve gone too far,” she said, slapping her chopsticks on the table and staring directly at her husband with indignation. “What are you putting on airs for, acting like a university professor at home? Besides, what wrong has the third brother done? If it weren’t for him watching out for Xiaoya, who knows how much suffering she’d have endured! You don’t appreciate his kindness, and now your younger brother has barely warmed his chair since coming back, and you’re already giving him a tongue-lashing. Aren’t you something else?”

Seeing that his words had not only provoked the third brother but also ignited his wife’s anger, Gao Yuemin felt like sitting on pins and needles, unable to find a word of defense.

Gao Ya added another jab softly: “Dad, without my uncle by my side these past four years, I wouldn’t have even had a decent meal. More than half of his monthly ration went into my stomach. To make sure I was fed, my uncle tried every possible way. He often went hungry himself, his eyes turning green from hunger, but he endured it. Also, the male educated youth sent to the northern frontier from Beijing were notoriously rough, and bullying female educated youth was common. I was never bullied once because when a young man got too close soon after I arrived, my uncle chased him for two kilometers wielding a kitchen knife and gave him a thorough beating. Since then, all the boys knew I had a protector, and no one dared show their teeth at me.”

Hearing this, Gao Yuan turned to his uncle and said, “Uncle, thank you for protecting my sister. It’s really something my brother should have done, but over the years, you’ve borne the burden. I’m grateful.”

Gao Yuelin, chewing on a piece of beef, swallowed and smiled warmly. “Why talk like strangers in the same family? If outsiders hear this, they’ll laugh at us. Besides, I’m your elder, and as your uncle, it’s only right to look out for my niece and keep others from bullying her.”

Only then did Gao Yuemin raise his wine glass solemnly to his brother. “Third Brother, I owe you an apology. I didn’t consider things from your point of view. Second Brother apologizes—sorry about that. This glass is for you. I won’t say thanks or any other words. Like you said, family should not speak as if from different houses. When we’re out, protecting Xiaoya is your duty. Come, let’s drink!”

Gao Yuelin raised his glass and clinked it firmly against his brother’s, his voice low and steady. “Cheers!”

The two brothers tilted their heads back and downed their wine, with a hint of the camaraderie that washes away old grudges.

Zhang Xuemei and Gao Ya whispered together, heads close. Gao Ya’s eyes suddenly widened as she looked at Gao Yuan in disbelief. “Really? Mom, are you saying my little brother is this year’s top scorer in Beijing’s college entrance exam?”

Zhang Xuemei rose and handed her the newspaper with a beaming smile. “How could it be false? Look, your brother’s essay was published in the People’s X Daily.”

Gao Ya took the paper, reading it carefully from beginning to end. When she looked up, she was still surprised but mostly joyful. “Xiaoyuan, you’re amazing. This is such a surprise. I’m really proud of you. My brother is the top scorer in the college entrance exam, and his essay was even printed in the paper. Imagine how impressive that is!”

Gao Yuelin reached out eagerly. “Let me see, let me see.”

Gao Ya handed the newspaper to him again.

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“It’s well-written, meaningful, with a lofty theme. It describes the intense pressure of studying over the past year from the candidate’s perspective, the great difficulty of revision… Yuanzi, did you write this?” Uncle smiled warmly at Gao Yuan.

Gao Yuan blushed. “Well, literature is drawn from life but transcends it.”

The whole family laughed.

Gao Yuemin teased, “When I first read this essay, I felt the same as your uncle. This doesn’t seem like my son’s life in the past year. Has my son ever studied hard? Isn’t he the one who goes around stealing chickens one day and petting dogs the next? Then I thought maybe my son is just good at observing other people’s lives.”

“So, you mean, after that, the essay flows smoothly?” Mom asked with a smile.

“Yes, it does,” Dad nodded.

If there had been a crack under the table, Gao Yuan would have wanted to crawl into it. He looked down. Although the floor was brick, the gaps between bricks were filled smoothly with cement.

Gao Ya lifted her cup and said to Gao Yuan, “Little brother, I congratulate you on your excellent results in the first college entrance exam since its restoration.”

Gao Yuan, who hadn’t drunk any alcohol today, raised his glass as well and clinked it with his sister’s. “Sister, I also congratulate you on being admitted to university. Once we’re both in college, let’s study hard together. After graduation, when we enter the workforce, we can contribute to the early realization of the Four Modernizations.”

The siblings smiled and sipped their water.

The sense of ceremony was a bit strong.

“Wow, haven’t seen you in years, Yuanzi. Your level has really improved,” Gao Yuelin said as he clinked glasses with Gao Yuemin again, raising an eyebrow.

“My son, hehe,” Gao Yuemin replied.

Zhang Xuemei glanced at him, wondering what he was chuckling about.

Gao Yuan suddenly remembered something and took advantage of the moment to say to his father, “When you report to the institute tomorrow, don’t forget to mention our family’s housing situation. My uncle and sister are back now, and one and a half rooms just isn’t enough.”

Gao Yuemin smiled. “Don’t worry, even if your uncle and sister hadn’t come back, I was already thinking about this. I’ve already spoken to the institute leaders today, and they promised to consider it seriously.”

But serious consideration still takes time.

Gao Yuan decided to fan the flames a little. “Dad, there must be quite a few teachers at the institute with similar housing situations, right?”

Gao Yuemin took a sip of wine. “Yes, roughly thirty or so. You know, in recent years during the rectification campaigns, teachers were a key focus. Not just at our institute, but other universities had even more teachers who were purged. Their housing was all reclaimed. Why do you bring this up now?”

“It’s no longer fashionable to organize collective petitions, but there’s no rule against educators suffering unfair treatment coming together to report their family hardships to the leaders, right?” Gao Yuan suggested. “If you raise the issue alone, the impact won’t be as strong as if everyone does it together. Isn’t that reasonable?”

“No way, no way. If we did that, how would that be different from organizing a petition?” Gao Yuemin rejected the idea outright without a moment’s thought. He was too scared from past experiences.

Zhang Xuemei also opposed her son’s suggestion. “Don’t get any wild ideas. Your parents have come through such harsh times and know how dangerous people’s hearts can be. Your father has only just recovered his job; he can’t risk losing it again because of some selfish scheme.”

Gao Yuan smiled. “No need for Dad to greet every teacher. Just let the word spread… right, Uncle?”

Gao Yuelin grinned mischievously. “Makes sense. Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, you two don’t worry. Just pack your bags and get ready to move.”

The uncle and nephew’s playful exchange made the couple smile wryly, though the thought of two extra people at home was a real squeeze.

Gao Yuemin and Zhang Xuemei exchanged a glance and silently consented to their mischievous plan.

It was nearly two o’clock by the time they finished lunch.

“Is Yuemin home? Is Xiaoyuan home?” a voice called from outside.

“Here we are. Please come in,” Gao Yuan recognized Old Qin’s voice immediately.

Sure enough, Old Qin led the way, followed by Aunt Zhou, Aunt Li, and Aunt Zheng from the street office.

Upon entering, Old Qin looked around and exclaimed, “Yuelin and Xiaoya are back! Double happiness for your family today. We heard your essay was published in People’s X Daily and came specially to congratulate you. Hope we’re not disturbing your family reunion.”

“Not at all, it’s nothing, really. Xiaoyuan just got lucky that his essay was selected. It’s not like he’s some great literary talent. Please, all of you sit down. Xiaoyuan, Xiaoya, pour some water for our guests,” Zhang Xuemei kept bustling around, smiling continuously, almost begging them to keep praising her.

While pouring water, Gao Ya whispered to Gao Yuan, “Mom’s personality is really changing a lot. When did she get so extravagant?”

Gao Yuan couldn’t help but laugh. “I think it started when I was studying hard. Before you came back, we had already been showing off in the yard, almost got into an argument with Aunt Liu.”

Gao Ya smiled quietly. “She’s proud of you. I can understand Mom’s mood.”

The siblings handed water to the four guests.

Gao Yuan received another round of hearty compliments, hailed as a prodigy destined to be top scorer, with praise going on and on.

He felt embarrassed and kept saying it was nothing special.

“Xuemei,” Aunt Zhou, the leader of the street office, said with a smile, “we came today for another matter.”

“Yes, Director Zhou, please say.”

“We know you’ve been working tirelessly in the rural areas of Yanling for years, treating and curing many villagers. You’ve been diligent and never complained, earning unanimous praise from the locals. We have noticed all this. Although the university entrance exam results haven’t been officially announced, we believe Xiaoyuan’s admission to university is certain. His essay being published is a very clear sign.

In the future, when Xiaoyuan starts university, he must be cared for. Interrupting a child’s studies is, at best, burying a talent; at worst, it delays the nation’s modernization.

Therefore, after careful discussion at the street office, we formally propose transferring you back to the hospital for work. The hospital leadership, considering your family situation, has readily agreed.

We just came to inform you: after the New Year, you can report for duty at the hospital.”

Gao Yuan laughed to himself—these four were clearly here to take credit.

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