Chapter 11: Zhang Shaocai's Generosity and Yan Yuhuan's Thoughtfulness

  Time passed slowly, and the winter vacation was about to begin. Xu Shaojie's relationship with the school party branch secretary had become very harmonious. On the surface, Xu Shaojie showed great respect for the secretary, often inviting him to dinner, and every time he reported his thoughts, he brought a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes. The phrase "this is not an example" had long since disappeared into thin air. Xu Shaojie knew that he was slowly getting closer to the party organization, but these things were all kept secret, and even his dormitory roommates didn't know about them.

  Apart from the scattered pack of Zhonghua cigarettes, there was another one that Xu Shaojie couldn't bear to smoke, so he put it in his trunk and planned to bring it back home for Chinese New Year. He would visit his brother Xu Yijie and let him try some, which would be a way to celebrate the holiday. Xu Shaojie had never smoked Zhonghua cigarettes before, but he gave four packs to the secretary and still had six packs left. During the holidays, Xu Shaojie would take out one pack and share it with his comrades in the dormitory.

  Xu Shaojie and Zheng Yuxin seemed to have a tacit understanding, as they met in the cafeteria more and more often, with their timing becoming increasingly precise. When they saw each other, they would exchange a faint smile, without any other gestures. However, a change had occurred - they both felt compelled to see each other. One time, Xu Shaojie accompanied the secretary out for dinner, unaware that Zheng Yuxin was waiting for him in the cafeteria until nightfall. Xu Shaojie had never spoken with Zheng Yuxin before and didn't know about her family situation, but relying on his intuition, he sensed that Zheng Yuxin's family relationship was not simple.

  The time for vacation has finally arrived

  In the bedroom, Xu Shaojie took out a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes. At this moment, everyone's eyes widened. They had heard of Zhonghua cigarettes but never actually smoked one before. Now, this pack of Zhonghua cigarettes was right in front of them.

  "Xu Ban Zhang, you've struck it rich! Congratulations, congratulations! This is to reward your comrades!"

  "Sun Yong, stop talking nonsense, I haven't tried Chinese cigarettes either, this is my first time."

  As usual, Xu Shaojie opened a pack of Chinese cigarettes and handed out two to each person in the dormitory. Sun Yong often joked that Xu Shaojie was distributing celebratory cigarettes every day, but he had never seen the bride. If this were true, Xu Shaojie would have married over 100 brides in one semester, which was quite impressive. However, today Sun Yong didn't crack a joke and carefully accepted the cigarette, putting one of them away safely.

  "Sun Yong, what are you doing?"

  "Xu Ban Zhang, you don't know, my old man likes to smoke, has been smoking all his life, but never had a taste of Zhonghua cigarettes. I'll bring this one back and let him try it."

  Everyone was silent, Xu Shaojie thought for a moment, took out a Zhonghua cigarette from the cigarette case, and threw the remaining packaging to Sun Yong.

  "There are still a few left, take them back for your dad, it's our younger generation showing respect."

  Sun Yong held a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes, didn't say a word, nodded at Xu Shaojie, and his eyes were welling up with tears.

  When leaving the dormitory, Xu Shaojie felt that Chinese cigarettes were better than Hongtashan, smoother and not less. At the school gate, Yan Yuhuan was waiting, Zhang Shaocai was in the cart, this is Zhang Shaocai's own cart.

  Xu Shaojie got on the bus and saw two large packages.

  "Brother, you're going back home for the new year, but I won't be able to go with you. There's still work here that I need to take care of, and I won't be able to go back home either. Otherwise, I'd love to follow you to see mom. This is my heartfelt wish, please bring it back home, don't decline, you know my temper."

  After finishing speaking, Zhang Shaocai took out a plastic bag from the front.

  "There are four packs of Zhonghua cigarettes in here, which is enough for the New Year. It's really hard to buy these Zhonghua cigarettes, and it was only with the help of the provincial government leaders that we were able to get a quota. This costs 2000 yuan, take it, brother. This year has been a bit tough, so there's not much money, don't be offended. Have a good New Year. Call me before you arrive, and I'll go pick you up at the train station."

  Xu Shaojie didn't speak for a long time, the sedan headed to the long-distance bus station, the ticket had been bought long ago. Xu Shaojie's departure from home was a bit late, it could be said that he was eager to return home like an arrow. However, there were too many luggage, three big bags, Xu Shaojie was busy for a while.

  "Brother, after you get home, give me a call and let me know you're safe. Your sister-in-law and I will be at ease."

  Xu Shaojie got on the bus, and Zhang Shaocai and Yan Yuhuan did not leave until the bus left the station.

  The bus finally arrived at the county town. Xu Shaojie had not yet gotten off the bus when he saw his mother and sister waiting for him at the station.

  After receiving Xu Shaojie's letter, Han Qing'e waited for several days. It had been half a year since Xu Shaojie left home and didn't send any money back. From Xu Shaojie's letter, Han Qing'e knew that he was working with a big boss in the construction industry named Zhang Shaocai, with good pay and benefits. Han Qing'e was still at ease about Xu Shaojie, who was the most sensible among her children. Knowing Xu Shaojie's return date, she tidied up the bed and changed into thick quilts. Now that Xu Shaojie was a university student, there was another thing Han Qing'e wanted to tell him: Xu Yijie would be released from prison soon, thanks to the 1000 yuan Xu Shaojie had sent back. Han Qing'e had managed to get connections, and Xu Yijie had behaved well in prison, so according to the time calculated, he could return home for the new year.

  The family reunion is joyful, Xu Shaojie's luggage is not small, a total of three large packages, Zhang Shaocai and Yan Yuhuan prepared two large packages of gifts, Xu Shaojie still doesn't know what they are. Han Qing'e was surprised, Xu Shaojie returned home, how could he bring so much luggage? The three of them worked hard to load the luggage onto the cart. Xu Shaojie gave the cart driver a pack of Hongtashan cigarettes, and the cart driver was very happy, this is indeed a good cigarette without any discount, people from big places are really different.